I am taking a fairly remote border crossing to Mexico, Antelope Wells. 70km from the first town in the US [Hachita], 70km to the first town in Mexico [Janos]. In that regard it is even more remote than my Alaska-Canada crossing. I initially planed to take the Nogales crossing but one thing led to another and made me take the crossing that is the closest to my first major destination in Mexico.

The border is only open between 10 and 4, so I don't need to rush. However, with headwind it unfortunately takes me until 1PM. Maybe there is also some hesitation left in my legs. Not so in my mind, I am ready. I am excited to go to Mexico. From quite far away I see the "wall". As uninformed as I am, I actually thought it was always just the aim of Trump and it never really was put into reality. I was wrong.

I cross the border into Mexico around 1:15PM. Mexico, the place where this trip actually started. Here on the blog I made it appear as if I had started at the Arctic Ocean. In fact I had to go from Frankfurt to Mexico first due to travel restriction at the time. After two weeks, that I've spent in Puerto Morelos with my friend Elias, a wonderful warmshowers host, I was allowed to proceed to the US.

The visa procedure and customs unfortunately take forever. They seem to be less accustomed to tourists here and also see the need to check all my bags. At 2:30PM I am finally off towards Janos with a 180 day visa in my passport.

The first 2 kilometers are almost a bit too cliché for my taste. The pavement literally ends at the US border line and I find myself on a muddy dirt road with super deep puddles. That's the road on the Mexican side of an official port of entry? Wow! Adventure is calling. Klaus and I get incredibly muddy.

After my first little off road adventure the smooth pavement begins. 70km to Janos to go. I must admit it, this is not at all how I hoped it to be. I wanted to have plenty of time, instead I really have to push to make it happen. Everybody tells you: Don't ride at night and the border region can be a bit sketchy. So no camping for me. Until I can rely a bit better on my own judgment, I at least want to stick to these basic rules.

My mind is busy getting to Janos. Maybe that's good since it can't wander off. The road is very narrow without a shoulder. Drivers are incredibly careful with me, though. Most people seem to be a bit more on the speedy side here, but everybody makes sure to pass me with an appropriate distance [I've also put down the American flags, of course]. If there is oncoming traffic, they wait behind me. So far so good. I even get stopped by the police [who blocks the whole road while they speak to me]. I am not entirely sure, what they said but it appeared if they just wanted to check, if I am okay.

I reach Janos [which I like because you can form my name by switching a and o] almost in the dark. Phew, that was a close cut and started to get a bit unpleasant. I find a hotel that I unfortunately have to pay with my US Dollar reserves since the town appears to have no ATM [that meant also no restaurant visit tonight].

Without Spanish on my side and no English on the other, getting the room was already somewhat a thing. As I have my last evening cigarette, a guy named Carlos pulls me into a conversation. With a few words of English on his side, a few words of Spanish on my and quite some pantomime we are able to have a little chat. Once we say goodbye, I instantly get a feeling that I had quite a few times throughout the trip. The feeling that I always got when I put my backpack on my shoulders being loaded with 10 days worth of food exploring a remote piece of land in the north. The feeling of adventure!