We checked our schedule, checked our budget, found sitters for the horse and chickens and finally started making lists and packing to leave next week;
obviously a week too late.
Today it looks like the weather may have other plans.
So far today it has dumped 3 inches of snow on top of the 2 inches of snow/ice we had before and it's still coming down hard.
They are talking about snow and below freezing temps for 7 to 10 days.
I am not giving in; I will make it; I will make it; I will make it.
Soooo the question is how long will it take me to drive a normal 2 days distance if I have to run chains on the truck and camper for 1/3 the distance
??
I made it to Chula Vista from Portland in 30 hours last year.
Any advice for high speed driving with chains ??
It always seems so hard to drive slow when I'm heading downhill all the way to Baja !
At least the dogs are loving it !
.
woody with a view - 12-14-2008 at 05:34 PM
Quote:
Any advice for high speed driving with chains ??
pedal to the metal until the the doors come off!!!!! as if you really had to ask...cftlet - 12-14-2008 at 05:55 PM
my advice on driving fast with chains is dont do it. Youll throw a chain and really mess things up. I know what you mean , we are leaving on the
19th for baja and this cold just makes the anticipacion worse.Diver - 12-14-2008 at 06:05 PM
Where are you leaving from ?
That is our planned departure date also.
Portland by noon and Valley of the Rogue State Park for the night; I hope.
Red F350, camper, boat on roof ..... chains.mulegemichael - 12-14-2008 at 06:06 PM
what part of washington, diver?...our place is in sequim and we feel fortunate NOT to be there....lots nicer here in mulegeDiver - 12-14-2008 at 06:11 PM
We're an hour or so east of Portland; north of White Salmon/Lyle near the Gorge.Udo - 12-14-2008 at 06:26 PM
Diver,
I live in the snow country and have to put on chains about 20-30 times a year. I generally don't drive any faster than 40 MPH, and I put on my chains
(on a Prius) with a floor jack and the chains fit really tight. The looser the chains fit, the slower you should drive.
This morning, at 6:45, two kids came to our front door and asked if we had any chains that fit an Escalade. The vehicle was stopped in front of my
driveway on a steep incline. I had an old set that were still new and told the vehicle owner that I would sell those to him and install them. He
walked out of the vehicle, and with the vehicle in park and the parking brake on, the Escalade slid all the way down the hill and into a pole. One of
his kids slid down the street while chasing the car and broke a wrist. Was somewaht tragic but comical.
The driver had several warnings about the required chains.
I generally go through 2 sets of chains per season, which just started last night. Looks like we'll have a white ChristmasDrTom - 12-14-2008 at 06:37 PM
you can view hiway conditions from washington state to socal at medfordfuels.comSharksbaja - 12-14-2008 at 07:50 PM
Getting very ugly south of Portland tonight and always much safer to drive in when it's colder. Be careful Diver and have a great time. Bajaboy - 12-14-2008 at 07:52 PM
Getting cold here in San Diego...I think it might drop to the upper 40s tonight...bbbrrrrrrr.....see you soon.
zac
border crossing
awfulart - 12-14-2008 at 09:52 PM
We expect to cross the border at SY onthe 28th, around noon. We would welcome company on the way to Asuncion.
We will be pulling a 28 ft trailer so will not be quite as speedy but we move pretty well even pulling the trailer
Artgreybaby - 12-14-2008 at 10:00 PM
At least you have a plan. We're stuck in Idaho in the snow with no immediate plans to head South. Just keep telling yourself the further South you
go, the less chance there is of snow. We go through Vegas from here and once we get a little south of Ely, NV it feels so good to know we won't be
dealing with bad roads for much longer.vgabndo - 12-14-2008 at 10:16 PM
Hey buddy...it gets much better as you head south. I didn't pick up a depth at the Siskiyou summit, but Hilt only had an inch and a quarter. We have
maybe 2.5" in Mt. Shasta. I-5 is just wet.
Here is a link to all the video cameras south of the Siskiyous.
You can get a good daylight look at road coverage.
I'm leaving Seattle for Los Barriles on Dec. 26th.
I really HOPE conditions improve before then...!! (I'm from N.Idaho.... I can handle the dark, mind-numbing-cold, and horrific road
conditions.... I just need the eventual warm dry, baja winter air and the open road for a few days !)
anyway.... I'll be bringing up the rear in a black Yukon Denali.
I'll keep my eyes open for you.
djhgreybaby - 12-14-2008 at 11:00 PM
Oh I hope not!! We head straight South through Jackpot, Nevada and can have bad roads until we get about 100 miles South of Ely - then it's smooth
sailing to Vegas and on South.
Had our first major snowfall for the year in Boise and it just reminds me why I NEED to be in Baja this time of year. You don't have to shovel sand!!
Just enjoy it.Wingnut - 12-15-2008 at 12:41 PM
Boy, I sure don't envy you Northern Nomads. We leave from Phoenix on the 19th heading for Cabo. It's supposed to rain all week here clearing on the
19th, just in time for our departure! Whoo Hoo! You guys should consider moving to the desert, very little snow.....Diver - 12-18-2008 at 08:59 AM
10 inches of fresh snow last night; had to shovel off the roof of the camper, again.
My shiny red F350 is calmly resting in the ditch at the bottom of our driveway waiting for AAA. I spend an hour last night trying to pull her free
with my F250 but after breaking a tire chain, it was off to phone AAA.
I think today it is supposed to get above freezing for an hour or 2; just enough to make some really thick ice tonight when it freezes.
I am blaming it all on global cooling ! Al Gore is wrong ! Come to my house, AL !
On a good note; I found my boat. The dogs tried to run through one of the drifts between the house and barn and I heard a tinny sound; put a 6' stake
on the spot and will start digging her out today.
So now my question is, how long will the Tuna stay in Asuncion ? In case I'm a day or 2 late ?
.Bajaboy - 12-18-2008 at 09:16 AM
Hey Diver-
Good luck with the thaw. At this rate, you might just end up headed down when we do on the 28th. Hang in there!
ZacDiver - 12-18-2008 at 09:22 AM
We've gotta make it.
Little Gab's photo is on the counter.
Even Isabel thinks he's just soooo cute !!
See ya soon !
Dec 28th
awfulart - 12-18-2008 at 11:04 AM
We hope to cross the border on the 28th by 11:00AM headed to Asuncion via the orphanage in Ensenada(El Sauzal) We have some stuff for them.
I will be pulling a travel trailer, a 28ft Alpenlite, with my 3/4ton Gray Dodge truck. We move down the hwy quickly but carefully. If anyone wants
to caravan, let me know.
We want to get to Asuncion by the 30th.
Does anyone know if the toll road is now open or what the status of the toll road is. I understand there has been some flooding and road damage
around Rosarito.
ArtBajaboy - 12-18-2008 at 11:40 AM
Hey Art-
We'll be waiting for you in Asuncion...there will be a great group there already. If for some reason we get a late start, we'll hook up with you.
I'm sure the toll road will be open soon if not already.
ZacDiver - 12-18-2008 at 12:18 PM
Art,
I am still hoping that we make it before you but, I'll let you know ....
It's still snowing hard here - 16 inches and counting.
Team Jurjos beware, we have more surf boards and gear heading your way !!
[Edited on 12-18-2008 by Diver]
GROUNDED
debindesert - 12-18-2008 at 12:27 PM
Hesperia Airport Today
shari - 12-18-2008 at 12:35 PM
I guess we'd better start working out for the new years bash with all of you here for that...gonna be another fun event....get your dancing shoes
ready everyone. Tiomiguel got here safe and sound and is baja mode now...we'll be checking the tuna scene hopefully tomorrow or the next day when it
calms down a bit...windy and rough right now...
The Asuncion dirt road part was graded a couple days ago and was really nice but be oon guard for some nasty potholes out of Vizcaino....drive safely
everyone.
[Edited on 12-18-2008 by shari]bajabass - 12-19-2008 at 11:28 AM
Mrs. Bajabass is heading to Ensenada on Monday to spend X-mas eve with her family. Is the toll road safe after the rains! Heard it really tore up San
Quintin. The 4x4 Tundra is fine, but she is with child and I worry. Merry Christmas To All Nomads, in and out of Baja.Diver - 12-20-2008 at 12:55 PM
Another 5 inches yesterday and 7 inches last night.
Still snowing hard - calling for another 12 inches in the next 24 hrs !!
I found the boat and then lost it again when the snow covered my stake.
The dogs are digging tunnels, the chickens are trying to eat it all, and the horse is; hmm where is the horse ? Better go dig some more !
So much for making Asuncion by Christmas.....
I'm bound for my snow shovel for now !
.shari - 12-20-2008 at 04:40 PM
ummm, hate to rub it in diver...BUT...i just came up from the beach and changed out of my bikini into my shorts...jejejejejejej..tiomiguel caught a
nice tuna and yellowtail too....hurry down.bajaguy - 12-20-2008 at 04:47 PM
Headed to Ensenada Wednesday, 12-24 from Carson City. South on 395 to the I-15, to 805....crossing at Otay, taking Blvd 2000 to the toll road...Osprey - 12-20-2008 at 05:05 PM
Diver, if you're coming this far south, could you bring me down some SPF 50 sunscreen. Just used up the last little dollop this morning -- it was
either that or fry. ThanksDiver - 12-20-2008 at 05:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Diver, if you're coming this far south, could you bring me down some SPF 50 sunscreen. Just used up the last little dollop this morning -- it was
either that or fry. Thanks
Tiomiguel - 12-20-2008 at 08:05 PM
Hey Diver, not to rub it in either, I think I may have gotten the last tuna, couldn't find much sign today, just found the one, and a yellowtail. Was
pretty windy out past San Roque and cool this morning, but now snow, like you have and we have in Ontario. You win the prize though, more snow than
we have and that is unusual for sure. Although we have had snow since October 26, so we beat you on that score.
Be careful buddy driving down and take your time in that snow junk, we are here until like January 8 so lots of time for fun. The weather just
turned nice now and I think will be good for a while so I am thinking the tuna might wait for you.
Take care.toneart - 12-24-2008 at 11:33 AM
Snowed in here in Nevada City, CA. (7 miles above town). I was planning to leave the day after Xmas, but it looks like I'm not going anywhere for
awhile. It is snowing hard today too. I will be towing a boat, so have to be extra careful getting down the hill below the snow line.
Nomads,
Please continue to give road reports for Northern Baja. Even if we get a break here, road conditions due to rain in Baja may also be a factor in my
departure date.
Meanwhile, it sure is beautiful here, and it WILL be a White Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!
