So, the drive from Iowa, USA to Ensenada, Mexico was officially 27 hours, but we took 5 days. That included a stop in San Antonio and two short driving days. Border crossing day was only 2.5 hours, San Diego to Ensenada.
OMG, we saw so much natural beauty. Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma didn’t have much to offer. They should name it MissKanHoma because it all looked the same. But Texas was amazing! Flat and brown at first, then lush and green, then hills…and so big. I was afraid we’d never get out of there. New Mexico, Arizona and California all offered amazing landscapes.
The US is so spacious. I kept thinking of the cowboy and Indian movies my mother watched when I was a kid. How challenging it would have been to cross that wide open, rugged terrain on horseback or wagon. So glad I crossed in a car, with air conditioning because that sun is killer.
Speaking of Lil’ Mama (my car) we only had one maintenance issue during the whole trip. InCalifornia, my oil light came on. After a 1400 miles, Lil’ Mama was thirsty. So we gave her a drink and continued on our way. Good thing too, because we immediately started climbing from sea level to 4000 feet. She performed like a boss.
Oooh, I almost forgot the best part. First we saw a border agent at a gas station and we both geeked out. Smiling and staring. It’s embarrassing now that I’m writing this, but you have to realize that I've only ever seen those guys on natgeo. Then we passed through two border patrol check points. They didn’t search us or anything. I think it was the combination of Iowa plates on the car and me grinning from ear to ear with my camera ready to take pictures. They just asked if we were American citizens and waived us through. Disappointing but still a cool experience.
So that was the drive. It was beautiful. Debbie is a beast behind the wheel. Left on my own, I think I’d still be in Texas. Seriously indebted to her.
You won’t believe what happened when we crossed the border into Mexico.
