Driving North from La Paz to Oregon
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 кві 2024
- Join Kat and Brighton West as they return from their seasonal stay in Mexico to Oregon, sharing insightful contrasts and observations made during their journey. From navigating the challenges of traveling with their carsick rescue dog Butters to handling the complexities of border crossings, this video is rich with personal stories and practical tips.
- Explore how Butters, their Mexican street rescue dog, managed his car sickness with some help from anti-nausea medication and a prime seating location, making the long drive more manageable.
- Understand the advantages of using the SENTRI lane for smoother and faster border crossing, and learn from their mistakes to avoid potential fines.
- Discover the stark differences in road conditions, signage, and driving culture between Mexico and the United States, adding a layer of adventure to driving in Mexico.
- Hear firsthand about the various practicalities of road travel in each country, including rest stops, construction zones, and driving at night.
- Compare gas prices and fuel quality across the border, with insights into budgeting and planning for road trips in North America.
This video provides a comprehensive look at the logistics and experiences of coming back to the U.S. after an extended stay in Mexico, filled with useful tips for travelers and expatriates alike.
Support this channel by buying me a margarita over at www.buymeamargarita.com
The Mexico Relocation Guide is the perfect resource for moving to Mexico. We've partnered with them and you can get the guide here: mexicorelocationguide.com/?re...
Butters is a true Lab they always want to be near their people ❤
Yes - EXCEPT we tested his DNA and he doesn't have an ounce of Labrador in him. He's a mix of 19 different breeds that turns out to look and behave like a Lab.
Kat looks much happier in Oregon. Butters is a sweetheart. Love your dogs. Hugs to you both.
Kat is pretty happy here. Butters wants to go back to Mexico because it's too cold here! Hugs back to you!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I concur with Butters.
@@meloearth me too!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Ditto
Thank you for talking about the driving differences between the U.S. and Mexico. Glad that you guys are home safely. Butters is so sweet! I know that Nugget was a bit energetic for your video but it is so good to see her that way because she is healthy!
Yes - we need to remember to appreciate Nugget when she's acting like a 4 year old because she doesn't often have that level of energy! Thanks!
Kat has that wonderful Hair from her Mexico salon! You too Brighton... both of you are looking good! Hopefully Oregon weather changes soon! Welcome HOME!! :)
Isn't home where your heart is ?
Home is where my liver is.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico So you leave it behind ?
Glad you made it safely!!🙌🏽
Thanks! I'm thinking about having a May 12th 5pm happy hour on Hawthorne. Would that work for you? You're in Portland, right?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico No, Sacramento California. I'd come if I were!! Have a few for me! 😆
@@SophiaZanzotWhitted Sorry, for some reason I thought you were in Portland. I'll definitely drink a few margaritas for you!
I think it’s really good you mentioned that about the century lane it is so ridiculous. I don’t know how we got veered into that lane but we didn’t even know what the difference was and then they come down on you so hard so yeah, I’m glad you mentioned that, every little bit helps❤😂
I'm pretty sure I'd be writing my Congressman if I got a $5000 fine. It's crazy how the punishment doesn't fit the crime - and if it's such a burden, then why don't they invest in some signs on the Mexican side? Ugh.
Hello from SW Portland. Love watching you two. My husband and I are getting older and I really want to spend time in Mexico for extended periods. My husband is not willing to go though. Keep up the videos as they are great to watch and show my husband how great it is and not scary.
Send me an email and I'll let you know when I'm having happy hours in Portland. I usually do it a few times per summer in SE near my home. You should definitely visit some "soft landing places" in Mexico so that your husband can see what's possible. Ajijic comes to mind. Here's my email: brighton@gen-mex.com
Welcome back to our cold spring weather!
Ugh - we made chilli last night and I hung out in a warm coffee shop today. I feel like I've arrived. BTW - send me an email and I'll let you know when I'm having happy hours in Portland. I usually do it a few times per summer. brighton@gen-mex.com
Was fun hearing about your driving experiences. I always look forward to your videos. Recently on my way from Ensenada to San Filipe I passed by a trash collector truck but I noticed trash flying right out the top of the truck. I now think most of the trash seen roadside is from that, not everyday Mexican drivers.
Hmmm that's a good theory. I haven't seen it, but I have seen the beach in front of my house after folks hang out for the day. Usually the trash is a very close match to the type of beer and chips I'd seen folks on the beach consuming. Once Kat asked some guys not to leave their trash on the beach and so they put it on the beach in front of our neighbor's house!
You bring up some really good points (I say that because when I was in Mexico, I also noticed these same things)LOL❤😂
Welcome back to Puddletown! ~ Thx for the tips for crossing in Mexicali... I'm planning to drive down to La Paz next time so the info was invaluable! ~ I appreciate your content & the fact that you include your doggies in your videos. 🐶. Hasta!
Ahh - the doggies include themselves when they want to. Otherwise, when they are doing something cute, as soon as I take out the camera they stop being cute and just look at me. Mexicali is a great place to cross! I'll be setting up a happy hour in Portland soon.
I live in US but still enjoy your videos. More so now as I recently learned a friend is going thru the process of making a move to Mexico. I believe she has also watched your videos as well as others.
That's wonderful for your friend - and I'm happy to share my story with folks in the US. So much negative imagery of Mexico is seen on the US news and social media. I wish you and your friend the best!
I’m going to do it too…most likely, and thanks to this channel, lots of helpful info. Cheers!
The casual ball toss from Brighton behind his shoulder was great! 😁 God Bless you two, I will be reaching out soon, I plan to retire near La Paz and take a yearly 2 month Winter visit. I play Pickleball and love both of your energy, and thank you again for rescuing these beautiful animals.
Thanks - my athletic abilities are pretty much limited to tossing balls for my dogs (and pickleball.) I hope to meet you in person soon!
I just love you two!
Thank you - we love you too!
Thanks guys for sharing your travel experience, such valuable info…it made me a subscriber! Love your pups :)
Awesome - thanks for subscribing!
Sentri is awesome!
I agree! It's so nice to drive right past the 4 hours of cars waiting to cross the border!
Gosh …still watching and ca nt believe you mentioned the Glasses! Same here❤😂
I wish that I needed glasses because they are such a good deal down there! But my current glasses are still good. Maybe in a year or two...
Much appreciated the topic of animals, dogs, road trip, trash....these are very important things to know. Being from S. America, now living in the US, I didn't know the US was trashy in the 60s and 70s.
Yup - I was born in 1972 and I remember the Crying Indian commercial (sadly, they cast an Italian guy to play the part of the native American.) Check it out: ua-cam.com/video/j7OHG7tHrNM/v-deo.html.
Wooo great you make it Bach home save , Ian looking to see all those videos, Of the house in Oregon God bless you today and always
Thank you!
Welcome home 🏡 😊
Thank you!
Thanks for the info on San Ignacio as a good stopover point. We're planning to head down the peninsula later this year. Also, we were just in Mexico for the eclipse, and at the Costco in Saltillo, we were able to pump our own gas just like in most of the US! It was a bit confusing to figure out the more complicated way of paying (than here in the states at the pump), but not a big deal. I was surprised self-serve was allowed at a gas station in Mexico!
Self service in Mexico? Interesting! And so confusing!! How was the eclipse? We wanted to go, but we couldn't get a ferry cabin from La Paz.
Here's a video going south that includes the place in San Ignacio. Contact them directly and you'll get a better rate than advertised online: ua-cam.com/video/OpKMmTGYKFM/v-deo.html
Hi from Oaxaca Mexico !!! ❤😊
Hey Oaxaca! That's one of the possible locations for a summer trip for us... or Puebla. There are so many great places we haven't been yet.
Hola Oaxaca
Sorry your fur babe gets car sick...NOT sorry you all arrived safely! Enjoy your stay!
Thanks. I think we finally figured out how to keep Butters from getting car sick. Now we need to write it down and put it inside our "Baja Box" so we don't forget!
My husband and myself are looking into this type of lifestyle from Canada 🇨🇦 Thank you for your tips, it is very much appreciated. We really love Loreto but think LA Paz would be more affordable . I have seen a lovely Casita with a pool advertised in El Centenario area. It was only about $900. U.S Thank you both for your insights 🥰
Loreto is very nice, but it's a bit small for my tastes. A casita with pool for $900 sounds great! Just be aware that unfurnished Mexican rentals don't come with things like refrigerators. And pools usually are not heated in the winters.
I've been seeing more and more US style Truck stops in Mexico. Road from CD. Juarez to GDL
Yes - sadly, one is going in just across the street from our house. 😞
You have to be US citizen to get Sentri & Global Entry as far as I know. Make sure your car is updated too w Sentri
I just did some Googling. SENTRI is open to anyone. Global Entry is for US citizens and a select group of non-US-Citizens. www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico good to know. Things tightened up after 911- glad to hear it’s more accessible. The interview is a complete joke.
Welcome back. My wife and I are long-time Portland residents. I am retiring at the end of this year and have been dreaming about Mexico for years. Any chance I could buy you a cup of coffee sometime in the next couple of weeks to pick your brain?
There are a bunch of Portlanders wintering in Mexico. I'm going to do a happy hour for folks to get together. May 19, 5-7pm at Pepinos on SE Hawthorne. Can you make it to that?
I hope it's ok to stop by the happy hour. Would like to start connecting with folks from PDX that will be in/near La Paz next winter.
Hi from Ajijic Mexico!
Ajijic is beautiful. How long have you lived there?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico for 3 years 2014 -2017 then returned to US for family reasons and returned as permanent residents in October 2023.
@@Tycobb10 Congrats on getting back to Mexico!
See... I told you to turn around. 😁 Yes 100 kmh is app 63 mph 80 km is 50 mph. Our gas is sold by the litre and 6 US gallons is about 5 imperial gallons. (Blame that 1 on the Boston tea party) . Glad your trip was mostly uneventful and I've never needed tire chains EVER. Amy our older dog is also a terrible traveler and she will not pee (or anything else) while on a leash. We did discover Amy likes to ride in an elevated position. We folded a rear seat back in the RAV and put a "cloth" suitcase there, she rode on top of it and could see out the windshield and was fine. 1 quick note my last huskie would sing (like a huskie does) as soon as he got into the car ... It was a howl of joy. P n D
Butters was elevated in the back of the car on the drive down and he did really well. I think being able to see out is key.
I never needed tire chains in Wisconsin, but in Oregon, everyone has them in their car all winter. I don't know the difference, but there must be one.
But I didn't know that the US gallon was a US thing. If you buy a gallon of milk in Canada, how many ounces is it?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico 160 oz = 1 imperial gallon. 1 imp gal = 4.54 litres 1 US gal = 3.785 litres and our milk "jug"is 4 litres. 1 imp gal = 1.200 US gal. Finally yes litre can also be spelled liters. These numbers are rounded off. Or Google it.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico We don’t buy a gallon of milk in Canada. We buy 4 litres. 😊
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Actually I answered the liquid measurement question but the Tube people made it go away. It all happened when due to taxation your Boston Tea Party folk changed the liquid measurement to make said items seem less costly. But actually sold you less for the same price. (Sound Familiar ?) They were the leaders in shrinkflation.
@@mwiebe2663 Or blow his mind about the bags of milk.
You make a good pitch for getting sentri. Based on your comments and another channel's experience not getting a 5k fine. Perhaps do a video on the plethera of entry programs and if any of those can use Sentri lanes? Plus if you get sentri do you always get TSA precheck as part of that, as a US citizen.
PS. With a dog named butters if you get a nervous pooch, going to name it Tweek?
Thanks for the video idea! I'm adding it to my list.
Are Butters and Tweek the same character - maybe different personalities of the same character?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Tweek was the son of the local star bucks clone coffee company. He tag line was "Gah! Can't take the pressure! his parent fed him coffee a bit too much. :)
i think he was only in a few seasons, very minor southpark character. I like early southpark, more edgy and rough around the edges. Not watched in many years.
@@Chris-ut6eq I think I may have confused Tweek with Butters if I ever saw him. I too watched the early years. Thanks!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Tweek looks like butters but with more hair as I recall. He's a very minor one note character and YT has some complications.
Where do you live in Portland? I am from St. Johns left when i was 18, went in the Army for 22 yrs. and never looked back live in Tex. now 79 yrs old now. Enjoy your program.
Come on south across the border! It's great down there.
We live in the Hawthorne area east of downtown. I haven't been to St. Johns in years. It's not super easy to get to and you need a reason to go. But it's become quite a popular place to live.
Thank you for your reply. I don't miss the rain which i see you are back in the land of 365 days a year
Great video. I am a permanent resident so I can’t bring my foreign plated car across the border without going through a full importation which probably means duty. Do you both have temporary residency, which allows you to bring a foreign plated car back and forth across the border?
The rules are different in Baja California and BCS. Permanent residents are allowed to drive US plated cars. I think it's a hold over from the days before NAFTA. Lots of strange laws here.
Same thing happened to us in 2018, And they said a $1k in our car.. not an RV.. next time we crossed, we asked locals the right way.. and we still got lost for a second.. But looking on the G maps.. you can figure it out, I'd probably in an RV take Mexicali East crossing instead..
Mexicali East is much easier! But still a bit confusing. Why can't the US Border Patrol invest in signs on the Mexican side?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Probably (very conviently) due to Jurisdiction Laws.. So we can't blame our government, but they can gladly fine us for the mistake once made..😅
Also, which podcast exactly were you listening to?
Serial. We listened to season 1. It's from 2014 but it's great!
That happened to us on the way back from Rosarito in February. Google sent us there and we were not prepared. We got a warning.
It's so easy to get in the wrong lane! Don't repeat that mistake or you'll be in a world of hurt.
So, how many days drive is it and what are the papers I should get if I’m traveling from Seattle, my wife has family in La Paz and I’m thinking of driving down there this winter
4 days drive. Only papers needed are getting your passport stamped (and paying about $30USD if you want to stay longer than 7 days.) But note that the guys at the border won't tell you you need your passport stamped.
did you drive none stop from la paz to mexically?
We stop about half way in San Ignacio. Lots of folks stop in Guererro Negro. I think going straight thru would involve driving after dark which we don't do in Mexico.
How is the highway throughout the Baja. Is it in good condition???
It's in mixed condition. Some areas are brand new and in great shape. MX 5 from San Felipe south a hundred miles or so had lots of potholes this time. But last year it was great.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico, thanks for responding. We’re planning on driving pretty soon down south. Usually we drive, but it’s more convenient now flying. Although, we’re thinking driving this time but I heard the road afternoon the storm of last summer was not “worked on.” Anyways, I’m a La Paz native but moved to Oregon (Salem area) 37 years ago. And we have a house in centenario. Let me know how we can keep in contact. Maybe we can get together for coffee now that you are back. Thanks again
I'd rather be in Mexico than Orygone.😊
Me Too! Even when it's 100 degrees
Would love to get together, we are planning to move from Tualatin to Cabo...if possible.❤😮😊
Yes - send me an email brighton@gen-mex.com. I'm planning to have a couple of happy hours in Portland this summer. There are lots of folks in the Portland area who live in Mexico (or want to) but are up north for the winters.
Oh yes you are not in the rain everyday since you live most of the time in Mexico
I think La Paz has rain for just a few days per year. Portland is the opposite!
do you worry about Mexican roadblocks?....do you carry cold cash pesos to pay the "fine" on the spot?
I'm not worried (maybe a little bit.) Criminal roadblocks aren't common. Government roadblocks are common, but we have a dashcam and I think that keeps the soldiers honest. Always good to have pesos handly to get out of a tough spot though
5$ gas not to bad?? $2.65 in florida
$5 is the global average for a gallon of gas. The US (especially the south) has really low prices compared to the rest of the world.
And California’s gas is highly taxed. Five isn’t bad for Cali
What is century and what is a global entry card. I would pay big bucks for behind the scenes listening to Kat make stupid comments
Both are Customs and Border Protection programs that make it easier and faster to get thru immigration. Global Entry includes Pre-Check (for domestic flights) and also super fast immigration on international flights. SENTRI is for land borders and includes cars.
You need to be pre-screened and pay a fee to join the program. Essentially, it's the government saying you are low risk.
I think “the place with the boats” Kat is referring to is Xochimilco in southern Mexico City. Lots of fun. Mexico City and Puebla are just 2 hours apart, so easy to combine the two.
@@mwiebe2663 Yes - that! We might fly into Mexico City because it's cheaper than Puebla. Then we can do both and Kat can see how cool the interior is. Thanks!
I totally hate the PAC NW. Rain and cold sucks
Yup. Summer is great, but the other 10 months of the year suck.