It is March and spring is here. The desert flowers are blooming and it is pretty. We have seen oranges, yellows, reds and purple flowers. It is beautiful but allergies are driving me crazy!!! I have been taking medicine but it has only helped a little. Probably does help more than if I didn't take it. My eyes are red and itchy, throat and nose itchy and I am tired all the time. Just want to sleep!!!! If I took a nap I wouldn't sleep at night so I keep busy and move around. This won't last forever!!! Ha!
Today the 2nd is our grandson, E.J.'s 20th birthday!!!! Happy birthday big guy!!!!
We are off to Ensenada again to hopefully get finger printing done in Ensenada at the Immigration office. Then the next step is getting the card. We went back to Hotel El Cid, in Ensenada, and will go to Immigration on Monday morning. It rained this trip but the temperature was mild. We had a relaxing stay and did do a little shopping at Costco and Walmart. We couldn't get a room overlooking the pool so we had to settle for a street room. It was a little noisy but not as noisy if we had been on the main road which we were just a block away. Looking out our window we looked down on the 2 way narrow street which has a few shops but mostly hotels and motels and restaurants. They have string lights attached to the hotel that goes across the street to the other hotel. It looks really nice at night.
The people love their karaoke and that is what we heard up until about 11 or so. Then things got quiet. Sunday nights are really bustling and full of music; with people in the restaurants, and people just out and about. We were surprised because we are used to everything being quiet on a Sunday as people are getting ready for work the next day.
We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant this morning and then left for the immigration office. It didn't take long before I was fingerprinted and we were told to come back in 2 weeks to get my card. Finally it is almost done!!!! We left immigration and went back to the hotel; checked out and started home. We should be home by late afternoon.
We are home now and the trip was a good one except for parts of the road. We took hwy 3 from Ensenada to San Felipe then San Felipe to home. It was a pretty drive but still had to dodge potholes.
So now we wait 2 weeks and go back to Ensenada. We both will be so elated to have this all behind us and I will never lose that card or any card again. When we go to Washington State this summer Dave and I are making laminated copies of both our drivers license and immigration cards. Then we will only carry the copies and put the originals in a safe place that we both remember. Ha!
My eldest son, Ernie is 42 today, the 15th. Happy Birthday son!!!!
I went into town this morning to get groceries and gas up the truck and a couple jerry cans. We always want to have extra gas on hand just in case town runs out. You never know around here. As I was coming down the hill toward home, the breaks felt squishy and I thought I had none. But I did, I just had to stomp on them to stop. No worries as I coast down the hill most of the time anyway and only need to put on the breaks when I am either going too fast for the washboard road or rocks. I drive very slow in that truck to baby it so it will last. I got home and told Dave about the brakes and he got under the hood and also got behind the wheel to test the brakes and there was a hissing sound every time pressure was applied to the brake pedal. So we had to take it to town into the shop and see what Sammy had to say. We took it in the next day and Sammy said he would be in Ensenada over the weekend so he would pick up a part for us. We paid him in advance to cover the cost of the part. So our truck sat in his shop for a few days. We were to leave Sunday for Ensenada and Sammy would be coming back on Monday. So we asked our gate guard to tell Sammy that we had to go to Ensenada and would be back later in the week. Our gate guard, Tito happened to be going into town so that saved us a trip. We are planning on going to San Diego after I get my card to service the truck and stay with our friends Phil and Creela. We also have some shopping to do in San Diego.
So life continues on as usual for us. I am back sewing fish out of tons of fabric I acquired, and making a wall hanging of a seahorse for a friend. You will see it on Facebook first but it will be in here as a memory.
The propane truck came to the house so now all our tanks are full. We usually only have maybe 1 large and 1 small tank to fill. We lucked out with getting propane as we are headed for Ensenada tomorrow morning.
We left for Ensenada about 6:30am and went hwy Mex one and dodged the potholes. Even going through the towns and potholes it is still shorter than going to San Felipe and cutting across the desert west to Ensenada. About 67 miles from Bahia the tire indicator light came on in the truck and Dave pulled over on one of the few shoulders, to check the tire situation. Yep!!! We were getting a flat tire. We couldn't see anything causing the escaping air but we could watch the tire go down and knew it wasn't right. So out came the manual. Dave got the jack out and I read the instructions. We had never changed a tire on the truck before so this was a new experience. Dave had to crawl under the truck to hook up the handle that you turn to release the spare. Then off came the bad tire and on with the spare. I did help where I could but mostly read the instructions. I know how to change the truck tire now!! Then we were off and driving but a little nervous about if the lug nuts on the spare had been tightened down enough so after driving for a while we pulled off the road to see if everything was tight and still good and it was. The tire pressure light stayed on as the spare doesn't have the mechanism attached to the spare to read the proper tire pressure. So Dave had that red light looking at him all the way to Ensenada. We will get that fixed when we get the truck serviced in San Diego.
We travel on Sunday as it seems to be the better day on the road. Not as much traffic and trucks. But we do have to contend with Sunday drivers through the small towns though. Oh well.
We checked in at El Cid and settled in our room. Hopefully I will have my card in hand tomorrow!!!!
The next morning we went to breakfast and came up to the desk to tell them not to do anything with our room until we get back from the immigration office. They told us the immigration office wasn't open due to it being a holiday. We were shocked as we had no idea they were having a holiday. So we asked what holiday and they said, “first day of spring and a past President (who has died), birthday to be celebrated. Well there you have it. They have more holidays than anyone I know. So that put a crimp into our day. We made another nights reservations in hopes Tuesday would be the day of success. We called Creela and Phil and told them our news and said we would keep them posted. So we walked around a little, I walked on the treadmill and then showered and relaxed. Not much else we could do at this point. For dinner we walked to a Carl's Jr. restaurant which was just about a couple blocks from the hotel. We just wanted something quick and easy.
Well Tuesday arrived and we went to the immigration office, signed in and waited. Pretty soon a lady came out and called my name and told me my card hadn't arrived yet. She was speaking in Spanish so I wasn't understanding her nor was Dave, but a nice gentleman translated for us. He told us that she wanted us to call her at 1 o'clock that afternoon to check and see if it arrived and she gave us her name and number. We thanked him and left. When we got back to the hotel we asked them if we could hold on to the room until after 1:00pm. They were so accommodating and had no problem doing that. Since it was the middle of the week they didn't have many reservations. We asked one of the desk clerks if he would make the phone call to this lady at immigration and he said he would. So at 1:00pm he called and my card wasn't there. Then she said to call again at 2:30pm as they close at 3:00pm. So our desk clerk, Edwardo, called again and still no card and this time the lady said to come back next week. So we booked the room for another night and would head home in the morning. One of the other gentlemen that work there has dealt with immigration and he said we should come back in a month!!!! He used to live in Kenya and so he knows how immigration works. We laughed and thanked them all for their help. We made reservations for a week from today which would be Wednesday, the 29th in hopes the card would be in. So we had to give Creela and Phil the sad news we were not going to make it to see them this trip. They said whenever we get there we were welcome.
Next morning we left Ensenada for home. When we got into Bahia we stopped at Sammy's shop to see if our truck was ready. We got lucky that he was still open. Sammy had put the part in and it was ready for us to take home. We paid him the rest of the money plus tip and Dave drove the new truck and I drove the beater truck home, (my choice). I have grown fond of the old thing!!! It was good to be home again but still looking forward to when all this stuff is going to get squared away with immigration.
Today, the 25th is my youngest sons birthday and he is the big 40!!!! Enjoy son!!
We were getting a little nervous about heading back to Ensenada because we hadn't heard if my card was in or not. Because of the language barrier with the immigration lady and us, we couldn't contact her by phone and we didn't have an email address so we called El Cid Hotel in Ensenada and spoke with our friend Edwardo. We had him and another guy call everyday until we finally got the answer we were waiting for. My card was there at the immigration office.
This is the 3rd trip to Ensenada in the process of getting my permanent resident card. We left early again on Sunday the 29th and took Mex 1 north through the small towns. Like I said before it is the quicker way to go as long as you miss the big potholes. It has rained a lot on the coast this winter and most of the Mexican roads are tore up. You see crews out trying to fill the holes but unfortunately it isn't fast enough. No flat tires this time and the drive was nice. It was sunny and warm. We had gone through most of the towns and had one more to go through. El Rosario was coming up soon where we stop and fill the gas tank. As we rounded a corner we saw a dark car parallel parked on the highway and thought there had been an accident. We thought----oh no as it takes forever to clear an accident. We thought we were going to get to Ensenada later than we wanted. It was o.k. though as we had reservations already. The passenger and driver door was open on the car and then we see a police officer (Mexican) walking toward us as we were slowing down to see what was going on. I rolled down my window and the officer came up to the car and asked us to help him please. He was holding his left forearm with a neckerchief and blood was running down his arm and allover him. We told him we were going to go up a little and park. The officer asked Dave to check on his partner which was still in the car so he did. I was looking the hurt officer over and all I could think of is this guy is in shock and he needs medical attentions A.S.A.P. His eyes were rolling up and his speech a little slurred. So I told him to get in the back of our truck. I looked around for Dave and didn't see him then looked behind me and he was at the police car (unmarked). The officer in the back seat had no pulse, no breath, and didn't respond. He had died. We thought it was strange he was in the back seat and the front passenger seat was pushed forward. But the first thing we noticed walking up to the car was the bullet holes in the passenger side windshield. We knew right then and there this was a hit!!! It had not happened but a couple minutes before we arrived on the scene. There was no mention from the wounded officer about a third person so we figured it was just him we needed to take to the hospital. We didn't want to just take off and leave the car and the dead officer there without some supervision. Just as we were walking back to our truck to help the wounded officer get into the back of it, a truck hauling bushes and branches stopped and asked what was going on. Dave told them there had been a shooting and one of the officers was dead and we were going to take the other one to the hospital in El Rosario which was about 5 miles away and report it. Dave explained that we needed to have someone stay with the car until the police and ambulance got there. They were very accommodating and said they would stay. Just as we were getting into our truck to leave, a military truck pulled up with Mexican military men in the back. I flagged them down and asked if anyone spoke English and they said no. But they stopped to interview the officer in our truck and get the story and Dave told them we were taking him to the hospital in El Rosario and the other officer was dead. They told us to go ahead and leave with the officer, so we did. We had a lightweight comforter in the back of the truck to wrap things in and the officer wrapped up in that. Apparently the officer in our truck did make a call as a police car was driving up to the scene as we sped away. Dave was able to drive real fast and as we headed into El Rosario, we didn't know where the hospital was so we stopped at the police station and told them we had a wounded officer that needed immediate attention and where was the hospital. A car pulled in behind our truck and I was asking them where the hospital was. There was an ambulance driver and a medic inside the car. They told us to take the wounded officer to the clinic and the medic would direct the way. The other person got the ambulance and headed out to the scene. The medic and helpers helped the officer into the clinic and we told him we hoped he would be alright. He thanked us and we left. We were not asked any questions or anything like that. Our job was done. We stopped at the gas station to fill up and I took the comforter and through it in the trash. There was some blood on the truck bed and window but it will have to wait to be cleaned until we get to Phil and Creela's house. After filling up we headed to Ensenada. On the way there were several police, military and Federalies that passed us going south and we suspect they were headed to the scene. Dave said later it was like he was back in Vietnam during the war. Really surreal!!!! Taking the pulse and discovering a dead body.
Listening to the conversation between the officer in our truck and the military, back at the scene of the shooting, a black pickup truck had passed the police officers and when they got in front of them opened fire to the passenger side of the windshield. Apparently the car that had the police men in it had rear ended the truck as the cars bumper had fallen off and was laying on the ground.
We arrived at our hotel and was glad to be there. We went online to do some emailing and Dave got on a site named Baja Nomad which tells of everything that is happening in Baja California. It did have the report of the shooting but Dave had to set them straight as to what happened. You know how it goes----someone hears something and all kinds of speculation happens. We didn't find out later until we were back home, that the officer we took to the clinic made it but is questionable as to whether he will be able to remain on duty. He was shot in the forearm and it was bad and they didn't know if he would lose his arm or not. So sad!!!! There was a third officer, and the military found him down a little hill from the car. He had been shot in the shoulder. It appears after he was shot he rolled out of the car and away down a hill. We never saw the 3rd guy. It was funny that the officer we drove to El Rosario didn't mention him. It all turned out OK and only 1 life was lost that day. The officers that were shot upon were going to some kind of meeting on the drug cartel and crime. We saw pictures of the scene on Talk Baja with the ambulance driver loading one of the officers in the back and it looked as though the military had cleaned up the scene with putting the pumper back on the car. It was all pretty hush, hush, as Mexico doesn't like that kind of news out. We know it happens but never expected to see anything like this. Hope we never do again. It made me think how some people can just take a life or shoot someone with the intent to kill them and then move on. They obviously were hoping to kill all of them. We were not scared about anything. It happened all too quick and all we wanted to do was save a life. I hope they catch whoever did it!!!!
We arrived close to dinner time, so after we checked into our room at the hotel, we went in search of a place to eat. We ended up at a Italian restaurant and ordered a beer and shared a salad and bread sticks. Just before that I tried to get money out of an ATM and had problems and it ended up eating my card. So that was the icing on the cake. Dave was waiting for his new debit card to come so mine was the only one we had and now that was gone. Now what!! We managed to get a little money but now we are stuck with no way to get any more. Oh bother!!!! Life does take some strange turns doesn't it??? After dinner we drove to Costco to see if we could have them look at the tire. I went in and picked up some non grocery items while Dave took the truck to the tire shop. I got done and walked to the tire garage where they were still working on the truck. They had found a nail that had imbedded itself between the tread where no one could see it without really searching for it. They repaired it and put the spare back in it's holder under the truck and the repaired tire on the rim. The red light went out on the dash so Dave was happy and we were good to travel. We then went back to the room and relaxed. Dave got back online and everyone was still talking about the shooting. Of course. Isn't that the case even in the states????? Yesh!!!
Today is going to be a good day!!!! We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant and then told the clerk at the desk we would check out when we got back from immigration.
We got to immigration and I waited outside for them to open while Dave parked the truck. Once open, I signed in and it took about maybe 15 minutes before the same lady I spoke with the week before came out and said she had my card and I needed to sign some papers. YAHOO MOUNTAIN DO!!!! She handed me my card and I immediately put it in my wallet. I signed the papers, received a copy and I was done!!!!! We went back to the hotel, checked out and called Phil and Creela to let them know we were on our way!!!!! FINALLY!!!! We crossed the board at Tecate, with hardly a wait and was waved through. We are now in the U.S. On our way to Phil and Creela's we passed a Wells Fargo bank so we stopped in to see if we could write a check and get money that way. NOPE!!! Of course if we had thought about it we would have known we couldn't do that since our check was not of that bank and it was out of state. So we left there and arrived at Phil and Creela's place. We told our exciting story about the shooting and the ATM fiasco and asked if they would cash a check for us if we made it out to them. They said no problem. However, they just happened to have the amount we needed there at the house so we got cash right then and there and we wrote them a check to cover what they gave us. So all was right with the world again. Dave called our bank and told them the story of the ATM and ordered 2 new debit cards for us. Dave's card got lost in the mail and since it had been 45 days since the bank issued it, they canceled it. If you don't activate them within 45 days of issuance, they cancel it. So hopefully this time we will get them. We will stay at Phil and Creela's for a couple days so we can get some errands run and get the truck serviced.
We had a great dinner Creela fixed and we relaxed later in the evening and watched some TV and talked a little.
Next morning Dave and I were up and had coffee then left for the truck appointment which was at 8:00am. We needed to have an oil change and they look it over to make sure everything is working properly. It took about an hour and a half. While we waited, we walked over to Walmart and I got some things I had on my list we needed back at the house. I had to get some more allergy medicine as it is really bad this season. I also had to get some eye drops too. So with that shopping done we walked back to the dealership and the truck was ready. We left there and stopped in at Dick's Sport shop. We were not impressed. Dave was looking for fishing items and they had a very small section and selection. So we left without buying anything and headed back to Phil and Creela's. We relaxed that afternoon and then took Phil and Creela out to dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. It was really good and they made a great margarita. We had a fun time and the dinner was delicious!!! I loved the décor as they had tin stars hanging up on the ceiling all around the restaurant, lit up. These are the ones that have designs in them that let the light shine through. I picked out the one I liked but they wouldn't let me take it home. Oh well!!!!
We gave Creela a bird for her garden. The same lady that made my birds made this one. Needless to say, Creela loved it.
Today the 2nd is our grandson, E.J.'s 20th birthday!!!! Happy birthday big guy!!!!
We are off to Ensenada again to hopefully get finger printing done in Ensenada at the Immigration office. Then the next step is getting the card. We went back to Hotel El Cid, in Ensenada, and will go to Immigration on Monday morning. It rained this trip but the temperature was mild. We had a relaxing stay and did do a little shopping at Costco and Walmart. We couldn't get a room overlooking the pool so we had to settle for a street room. It was a little noisy but not as noisy if we had been on the main road which we were just a block away. Looking out our window we looked down on the 2 way narrow street which has a few shops but mostly hotels and motels and restaurants. They have string lights attached to the hotel that goes across the street to the other hotel. It looks really nice at night.
The people love their karaoke and that is what we heard up until about 11 or so. Then things got quiet. Sunday nights are really bustling and full of music; with people in the restaurants, and people just out and about. We were surprised because we are used to everything being quiet on a Sunday as people are getting ready for work the next day.
We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant this morning and then left for the immigration office. It didn't take long before I was fingerprinted and we were told to come back in 2 weeks to get my card. Finally it is almost done!!!! We left immigration and went back to the hotel; checked out and started home. We should be home by late afternoon.
We are home now and the trip was a good one except for parts of the road. We took hwy 3 from Ensenada to San Felipe then San Felipe to home. It was a pretty drive but still had to dodge potholes.
So now we wait 2 weeks and go back to Ensenada. We both will be so elated to have this all behind us and I will never lose that card or any card again. When we go to Washington State this summer Dave and I are making laminated copies of both our drivers license and immigration cards. Then we will only carry the copies and put the originals in a safe place that we both remember. Ha!
My eldest son, Ernie is 42 today, the 15th. Happy Birthday son!!!!
I went into town this morning to get groceries and gas up the truck and a couple jerry cans. We always want to have extra gas on hand just in case town runs out. You never know around here. As I was coming down the hill toward home, the breaks felt squishy and I thought I had none. But I did, I just had to stomp on them to stop. No worries as I coast down the hill most of the time anyway and only need to put on the breaks when I am either going too fast for the washboard road or rocks. I drive very slow in that truck to baby it so it will last. I got home and told Dave about the brakes and he got under the hood and also got behind the wheel to test the brakes and there was a hissing sound every time pressure was applied to the brake pedal. So we had to take it to town into the shop and see what Sammy had to say. We took it in the next day and Sammy said he would be in Ensenada over the weekend so he would pick up a part for us. We paid him in advance to cover the cost of the part. So our truck sat in his shop for a few days. We were to leave Sunday for Ensenada and Sammy would be coming back on Monday. So we asked our gate guard to tell Sammy that we had to go to Ensenada and would be back later in the week. Our gate guard, Tito happened to be going into town so that saved us a trip. We are planning on going to San Diego after I get my card to service the truck and stay with our friends Phil and Creela. We also have some shopping to do in San Diego.
So life continues on as usual for us. I am back sewing fish out of tons of fabric I acquired, and making a wall hanging of a seahorse for a friend. You will see it on Facebook first but it will be in here as a memory.
The propane truck came to the house so now all our tanks are full. We usually only have maybe 1 large and 1 small tank to fill. We lucked out with getting propane as we are headed for Ensenada tomorrow morning.
We left for Ensenada about 6:30am and went hwy Mex one and dodged the potholes. Even going through the towns and potholes it is still shorter than going to San Felipe and cutting across the desert west to Ensenada. About 67 miles from Bahia the tire indicator light came on in the truck and Dave pulled over on one of the few shoulders, to check the tire situation. Yep!!! We were getting a flat tire. We couldn't see anything causing the escaping air but we could watch the tire go down and knew it wasn't right. So out came the manual. Dave got the jack out and I read the instructions. We had never changed a tire on the truck before so this was a new experience. Dave had to crawl under the truck to hook up the handle that you turn to release the spare. Then off came the bad tire and on with the spare. I did help where I could but mostly read the instructions. I know how to change the truck tire now!! Then we were off and driving but a little nervous about if the lug nuts on the spare had been tightened down enough so after driving for a while we pulled off the road to see if everything was tight and still good and it was. The tire pressure light stayed on as the spare doesn't have the mechanism attached to the spare to read the proper tire pressure. So Dave had that red light looking at him all the way to Ensenada. We will get that fixed when we get the truck serviced in San Diego.
We travel on Sunday as it seems to be the better day on the road. Not as much traffic and trucks. But we do have to contend with Sunday drivers through the small towns though. Oh well.
We checked in at El Cid and settled in our room. Hopefully I will have my card in hand tomorrow!!!!
The next morning we went to breakfast and came up to the desk to tell them not to do anything with our room until we get back from the immigration office. They told us the immigration office wasn't open due to it being a holiday. We were shocked as we had no idea they were having a holiday. So we asked what holiday and they said, “first day of spring and a past President (who has died), birthday to be celebrated. Well there you have it. They have more holidays than anyone I know. So that put a crimp into our day. We made another nights reservations in hopes Tuesday would be the day of success. We called Creela and Phil and told them our news and said we would keep them posted. So we walked around a little, I walked on the treadmill and then showered and relaxed. Not much else we could do at this point. For dinner we walked to a Carl's Jr. restaurant which was just about a couple blocks from the hotel. We just wanted something quick and easy.
Well Tuesday arrived and we went to the immigration office, signed in and waited. Pretty soon a lady came out and called my name and told me my card hadn't arrived yet. She was speaking in Spanish so I wasn't understanding her nor was Dave, but a nice gentleman translated for us. He told us that she wanted us to call her at 1 o'clock that afternoon to check and see if it arrived and she gave us her name and number. We thanked him and left. When we got back to the hotel we asked them if we could hold on to the room until after 1:00pm. They were so accommodating and had no problem doing that. Since it was the middle of the week they didn't have many reservations. We asked one of the desk clerks if he would make the phone call to this lady at immigration and he said he would. So at 1:00pm he called and my card wasn't there. Then she said to call again at 2:30pm as they close at 3:00pm. So our desk clerk, Edwardo, called again and still no card and this time the lady said to come back next week. So we booked the room for another night and would head home in the morning. One of the other gentlemen that work there has dealt with immigration and he said we should come back in a month!!!! He used to live in Kenya and so he knows how immigration works. We laughed and thanked them all for their help. We made reservations for a week from today which would be Wednesday, the 29th in hopes the card would be in. So we had to give Creela and Phil the sad news we were not going to make it to see them this trip. They said whenever we get there we were welcome.
Next morning we left Ensenada for home. When we got into Bahia we stopped at Sammy's shop to see if our truck was ready. We got lucky that he was still open. Sammy had put the part in and it was ready for us to take home. We paid him the rest of the money plus tip and Dave drove the new truck and I drove the beater truck home, (my choice). I have grown fond of the old thing!!! It was good to be home again but still looking forward to when all this stuff is going to get squared away with immigration.
Today, the 25th is my youngest sons birthday and he is the big 40!!!! Enjoy son!!
We were getting a little nervous about heading back to Ensenada because we hadn't heard if my card was in or not. Because of the language barrier with the immigration lady and us, we couldn't contact her by phone and we didn't have an email address so we called El Cid Hotel in Ensenada and spoke with our friend Edwardo. We had him and another guy call everyday until we finally got the answer we were waiting for. My card was there at the immigration office.
This is the 3rd trip to Ensenada in the process of getting my permanent resident card. We left early again on Sunday the 29th and took Mex 1 north through the small towns. Like I said before it is the quicker way to go as long as you miss the big potholes. It has rained a lot on the coast this winter and most of the Mexican roads are tore up. You see crews out trying to fill the holes but unfortunately it isn't fast enough. No flat tires this time and the drive was nice. It was sunny and warm. We had gone through most of the towns and had one more to go through. El Rosario was coming up soon where we stop and fill the gas tank. As we rounded a corner we saw a dark car parallel parked on the highway and thought there had been an accident. We thought----oh no as it takes forever to clear an accident. We thought we were going to get to Ensenada later than we wanted. It was o.k. though as we had reservations already. The passenger and driver door was open on the car and then we see a police officer (Mexican) walking toward us as we were slowing down to see what was going on. I rolled down my window and the officer came up to the car and asked us to help him please. He was holding his left forearm with a neckerchief and blood was running down his arm and allover him. We told him we were going to go up a little and park. The officer asked Dave to check on his partner which was still in the car so he did. I was looking the hurt officer over and all I could think of is this guy is in shock and he needs medical attentions A.S.A.P. His eyes were rolling up and his speech a little slurred. So I told him to get in the back of our truck. I looked around for Dave and didn't see him then looked behind me and he was at the police car (unmarked). The officer in the back seat had no pulse, no breath, and didn't respond. He had died. We thought it was strange he was in the back seat and the front passenger seat was pushed forward. But the first thing we noticed walking up to the car was the bullet holes in the passenger side windshield. We knew right then and there this was a hit!!! It had not happened but a couple minutes before we arrived on the scene. There was no mention from the wounded officer about a third person so we figured it was just him we needed to take to the hospital. We didn't want to just take off and leave the car and the dead officer there without some supervision. Just as we were walking back to our truck to help the wounded officer get into the back of it, a truck hauling bushes and branches stopped and asked what was going on. Dave told them there had been a shooting and one of the officers was dead and we were going to take the other one to the hospital in El Rosario which was about 5 miles away and report it. Dave explained that we needed to have someone stay with the car until the police and ambulance got there. They were very accommodating and said they would stay. Just as we were getting into our truck to leave, a military truck pulled up with Mexican military men in the back. I flagged them down and asked if anyone spoke English and they said no. But they stopped to interview the officer in our truck and get the story and Dave told them we were taking him to the hospital in El Rosario and the other officer was dead. They told us to go ahead and leave with the officer, so we did. We had a lightweight comforter in the back of the truck to wrap things in and the officer wrapped up in that. Apparently the officer in our truck did make a call as a police car was driving up to the scene as we sped away. Dave was able to drive real fast and as we headed into El Rosario, we didn't know where the hospital was so we stopped at the police station and told them we had a wounded officer that needed immediate attention and where was the hospital. A car pulled in behind our truck and I was asking them where the hospital was. There was an ambulance driver and a medic inside the car. They told us to take the wounded officer to the clinic and the medic would direct the way. The other person got the ambulance and headed out to the scene. The medic and helpers helped the officer into the clinic and we told him we hoped he would be alright. He thanked us and we left. We were not asked any questions or anything like that. Our job was done. We stopped at the gas station to fill up and I took the comforter and through it in the trash. There was some blood on the truck bed and window but it will have to wait to be cleaned until we get to Phil and Creela's house. After filling up we headed to Ensenada. On the way there were several police, military and Federalies that passed us going south and we suspect they were headed to the scene. Dave said later it was like he was back in Vietnam during the war. Really surreal!!!! Taking the pulse and discovering a dead body.
Listening to the conversation between the officer in our truck and the military, back at the scene of the shooting, a black pickup truck had passed the police officers and when they got in front of them opened fire to the passenger side of the windshield. Apparently the car that had the police men in it had rear ended the truck as the cars bumper had fallen off and was laying on the ground.
We arrived at our hotel and was glad to be there. We went online to do some emailing and Dave got on a site named Baja Nomad which tells of everything that is happening in Baja California. It did have the report of the shooting but Dave had to set them straight as to what happened. You know how it goes----someone hears something and all kinds of speculation happens. We didn't find out later until we were back home, that the officer we took to the clinic made it but is questionable as to whether he will be able to remain on duty. He was shot in the forearm and it was bad and they didn't know if he would lose his arm or not. So sad!!!! There was a third officer, and the military found him down a little hill from the car. He had been shot in the shoulder. It appears after he was shot he rolled out of the car and away down a hill. We never saw the 3rd guy. It was funny that the officer we drove to El Rosario didn't mention him. It all turned out OK and only 1 life was lost that day. The officers that were shot upon were going to some kind of meeting on the drug cartel and crime. We saw pictures of the scene on Talk Baja with the ambulance driver loading one of the officers in the back and it looked as though the military had cleaned up the scene with putting the pumper back on the car. It was all pretty hush, hush, as Mexico doesn't like that kind of news out. We know it happens but never expected to see anything like this. Hope we never do again. It made me think how some people can just take a life or shoot someone with the intent to kill them and then move on. They obviously were hoping to kill all of them. We were not scared about anything. It happened all too quick and all we wanted to do was save a life. I hope they catch whoever did it!!!!
We arrived close to dinner time, so after we checked into our room at the hotel, we went in search of a place to eat. We ended up at a Italian restaurant and ordered a beer and shared a salad and bread sticks. Just before that I tried to get money out of an ATM and had problems and it ended up eating my card. So that was the icing on the cake. Dave was waiting for his new debit card to come so mine was the only one we had and now that was gone. Now what!! We managed to get a little money but now we are stuck with no way to get any more. Oh bother!!!! Life does take some strange turns doesn't it??? After dinner we drove to Costco to see if we could have them look at the tire. I went in and picked up some non grocery items while Dave took the truck to the tire shop. I got done and walked to the tire garage where they were still working on the truck. They had found a nail that had imbedded itself between the tread where no one could see it without really searching for it. They repaired it and put the spare back in it's holder under the truck and the repaired tire on the rim. The red light went out on the dash so Dave was happy and we were good to travel. We then went back to the room and relaxed. Dave got back online and everyone was still talking about the shooting. Of course. Isn't that the case even in the states????? Yesh!!!
Today is going to be a good day!!!! We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant and then told the clerk at the desk we would check out when we got back from immigration.
We got to immigration and I waited outside for them to open while Dave parked the truck. Once open, I signed in and it took about maybe 15 minutes before the same lady I spoke with the week before came out and said she had my card and I needed to sign some papers. YAHOO MOUNTAIN DO!!!! She handed me my card and I immediately put it in my wallet. I signed the papers, received a copy and I was done!!!!! We went back to the hotel, checked out and called Phil and Creela to let them know we were on our way!!!!! FINALLY!!!! We crossed the board at Tecate, with hardly a wait and was waved through. We are now in the U.S. On our way to Phil and Creela's we passed a Wells Fargo bank so we stopped in to see if we could write a check and get money that way. NOPE!!! Of course if we had thought about it we would have known we couldn't do that since our check was not of that bank and it was out of state. So we left there and arrived at Phil and Creela's place. We told our exciting story about the shooting and the ATM fiasco and asked if they would cash a check for us if we made it out to them. They said no problem. However, they just happened to have the amount we needed there at the house so we got cash right then and there and we wrote them a check to cover what they gave us. So all was right with the world again. Dave called our bank and told them the story of the ATM and ordered 2 new debit cards for us. Dave's card got lost in the mail and since it had been 45 days since the bank issued it, they canceled it. If you don't activate them within 45 days of issuance, they cancel it. So hopefully this time we will get them. We will stay at Phil and Creela's for a couple days so we can get some errands run and get the truck serviced.
We had a great dinner Creela fixed and we relaxed later in the evening and watched some TV and talked a little.
Next morning Dave and I were up and had coffee then left for the truck appointment which was at 8:00am. We needed to have an oil change and they look it over to make sure everything is working properly. It took about an hour and a half. While we waited, we walked over to Walmart and I got some things I had on my list we needed back at the house. I had to get some more allergy medicine as it is really bad this season. I also had to get some eye drops too. So with that shopping done we walked back to the dealership and the truck was ready. We left there and stopped in at Dick's Sport shop. We were not impressed. Dave was looking for fishing items and they had a very small section and selection. So we left without buying anything and headed back to Phil and Creela's. We relaxed that afternoon and then took Phil and Creela out to dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. It was really good and they made a great margarita. We had a fun time and the dinner was delicious!!! I loved the décor as they had tin stars hanging up on the ceiling all around the restaurant, lit up. These are the ones that have designs in them that let the light shine through. I picked out the one I liked but they wouldn't let me take it home. Oh well!!!!
We gave Creela a bird for her garden. The same lady that made my birds made this one. Needless to say, Creela loved it.
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