Los Algodones and Some Answers

Yuma Lakes RV Resort

On Wednesday, Oct. 29th (2 days before the spooks are out!) I was awake early, like 4:45 am early. My window was open and had been all night so the fresh air on my face was wonderful. It felt warm upstairs but I hadn't noticed until I woke.

Good morning!
Sometimes, the best pictures
are those you never plan.

Our plan today was to go to Mexico for glasses. We both need an update on our lenses and have decided that our frames are still good, comfortable and 'stylish' enough to keep. We left the house, after taking Gibbs out for a walk, at 8 and arrived at the border crossing of Los Algodones at 8:30.

We drive into California
and gain an hour but Mexico
runs on Arizona time.
Gets a bit silly.

It was great to see Israel and then our buddy, Andy, but we just kept saying 'no thank you' for our walk to find an optometrist. We've been to several different ones over the years and all I really cared about was that it was someone whom we could easily understand. 

Ladies first they said so now it is
Bill's turn.
He has been using old glasses since early summer
when his got broke.

So, we found Meyer Optical, a branch of our very first one, our first year. It isn't busy, yet, so we were taken care of right away with an eye test. We ordered lenses, 2 pair for Bill and 1 pair for me and disappeared for 2 1/2 hours. 

In the open square,
these children were dressed for the
Day of the Dead celebration
even though a few days early.
Quite the costumes!

We dealt with the vendors while we walked around for about 45 minutes. We picked up my shingles pills and Bill's cholesterol pills at the Purple Pharmacy and walked back to the Mi Casa restaurant.

Even the bull has a costume!

We don't often treat ourselves when we are on our own but we had time to kill. Last time here with the group, we enjoyed the restaurant. This time was no different. Bill had shrimp and I had the Big Burrito. Delicious! 

The first menu was in Spanish
and then he brought us this one.
I had my translator out. 😆

By the time our glasses were returned with new lenses, it was 2:30 so we beelined to the border. Thinking of Gibbs, alone at home for so long. No one was in line outside and only a handful inside. Bill was prepared to ask a question about the I-94 requirements but this is how that went.

I was first and answered the basic question of what I was bringing back. Then this:

Guard: you crossed at Detroit?

Patsy: yes

Guard: Did you apply for your I-94?

Patsy: no, we asked if we needed one and were told only IF we wanted one, would they issue it. They said it was not necessary for crossing.

Guard: That's not right. You need one and we need to issue you one right here, now. Just follow that guard.

Patsy: great!

Our passports were handed over and I was directed to another guard. He called Bill to join me (his guard did not have information for him), and we went back into a room with 2 other guards who proceeded to take a picture, and fingerprint us. I felt totally at ease, they were very pleasant. 

When Bill asked if we needed to fill out the other form, the answer was 'No, you do not have to fill out the G325R form now.' He asked our US address so we gave him the park address. They directed us to an ATM and another guard in a booth and we paid our $30 each, were handed our passports and wished a good day. 

Bill enjoyed his shrimp
and my burrito was wonderful!
I'm not big on the quacamole though.

Our I-94 #'s are on file now and valid until April 28/26. We can go back and forth as many times as we want, in and out of the US. Yes, we will have to apply again next fall BUT now we know to ask for it at the border. When we got home, we went online, found our I-94# and printed off the information. It will be with our passports all winter.

It was a nice quiet lunch
together.

For us, it is such a relief having all those confusing questions behind us. We checked off another box. One less thing to worry about. This is more than many of you need to know but if you are still at the point of confusion, as a Canadian, I hope this helps. 

We spent some waiting time
sitting in this courtyard outside the restaurant
where the
breeze in the shade was lovely.

We were back at home by 3, Gibbs was happy to see us and he and I went for a brief walk. It is too hot for even the little guy to want to be out for long. For supper, we voted on grilled cheese since that was a big meal. I have half of my burrito in the fridge so tomorrow's lunch, probably.

Our good little boy looked after
things for almost 7 hours in the
coolness of the Suite.
Tonight, he's getting lots of attention.

The sandwiches were good and just enough. We waited until after Survivor, which now comes on at 5 pm (3 hours ahead of home time), and then ate. by then we were hungry enough. 😋 Bill washed the fry pan and loaded the dishwasher. NCIS:Origins was on at 7 pm, so we watched it together.

A simple supper tonight.

This was a hot day. I dressed perfectly today with my mid-calf length linen dress that I'd ordered online this summer. It was just the right outfit for a hot day in Mexico! We reached the pre-requisite high of 95F/35C, so quite warm. 

Last year on this day, we
were at Pilot Knob RV Resort
and Gibbs watered the trees
there too. 😆
Good night!

Thank you for checking in on us and your continued supporting comments.