Just about time to head south ...

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by Glen

Hey Phil,

I'll definitely be following your progress on your dream trip. I'm sorry we had to cut our Baja trip short and are going to miss you heading south. It would have been great to be able to meet up.

I don't know how much of a reader you are, but I just finished a book titled "Take a Seat". It's written by a guy who rode a tandem bicycle from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia in 2006, almost 20,000 miles in just over 2 years. His plan was to meet people along the way who would ride the tandem with him for various lengths of his journey. I know it's a while ago, but he had very few problems and seemed to have the trip of his life. I'm sure it will be the same for you.

You have my #, so don't hesitate to call if you need anything (or want to borrow the book) while you're traveling through my area.

Safe Travels...

Hey Glen -

Yep, too bad we couldn't connect in Baja. I've met a few folks biking it. One guy biking around the world. The tandem idea is cool!

Thanks for the offer! Would want to come meet me in Yucatan or Belize and refinish my PH top!?

Phil

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by JohnandMandi

Congrats!

We finished our 4 year trip in 2019 and are back in Mexico, just south of Oaxaca.

Take good hot and cold weather gear and several sets of air filters. We went through 3 sets in SA, they can be expensive there. If your propane tank is fixed, carrying a small refillable is advised. At some point fixed tanks cannot be filled since public vehicles aren’t allowed on propane station property. If you have a black tank, a porta potti is better since dump stations disappear in southern Mexico. 3-way fridges have been known to break, a 12v is better but for a year long trip you should be fine if that’s what you have.

On blogging, it takes a lot of time so consider just posting photos to Instagram and/or FB. If you aren’t trying to make money the time it takes to blog is better spent on beer/wine thirty. A year goes by pretty fast. Just remember, Long-term overlanding is the fast track to alcoholism ; )

You should be near the Monarch Butterfly reserves at the perfect time, a must visit. We should be here another three weeks before checking out the Oaxacan coast for a couple weeks, then we’ll start heading north... probably through San Miguel de Allende. Lets keep in touch and feel free to reach out anytime, email is best.

See you down the road

-JaM

Hey guys -

I followed you every step of the way and you've answered some of my questions on IG.

Blog is just for family and friends and YES, it is a time suck. F&F just don't understand that! Comment from my wife is "what else do you have to do?". Answer ... EVERYTHING!

IG / FB is much easier and I'm posting there more often.

Would be great to bump into each other. I'm in Tamasopo area now and going to make a big sweeping S down to the Monarch butterflies. Let's connect on IG and see if it can happen.

Safe travels!

Phil

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by Amyclark

So exciting! We did 6 months to Panama in 06 with the kids. The plan was to reach ushuaia but life had otherplans. I plan to complete the journey some day. .we never had an issue and slept in our van nearly every night. Keep in mind if you decide to sell the van down there reach out! I'd love to drive it back up after the eclipse December 2020!! Safe travels and enjoy!!

I'll keep the offer in mind. At this point, plan is to get it back to the states.

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by ctb

DREAM TRIP!!!!! BEST OF LUCK! If not done yet...make sure to have a daily call/check in time...even if it is just a text....or a satellite phone at the very least!! The daily check in will ensure that if at any time you don't check in, people can try a bit harder to get in contact, OK? I can't wait to see the pics! Again, best of luck and safety!

Ps ArcticTraveler has a great thread on what tools he packs for his many travels...and he travels where most won't! Like member "Two", great advice from these folks!

Hi CTB -

I have a Garmin Explorer that I ping a map with every night when I stop. Also have it pinging through the day for anyone (password protected) that I let follow. My parents spend their entire day watching the blips! I can also send custom texts on it so if I'm out of cell coverage for days, I do reach out to my wife to let her know all is good.

Phil

[pjpvi]

So, now that I've done all the replies, reason I checked back in ...

My PH top is leaking into the core and draining out where it can. I thought I had this resolved, but I guess not. I have no idea where the water is getting in. Could be multiple locations.

Thinking of hitting up a boat shop maybe as I pass through Belize and have them strip and refinish the gel coat like a boat. Thoughts on that idea? I really need to get it fixed before the real tropics.

Any connections in Central America for this work would be greatly appreciated.

Other than that, my 6.0 is purring like a kitten (a real loud kitten)! No real issues, just little things that need TLC every now and then.

Thanks

[REF]

The “T” nuts that go through the roof probably need some new butyl rubber tape to seal them up again. Where exactly are you seeing water? Possible the gel coat has some cracks. Another point of entry is the 3rd brake light, seal it up with some silicone.

[pjpvi]

Mexico was awesome! Passing through Belize now. Life is good!

[pjpvi]

Unfortunately I passed through Belize a little to early to see "Belize" pull up in his new van. Got to visit with his wife and daughter at their nice beach front resort for a while though. Beautiful place!

[pjpvi]

No forward progress for at least the rest of March for me and pretty much all other travelers down this way. As you all know, many (most) borders have shut down in Central America and I was in Guatemala when the music stopped. Luckily I landed in a great little community of other stranded travelers to ride this out with in a beautiful location. We spent the day stocking up on supplies as the government "mandated" self quarantining until the end of March so we are all not supposed to leave our little community compound. We have all become family rather quickly.

My home for a while.

[Twoxentrix]

All things being equal Phil, Your current predicament actually sounds like fun. You certainly ended out in a nice spot to ride out your quarantine...Lemon's into Lemonade!
Enjoy your stay!