Day 11
I woke up early today. I was sad to be leaving Mexico. At the same time, it sure was good to be going home! I apologize for the lack of pictures from today.
I went to the bank to pay my tourist visa. You have to pay this at any bank before your time expires and before you leave the country. I sat at the bank until 9:15 and they weren’t opening. It then dawned on me….it was Dia de Guadalupe! It will not be easy paying the visa today….crud!
My bike was as I left it, in the lobby. My little ninja sure is going to miss this special treatment!
The lion held my helmet while loaded up. The hotel owner was there and gave me a hand pushing the bike out, even though it was not necessary. Again, there are very nice folks down here! He said in English “GUD LUKE” that I took as “Good luck”.
I zipped up Mex 85 to the mega mess of Monterrey. I had plans of skirting around Monterrey, but ended up in the middle of it. I found toll road 85 that was going to take me home!
I filled up the tank, and was ready to fly. Once out of traffic and on the smooth toll way I opened the throttle 100 percent. I had it set on 95MPH indicated (all she would do at this elevation, and about 85 MPH actual speed).
As my trip odometer showed I had 140 miles on the tank of gas, she started sputtering. In disbelief I switched to reserve. I guess running all out with the tach set at 11grand will do that. Normally I get 230 miles to a tank.
Crossing was a bit of a pain, due to my procrastination of paying my visa. I went to the same office where I got stamped in the previous week. It took waiting in 2 lines and talking to 5 different people to get the visa paid and stamped, but it was done! Getting my motorcycle importation canceled was easier and done at the same location.
I sat on the bride among a sea of idling cars in the dark for over an hour. I was waiting my turn to clear the US side customs. Once I finally got my turn, I pulled up the gate and shut off the bike. The agent was very friendly and seemed interested in my trip. He asked a few standard questions and I was cleared.
I went to retrieve my truck from Oscar’s (scar04) drive way.
Before I had left home my girlfriend, family, and friends though I was crazy to leave my truck with some one I had never met. When I told them I gave him a key they really flipped!
Motorcycle folks are pretty good folks and Oscar fits this category. Even the Harley riders are good folks, and Oscar had 3 nice ones in the garage that are shared between him and his father.
He was nice enough to take me to one of his favorite restaurants around the corner. We spent an hour talking, eating, and having a beer. He even picked up the tab!
Oscar – when you are up this way, let me know! Or maybe I’ll catch you at a pie run!
I had to get on the road. I was headed to Dallas via Houston. My little sister was graduating from a masters program to be a physician’s assistant the following day.
After dinner, coffee, and loading my bike, I got on my way. I made it half way when I started fading. I got a flea bag motel, a true Texan beer, and went to sleep.