Shoving off
Last night, as I stood outside of Nacho changing my shirt, it dawned on me: we’re homeless.
We set off from Cave Creek yesterday on the first real day of our trip with the goal of getting to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. An hour after leaving the plan was adjusted, and we decided to see a group of my childhood friends in Tucson for dinner. No problem, we can still be rugged overlanders in Tucson, we’d just camp in Nacho in my friend Shannon’s driveway. Extreme. As it turns out, our great around the world Vanagon road trip is turning out to be full of unexpected twists; Sheena and I woke up this morning on an air mattress on Shannon’s floor, and then Shannon made us breakfast and coffee. After that I tweaked my back while writing on the computer, which prompted our friend Leah, a massage therapist, to give both of us massages. We are so rugged.
I had envisioned our departure this way: We would wake up from a long night of peaceful sleep, say goodbye to Sheena’s family, and roll out of town. In reality, the days leading up to our departure were a frantic scramble. The morning of the departure was a sleep deprived sprint. We woke up at 6:00 and finished two more projects and packed up Nacho. After a while the packing of the van became too much, so we just threw everything into boxes and set them on the floor. We can deal with this later.
We’re readily settling into a routine of relaxation and general laziness, as it’s 11:19 and we still haven’t left. No matter, we’ll be in Puerto Penasco by the evening. This also means that we’ll be leaving the easy internet access of the United States. We have an international mobile internet card, but we’ve never used it before, so there’s a possibility that it may take a couple of days to get it figured out. If the blog doesn’t update for a couple of days, it probably doesn’t mean we’ve been kidnapped. Give us a few days, then send in a rescue squad.
As we go, we’ll be updating our live map using a GPS tracker. This will help someone find and recover Nacho in the event that we manage to get ourselves thrown in the clink.
Time to hit the road. Adios Estados Unidos!
Woo-hoo!! So excited for you guys. K and I will be in CR March 3-11, I know it’s a stretch but for sure let me know if you’ll be around the Tamarindo area at that time. If not, Thailand 2013 for sure. Hugs!
Comment by Cat M on January 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm
A well played beginning!
Comment by Jonny Teerlink on January 4, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Woo Hoo. Rocky Point for a shrimp dinner…..Mmmmmm, Camaroñes grandé.
Comment by jeffrey carter on January 4, 2012 at 7:46 pm
I knew you guys were just going to hide out in Tucson and photoshop the world !!
Comment by dave thompson on January 4, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Hey guys, good luck on your journey…. love seeing the updates of this great adventure…. be safe and keep that little wasserboxer churning!!
Comment by seth on January 4, 2012 at 8:34 pm
good luck amigos! I am tiered just from watching you guys get ready, think I will take another nap.
Comment by Ernie Wieber on January 4, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Have a blast you both, you both have been planning this trip for so long now enjoy the beauty, and of course each other. Love you both. It was wonderful having you a part of our holidays, enjoying helping you both every minute of the way. Enjoying spending time with your Mom and see your Father and Pat and some of your friends and getting together to cheer you both on. Catnip party is at 7:00 at my house so we and all the kitties are celebrating the beginning of getting together and getting along so we can have a blast too. Wish you the best.
Comment by Barb Wieber on January 5, 2012 at 2:05 am
Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of internet access south of the border…it’ll be easier if you pronounce it correctly though (they call it “wee-fee” as in wi-fi)
Bien viaje!
Comment by Brenton on January 5, 2012 at 8:02 am
Stay safe you guys! Can’t wait to keep reading about your adventure!
Comment by Elmira on January 5, 2012 at 8:17 am
Just donated to your cause, you are living the dream! Enjoy your trip! GO NACHO GO!
Comment by Justin Wilson on January 6, 2012 at 5:55 am
Thanks everyone! We’ve just left our campsite in Puerto Penasco and are headed for La Fonda (about an hour South of Tijuana). We’ll try to post a blog soon. Thanks @Justin!
Comment by Brad on January 6, 2012 at 6:46 pm
[…] grade, whose family had been good friends since elementary school, and whose sisters would host us in our final stop before crossing the border into Mexico at the onset of our trip – offered up his car. […]
Pingback by Drive Nacho Drive » The Great White North on August 28, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Hey Brad & Sheena! I just discovered your blog while doing research on my own plans for investing a “tiny house” er.. van of my own to travel South America in. I’m in love with what you guys did to yours and was happy to see you’re fellow Arizonans as well (I grew up in Tucson).
I’m just in the beginning phases of figuring out the logistics and savings plans… and actually currently am on another adventure… off living in Amsterdam now for the past year and perhaps sticking around for a few more… And yet I still I feel like I have about a million questions for you guys that I can’t wait to ask! I figure I will finish reading through your entire blog first to find some of the answers… ;-)
However, after reading this particular entry I am curious as to which company/device you chose to go with for your international mobile internet card and what the rates are like… How does it work going from country to country and have you found it to be pretty reliable in remote areas?
love the blog! Inspiring and very helpful! Will be in touch soon with more questions I’m sure and can’t wait to see what the next part of your journey brings. Let me know if you find yourself in the Netherlands!
Comment by T. Burroughs on February 11, 2013 at 8:05 pm