Finally Got Home !! Buy the Book and DVD !

Just wanted to let all who may be concerned (curious ?) know that we arrived in our snowless driveway yesterday about an hour past dark. We feverishly started unpacking so things wouldn't freeze between the house and camper; loading big roughtotes and repacking clothes inside....
We had gotten most of the important and freezible into the house and had just started dinner ...... when the power went out.
We are talking really, really dark darkness.
190lbs of frightened yellow labs came running out of their room !
I'm immediately just adapting to the next bump in our continuing bad road. I go out to get the generator and check on gas; down to the barn to get a few more cans; might have to get some more gas tomorrow....
The power came back on one hour later and has been good since !!
Dinner in our dinning room, surrounded by our hills, trees and sky; not a bad place to be, really.

About the truck ..... you'll have to wait for the REST of the story !!
At this point we only know that there was overheating involved, a possible cam shaft sensor problem, 2 sensors, the IDI computer and a front-end alignment. I think it's best to bring the truck to an independant diesel mechanic for an opinion before I talk to my dealer. The Chula Vista dealer had doubts as to whether the overheating caused all of the rest of the failures.

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when it rains it pours...glat to hear you are home

BajaNomads ROCK !!

Just a bit about the people;

When our truck died about an hour before dark on an uphill grade 30 minutes south of El Rosario, the first and only truck to stop was there within minutes containing TW and Shirley with their tow strap in hand. Not only did they tow us off the road and onto the shoulder at the top of the hill, after thinking about us for a few minutes they returned to ferry my family down to Bajacactus. Once that was done, they decided to return to make sure I was safe even passed twice to make sure that I hadn't backed off a cliff - there was no cliff !!
I loved TW's comment when Shirley asked "Where do yo think he went ?"
TW said, "Maybe he got tired of the wife and kids and kept going south ?!"
Priceless and not far off either !!
I had gotten the truck running for it's last long sprint back to the Bajacactus and somehow we had missed each other.

After unsuccessfully trying to convince TW and Shirley to stay and let us buy dinner, we headed to Mama's. After elaxing to a table, I noticed a man and young boy sitting near us and something rang a bell. Took me a few minutes to figure it out until I asked " Are you Igor ?" Yes it was, having dinner with young Alex who is getting older all the time. Alex has that "growing up", kind of nice-kid thing going on really good. He is charming and will soon be killing the ladies.
We saw Igor the next morning but I promised not to divulge any details about his unuasual morning attire.

Later that morning I had time to call Antonio who was very kind in offering any help he could. Although his people tried, there wasn't much they could do. I also got a call from Antonio later in the week when he received the room report and saw that we were still there. One of his maintenance folks drove me to find a mechanic and the room attendants were charming; it's not a bad to place to be stranded for a few days - 8 is too many !

Later that day, I walked to the internet cafe at Mama's and posted on Nomads about our location and all.
The posts and offerings were amazing. I just found even more that came to our email but unfortunately we couldn't access email until we got home.

FDT picked up the phone and called me.
Now, I have never met Fernando and was quite surprised at his offer to help. At the time, we thought we were a fuel filter away from being back on the road and he wished us well.

With a heads-up from FDT,we met Doug Means coming into the Bajacactus that evening. We shared some very nice conversation about many subjects in common and he left before the sun was high enough to read my scribbled note. Still very nice to meet Doug and his family who I cannot praise enough for his enabling of BajaNomads and his many efforts in Baja.

The next day, we called FDT to arrange shipping of a Ford part to El Rosario which he arranged masterfully. He not only is a fluent spanish go-between but also a competent problem solver. As our saga continued, FDT managed the pick-up of another part and the delivery to BajaGringo who was heading south.

BajaGringo was actually already south of TJ but back-tracked to pick up our package and then passed his San Quintin destination to bring it to us in El Rosario. Ron spent much longer than he had planned, trying to help with the diagnosis gone bad. Another Nomads just really, really wanting to help. A very nice man.

We had also run into Steve and Debby on their way home with a huge flatbed and a serious looking rock crawler. Unfortunately, we couldn't think of a way to take them up on a trailer ride to SD.

Time to call Fernando again; we needed a tow to the border.
All arranged through a reputable agency in San Quintin by phone - Viva Fernando !
The next call was to the Trotters who had offered to come down and ferry the gang with dogs to SD. They agreed readily and also conveyed offers from another "former" Nomad to help with the hauling.

The very next morning, John and Diane arrived early as did the tow truck from San Quintin. We loaded up the family with Trotters and the truck and camper and I with the tow truck. Next stop TJ for me and Chula Vista for the rest.

The Trotters were amazing. My kids said that driving back with them was just like driving with the grandparents (who they are very comfortable with), John drives fast and Diane talks enough to keep them occupied !
Wonderful, warm and generous people; they even lent us their little car for a few days ! We hope to enjoy many repayment dinners with our Asuncion neighbors in the future.

I had an interesting ride as the driver pulled over a few miles north of San Quintin to pick up his girlfriend for the ride. This was definitely not the wife but he managed to keep us on the road through all the kissing and thigh squeezing.

As we pull through TJ, a car appears with a waving FDT and leads us through the maze to a secure parking lot near his home. Also waiting for us at the parking lot is the mystery ex-Nomad with F350 ready to tow our camp trailer across the border to the RV park - ROBERTO !!!

This guy is in the amazing catagory when it comes to NICE. He hooked up our trailer and headed through the TJ and border maze like a pro, getting us to the campground before the Trotters and my gang arrived with cold pizza.
AND he volunteered to return on Monday morning to get my truck back across the border, to the dealer for repairs. Due to a few oops's on my part and a problem getting the truck on the trailer, we finally arrived at the dealer after closing and left the whole thing on their doorstep.
I had never met Roberto before but he went WAY out of his way to help a stranded Nomad. As Shari would say, ROBERTO is the BOMB !!

Many more Nomads and more to the story coming up soon !
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After driving his big ole truck, Diver said he had fun in our little Echo studying the undercarraiges of vehicles.

great! i hope to never have to use the bajanomad emergency rescue team but it's reassuring to know that it's there.

Gave us a good chuckle---sure sounds like we are not "family"

Don't worry David, we are not into the family idea---just a network for assistance, information, discussion, and where some good friends are made, including friendships with quality ex-nomads

Diane

Edited for clarity.

[Edited on 1-22-2009 by jdtrotter]

Quality tale told, Ira... I enjoyed the humor.

And Diane.... if I can't be family, I don't wanta play.
Please tell me I can be in your family.

Nena

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann And Diane.... if I can't be family, I don't wanta play. Please tell me I can be in your family. Nena

OK, it will be Sister Nena from now on.

Diane

Diver,
Glad to here you finally made it home.I think I now how to fix your problem with your pickup;

1 Remove radiator cap
2 carefully roll broken truck back
3 drive new truck under radiator cap
4 push broken truck off cliff

I dunno S&.... the full insurance/parkinglot plan sounds better financially...$$$$

Opps, it was not a Diver post---it was a post from David K

The Diver family are like family--Mrs. Diver is a really super person, the kids are great and Diver? well, OK, he is OK too even if he thinks I need to learn to really like sushi.

And, he mentioned that the kids saw us as like their grandparents, a compliment we appreciate---enjoy being grandparents to those two kids, but we are NOT old enough to be Diver''s parents.

Really sorry that it was not clear.

Diane

Just a quick follow up,

I believe that those involved in this saga acted as most of us would have if we had been in the position to help. I know I and my family would have helped in any way possible. The key being..."those who were in a position to help". Most of us (and I'm referring to humankind as a whole) will jump in and help. We have been blessed to read about a recent saga with many heros.

Here's good wishes to all and to all.......a good night's sleep with your favorite pillow!

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS Don't get excited there norte. We're all family. You too. Don't be so sure of that---in this thread about the Diver situation, http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36325&pag... David K posted, Quote: What an ordeal! Great that the Baja Nomad family is everywhere... Very kind of the Trotters for all they are doing, too! Gave us a good chuckle---sure sounds like we are not "family" Don't worry David, we are not into the family idea---just a network for assistance, information, discussion, and where some good friends are made, including friendships with quality ex-nomads Diane Edited for clarity. [Edited on 1-22-2009 by jdtrotter]

TW, Shirley, Mick, and DesertXplorer

Great work TW! Good to hear you got to Diver so quickly... Do you work for AAA or something?

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNuts Just a quick follow up, I believe that those involved in this saga acted as most of us would have if we had been in the position to help. I know I and my family would have helped in any way possible. The key being..."those who were in a position to help". Most of us (and I'm referring to humankind as a whole) will jump in and help.

AMEN.

I think he's one of those green angels.

BTW, I haven't seen one of their trucks in years.

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe I think he's one of those green angels. BTW, I haven't seen one of their trucks in years.

Yep, I told Roberto that he is missed by many around here, but I don't think there is a chance he will return. At least we finally got to meet him and are staying in contact.

Diver,

Are all the chickens accounted for and did they and the horse miss all of you?

Horse, now that is a good idea---maybe Kit would like to pull the trailer next time.

Diane

At Mama Espinozas

Pssssst! I think that's that nomad, Diver, on your right.

You know, the one with the that uses that deep sea diver image.

No.... No. Don't look straight at him like that. He'll think we recognize him.

My reaction to Diver's tale of woe

Alex is introduced to Diver's oldest

Now some photos;

Overheating heading up the Grapevine; I 5 southbound.
We even heated the distilled water before mixing with the pure antifreeze after waiting 45 minutes for the thing to cool.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe I think he's one of those green angels. BTW, I haven't seen one of their trucks in years. Saw one yesterday going by my house. Their trucks are more white than green with green trim.

Hadn't seen this one before... here, pushing a car down the highway at about 50 mph - north of La Paz - January 2, 2009.