March 23, 2011

Installed my front wheel back onto the bike and the seal arrives at 10am. Wow was that quick, only 16 hours from Colorado. Installed the seal, new chain and Bill took us for a ride to Prescott, the first capital of Arizona. Great ride, nice twists, got to scuff the wax of the new tires. Oil seal didn't leak a drop , but then I think it was damaged do to something hitting it. Then out to dinner to the Phoenix Coyote centre. Nice new mall area next to their coliseum.

March 22, 2011

After deliberating last night, I decided to pull the bike apart and check it out. Thought that the bearing may have failed, but after removal of the seal, the bearing appears fine. Phoned around to find a seal and there is nothing locally. Phoned one shop who said it could be ordered and was 3-5 days away. I have an account with RockymountainATV and ordered from them with air freight. It should be here about 4pm tomorrow. Another shop wanted to charge us $65 dollars a tire to re and re our new tires, so Michael and I changed them ourselves. This is no small fete as these tires are tubeless radial tires and difficult to manually break the beads. Once the new tires are installed on the rims, we put them loosely on the bikes and statically balanced them ourselves. Oil is changed, bikes should be in good shape (other than my charging problem) and ready once the new oil seal is installed. This puts us behind our schedule by a day, if the seal arrives on time. Susan has been feeding us excellent food and Bill has taken us everywhere we needed to go today. They have been so wonderful.

Second last border crossing!

March 21, 2011

Second last border crossing! Michael and I couldn't sleep well. Up at about 3:30am, so watched a movie. On the road just after 7am.. Got to the border and the lineup was about 2kms long. Street venders told us to go down the fast lane, we didn't disagree and jumped to the front of the line. Right after entering the USA, Michael yells on the CB, scares me because he saw an IHOP and we hadn't eaten yet. Stop for gas and my bike is leaking oil. Down the road another hour and and my batteries die. We stop at a rest area to swap out the battery with Michael's battery. Confirmed my bike's oil is leaking and topped it up. Down the road and it starts to rain. Don our rain gear and we arrived at our friends (Bill and Susan) in Phoenix about 2 pm. Turns out that the output shaft seal on the engine is leaking. Michael suggests buying a truck and loading the bike on. When we get home, he has a vehicle.

March 20, 2011

Time changed in Los Mochis, so we didn't have to get up early. Rode to Magdalena de Kino, about 50 miles south of Nogales. We got here and started charging the car battery. The battery charger then proceeded to catch on fire... Completely smoked! I think we have enough of a charge to get to our friend's house in Glendale, Arizona,  but only time will tell. Worst case is that we will have to switch out battery with Michael's bike. Tomorrow is our last Spanish border crossing and this is our last full day in Latin America. Español has been trying and stressful for me. I like to communicate but feel inadequate down in Latin America. I am looking forward to being able to speak english to most the people I meet.

March 19, 2011

Up early, had coffee with Dad and Lynda and on the road by 7:30am. Rode hard all day to Los Mochis.

March 18, 2011

Took the bikes out and rode into town to check out my old haunts. The last time I was here was the mid 90s. This town is much much larger. Showed Michael our old timeshare and carried on to Christine's house in Bucerias. Couldn't stay with her as originally planned because she has friends (a family of 4), but it turns out that her friend married an old school chum of mine, so we arrived early to visit with them, while Christine was at Spanish classes. It was great to see Jim again, and meet his family, wife, Donna, son, Jesse and daughter Sierra.

We had to leave and get back to Dad's cause they are taking us to see the Xuitla Dancers and needed to arrive early. Arrived, met their friends, had dinner and and secured the best seats in the house, according to Dad. The Xuitla Dancers are teenagers that are allowed to dance until they get married. They dressed in traditional costumes of the different provinces of Mexico and danced their traditional dances. The costumes were gorgeous, the dances were mellow to spectacular and the dancers had fantastic talent. Dad and Lynda them every Friday night and have got to know many. It was a privilege to experience the performance that Dad and Lynda enjoy so much.

March 17, 2011

Went into town and had breakfast with Dad and Lynda and my cousion Christine. Great to see her. Its been a while too. Nice, relaxing day, without Michael as he and Lynda went to a local garden that his boss from Minter Gardens knows. Unfortunately the person was away on holidays up in Canada. Michael and Lynda had a great day wandering around the grounds. We went for dinner on the Malecon. Boy has it changed since the last time I was in Puerto Vallarta.

 Dad, Hieko and Lynda on one of their sundecks

Sunset from their deck