Creel and Batopilas Oct 11 thru Oct 13- It was very good meeting fellow travelers at the HU meeting. In particular Cynthia Milton just coming from South America where she has been traveling as of late. She is now in good health after a bad Crash in Chile. I very much appreciate the information she imparted during our discussions. The good thing about the HU meetings is the interaction with experienced travelers.

Jack and I took a flying trip from Creel to Batopilas. I rented a BMW F650 for the trip as War Pony was to burdened to negotiate the rather difficult road in to the canyon. The trip took about 7 hours and anyone who has made this run knows we did not stop there and back. Riding the canyon road is challenging, loose rocks, buses, military convoys, burros, goats, cows, dogs, pigs in addition to rock slides. On the return Jack had a crash, broken mirror, smashed, auxiliary light. He picked the bike up and we proceeded by to Creel. When we arrived at the Jail, our room in Creel, Jack discovered he had smashed a gash in his knee. I looked at it and we decided it was beyond my first aid kits repair capabilities. A doctor was needed. Fortunately at the HU meeting a retired surgeon from Chihuahua was present . He graciously looked at the wound and even carried us to the local Jesuit hospital where a very capable young doctor sewed Jack back together. Other than soreness and not needing to bend his leg he was fine. Thanks goodness his KLR has highway pegs.

At the HU meeting Jack and I hooked up with Jaime, the Chilean born son of a German father and a Spanish Mother. Jaime now lives in Boulder and is traveling to visit his mother in Chile. Also jointing the group Tom from Vale, Co., a jolly soul with a nose for finding interesting places to eat not to mention interesting things to eat.

Tommorrow we leave traveling south to Durango and beyond----BB

10/11/2006----Creel, Mx- Two days ago we did the border crossing at Presidio. The true challenge of crossing a border became very real. First we were waved through. I guess they assumed we were only crossing for a day ride. We had to return get the papers for ourselves then the papers for the bike. Can you say copies, one word of advice make multiple copies of all documents ie. Title, registration, passport driver's license and credit card. Then you must get Mexican insurance. Then a trip to the next bank for immigration tax. Wow! Only two hours.
After clearing the border were proceeded on Mx 16 Chihuahua. Our first embarrassing moment, occurred when we rode up behind a long line of traffic. We could not see why it was moving at a snails pace. We began to pass, working our way through the traffic. After passing a few cars we could see a flashing light. Still not realizing what we were doing. The truck with the flashing light turns around quickly heqding in the opposite direction. Then the hearse turns left and the line of traffic follows. We were red faced and left quickly.
Entering Chihuahua were promptly lost our way. After following our noses in a westerly direction through all parts of the city we finally rejoined Mx 16 an continued to Cuauhtemoc. From Cuauhtemoc we went to Creel.

It's into Mexico today from Presidio, TX. Meet with Jack my traveling mate at Presidio. While storing Jack's truck ran into two guys for AL and TN. Gary from AL I meet south of Hyder Alaska in British Columbia on my Alaska trip. Small World.. Well it's off to Creel, MX crossing the border looks challenging.

9/30/06 :: HATTIESBURG, MS. USA.

Two more work days At Forrest General Hospital then Final preparation for my Miss. to TDF Trip. The bike: a 93 R100GS PD--- Why? Because, is the best answer I can give. The diode board is history replaced with Enduralast System. Circlip in the Tranny. Works Suspension. Happy Trails Cases. Am I prepared????? We will see. First stop will be Creel for the Horizons unlimited meeting. I will be meeting Jack L in Persidio, Tx. and Jaime R in Creel. We will be traveling through Mexico to Panama jump to Columbia then to TDF. More as I proceed.