BajaNomad

Mulege Hurricane Relief Trip Report (better late than never)

dtbushpilot - 10-7-2009 at 05:05 PM

I know this is old news now but punctuality (or spelling) has never been my strong suit.The call went out to BBP members to prepare to head out for the Hurricane Jimena Relief Effort so I took the seats and other non-essentials (even the life raft) out of 08Bravo and loaded it up with as much stuff as I could cram in it. They say that if you can get it in the door of a C180 it will carry it....it will.

When the call went out to mobilize I headed South and arrived in Mulege in time to get busy. The Hotel Serenidad was officially closed but they let the relief workers sleep in the rooms that had been mucked out. Not the Ritz but a much appreciated gesture by the Hotel.

My task was to help unload planes when they arrived with supplies. We had 2 planes ferrying fuel from Loreto and my job was to siphon gas out of the planes and gas up the helicopters when they returned from the mountains. We had 3 helicopters flying missions from dawn till dusk ferrying Red Cross relief supplies and a medic into the remote mountain ranches. They brought more than a few sick or injured people out of the mountains for medical treatment. In 3 days the helicopter pilots delivered over 700 20lb bags of food and supplies to the stranded ranchers. These guys were awesome and it was an honor to work with them. There were many volunteers helping and it was a rewarding, sometimes humbling experience.

The BBP was amazing in what they were able to accomplish with what they had to work with. Jack and Claudia did a remarkable job scheduling the collection and distribution of the donated supplies so that the people who were in need got what they needed. This obviously wasn't their first rodeo.

Being there to witness the appreciation of the locals was something hard to describe. I was fortunate to get to go up into the mountains and be part of a food delivery at a remote ranch. It was my first helicopter ride but the excitement of the ride paled in comparison to the welcome and camaraderie with the people at the ranch. Words can not describe it.

I consider myself fortunate to have been involved with the relief effort. The tireless dedication by the members of the BBP and the local volunteers was beyond description. If you ever have an opportunity to help those less fortunate please do it. The rewards are incredible.....dt 

Not sure why I'm having such a hard time with the pictures, I'll try to post them separately....

[Edited on 10-8-2009 by dtbushpilot]

[Edited on 10-8-2009 by dtbushpilot]

[Edited on 10-8-2009 by dtbushpilot]

dtbushpilot - 10-7-2009 at 05:25 PM






Ok, those worked, more to follow....dt

[Edited on 10-8-2009 by dtbushpilot]

dtbushpilot - 10-7-2009 at 05:39 PM












Udo - 10-7-2009 at 05:46 PM

ALL I CAN SAY IS


WOW!

Way to go DT and the rest of the BBPs

Not at all "old news".

toneart - 10-7-2009 at 05:57 PM

DT,

Your prose and marvelous photographs tell the story is such a heart felt way that we have not seen before. Wow!

Thank you, not only for posting this trip report, but for the amazing work that you did. And thanks to all the Baja Bushpilots and volunteers.

Man, that was some stuffed plane! A pleasant side note is how green everything is.

Your heart and deeds reaffirm what is the purpose of life. I am proud to share this planet with you and your fellow pilot/workers.:yes:

Udo - 10-7-2009 at 06:04 PM

Quote:
I am proud to share this planet with you and your fellow pilot/workers.:yes:


I could not have said it any better, buddy! (As tears stream down my cheeks.)

and another WOW

desertcpl - 10-7-2009 at 06:20 PM

unbelievable photos, story tells it all,,, now I can be proud that I made the right choice to give to the BBP... you guys are awesome.. great stuff

ken/jane
yuma,az

mulegemichael - 10-7-2009 at 08:40 PM

Great job, dt!...we were there that week, as you know, and saw the helos flying in and out constantly....we're headed back down tomorrow morning with another load and will stay till spring...gotta be some do dos around still...PLEASE, if you and jill ever get in our area; #54 in the oasis...we have room for ya.

Bob H - 10-7-2009 at 08:45 PM

Wow.... NICE JOB.... wonderful people helping those in need. The photos tell it all!!! Thanks for posting this.
Bob H

DianaT - 10-7-2009 at 08:50 PM

Great Story, Great Job----thanks for sharing

oladulce - 10-7-2009 at 09:03 PM

Judging by the photos it looks like there were some phenomenal organizers involved in the relief effort. There probably were lots of glitches, but I'm impressed how organized things appeared.

Great job!

dtbushpilot - 10-8-2009 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
Great job, dt!...we were there that week, as you know, and saw the helos flying in and out constantly....we're headed back down tomorrow morning with another load and will stay till spring...gotta be some do dos around still...PLEASE, if you and jill ever get in our area; #54 in the oasis...we have room for ya.


Thanks Mike. We will be in your neighborhood in a week or so, we may or may not stay depending on where we are in the trip. We will have the cats and dog so you never know how that will go......dt

that yellow and white 180

capt. mike - 10-8-2009 at 09:01 AM

Way to go dt - you and all the BBPers who helped are AWESOME!!!

i have seen more than once at Serenidad, either at BBP Whales or Marlin's annual 180/185 club gathering.

hope we can meet up and i can buy you a few bevs at Alex's bar. thx again for selfless giving to those poor people.

[Edited on 10-8-2009 by capt. mike]

Terry28 - 10-8-2009 at 09:31 AM

Now we know what heros look like...well done....

Osprey - 10-8-2009 at 09:35 AM

Smart, brave, caring. Says it all. Bravo!

shari - 10-8-2009 at 04:42 PM

Hey Hero! You are looking pretty trim amigo!! I loved your report...especially the ranch photos and brought a lump to my throat too...those hot rod choppers are really neato. Way to go BBP and all those who helped out and donated.

Bajagypsy - 10-8-2009 at 04:44 PM

This is an incredable post. Makes me think that human kindness is maybe not a thing of the past.

mulegemichael - 10-8-2009 at 04:44 PM

dt...bueno...we are enroute right now and expect to be home this monday...see you there..