LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Crossing Northbound at Tecate
Crossed the border at Tecate Thursday 2-27, about 3:30pm.Virtually no one was in line so the wait should have been non existent. However, the Mexican
Military has set up a checkpoint right in front of the US Customs gates. They had randomly placed orange rubber markers coming up to the gates that
had no semblance of guides marking lanes. They insisted that I stay far right approaching with my 43ft RV pulling a Jeep. This ran me through the
overhanging tree branches which amused them. They then "inspected" the RV, simply coming in and quickly exiting. One of them then stood in front of
the vehicle and insisted that I enter the commercial truck entrance. Of course the US customs guy was not pleased by this but arranged to have someone
come over and do an agricultural inspection. This was done by a very pleasant agent in no time, who said the Mexicans were up to something but didn't
know what exactly seemed to be bothering them. Obviously this was some kind of harassment action. Hope this goes away quickly or was an isolated
incident. This would really cause a mess during a busy time. The up side for me was that the commercial entrance and exit is a piece of cake compared
to the other side.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you for you report... How was the rest of your trip?
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
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The rest of the trip was great. Went to Mulege first, then did the rounds of the beaches on Conception bay. Have not seen so many campers on the
beaches in several years. Lots of Canadians and German tourists, some in large caravans of 25 or more. Had a fantastic cheeseburger at Mark and
Olivia's place, they are right up there with In n Out burger. Then went out to Asuncion, and spent one night camping on the beach north of town. The
road in was great, one small sand dune, no potholes and some of the best road we travelled for sure. Then headed for Guerro Negro and did the short
Whale watch and then off to San Quintin and Ernesto's for a few days.
Generally left wondering how the Mexicans are surviving with virtually all prices for fuel and food on a par with US prices. I talked with workers in
Mulege who were working for $5.50/day. I hope the increased tourism I saw translates to better conditions for them.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LancairDriver
The rest of the trip was great. Went to Mulege first, then did the rounds of the beaches on Conception bay. Have not seen so many campers on the
beaches in several years. Lots of Canadians and German tourists, some in large caravans of 25 or more. Had a fantastic cheeseburger at Mark and
Olivia's place, they are right up there with In n Out burger. Then went out to Asuncion, and spent one night camping on the beach north of town. The
road in was great, one small sand dune, no potholes and some of the best road we travelled for sure. Then headed for Guerro Negro and did the short
Whale watch and then off to San Quintin and Ernesto's for a few days.
Generally left wondering how the Mexicans are surviving with virtually all prices for fuel and food on a par with US prices. I talked with workers in
Mulege who were working for $5.50/day. I hope the increased tourism I saw translates to better conditions for them. |
Oh that is great... the rest of the story! Mark and Olivia are still serving great cheeseburgers in paradise! Is the hotel next door in complete ruins
now or did El Mano Negro put any effort into fixing it instead of trying to steal Olivia's property next door?
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Hotel is boarded up and looks abandoned. Building looks like it would have good possibilities with a little work.
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LancairDriver
Crossed the border at Tecate Thursday 2-27, about 3:30pm.Virtually no one was in line so the wait should have been non existent. However, the Mexican
Military has set up a checkpoint right in front of the US Customs gates. They had randomly placed orange rubber markers coming up to the gates that
had no semblance of guides marking lanes. They insisted that I stay far right approaching with my 43ft RV pulling a Jeep. This ran me through the
overhanging tree branches which amused them. They then "inspected" the RV, simply coming in and quickly exiting. One of them then stood in front of
the vehicle and insisted that I enter the commercial truck entrance. Of course the US customs guy was not pleased by this but arranged to have someone
come over and do an agricultural inspection. This was done by a very pleasant agent in no time, who said the Mexicans were up to something but didn't
know what exactly seemed to be bothering them. Obviously this was some kind of harassment action. Hope this goes away quickly or was an isolated
incident. This would really cause a mess during a busy time. The up side for me was that the commercial entrance and exit is a piece of cake compared
to the other side. |
This was the case three weeks ago when I crossed at Tecate, too, though I only drive a 20' long pickup truck. 
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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THey (the military) have been doing this for the last couple of years.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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When I crossed at Tecate this past Tuesday, 2/25, the line was up to the hill at 8:00 a.m.
What peeed me off was that the military guards were letting pick-ups with commercial plates, as well as 18 wheelers (with trailer or without) cut to
the front of the line on the left lane.
I approached one of the guards and asked what was up with that?
They non-nonchalantly said that the 18 wheel rigs and commercial pickups (US or Mexican) were considered to be going to the US to obtain commercial
cargo and then returning to Mexico.
I hope this does not become a trend!
(p.s. don't get any ideas, all you pick-up drivers, we are all in line together)
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Interesting. I saw the commercial trucks being waved around the cars last week (75 minutes in line at 10 am- ouch!) While it's good to know my
commercial plates might be good for something, I'd rather they install the Ready Lane as promised so we don't upset Udo and Co.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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They are being sent to the commercial gate (the first set of gates you come to). Its always been that way.
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Cliffy
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 12-19-2013
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OK how do I find Mark and Olivia's place when I get there in a few weeks? As In n Out is my wife's favorite maybe she would like this place! :-)
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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That entry gate has also been used many many times as a passenger inspection point also. And at times, the CBP has had all four gates open to anyone.
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
They are being sent to the commercial gate (the first set of gates you come to). Its always been that way. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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CakedecT
Junior Nomad
Posts: 29
Registered: 1-28-2014
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I crossed Tuesday morning at 730. Only took 15 minutes. Military was there just to direct the flow into the lines
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Rumple
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 12-24-2013
Location: Punta Banda, Baja, Mexico
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When I went through Tecate last week I asked the agent what the status was for the Ready Lane. He told me that they intend to designate the truck
lane for that use after 4pm. When I questioned him about the need for that lane after 4pm he just shrugged.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
That entry gate has also been used many many times as a passenger inspection point also. And at times, the CBP has had all four gates open to anyone.
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
They are being sent to the commercial gate (the first set of gates you come to). Its always been that way. |
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yes, a couple of years ago they were doing that and restricting hours of commercial traffic. Agents tell me they are no longer allowing passenger
traffic through the commercial lanes. too much commercial traffic.
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cliffy
OK how do I find Mark and Olivia's place when I get there in a few weeks? As In n Out is my wife's favorite maybe she would like this place! :-)
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They are at the south end of Conception Bay at Playa Buenaventura. You can't miss it right on the beach. Wifi, friendly service, great burgers.
[Edited on 3-6-2014 by LancairDriver]
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