End of summer Baja Recover at 8,000 Ft (8/2001)

After a carefree 2 week trip across the northern region of Baja - trouble struck. Returning into camp, I discovered that my transmission had burned itself out. Its delicate seals melted into nothing.

Enter the Amigos de Baja website; David K, Desert 'Tim Sanchez' Bull, Andrew Simpkins (R.I.P.), and Dan Wilson - great guys that rose to the occasion in order to help me recover my pickup.

After posting that I had a problem near the Vallecitos section in the Sierra San Pedro Martir park, David K. made some phone calls and was able to help me obtain a flatbed trailer from Desert Bull. Dan Wilson drove out from Palm Springs and Andrew drove south from San Jose where we stopped over at Desert Bull's home to borrow his trailer, purchase our insurance, and travel south along I-15 to the U.S./Mexico border.

This was a mere 3 weeks before the 9/11 attacks, so security was how it always had been - easy for travelers in both directions. However, we did not skimp on the required forms needed to trailer my disabled vehicle and Desert Bull's trailer back into the US.

Our first night - after dinner, discussing the mysterious Rolls Royce parked behind our motel - El Palomar.


After 10 p.m. the lights literally were turned off around the Palomar facility, so Dan, myself, and Andrew (R.I.P.) sat outside of the gift store and watched cars and trucks bounce off of the massive speed bumps in front of the Palomar restaurant.

Andrew mentioned, "It's interesting how quickly we assimilated here after a short while."

The next morning, we had driven from Palomar up to the park, where a nice summer storm had washed my gear clean.


Unfortunately, all of the new Coleman camping equipment my ex-Wife and I received as wedding gifts had been stolen by another group of campers - the most important items (being, my pickup truck) had not been touched.

SSPM Semarnap employee Emigdio standing beside my pickup and trailer.


Andrew testing my pickup truck. He then said, "Yes, Ken - This truck really is F---ed up!"


The reverse gear did not work, but the truck did move under its own power in 4lo.

Trying to back onto Desert Bull's trailer - with no luck.


Finally, driving onto the trailer in 4lo - the BFG All-Terrain tires packing full of dirt.

Trouble strikes - again

Andrew drove the distance under 15 m.p.h. with our destination at a borrowed trailer at "Ship Wrecks" near Camalu. The drive was slow, but very scenic as can be seen by this photograph.



After taking a few potty breaks along the way down the mountain, we figured it would be an easy drive along the San Telmo river to Hwy 1, and then, trouble struck.


Dan examined the tire which must have blown out approximately 1 hour before this photo was taken. Andrew had noticed it was becoming more difficult to drive along the flat ground, and he stopped to figure out what the problem was.

Steel belts from the blown tire had wrapped themselves around the entire axle housing and brakes to create an un-removable wheel that could not be changed.

Roadside help is only an armwave away in San Telmo as can be seen in this photo! Some cold beverages were all that was needed to get this problem quickly under control!


We were then off to "Ship Wrecks" for the night.

The next morning in camp, look at we discovered! A blown Goodyear MT/R!


Over and out...

-Ken

[Edited on 8-21-2011 by Ken Cooke]

Today, Dan chimes in (while on the road)...

Thanks again for the use of your trailer, Tim. It helped me tremendously. Sorry, again for the brake cable, broken rim, etc.