More dental work, and then back to Quartzsite

We kind of changed our plans a little and came back to Quartzsite a couple of days earlier than we had originally planned. This way, we can hopefully go for our jeep tour with friends on Sunday, and then do our awning fabric installation Monday morning.

And after that, we have no plans for the next several weeks, so we'll be able to take our time visiting and exploring as we please without feeling to need to be somewhere!

First on the agenda yesterday was a return to Dr. Elena Rodriguez's dental office across the border in Los Algodones, Mexico in order to have the permanent crown installed on Ruth's tooth.

We drove Sherman over to the crowded RV parking lot at the Quechan Casino. I can't believe so many people spend the night at that lot. What a terrible spot to overnight. I can just imagine the generator noise in the evening. Yuck.

But, we were just there for the time it took to walk across the border and get the dental work done. It was about a half hour brisk walk. Again, you walk right into Mexico and nobody stops you or checks for anything.

So we were about a half an hour early for her 11:00am appointment. We decided to go across the street to Best Optical where we got eye exams done. They said the price was $20 USD each but we asked for the peso price at 275 pesos each. Worked out to $23.65 CDN each which was better than the $25.60 CDN it would have been had we paid in USD.

We both need new glasses, but decided not to get them in Los Algodones. We were both happy with the glasses we got online last time, so we're going to explore our options that way.

Back at the dentist, it was a quick 20 minutes or so to get the job done. I complained about the temporary crown not being done properly (because it had fallen off three hours after it was done!), and asked for a discount, but they weren't budging. I didn't push the issue, however I still feel that we paid for something we didn't receive.

The permanent crown is done, and all we can do is hope that it will be fine. Only time will tell.

It says on the receipt that they give a 6 month guarantee, but no refunds.

Given the whole experience, we can't recommend Dr. Elena Rodriguez's office in Los Algodones. Shame that it wasn't her who actually did the work, because it reflects badly on her. The work was done by Dr. Angel Rodriguez. Maybe a cousin or relative of some kind. I think my opinion would be different if they admitted to their mistake and offered a refund...even if it was only a $20 discount.

Anyhow, the entire ordeal, including the actual root canal that was done in Mazatlan, cost a total of 5,470 pesos ($465 CDN, or $370 USD).

With that done, we didn't waste any time getting back across the border. Only a few people in line so it went quickly. We'll probably never do a border town again, unless it's for a dental emergency of some kind. But if we do, we now know that you get there as early as possible, and you leave as early as possible. The later you stay, the longer you will stand waiting in line.

Next on the agenda was to get some gas. Found an Arco station selling at $1.779 per gallon (60.2 cents per litre CDN), but they didn't take credit cards and I only had $30 cash so didn't fill it up at that price.

And then it was back on the highway to Quartzsite.

Another cloudy day.

with a 20% chance of rain, but we only saw a few drops in the early morning.

It's not supposed to clear up until Sunday.

But the temperature is a pleasant 68F (20C).

Arizona desert highway.

Not much traffic.

And so we're back at La Posa West, the same area we were at a few days ago. It's cleared out a little, but there are still lots of RVs here. We'll ride our bikes into town today and try and find some special teflon tape for propane lines so that I can install the adapter for our extension hose.

Here is the kit that we bought...

Marshall Gas Controls MER470 Flow-Longer Propane Adaptor Kit

It allows us to hook into Sherman's main propane tank to supply propane to our Weber grill as well as our new Mr. Buddy heater instead of having to buy those expensive and wasteful 1 lb propane bottles.