Second, drive to Twin Falls, Idaho. If you find that you suddently have an exhaust leak after crossing into Oregon, causing loss of power and a really bad engine noise, you might need to find a mechanic in Pendleton who can recommend a good muffler shop in town. If you're lucky, they will charge you only $100 to fix your flex pipe and it will only take about an hour. You might arrive at your hotel significantly after midnight because you spent so much time in Pendleton, but it will be worth it (despite the back pain).
A good place to have an exhaust leak.
Third, drive to Fort Collins, Colorado to visit friends and family. Spend about a week there, making sure you get a chance to catch up with old friends you literally haven't seen in years. Don't forget to take your brother out for a fun pre-birthday night of drinking. Also, unload that U-Haul and sort out which things you're bringing in your car and which things you're leaving in Colorado.
Fourth, drive to Amarillo, Texas. Watch the sunset while passing an impressive array of wind turbines just before leaving Colorado. Drive through the largely unimpressive panhandle of Oklahoma, and check-in to your hotel.
Sunset over southern Colorado.
Fifth, drive to Austin. Spend about a week there, hanging out with Austin friends, buying necessary items at REI (such as a tent, hah!), and making sure everything is in order. Go to a rave, do a code jam with a friend, get a Mexican auto permit, go out with friends, and play a decent amount of Starcraft 2 and Mass Effect. After all, you're not bringing your Xbox to Mexico are you?
Reimer's Ranch isn't Mexico, but it's not bad.
Sixth, get up early and drive to Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. You'll want to cross the border long before sundown, both for safety and also so that it's easier to set up your ginormous tent. Don't forget to get your tourist via (turista) at the border, and to turn off "Avoid toll roads" on your GPS, because the only sane way to travel there is via toll roads. The tolls will cost $20 total, but you don't mind, because it's safer and you don't get harassed. Don't forget to bring pesos though, because they don't take USD, and you might find yourself rummaging through your boxes looking for pesos from past trips, which is a pain.
Anyway, once you've arrived in Hidalgo, if you don't have pesos yet you should definitely stop at the ATM to get some. It helps if you actually know your PIN number for the atm card you've been planning to use. Otherwise, use Bank of America and eat the stupid fees. Head down el camino al Potrero Chico, and turn in to La Posada. Set up your tent before it gets dark, inflate your air mattress, lay out your sleeping bag and blanket, and organize your stuff. Then, walk 50 feet down the street to the nearest Deposito, where you can buy a liter of beer on the cheap. Drink it, relax, meet some people at camp, and go to bed =) It's cold at night, but you're prepared =D
The best landmark in Hidalgo.
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