Algodones for Med's & Eysglasses 1/2/18-1/4/2018

[blmkid]

Email from Blue Cross Blue Shield six weeks ago,got me in gear to plan for a trip to  Algodones.   It looks like I will lose my health insurance through Obamacare come January 1, 2018. Cost for my meds with out insurance is over $3,200.00. So it's a trip for meds and new eye glasses. So plans for the 2,100 mile trip is a go.
My agenda is as follows. Arrive 1/2/2018 and scout four locations to boondock for 2 night's.  stay: https://freecampsites.net/#!Quechan+Casino+Resort

1. Pilot Knob - 1 mile from Quechan parking lot. 
2. Sidewinder Road (Northwest Side) 8 miles to Quechan parking lot.
3. American Girl Mine - 8 miles to Quechan parking lot.
4. Tumco Ghost Town - 11 miles to Quechan parking lot.*
*There is a private campground  "[font=Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Across Olgilby road and down Gold Rock Ranch Road, you will find a privately owned pay campground. The campground hosts a muesum/antique store. Here you will find all kinds of information about the long gone mining communities of the area and some of the equipment that they used. Cold drinks and ice cream can also be had." -freecampsitesdotnet[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]The private campground is: http://www.goldrockranch.us/  [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]After the business is done, on to Ehrenberg for several days with the "tribe". Then to RTR for 3 days. I need to be back home January 21st, for AFC Championship for Superbowl.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]If anyone is interested in the 2 night's(order glasses and pickup next morning, avoiding long wait back across) at one of the BLM site's. We could carpool to the casino parking lot. Parking is $6.00 per day. Here's Bob's video on going to Algodones[size=small]:[/size][size=x-small] 

Please PM me for my email address, and more details, if your interested.[size=small] 

 

[VanForNow]

Regarding the $6 parking fee at the border parking lot, some folks avoid this by parking on the side of the  road just before the "no parking" signs begin. Parking this way involves a walk of about 3/4 of a mile.

 

[jimindenver]

When I was there I was parked down along the back end of the truck lot. It is the lot lower than the RV lot that is always packed. There is a shuttle at the casino if you really wanted to avoid the parking fee.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

FYI, in Phoenix, they offer two pairs of glasses and a free eye exam for $70. Of course, single lenses and plain frames. But can upgrade for more.


http://www.americasbest.com/
http://www.zennioptical.com/
Is also ridiculously cheap, if you have a prescription.

 

[MrNoodly]

"order glasses and pickup next morning, avoiding long wait back across"

They make up your eyeglasses in an hour or so. That might simplify your plans. You could be on your way out with eyeglasses and meds while people are still arriving.

Since all the lenses are made in the same facility, the real difference is the quality of the eye exam and the resulting prescription. Some of the shops don't inspire much confidence. I like Best Optical.

 

[akrvbob]

If you are going to buy a years supply of meds, you'll need to make multiple crossings to get them. Legally you are only allowed 3 months supply per trip. A lot depends on perception, if it doesn't look like much they won't ask, if it looks like a lot they will ask.

 

[shadowmoss]

Do I need to have a paper prescription for meds that I want? I was prescribed something last year, but can't afford it here. Not a problem as far as not controlled substance or anything. However, I lost the script in the meantime, forgetting I could probably get it in MX. My others are generic, and only $10/mo at Walmart so will probably just keep going there for those. TLDR: Do I need a current script in hand to get my medication across the border?

 

[blars]

I think the distances you give are air not driving. The free pilot knob BLM is 1.5 miles further than the LTVA, so about a 4 mile drive from the casino. There are some nice little used spots along Sidewinder road past where it turns dirt if you don't need cell or TV signals. (between hills)

No need for prescription.

 

[akrvbob]

No prescription is ever asked for

 

[blmkid]

I think the distances you give are air not driving.  The free pilot knob BLM is 1.5 miles further than the LTVA, so about a 4 mile drive from the casino.  There are some nice little used spots along Sidewinder road past where it turns dirt if you don't need cell or TV signals.  (between hills)

I'm just going by the descriptions on freecampsites.net.
Pilot Knob: https://freecampsites.net/#!4047&query=sitedetails[/SIZE]
Sidewinder Road: https://freecampsites.net/#!8074&query=sitedetails[/SIZE]
American Girl Mine: https://freecampsites.net/#!5668&query=sitedetails[/SIZE]
Tumco Ghost Town: https://freecampsites.net/#!3765&query=sitedetails[/SIZE]

Thanks for the tip about Sidewinder. I would like a few tv signals to watch. So I will keep that in mind. Will have my tv set up to check for signals while scouting.

 

[MrNoodly]

If you are going to buy a years supply of meds, you'll need to make multiple crossings to get them. Legally you are only allowed 3 months supply per trip. A lot depends on perception, if it doesn't look like much they won't ask, if it looks like a lot they will ask.

The meds I get often come packaged on blister packs in boxes, creating a lot of wasted bulk compared to a jar of pills. A 3-month supply look like an outrageously huge bundle. So I check around with the various pharmacias to see who carries it in jars and with the highest count per jar. I've also started carrying a baggie with me in case I can't find my meds in jars. I retire to a table in a courtyard and transfer the pills from the blister packs to the baggie, toss the packaging in a trash can and put the pills in a pocket of my cargo shorts. When customs asks what I'm bringing back, I tell them I had dental work or ordered eyeglasses.

 

[MrNoodly]

No prescription is ever asked for

There are some controlled substances that are supposed to require a prescription from a Mexican doctor to buy and a prescription from an American doctor to bring into the US. And some controlled substances can't cross the border, regardless.

 

[LilNomad]

Does the Casino offer RV parking? What is the name of the Casino?
Thanks
LilNomad

 

[blmkid]

Does the Casino offer RV parking? What is the name of the Casino?
Thanks
LilNomad

Yes, RV parking.  It's Quechan Casino.

 

[LilNomad]

Yes, RV parking.  It's Quechan Casino.

Thank You.
Another question: so the casino shuttle takes you to the border? How often does the shuttle run back and forth btwn the casino & border?
Or is it better to drive from the casino to the $6 parking lot near the border?
Thanks
LilNomad

 

[shadowmoss]

Thank You.
Another question: so the casino shuttle takes you to the border? How often does the shuttle run back and forth btwn the casino & border?
Or is it better to drive from the casino to the $6 parking lot near the border?
Thanks
LilNomad

I an to drive to the border parking lot.  Not sure that the casino shuttle actually goes to the border.

 

[MrNoodly]

I an to drive to the border parking lot.  Not sure that the casino shuttle actually goes to the border.

The border parking lot is right at the border. From most places in the parking lot it's about a hundred yard stroll through the port of entry.

 

[LilNomad]

Great..will use the casino rv park then drive to the border parking lot to walk over. Im thinking best to go over a few times to address the 3mo RX supply issue. Maybe will meet up with some of you.
Thanks
LilNomad.

 

[Crave]

I'm planning on going to get meds and med equipment, however, my plan is to do this in December or sooner. I have toyed with the idea of doing more and maybe staying for a up to a week in Mexico but I doubt this will happen this trip.

 

[Crave]

Does anyone know about disabled parking in the boarder crossing parking lot?