Driving down to Lake Chapala to evaluate for retirement

Hi All,
I'll be driving to Lake Chapala in two weeks to evaluate the area for retirement for my wife and myself.
I'm taking advantage of Sid G's services for a few days. I expect to be in the area for a few weeks unless I don't care for Lake Chapala metro.
I'm looking forward to meeting folks with pragmatic information - basically the good, the bad and the ugly.

I would be glad to bring a limited amount of locally hard to get items for a few folks.
Please advise, thanks.

Frank Mercik

woody's cookin' sauce would be nice,frank.

Very nice of you to offer, Frank. Where are you driving from?

We'd be happy to meet you Frank.
My husband and I moved here 5 months ago and used Sid's services to buy our house, great guy.
I could use 1 box of Swiss Miss hot chocolate :)
I will send you a Private Message with our contact info.

If you bring down some REAL Canadian bacon (peameal back bacon), I will tell you all the secrets that you need to know.  
BTW, NONE of what passes for Canadian bacon in the US is acceptable.   

Pedro I have some woody's cooking sauce if you need a bottle

Hi again,
My wife Sharon and I appreciate the replies received thus far.
We look forward to meeting you while there.

Please PM me with any items I'm able to bring provide they are on Amazon.
I am a Prime member so there would be no shipping charges or taxes
Please provide the Amazon item #'s and quantities.. My cost will be your cost payable upon my arrival in Lake Chaplala.
I do not need any advance funds.

Best regards,

Sharon and Frank

We'd love to meet with you and your wife.
I replied to your e-mail.

elgringo wrote:Pedro I have some woody's cooking sauce if you need a bottle

muchos gracias elgringo. i have been out of it fer months and there ain't no substitute fer that fine stough!

There are some other Mercik's in the area, if that is a good handle.  Maybe, long lost relatives.    

Hi,
I can find many years old driving tips from Nogales, AZ to Chapala doing a Google search but nothing current.
Is allocating two driving days, 8 hours each day practical? I will be leaving Nogales at 6AM.
Is it a good idea to hire a "Border Driver" for my first Mexican driving experience?

I plan on only driving during the day on toll roads. I will have pesos for the tolls and gas.
I have a new Garmin GPS with the latest Mexico map software.
i have seen mixed reviews online as to accurate it is. Feedback would be appreciated.
I have printed a map from a Mexican point to point website with toll and distance information.

I will also have comprehensive Mexican auto insurance.

Please advise if I have overlooked something.

Thank you.

Frank

Frank:

IMO, a "border driver" is a total waste of money and an opportunity to work yourself into the flow of driving in Mexico. It really isn't a terrifying experience and in so many ways, drivers in Mexico are quite superior at defensive driving than those NOB! Here is a link to a GPS report I wrote back in 2009: http://www.mexconnect.com/cgi-bin/forums/gforum.cgi?post=132035;search_string=GPS%20report;#132035
While the maps have certainly improved, my of my comments are still valid. By the time you get to Guadalajara from Nogales, i can almost guarantee that you will have developed a certain level of confidence.

Frank, driving down here is a piece of cake, really.  However, don't drive down here in a shiny new pick up truck or sport ute.  The word is, don't stand out. Narcos love those big trucks and sport utes.

Don't drive at night, so figure out where you'll be staying on the first night before you leave. Arrive before dinner time, have a nice leisurely meal and a good nights sleep.

The key to driving in Mexico is to not assume the other guy is going to obey the rules. Assume otherwise, drive defensively and keep your distance from the other vehicles.

I second CheenaGringo´s opinion that a "border driver" would be a waste of money. I drove down here from San Diego, no GPS--just a AAA "TripTic." I followed all the above advice and did just fine.

I sent you a PM with driving directions.

Has anyone heard from Frank?
We communicated many times and then nada.

Last forum visit was: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:25 am

If his original estimate was correct, that visit was probably during the trip?

CheenaGringo wrote:Last forum visit was: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:25 am

If his original estimate was correct, that visit was probably during the trip?

Do you mean the last time he visited this forum was on Apr 21?
I know he was delayed for a week but we were expecting him 3 weeks ago and now he no longer responds to e-mails or phone calls.
I just wanted to make sure he's ok.
If he changed his mind, that's ok.

He was to bring down some items from Amazon and so if he's not coming, we'll either buy the items locally or find another source.
We'd just like to know.

How odd.

CheenaGringo wrote:Last forum visit was: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:25 am

If his original estimate was correct, that visit was probably during the trip?

Maybe after seeing some of the yahoo's on here he bailed on the whole Mexico thing. Decided on Winnipeg instead.........jajaja.

Winnipeg LMAO
I'm Canadian so I know here is way better
No offense to any Winnipegers.

Winnipeggers are used to it and always have a great sense of humor (you would have to).........  

We go south from Border to Guaymas first day than Mazatlan the second day. If you are coming from west of Nagales you can enter Mexico at Lukeville and take Mex 2 east to Santa Anna. Safe as long as you stay on highway. Watch carefully as you go through Hermosillo as construction seems to be always
happening. You don't need help for three day run. Might want help for two day blast down here. Remember to allow time for paperwork when you cross into Mexico. Early morning crossing is fastest
due to lack of lines for permits and such. PM me if you want hotels and such. No driving at night! Watch for topes (speed bumps) and such.

Z

what is a such? is it similar to a saquatch?

Sasquatch? I think what Zed said is similar to Pedro-speak except it makes sense and it's spelled correctly.