OFF ROAD EXPEDITION!

WARNING: if this tale sounds a bit redneck... that's because it is ;)

“Go on, dig that monster in and let’s see what she can do!” This was the challenge posed by Diesel Doug, to see how BIG Blue would handle a 4x4 dilemma, before we take her down to the unpredictable, unforgiving and at times, deadly Baja coastline!

After finding a suitable sand pile, we drove at it in 2-wheel drive, obviously getting stuck. Before I could get it in 4L, the instructions came… “That’s to easy for her, GO ON, bury her!” “OK” I replied, and slammed on the gas. 

She began bucking side to side as her two wheels spun hard, but to no avail. “Alright, that looks pretty dog gone good!” Doug said, “Now drop that monster into four low and let’s see what she’s got!”

With the clutch engaged, I pulled back on the manual 4x4 transfer case, setting BIG Blue into 4L. Then, with a quick exhale I gave her some gas. She growled at the sand trap, which was doing its best to hold her back! No sir, she would not be stopped, and with a couple of tries she roared out of the sandy mess we got her in!!!

Doug was so excited with BIG Blue’s performance that we loaded up the trucks and blazed off in search of other valiant opponents to test our muscle!

A couple of hills later, Doug buried his overhauled F-250 into a real good mess. “Yep, I’m stuck” Doug admitted, “and I knew I should of brought that dang chain.” Well as luck would have it, the owner of the sand pits, Mr. Willoughby, happened to be driving up at that very moment and had a 20ft tow chain that we could use! So after backing BIG Blue into position and chaining the vehicles together, we dropped her into 4L and hit it!

YES SIR’EE! BIG Blue yanked that beefy F-250 right on out of there! YEEHAW!

Boots, Beer, and Big-Rigs

 After much debate as to where to make our port of entry back into the States, we set our sights on Texas. Seeing that I grew up here it has a special place in my heart and thrilled me to return to all the familiar faces, sights, and smells. On the contrary it happens to be Marc’s first time to the lone star state.

Here follows a “Texas To Do “ list of sorts.

(Not necessarily conclusive)

                                                                                                                                      Saddle up and ride.

 

      Swim in the Gulf of Mexico .

 

      

                                          Have Connie Boudreaux cook Cajun for ya.

 

 BINGO.

 

                          Dog Track. ONLY on $1 beer and dogs night. (.10 bets recommended)

                                                                                                                                            Dig into some dirt.

Pick up some local reading material.

 

Get all smothered up in a local get-down.                                                                      Drink Shiner.

White hat, wranglers, Justins’, and a cold Miller.

                                                                                                                                          

 Let the Good Times Roll.

(literally)

Hola!...I mean, Howdy!

After many moons spent south of the border we have decided to head back north and regroup.  First order of business, get ourselves a pick-up and rig it up with a camper.

Next on the list, rejoin with our favorite road dog , el torcho.  After…well, who really knows?! (many ideas and opportunities on the table…stay tuned and stay ready, you might wake up and find us camping on or near your residence.)

 
Welcome to the next chapter.

Rovers: To the End of the Road

One of my favorite things about traveling is the people you meet. It is so inspirational and educational sharing thoughts and experiences with others who have made the world their neighborhood. We have come across all walks including, but not limited to, solo men and women, couples (some also with dogs!), and babies!

This installment of Rovers, we feature Genn and Seb. A French Canadian couple who early in their dating decided to spend a long weekend together. With no set plan, they decided to drive to the end of the road near where they lived, which would take them two days each way. Fast-forward, and they set their sights on a longer road, The Pan-American Highway. So with a ten month “schedule” and an economical hatchback, they began south to conquer Mexico and Central America. We crossed paths with them in El Salvador as they were on their way north. Genn taught me how to make woven bracelets, so if we ever decide to become full on vagabonds we have a source of income. A card game was shared that has spurred our competitive sides, as well as websites to help find free accommodations  along the way. The greatest gift from Genn and Seb was introducing us to the choco-banano. A frozen banana, dipped in chocolate that forms a shell over it, and sometimes served rolled in peanuts. At 15 cents a pop, these quickly became a regular part of our diet.

Gracias Genn and Seb!

blog: letealannee.blogspot.com

Riding with the wind

Today is a sad day for our pack, as our newest and youngest member, Salvador, is now on his way up to his castle in the sky.

We made the tough decision to have him put down this afternoon, after helping him through over 20 severe seizures in the last 24 hours. We feel it was the right decision to make, as he is apparently prone to seizures like these.

We have been so happy to share many smiles and new adventures with our favorite local.

Paz y amor, Salvador!

A New Era of Stamps

With Marc’s passport expiring in August, an appointment was made at the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador. Pictures in hand, forms filled out, and shoes on our feet (much to the chagrin of our sun kissed toes), we arrived early and quickly passed through security, which spoke no English to our surprise! A few hours in a waiting room that gave us flashbacks to the DMV, brief interview on how we came to be in El Salvador (which provoked palpable jealousy from the interviewer), and we were out the door with two weeks until the new passport would be ready. Being a fairly painless process, it has given us one more reason to travel…

A day in the life!

-Wake up to a bike horn announcing the fresh bread delivery. $1.00 = 32 rolls

-Go for a morning surf!

-Walk/jog with Salvador to Sunzal point and take him for a swim.









-Coffee and breakfast time!








-Eat and conversate with the family we are living with, en espanol.








-Hammock time (siesta/relax/read)!







-Walk into town to fill up our 5 gallon water jug, use the internet, or do any food shopping needed for the day.

-Hammock time (siesta/relax/read)!

-1 hr Spanish lesson with our professor, Nelson.

-Fix lunch and eat.

-Go for an afternoon surf!








-Siesta time!









-Visit with friends, play cards, and enjoy a few cold ones.






  
-Prepare and eat dinner.








-Catch some shut eye!

-Wake up and repeat!

This is a brief glimpse of an average day for us. The beauty of life at this moment is the lack of schedule and relaxed pace we are able to sustain, while living in splendid harmony with nature! It is truly a gift to be able to enjoy the simple beauty of all that we have and all that surrounds us.

"to have the time... to have the choice... not knowing what you are heading for and just going there anyway, without a care, without asking any more questions."

-Bernard Moitessier, from the long way.