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Going to a Mexico dentist

Going to Algodones, Mexico on a vacation to the dentist.

I had braces as a teenager and when they came off the dentist probably took a vacation from all the fillings I got.  I’ve always tried to take care of my teeth.  Mom and Dad had good teeth.  I don’t know.  But in my 30s I started loosing teeth, a time like now when I had no dental insurance.  In my 40s I went to Mexico and got upper and lower partials which after a little extra filing on my part were great.  In my 50s I lost more teeth so decided to have the rest removed and got upper and lower dentures which worked for a few years.  After a while and several realignments the lower dentures wouldn’t stay in with any glue product.  I even considered super glue (not really, too toxic).  Even the uppers come loose when eating anything harder than a hamburger, and that’s after cutting it into bite size pieces.  I finally gave up on the lowers all together.  Not fun to have a mouth full of food and teeth, especially in public places.  My diet had to change and that took a while.  Even the shape of my face has changed with no lower teeth.  I’m self conscious of it.  Heck I work with the public and fear my teeth may fly out of my mouth while talking to a bunch of tourists.

A few weeks ago I went to a local dentist and asked for advice.  They recommended the “All-on-4 fixed” which requires four titanium implants into the upper and lower jaw using my adapted dentures over three months of healing and then new teeth are made over a titanium bar and permanently attached to the implants.  No more plastic covered pallet so I can taste again.  And I’d have 95% of my normal bite instead of the 20% I currently have.  I was ready and they were willing to start the following week.  Except for the quoted price of $23,500.  WHOA!!!!

I did my homework and talked to a couple of oral surgeons across the border.  I’m talking USA trained and certified dentists with all the latest technology doing the same procedure for less than half the quoted USA price.  I have a 10am appointment Thursday with the Alamo Dental Clinic.  I believe I’m a candidate for “A smile in a day.”  Driving four hours Wednesday and will stay at the Quechan Casino Resort located a few miles from the border in Winterhaven, California.

dentist, Mexico 25 Comments

The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger: Winter 2004-2005

5th-wheel RV

New to me 5th-wheel with Carson
Towards the end of my third season as a Park Ranger at Oregon Caves National Monument  I traded my motorhome for a 5th wheel, had already bought a truck, to continue my gypsy life. I planned to caravan south with Darlene, and Cyndi and Audie who were moving from Washington to New Mexico. Met Darlene in Hood River, Oregon then we continued to La Grande where Cyndi and Audie were waiting for a mechanic to fix their bus. After a couple days we all hit the road but only made it as far as Mt. Home, Idaho where the rear end fell out of Darlene’s truck. Cyndi and Audie continued down the road while we waited a few days for repairs.
Bus RV
Cyndi & Audie
I guess it was inevitable with four rigs traveling together that something would go wrong. Yet we finally made it to Arizona and set up to sell at the Vicksburg flea market for a couple months.
Quartzsite Arizona
Sweet Darlene
In January we went to San Felipe, Mexico with my truck towing Darlene’s 5th-wheel and parked on a friend’s property about five miles from town and beach. This used to be a sleepy fishing town but is rapidly changing to accommodate the over 50% American population.
San Felipe Mexico
San Felipe harbor
Our host, Chuck, took me hiking into the Sonoran Baja desert where we saw petroglyphs and even followed a creek that flows from Mt. Diablo. The end of the trail required wading in cold water, then swinging on a rope around a monster boulder to see a waterfall. I didn’t go there. Yet enjoyed watching a group of local young men return dripping wet and laughing as they retrieved cold beers from the creek.
Cardon cactus Baja Mexico
Gaelyn admires a Cardon cactus
Baja Mexico
Chuck along the creek
Baja Mexico
Me, Chuck & Eric with the locals
We also took a very rough dusty coastal ride south to Puerto Cito.
Baja Mexico
Gaelyn traveling the road to Puerto Cito
Sea of Cortez
The Sea of Cortez from Puerto Cito
Because of the bad road conditions and limited hours of electricity less tourists have settled in Puerto Cito. We soaked in some hot springs amongst the colorful volcanic boulders at the edge of the sea until the tide chased us out.
Puerto Cito Mexico
Puerto Cito Post Office & Library with private home behind
After a month in Mexico, we returned to Vicksburg and I began a solo journey to southern Texas to visit my parents. Along the way I sold at a gem show in Deming, New Mexico and met some great rock lovers.
Rockhound State Park
Rock Hound State Park Deming, New Mexico
I stayed in San Benito, Texas for a month in an RV park living across the street from my Aunt Kay and only 1.5 miles from my parents. Great to be able to visit yet go back to my own home. Plus I got to really know my Auntie who is a creative artist and well traveled woman.
Padre Island Texas
Dad, Mom & Kay on Padre Island, Texas
While there I got a job offer for the summer so I began my journey north to Mesa Verde National Park.

Gaelyn & Darlene San Felipe Mexico
Happy Birthday Darl!

Arizona, Mexico, My gypsy life, Texas , , 31 Comments

Lijit

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