Mexico Gulf Coast Camping?

[wavery]

I don't want to get your hopes up but we have been talking about taking a long road trip before we start building. There is a possibility that this could work for us.

Also, keep in mind that the political climate may well be very ugly by then. IMHO, if the US pi$$es off enough people down there, the kidnapping of tourists will get really ugly. Of course, that will be something that will need to be evaluated at the very last minute. Stuff like that changes day-to-day.

[NadMat]

I don't want to get your hopes up but we have been talking about taking a long road trip before we start building. There is a possibility that this could work for us.

Also, keep in mind that the political climate may well be very ugly by then. IMHO, if the US pi$$es off enough people down there, the kidnapping of tourists will get really ugly. Of course, that will be something that will need to be evaluated at the very last minute. Stuff like that changes day-to-day.

As you said earlier, more the merrier, and plenty of time to examine and iron things out before then.

As for political climate, could always pretend to be canadian, driving rentals from Texas, just throw a lot of  ' beauty, eh...' into the conversation  :canada:

[NadMat]

Upon further researching on places to go and things to do, and realizing that there is quite a lot besides diving I would like to do on trip (had personally been envisioning everything else as 'just something to occupy my surface interval time') I have decided that rather than try to cram everything into the original 21 days, I will just plan on a month in Mexico. Otherwise, I was looking at setting up and tearing down camp every couple of days.

Still trying to get a recent actual average KPH to expect, figures seen so far seem to range from 500-800 KM per good days driving, I think some of the variance in distance may be that lower figure is for larger caravan travel, upper figure just driving solo. It also seems that it can vary greatly depending on type of roads. The large nice toll roads are like driving on an uncrowded expressway in states, where some of the non toll two lanes highways can be highly trafficed with a wide variety of vehicle traveling at a wide variety of speeds. Am currently thinking best to stick with low end of estimates since if make better time it just means more time to relax

Have also been starting on prep and spare parts lists for trip. I am using waverys' suggestion that every vehicle gets 2 new sets of hoses, belts, & filter, one set goes on as prep, second is spares for trip. And for vehicles with non standard tires, such as pups, and my lifted 4runner running 33"X12.50" meat will want new tires all around including spares, vehicles with more standard tire requirments ok with just good tires all around <3 yrs old spare included.

Any other suggestions for camping/caravaning checklist would be appreciated. I am creating one just for dry camping prep, a general camping checklist, trailer checklist (camper, boat, or other), vehicle checklist, Mexico travel document list, Medical list, caravan list for items strictly related to caravaning. I made a spreadsheet with separate tabs for each specialty list. I decided to put them in separate lists to make more managable, and more reusable. When I get them somewhere close I will share spreadsheet here.

No camping for me this weekend, but maybe a little local lake diving. And working on buddies boat, starter went out on it last weekend, gotta get it going if want to do boat dive. Hope those of you that are camping have great trips.

[wavery]

Gotta love those lists

BTW, everyone will need a passport after Jan 2007. Getting into Mexico may or may not be a problem but getting back into the US will be a BIG problem.

[NadMat]

Gotta love those lists

BTW, everyone will need a passport after Jan 2007. Getting into Mexico may or may not be a problem but getting back into the US will be a BIG problem.

Yeah, sometimes I feel like the AR camper with all the lists, but is better than hitting every Wallyworld or Academy on way to campsite ( or after setting up ) to repurchase all the things left behind. And won't have those options as convieniently available on Mexico trip. Also helps to make sure everybody on a trip meets same minimal prepardness levels so that everyone else on trip doesn't end up supporting 'that' camper(having been both 'that' camper and 'everyone else' on occasion ).

As far as passport, already getting one, last Dec. Cozumel trip was last one I could make with just birth certificate & ID. Plus if new job I want comes through will probably include international travel, so will need it for that too. So paperwork is ready to go, I have  pics digitally that I can have printed and in hand in an hour when I want them, just waiting to see if this job offer comes through so maybe can expense some of cost.

(BTW, passport was on my documents list as a have ready at least 2-3 months before trip )

Keep those helpful hints coming everyone and feel free to share your lists here also.

[NadMat]

Found a good resource for trip on RV.net in the Mexico and South America forum.

Also may have couple of motorcyclists going along, at least are showing interest, BF/GF who both ride, and also scuba (how I met them) and are currently considering buying a motorcycle pup (they currently tent camp using cycle cargo trailer to carry stuff). So now I'm thinking about supplies for cycles needed for trip, and how to best fit into caravan.

Also have another diving/ tent camping buddy who I'm currently talking into maybe getting a nice pup or small C/large B MH, partly because is currently tent camping, but with twins on way is thinking that will be best to get some type of camper, and partly because I want to get him and wife fired up to go on trip.  I think they will go for camper/MH idea, and probably can be convinced to try trip. Have already said if unable to do entire trip, would at least want to fly down and meet up for a week. Also have several others who said same, don't have month to spare, but would love to fly down and come visit for while.

Also looking into the boating and fishing regulations and requirements for trip since plan on taking a 4-5M RIB along as dive boat. And maybe doing some spearfishing ( even if not fishing, a speargun not bad for self defense if needed, and unlike guns are not looked at twice when brought in with dive gear, unless near a marine park destination, in which case you will be warned of local regulations ) and maybe take salt water rig and fish along coast as well.

[NadMat]

This is what I have named my 'drunken eight tour of mexico' as a possibility for a post yucatan trip. Some of information on diving and other rving boards has convinced me that trip to other coast of mexico also not to be missed, so this a trip for couple of months or more with all it covers.



Getting a lot of great info on planned Yucatan trip also, have been convinced to attempt two day trip from Laredo to Chetumal, with overnight hotel in Poza Rico. Will also have a backup hotel stop planned in Villehermosa in case second day already to far gone when we arrive there on way to Chetumal to consider going on.

[NadMat]

This is what I have named my 'drunken eight tour of mexico' as a possibility for a post yucatan trip. Some of information on diving and other rving boards has convinced me that trip to other coast of mexico also not to be missed, so this a trip for couple of months or more with all it covers.



Getting a lot of great info on planned Yucatan trip also, have been convinced to attempt two day trip from Laredo to Chetumal, with overnight hotel in Poza Rico. Will also have a backup hotel stop planned in Villehermosa in case second day already to far gone when we arrive there on way to Chetumal to consider going on.

[NadMat]

Well, it was a nice run of semi-retired self employment, but all good things must come to an end...

The good news, I will be better than doubling current income level when start new job next month. This is my third time going back to working on security and control equipment, each time I left previously have said 'no way am I going back again' and have eaten those words because of $$$. Money don't make my world go round, but it sure helps to grease the wheels.

So Project Brandynstien and the Mexico trip budgets now have some real numbers to work with and will hopefully start a more rapid progression. If I can stay at or near my current spending level with the increased income, I will have nice amount to apply to rebuilding savings levels and put into ongoing projects and a few much needed purchases.