This Thousand Trail park, Pio Pico, is situated in the middle of a large BLM area. ATV, four wheel and motorcycle roads crisscross the hills but so far the only vehicles we have seen on the hills is the Border Patrol. This morning 3 Border Patrol officers were having a coffee break in the clubhouse here. They had been on early morning patrol on ATV's near our site. They shared that the arrests have gone "down to a trickle" whatever that means. Seven years ago, they were arresting an average of 1500 illegals a month in this area alone. Now with the increased manpower over the last two years, they have been able to stem the flow. The economy, they readily shared, has something to do with the number decline as well. However, they reiterated, strengthening the vigilance at the border and following through on those who are arrested, has had a significant impact in slowing the human migration north. The park personnel here share stories of bands of Mexicans walking through this campground, using the showers, and sleeping in some of the buildings. However, there has been no such cases in the last two years.
Barb and I drove 10 miles east and north to El Cajon, a fairly large city. Again, we were awed by the sprawling mansions that dotted the hillsides. After getting groceries we headed 20 miles south to the border crossing of Tecate. It was here, 13 years ago, that Nathan, I and 15 other members of our church, crossed the border on our way south to do some mission work. As we left El Cajon, the road again turned narrow and curvy but fairly heavily traveled. Border Patrol vehicles were frequently sited. We did not attempt to cross the border but did a U turn. On our way back, about 10 miles from the border, we went through a Border Patrol inspection. Loki, who was riding in the back, was quite interested in the dog who sniffed our car. The Patrol dog, however, the professionals that they are, showed no interest in Loki.
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| Border Patrol Vehicle on dirt road above our site. |
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| The road to Tecate |
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| Unique rock formations, looking like they could roll down on us. |
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| Border Patrol stop about 10 mi north of the border. |
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