Day 4

Day 5

Wednesday, December 29
San Antonio, Texas to Monterrey, Mexico
300 miles

Summary

Arrive at the boarder about mid-day and at Monterrey late in the afternoon. Free time all evening for supper, shopping, and scrounging around the city.

For fun today we placed a "Just Married" sign on the van Chesnuts were driving.

It was an unique experience at the customs office. I have to say that honestly I was tense inside. In fact, once we left McDonald's everyone seem to have gotten quiet in our van, a nervous quietness as we saw the border. Almost at once we were in a different world in the sense of the way people drove and walked.

I expected customs to be a nice friendly place, but much to my surprise, I found it to be the most unfriendly place so far. It had an unique mood about it.

At customs, Mrs. Chesnut used all of her bribery tricks to get us through very quickly.

Once on the highway, it seem that everything was beautiful, except for the trouble we had at a gasoline station about not having the right fuel and also that they were trying to cheat van one out of several pesos. But leave it to Mrs. Chesnut, she got out of the van and got the money back.

Driving to Monterrey was a good experience and it is beautiful; although the buses were just a little close when passing, it was a fun ride.

Monterrey is a beautiful fun city, if you walk. I was not nervous, but the traffic into the city was unbelievable (the Grand Prix of Mexico, ha-ha).

We ate at a great restaurant called Sanborn. Also took a horse and buggy ride around town with Tom, Sandy, Darlene, and Dave.

It has been a pleasant day, I feel good, and I truly say with bottom of my heart, "Thank you Lord for blessings and protection."

Before leaving the motel in San Antonio, a "Just Married Sign" was  placed on the back of the trailer. Judy and Glen Chesnut were in the van pulling the trailer. They could not understand why everyone was so friendly, waving, and politely beeping their horns.

At a gas station between San Antonio and Laredo, Texas--the secret was revealed.

From left to right on top of the trailer: John Follett and Gary Voss.

Judy and Glen Chesnut were standing to the left of the trailer.

Standing on the right of the trailer was Cyndi Jones with Tim Chesnut leaning on the trailer with his right hand.

From left to right kneeling/sitting on the ground: Stephanie Allen, Steve Wellmon, Kathy Billman (behind Tim Conner), Tim Conner, Dennis King, and Rich Henry (just behind Dennis King).

Ronald Bolender