Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras

Lately, it seems like every time I am planning a trip to Wisconsin, I end up at the border right before. This happened for Thanksgiving this year and the year before. When I got back from Beaumont, Conroe, and Bryan, I had a voicemail on my desk phone. It was a port of entry supervisor requesting I come to Eagle Pass again and setup some equipment. It was since removed due to construction and they wanted to make sure it was setup correctly for the upcoming busy season.

I didn’t have anything planned for the following week, except being in the office for Monday and Tuesday to cover while we were short staffed, so I scheduled going on site for that following Wednesday. I’d hit the road then, and come back on Thursday (and then sequentially go to Wisconsin after work).

When I was getting the company car, I noticed the landscaping company chopping up a bunch of leaves instead of bagging them. It was creating a bunch of dust and was kind of nasty. No wonder my car always has a layer of dust on it when sitting for a week while I’m on the road!

Landscaping crew using leaf blowers in a parking lot at dawn, creating dust clouds, with autumn trees in the background

I filled up the car and got some breakfast tacos for the way.

Three foil-wrapped breakfast items from Fast Break Tacos & More featuring egg and bacon, chorizo and egg wrap, and bean and potato carnitas taco

I thought I won the lottery by not having traffic on MoPac, but soon found there was a delay on 290.

Traffic on highway during sunrise with bright sun glare and lens flare effect creating rainbow-like colors in the sky

When I was driving down Highway 57, I saw a semi heading the same direction with Wisconsin plates.

White semi-truck trailer driving on desert highway from following vehicle's perspective

The equipment didn’t take terribly long to install. I installed it and verified everything was working. Then, like last time, I headed over to Piedras Negras when I was done for the day.

Abrazo de la Amistad (Embrace of Friendship) plaque at Eagle Pass, Texas showing Mexican and American flags commemorating sister city relationship with Piedras Negras, Coahuila

The Rio Grande was kind of green.

View of the Rio Grande river through green fence bars at the U.S.-Mexico border

I made it to the liquor store.

Shelves of Mexican spirits and liquors including Presidente brandy and other bottles in a Mexican liquor store

After buying my booze, I headed back to the bridge.

Feliz Viaje border crossing sign at Eagle Pass, TX with vehicles queuing to cross into Mexico

The line wasn’t nearly as long as last time.

Covered pedestrian walkway at international border crossing facility with travelers walking through

I made it back to the same TABC booth I got working and then paid my taxes.

Confiscated alcohol bottles and cigarettes in green plastic bags at customs checkpoint

The hotel was the same as last time. This time, it was on the other side of the building, with a view of the pool.

Hotel room door number 105 with photographer's shadow visible on the wall in afternoon sunlight Budget motel room interior with king bed, desk, office chair, and standard furnishings Two-story motel exterior with fenced swimming pool area visible in courtyard

I was hungry so I made it to Popeye’s Chicken. This one actually had Hawaiian Punch, so that was cool.

Beverage dispenser showing Dr Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, and water options with cup holder Popeyes fried chicken meal with biscuit in box alongside Mamma's Bowl sauce container

Unlike Wisconsin, which was hitting highs close to 0, it was nice and warm in Eagle Pass. It was almost warm enough to take a dip in the pool.

Car dashboard display showing Auxiliary Audio Active with external temperature of 72°F at 5:37

The next morning, I drove back through the fog and made it back in time for our department potluck. We did our white elephant gift exchange and shortly after that, I had my 40 hours in so I was ready to hit the road for Wisconsin.

See more blog entries here