Today we will leave the country and I’ll start the long haul home. The cuota goes from Monterrey to Neuvo Laredo and costs about $18.00 US. There is very little traffic and what little traffic there is moves quickly. It is warmer than yesterday and overcast, which seems to be the case every time I’m in this area. Instead of taking the Columbia crossing like the last time, we follow a bypass to the east end of Neuvo Laredo. I’ve been on this road before and know that not many people take this border crossing.

At the border, we point to our stickers and the attendants immediately spring into action. Do you mean I’m going to get rid of my sticker? A girl with the strongest fingernails I've ever seen pries my sticker off my windshield. I’m just so happy! My paperwork takes just a few minutes. Mike, however, has a used bike. The previous owner has removed all the stickers including the one that contains the VIN #. I know there are other stamped VIN #s on the bike, but we can’t find them. In order to cancel the import permit, you must compare the VIN with the paperwork. Eventually the attendants let Mike go.

On the US side, Mike and I pick different lanes. Mine goes quickly and the border guard is very pleasant. I pull off to the side and wait for Mike. After 10 minutes go by I think that Mike has snuck out through a different exit and missed me. All I can do is ride to the first gas station and hope he is there, which he isn’t. Now what should I do? I guess I’ll call his wife and tell her we missed each other and I’m heading toward Florida. A few minutes later I see Mike coming down the road and wave him over. Apparently he got a thorough search and had to open up all his bags. He’s having trouble sitting on his bike and I’m not sure what that means, but I’m not asking and he’s not telling. Mike does wince when I use the word “mule” in conversation though.

After a quick burger, we part ways since he’s headed up I-35 and I’m taking Hwy. 59 toward Houston. I was worried about going this route, but the speeds are high and traffic is light. In El Campo, I try to strike up a conversation with a group of four motorcyclists from Houston. One is on a red V-Strom and getting him to talk about the bike is like pulling teeth. He just keeps filling his tank and eventually I apologize for taking his time and leave. That was very strange.

So, I can be pretty stupid at times and today is no exception. All day I’ve worried about going through Houston near rush hour on a road I’m not familiar with. Exactly what kind of rush hour was I expecting on New Year’s Day anyway? Needless to say, there wasn’t much traffic. This appears to be the affluent part of town as the shops indicate and the Rolls Royce that just passed me verifies. It’s starting to get dark and I make it to Orange, TX for the night.

In the morning it 30 degrees and I don’t want to leave. Out on the road the water in the median is frozen. When I try to sip from my Camelback the water is also frozen. The wind chill at speed is less than 10 degrees and don’t I know it. I’m good for about 90 miles and then the cold starts to seep in. At 130 miles I’m more than ready to pull off the road. The sun comes up but the temperature doesn’t move much. I’m also competing for road space with Bowl traffic.

Once I hit the Florida border my house starts to call me. It would be great to be in my own bed tonight. Tallahassee adds to the magic with an accident which backs up traffic for several miles. Near Lake City my electric jacket stops working, but I think it’s just having trouble keeping up with the low temperatures. In Gainesville I have to pull over and end up running hot water over my hands in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant. I have to get the jacket working or I’m done. Fortunately it’s just a problem with the wire connection and I’m warm again which lets me push home after 850 miles.

It takes 3 showers to warm up. I say this every time I leave Florida in the winter. Never, never, never, again. Mexico was wonderful as was traveling with Mike. In Mexico, there is only a small section along the Pacific Coast and Mexico City I haven’t seen. Right now I can’t think of going back, but I’m sure that will change in a couple of weeks. My Strom performed flawlessly on this 4,098 mile jaunt and it sure is nice to have a bike I don’t worry about. Either way it’s good to be home and warm.