HI:
We were without internet resources for several days.
On April 29, 2008, We left Matzalan for Los Mochis. Los Mochis is a large town and we did not do any sight seeing. We continued on 200 MX and 15 MX. Using more cuotas and making better time.
From Los Mochis to the US border the towns change in character. They are not like the interior of Mexico. We stayed at the Santa Anita Hotel. It was a very nice hotel. It also has services to Copper Canyon by rail.
On April 30, 2008, we arrived in San Carlos. Guaymas, next to San Carlos, was similar to Los Mochis. The main difference is that there are many American franchises there-McDonalds, Walmart, etc. San Carlos is growing with a significant North American population. Lots of new condos and some large homes.
On May 1, 2008, we headed for Nogales, AZ. Again, we were on the cuota (MX 15) making good time. As we near Nogales, MX, the nightmare started. You could not believe the truck traffic.
About 15 miles from the US border, there is a Mexican exit point. This point is supervisied by their immigration, military, and federales. This is an inspection point for auto and truck traffic. Trucks were lined up for at least 2 to 3 miles. They were bumper to bumper and stopped. Luckily, a federale just motioned us on. We weaved through the truck traffic to the automobile line which had one car. If he hadn't been there, I don't know how many hours we would have been there. At this point, they collected our temporary vehicle permit. It ran smooth and took only a few minutes.
Then we came to the international border between Mexico and the US. At least truck and auto traffic was separated. Again, we passed 2 to 3 miles, if not more, of trucks setting waiting to be inspected by the US side.
The auto side was much shorter, however, we were in for a 2 l/2 hour wait. A Mexican fellow told us just to weave our motorcycle to the front. I felt very unconfortable about doing that, and so I remained in line. I could see a motorcycle coming up behind me.
It was a young Canadian couple who had been down to Panama for 6 months. He was driving a 650 GS BMW. He told me to follow him, and we just went towards the front like a southern diplomat. l hour and 15 minutes later, we got inspected. It was 90 degrees but then add all of the traffic heat.

There is a significant amount of electronic surveillance and imaging. We got a picture of the border fence. They spend about 3 to 5 minutes on each vehicle. First, you wait in a painted area while they scan you. Second, you move forward, about 40 feet where you are examined by a border agent.
After arriving in the US, we headed to Tombstone, AZ. It was a fun town with alot of history. We all remember the gunfight at the OK corral. We walked that area, visited the old Court House Museum, a must place to see, and toured the town. All streets, in the main part of historic Tomstone, are dirt.
On May 2 and 3rd, we traveled up I-10 and I-25 through New Mexico. The wind was so bad that it played havoc with the stability of the bike. Wyoming is a piece of cake. After 30 miles, we stopped at Soccoro, NM, for the night. The next day the winds were bad, however, they were pretty steady. After 325 miles, we hung it up. Found a nice Holiday Inn and spent 2 hours in the hot tub and pool, in Raton.
On May 4th, we arrived in Colorado Springs. It was a great ride.
We will be in Morgan on May 5th.
We had a great time. I will make a final entry on lessons learned. DAD AND MOM.
PS. J: Vaya con Dios. Thanks for a safe and romantic adventure. L