Nancy wrote --

>  JM> there is almost invariably someone to my left or right (which ever
way I'm turning) who wasn't there a second before.
> 
> You just need to banish Murphy from riding on your bumper.... 
 
   I love the old roads, the two lanes.
   I was in NM (maybe western Texas) and this big black semi got right on
my tail and wouldn't go around, though there was no on coming traffic.
   We were the only vehicles around.
   Suddenly the old movie Duel came into my head, with me as the Dennis
Weaver character.  
   He did finally pass and so glad to see the back of his truck in front
of me.  

> got maps for the trip I have to make to pick up my son at the Montreal
> airport next week

  Yesterday I in Del Rio, TX, had planned only one day but had car
trouble and had to stay two while the rental company switched me to
another car.
  I had wanted to see the border and after finding a place to park (there
are no parking areas, you sort of make your own), I walked across the
bridge and couldn't believe how clear the water was.  
  Anyway, I wound up in Mexico, looked around at the new border crossing
stations turned around and started walking back. 
  I was stopped by Mexican security.  He guy asked where I came from, how
long I had been then (he had seen me walking past) and asked for my
passport.  I have no passport.  I wasn't planning on visiting Mexico,
just look. 
   He let me go this time, saying I needed one the next time.
   Then I had to check in with the border patrol on the American side,
but once again my drivers license was accepted, with the guy asking why
had I gone to Mexico.
  If one drove into Mexico they had a pay a $4 toll, foot traffic was 75
cents to get in, nothing to get out.  Traffic into Mexico was very light,
maybe about five or six cars, as at a toll booth, which these look like.
 But, coming from Mexico was a long line of cars.  And there were guys
cleaning windshields, (for a tip) going from car to car.   
  Some miles away on US 90 was another border patrol station stopping
everyone.
  This time the border patrol agent asked if I were an American citizen.
 I said yes, no request to see any ID, he looked in the car and let me go.
  In 1984 I went to the Canadian side of the Falls.
  The Canadian border agent was very laid back, leaning his back against
the booth asking where I was going, how long, have a nice trip.
  Coming back into the states that guy acted like I was a smuggler and
went over the car, asking all sorts of questions, looking in the trunk,
under the car, etc.
 
> Exactly.    And sometimes it's also helpful to add... if you get to x
> landmark, you've gone too far.... 

  Oh great, NOW you tell me!  
  Joe (in beautiful downtown Uvalde, TX)
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