Ok, so you are wondering why Mexico first? Like I told some tourists that I asked to take my picture at the Mexican Border at Nogales; The husband asked me where I was from and I told him Flagstaff, (350 miles north of Nogales) and that I left that morning. When he asked me where I was going I told him Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and if I'm going to the northern most point in America, I ought to start at the southern border of my state at least, just so I can say I did it and I'll know how far it is north to south. Besides, I needed a shakedown cruise to check on recent changes that I made to my bike. He said "of course" and understood completely. His wife just shook her head and said something to the effect that I was really lost and wouldn't ask for directions.
Anyway, the first day was 525 miles from Flagstaff to Nogales and back to Phoenix for a nephew's wedding. Tomorrow Morning at 6am Frank Mayorga (Cisco) and I are on our way north.