La Salina, Mexico trip planned for the last week end in May!

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:54 pm

I'm interested in this trip too. I've got no wife to bring, so I can't help you out there.

Tom Casper

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Thu May 07, 2009 5:04 pm

Right on, Tom Consider yourself on the list!

abinder · Post by **abinder** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:04 pm

I assume that everyone going to Mexico realizes that now you have to have at least a birth certificate and picture ID (drivers license prefered) or a passport to get back to the US?

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:51 am

Yes, I made that clear in the original post, but thanks for the opportunity to remind everyone.

Get you passports in order NOW. It can take up to three weeks if you dont have one. Adam took care of his on Monday and they told him "up to three weeks".

brandonpeterson · Post by **brandonpeterson** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:31 pm

So... anyone in the group play tennis. It seems they have courts and I have spare rackets and plenty of balls so just checking to see if it's worth the hassle to try and play.

Don · Post by **Don** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:21 pm

Any idea on vehicles / logistics / insurance?

bricksfly · Post by **bricksfly** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:23 pm

I am in Orange County and definitely would like some idea of how we will all travel to Mexico. Will we leave our vehicles at the LZ while we are gone?

Thanks.

Xander · Post by **Xander** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:32 pm

Hey Steve - Please put Sazia on the list or participants.

I am sure you are working out the logistics of travel and accomodations. Please let us know when you have more info.

I will be happy to drive my car down, but I need help transporting my glider. I should have room to take one other pilot.

Alex

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:15 pm

Hey guys, I missed the last three entries. Yes, let's encourage folks to bring rackets, volleyballs, frisbees, etc. I'm going to look into creating a bonfire for Saturday night.

Here's a broad sketch of the plan:

1. The "Away Team" will depart on Thursday late afternoon/early evening and arrive around midnight. Go flying Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

2. The "2nd Wave" will depart at approximately the same time on Friday late afternoon/evening. Fly Saturday and Sunday!

All pilots and family will return Sunday afternoon. Anticipate a couple of hours at the border. We may be able to cut this down by diverting to the Otai/Mesa crossing.

INSURANCE: All vehicles MUST purchase Mexican Auto insurance at the border. There are drive through booths that sell this insurance, 24/7. Anticipate a cost of $25-35 for the week end, depending on the number of days you stay.

I am also looking into camp grounds, for those of you who prefer to rough it.

Alex, I've got Sazia on the list and I will list you as a potential driver. Details will be forthcoming, as soon as I hear back from the hotel!

JT · Post by JT » Mon May 11, 2009 5:39 pm

Hey guys,
I notice a lot of first-timers in this group and no one has mentioned any of the potential pitfalls. You all have heard what's going on down there and are going anyway so you have decided that the risks are still worth the fun of the trip. However, though I have never been, I've gleaned a few tips from the experiences of buddies that have been there in the past...

Don't leave stuff in your car, even briefly for meals; harnesses, cameras, instruments are all tempting targets even if the thieves don't know what they are for.

People have been left with only their underwear after a night camping on the beach; alcohol was involved.

Don't have any open alcohol containers near your vehicle, even when parked.

Don't forget to have large red flags on your glider-ends, especially if they hang over more than a few inches from your bumper.

Expect to be stopped for something, anyway.

Therefore, don't carry a lot of cash. They Federales have been known to slink away for just the change found between seats. $20 should be the most you need to have on hand for a bribe unless you've killed someone's cow.

These are all from actual tales of death and destruction over the years I've been back and not going to BC. Hopefully, you will all fare better and have a great time on your road trip.

Next time, let's all go to Funston.

bricksfly · Post by **bricksfly** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:40 pm

Steve, I have the time off work and would like to be a part of the group that leaves on Thursday.
Thanks for doing the leg work to get us informed about our hotel and other things about our trip.

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:49 am

Thanks, Bill. Away Team it is. I should have some numbers from the hotel very soon.

max · Post by **max** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:25 am

Ladies and Gentlemen every time we go to La Salina we visit that children orphanage and donate stuff like children clothing ,toys, costco gift card and cash and of course anything you can think of children could use,any donation would be deeply appreciated.

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:34 am

Thanks for taking the lead on this, Max.

Please start rounding up your donations. It would be great if every person who attended brought a bag of goodies. Big bag, little bag, it does not matter. Whatever you can give will be appreciated.

Perhaps we have a point of contact down there who can give us some suggestions on immediate needs. If anyone knows who that person might be, please let me know. I'll check with Joe G. now.

eriklarabie · Post by **eriklarabie** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:58 am

I am also planning to leave with the Thursday group if there's space for me in one of the vehicles. Cheers,

Erik

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:44 pm

I'm also interested in going on Thursday, if that can be arranged.

Don · Post by **Don** » Wed May 13, 2009 2:16 pm

I'm interested in leaving Thursday - BUT - I don't really want to go to Sylmar. Nor do I want to go to Sylmar on Sunday evening. I live in Long Beach (think - junction of the 710 & 405) so is there any interest in a group leaving from the L.B. area? We could meet up with the group(s) leaving Sylmar so we cross the border together (some safety in numbers).

While I have a vehicle that could carry gliders & people I am not necessary committed to using my truck. There is plenty of (reasonably safe) parking on the street by our house if we wanted to use my place as the meeting/departing location.

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:04 pm

No problem, Don. We can arrange a rendezvous somewhere near the 405/710 Junction. Where is your glider? Do you carry it with you, or will you need us to bring it down from Sylmar?

We'll work out the transport logistics (drivers/passengers) once we have a good head count. I'll get back to you.

brandonpeterson · Post by **brandonpeterson** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:01 pm

Thursday was the day I planned on also as Joe said he was planning on heading down Thursday as well. Just my 2 cents but it might be a good idea to have a (live and in person) meeting this or next weekend with as many of the participants as possible to nail down logistics. I'd say with this many people this trip needs a good solid flight plan and our biggest asset might just be our numbers with a peppering of experienced pilots to wrangle first timers.

Steve90266 · Post by **Steve90266** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:59 pm

I agree that a face to face would be very constructive, however, not 100% necessary. We can do a lot of this by e-mail and phone.

We will do our best to get a solid head count before we call the live meeting. Wait till I get the final room cost from the hotel before we start counting our chickens. Some people may have to waive it off once they get a wiff of the bill.

We have the Spring Air Festival in two week ends, and that might be a good day to have a logistics meeting. Drivers and rooms will be assigned by then.

I plan to fly this Sunday. If anyone is in Sylmar, we can chat.

Don't worry, Brandon. I've got plans....mmuuuuooooo aahhhaahhhahahh!

Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

La Salina, Mexico trip planned for the last week end in May!

Mexico Trip

La Salina, Mexico trip

vehicles - insurance

Mexico Trip

Be Safe

Mexico Trip

Mexico Trip

Away Team

Let's complicate things a little

Mexico Trip

Mexico trip