Pan American Highway prep
Friday, 24. August 2007 by Bruce Brown
This is the home we’re leaving in Acapulco. A total of two years in our home; a great place to be with very good people living near us at the monastery/convent.
On on to the logistics of us getting to Panama. I’ve purchased the plane tickets for the family, but now realize it’s going to be too expensive to get the dogs/some things and our car to Boquete. We have a 97 red Jeep Cherokee Sport Country that we love. It goes anywhere. And, although the general consensus seems to be that we should sell our jeep and purchase in Panama. We’re going to keep the jeep. We may regret it --but we’re leaving everything behind in Acapulco --so we’d like our Jeep. We also have two dogs. So I started adding it up. In Mexico, 170 dollars each for a qualified crate to ship the dogs. $86 per dog for airplane tickets. A bunch to ship the car. A lot of money to take extra baggage on the plane. Money’s an issue. So I decided I can’t fly --gotta drive. Sharon and the kids will fly. I’ll leave a few days early, and meet them there. I get a challenging/trip alone --and I think that’s going to be good.
We came to Mexico with two trailers. Both trailers broke from the weight in remote places. (That’s a great story that involves a great welder guy in the middle of a small town in Mexico.)
So, the last several days I’ve been preparing the car for the trip. Balance the tires & alignment ($25). Synthetic oil change ($45). New wipers ($12). Fixed the drivers-side window so I can roll down the window rather than open my door ($60). Check brakes --new rear brakes ($30). It’s all fixed --and I’m pleased with the price --Mexico prices. The car’s ready to go.
I’m excited to drive the Pan American highway. I’ll be able to say I did it until I’m old and be glad I did.
Now, I want to find a trailer hitch for the jeep. We have a tray that fits in a trailer hitch and I’d like to use it to take some more boxes on the trip. Just a few of our things.
I’m going to drive with my two English Shepherds, some stuff, and treat it in my mind like a vacation, not a move. It’s a good trip --one people plan for for years and want to do it. It’s not a chore, it’s an adventure. I’m going to pay attention to everything along the way.
I’ll take notes on my laptop --and post them when I get to internet. There are going to be obstacles, and a lot of wonderful experiences.
Dude, you are going through some bad stretches of road on the way to Panama. Be careful out there
If you haven’t been made aware of the hoops to get your dogs into Panama let me know and I’ll send you some information and make some requests for further information if you need it. What an adventure. ;o)
You’ll be in my prayers for a safe trip. You’ve got guts! -Melanie V.
Hi. I just passed into Nicaragua. It’s been quite an adventure. Two bad experiences at borders at night. Do not cross borders at night is the rule people pass along, and it’s true. Last night I had to pay a lot to get though the Honduas border with all officials demanding money.
I even had to pull out my little knife and operate it casually to get the crowd demanding money to back off. What an amazing trip. The dogs are fine. I’m fine. Hotels have bee nice at about 25 dollars per night. Last night was in a secure hotel with a big closed gate so the dogs were allowed to run free. That was good after 3 days in a very packed car.
I’m hoping for a good drive through Nicagragua today. Costa Rica tomorrow. I’m thinking the hard part is over. I’m in a very nice internet cafe now with great proprietor. But, want to get on the road. I rented a half hour time to email family and now am responding to this blog.
Despite all, I recommend this trip. It’s a real adventure.
Unbelievable trip you are doing! Be safe!!