David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64540
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Pancho of Bahia San Rafael by Carl in Ca
I was cleaning up my email files when I came across a letter sent to me after my New Years 2003 trip report. We helped Pancho get back to his truck,
10 miles away. That promted 'Carl' to tell me a bit more about Pancho's truck. If Carl is reading this please contact me, your email was not attached.
This was a great story, and I think the gang will enjoy it.
I left your last name and city off until hearing from you.
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I've been visiting San Rafael for several years and have gotten to
know Pancho fairly well. One afternoon I was fishing for halibut about
a half mile north of Pancho's. I happened to look south toward the fish
camp and noticed a truck weaving its way up the beach where I was
fishing. Pancho waved then noticed who I was and he stopped to visit.
Poor fella was stumbling drunk. We visited for a while and then Pancho
said he'd better be getting back to his casa. Good plan but
unfortunately he proceeded to get stuck in the sand with the tide
coming in.
I jogged back to my camp and got a shovel and we were able
to get his truck rolling but for some reason Pancho thought he could
make a U turn in the wet sand at the water's edge. Well, he misjudged
his turning radius and instead of completing his turn he drove straight
into the Sea of Cortez where the truck soon died in four feet of water.
I couldn't bear to see the tragedy unfolding before my eyes. It was
painful to behold. I have a little Ram 50 4by4 and I knew I wouldn't be
able to help him out.
So we watched the tide come in while Pancho
waxed poetic about how losing his truck didn't really matter that much
to him. We removed all of his tools and tire repair materials from his
truck and took them back to my camp. After a couple of beers I drove
Pancho back to his casa.
Before going to bed I returned to the site of the mishap and could
barely see the top of Pancho's truck peeking its head above the lapping
waves.
The next morning I returned again to the site of the accident and
shortly thereafter Pancho arrived. The next part is Divine
Intervention. The truck was now in water only up to his hubcaps. He
suggested that we get my little truck and pull him out in true Mexican
"can do" fashion. I told him that I didn't think my truck could
possibly pull him out of harm's way, but I agreed to try. I aired down
to 15 pounds and drove out to the spot. After snapping the rope Pancho
had brought several times in our attempts to pull him out Pancho said he
could get a strong rope from one of the pangueros at his casa. We drove
down the beach, got the rope, and returned to the truck. Incredibly I
was able to pull the truck out of the water and up the beach until the
sand got soft and I couldn't budge him another inch. Of course his truck
had been in salt water for several hours and was going to need major
work.
The next day Pancho got someone from the fish camp to see if they
could pull the truck back to camp but after moving several yards they
too were unable to pull the truck back.
This all happened in April of 02 and in August my brother and I
returned and went to visit Pancho. His truck was parked next to the cafe
but it looked pretty sorry. He said that he was not able to get it
completely out of the high tide line for another two weeks. He was
confident that with the help of some of his mechanic buddies he would be
able to have it rolling soon.
We had to start heading back but we wanted to do something for
Pancho and the young couple who live at the nearby ranch before heading
home. I asked Pancho if there was something I could bring him that
would make his life easier and more enjoyable. He said he could use an
inverter, a colored TV, an antenna and a backpacking tent for the young
couple with a baby. ( I guess the bugs are a nuisance and the tent would
allow them to enjoy the cool evenings without getting eaten alive.)
In November I returned with all the requested items, all brand new,
and Pancho was very appreciative. He gave me a perfect obsidian spear
point as a token of his appreciation. ( I donated it to the L A Bay
museum without telling Pancho) His truck still was not working but it
was getting close. Well, after reading your post I guess he finally got
his truck sort of working, but the saga continues.
I think its great that you are using the internet to draw attention
to the needs of all the wonderful people in places like Playa San
Rafael.
Carl in California
[Edited on 2-12-2004 by David K]
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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Classic!
Zac
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64540
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hi Zac, somehow I knew you would appreciate reading this letter, the most! Pancho is one really special amigo... everyone should pop by for a visit,
if not for a stay!
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