Feral Green - California to Tierra del Fuego

[feralgreen]

A group of 4 friends are planning a 12 month expedition from California to Chile and everywhere in between - departing in August of 2007. We're currently contemplating the rig but are thinking of going with a full size 4 door diesel pickup truck with a long bed that is 4x4 and a pop-up truck camper on the back. Our adventure will focus on surf, philanthropy, and culture. We're looking at possibly converting the truck to run on vegetable oil as an alternative to diesel when available so as to help minimize the impact of fuel consumption.

If anyone has any input as to the rig (type of truck, camper, modifications, gps, maps, etc.) I appreciate all advice.

We're working on a website that will track our trip, where we can post updates, photos, and video footage. Does anyone have any websites that they really like that have been put together for this purpose? We need something to model our site after.

-Team FERAL GREEN

[1leglance]

biodiesel.infopop.cc
go there for great info on veggie setup and folks who have tons of knowledge and experience with running veggie in everything.
My son has an 80's mercedes sedan that we run on biodiesel in winter and veggie in summer (I don't feel like doing a second tank & heater conversion).
As to truck the general feeling is that the 94-98 Dodge Cummins 12v engine is the best for long term life and quality. That would allow you to get a quad cab with plenty of space in a 4x4 in auto or manual.
You could very easily set up a 2 tank system with large capacity for when you do get veggie oil.
The real trouble will be on the road filtering...gravity is slow and the best mobile solution anyone has worked on is a centrifuge setup (I have it at my house but haven't perfected it yet) that is great but you will spend $500 to set it up and then you have to think about how to power it (generator or off your batteries).
Lots of info out there and good luck with your trip....I know others have done veggie fueled trips to/thru South America in cars so you should be able to do it.
enjoy
1leglance

[Super Doody]

A group of 4 friends are planning a 12 month expedition from California to Chile and everywhere in between - departing in August of 2007. We're currently contemplating the rig but are thinking of going with a full size 4 door diesel pickup truck with a long bed that is 4x4 and a pop-up truck camper on the back. Our adventure will focus on surf, philanthropy, and culture. We're looking at possibly converting the truck to run on vegetable oil as an alternative to diesel when available so as to help minimize the impact of fuel consumption.

If anyone has any input as to the rig (type of truck, camper, modifications, gps, maps, etc.) I appreciate all advice.

We're working on a website that will track our trip, where we can post updates, photos, and video footage. Does anyone have any websites that they really like that have been put together for this purpose? We need something to model our site after.

-Team FERAL GREEN

Where are you guys from?

[stevenmd]

You guys are leaving in August of THIS year and you don't have a rig together yet? You had better hurry as prepping your rig is going to take a lot of time.

Yeah, where in Cali are you located? I am in Ripon, just south of Sacramento.

I have a link somewhere on my computer to a Cali company that will convert your rig to take biodiesel as you often have to replace the lines, add heaters, etc. I will look for it and post it up later.

[FortyMileDesert]

I wouldn't contemplate it in a lone truck.....
Maybe you should get the truck(s) ready first.
Perhaps then try some short expeditions.
And maybe you should do it August '08.
- - and as for vegetable oil fuel; that's about the last thing to consider...
If you're asking now for advise on every aspect, you're not ready.....:oops:
I spent six months planning my all off-road, 670 mile expedition across Nevada and already had several years of off-roading under my belt.

UNLESS - You're planning an all-highway route and being ferried around the Darien section of Panama and on some other type conveyance at the southern end of Chile and Argentina...As far as I've last heard Tierra del Fuego is still on an island across the Strait of Magellan (which is many straits and islands) and the Darien gap is still roadless.

[1leglance]

Yes the is still no road in panama to complete the hiway and as far as panama is concerned there never will be since that would open to door to columbia.
As to everyone elses advice to slow the expecations I figured once the research started slowing down would be a natural result...nice to see that others are more direct in the advice :)
Some google searches will give info on others who have made the journey in a variety of vechiles...a couple of which did in on mostly veggie oil.
enjoy
1leglance

[feralgreen]

Just to clarify - we are actually going to be doing most of the trip on highway but frequently offroading into more remote locations (jungle/beaches/etc). We'll be shipping the truck around Colombia from Panama and then driving through South America and heading as far South as possible.

The issue with the timing of the trip is duly noted and we understand the scramble that we're facing being only 60 or so days out from departure. We'll get it done.

To answer another question posted earlier we're from Southern CA.

What type of navigation system is recommended for navigating Cental & South America? We'll be with a laptop the entire trip and are looking for something as comprehensive as possible without costing thousands of dollars and taking up too much space.

Keep any further advice with regard to the camper, gps/navigation, and truck forthcoming.

We have the mechanic who is going to convert the truck for us but would like to contact anyone that's already made the journey south set up on veg. So far we've only been in touch with local users.

[pwc]

"What type of navigation system is recommended for navigating Cental & South America? "
general maps and asking locals.

When not grab a Mercedes 300 if you're going to be on roads most of the time?

[1leglance]

http://www.vwvagabonds.com/
A very nice couple who sold it all and traveled around Central/South America, Africa in a VW bus, non-veggie but they wrote a great book, have a website and live in Cali..email them.

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/159605551/m/936602174
This guy drove from oakland to argentina on mostly veggie.
This is from the forum I linked to earlier...you need to spead alot of time in this forum learing if you are serious about the dual fuel concept.
I love the veggie concept but it is a hobby unto itself with many issues...then concept of pulling up to Mcdonalds and topping off the tank is very far from the reality. Filtering will be your major issue and one you need to spead serious time looking at. Also realize that while much of your trip will be in warm areas where tank heaters and inline heaters aren't as important you will cross some serious mountains that will tax your system.
Also realize you will have too look for oil along the way....there isn't as much fast-food asian resturants (best oil) in central & SA and oil gets used hard....not to mention you are looking for only veggie oil not animal....again lots of research needed.

I would highly recommmed a 94-98 Dodge 12v CUmmins 3/4 ton 4x4 with manual trans, putting a camper shell on it and setting up a mobile centrifudge filter system where you keep the original diesel tank full as backup, then add another under bed tank for veggie, then in the bed you have a dirty oil collection tank (use a vacum draw setup with hose, easy to research) then comes the current debate...heat & settle in this tank overnight & then centrifuge or just loop the centrifuge while driving until oil seems clean (use clear hoses) and then turn a valve sending clean oil to clean tank underbed or in bed.
You will also want a backup system like filter bags and a heating element in case of primary system failure.
Finding oil will be the big issue....you want the ability to get alot if you can find it...you will need good spanish skills and might offer to pay a bit...you will be explaining your rig many many times.
I know there are some groups helping to set up WVO & SVO (waste & straight veggie oil) projects in latin america...google them and email for advice on getting oil.
Of course we haven't touched on if you will be camping/sleeping in the rig or hotels more. Mods to the rig to run veggie (no rubber hoses, keep it to simple 3 way brass valves vs elect valves....heating setups...recovery gear, your level of experience in offroad or other country travel, can anyone speak spanish......lots of questions :)
Tell us more so we can tell you more....also read read read....there is usually someone who has tried whatever you are thinking of before out there...
enjoy
1leglance

[cruiser guy]

If you're stuck on a full size then go with the Cummins. Just make sure that you're adequately supplied with parts for the truck. The Cummins engine is not going to be a problem but the Dodge truck will not be popular once you're south of Mexico!! For instance Chrysler was/is not officially imported into Guatemala as far as I know and that may be the case in other countries as well.
Once you leave the USA/Mexico the domestic vehicles are not real popular.

[Quixote]

A group of 4 friends are planning a 12 month expedition from California to Chile and everywhere in between - departing in August of 2007. We're currently contemplating the rig but are thinking of going with a full size 4 door diesel pickup truck with a long bed that is 4x4 and a pop-up truck camper on the back. Our adventure will focus on surf, philanthropy, and culture. We're looking at possibly converting the truck to run on vegetable oil as an alternative to diesel when available so as to help minimize the impact of fuel consumption.

If anyone has any input as to the rig (type of truck, camper, modifications, gps, maps, etc.) I appreciate all advice.

We're working on a website that will track our trip, where we can post updates, photos, and video footage. Does anyone have any websites that they really like that have been put together for this purpose? We need something to model our site after.

-Team FERAL GREEN

Hello!

We are starting from the SF Bay Area October 15th, 2007. I will post up the details of our expedition in a short while - we plan on driving North to Inuvik and then down to Tierra del Fuego.

For our website we're using WordPress 2.2 with integration with Google Maps. The site is still not done, but you can check it out at:

http://www.alongdrive.com

The Machu Picchu posts are part of our experiments of how the blog would have turned out, had we been blogging along the way. I had the GPS points from the trip and decided to have fun with them. We gathered them all together in:

http://www.alongdrive.com/category/machu-picchu-trek/

Check out the GoogleMaps integration with the Machu Picchu Trek. Click on the Maps tab and then on the Peru Flag to see the trek with the GPS points I collected.

PM me and let us see if we can caravan or meet up!

[Super Doody]

Hello!

We are starting from the SF Bay Area October 15th, 2007. I will post up the details of our expedition in a short while - we plan on driving North to Inuvik and then down to Tierra del Fuego.

For our website we're using WordPress 2.2 with integration with Google Maps. The site is still not done, but you can check it out at:

http://www.alongdrive.com

The Machu Picchu posts are part of our experiments of how the blog would have turned out, had we been blogging along the way. I had the GPS points from the trip and decided to have fun with them. We gathered them all together in:

http://www.alongdrive.com/category/machu-picchu-trek/

Check out the GoogleMaps integration with the Machu Picchu Trek. Click on the Maps tab and then on the Peru Flag to see the trek with the GPS points I collected.

PM me and let us see if we can caravan or meet up!

Where do you guys surf? OB? LM? San Mateo? SC?

[Quixote]

Where do you guys surf? OB? LM? San Mateo? SC?

We don't surf :(

But we ski! Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood.

[DesertRose]

I wouldn't contemplate it in a lone truck.....
Maybe you should get the truck(s) ready first.
Perhaps then try some short expeditions.
And maybe you should do it August '08.
- - and as for vegetable oil fuel; that's about the last thing to consider...
If you're asking now for advise on every aspect, you're not ready.....:oops:
I spent six months planning my all off-road, 670 mile expedition across Nevada and already had several years of off-roading under my belt.

UNLESS - You're planning an all-highway route and being ferried around the Darien section of Panama and on some other type conveyance at the southern end of Chile and Argentina...As far as I've last heard Tierra del Fuego is still on an island across the Strait of Magellan (which is many straits and islands) and the Darien gap is still roadless.

I'd agree, though maybe not on the single truck aspect. It's certainly been done by many people in one vehicle - but usually they prepare a bit more in advance than two months!

This thread (http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/159605551/m/936602174) is interesting and gives a reality check if you are planning the vegetable oil route. Are you planning WVO or SVO? The latter can be more expensive than diesel in the third world - yes, it's cleaner burning, but what kind of message is it that you're burning a luxury item as fuel in a country with per capita income less than $300US a year?

It's something to consider if you want to blend in and meet people and make friends.

Also heed advice here on the nav systems - most of the basemaps and nav systems don't match up well with reality in Central and South American countries. You need to be an expert at GPS calibration, real-time mapping, etc., to get the most out of it. If you're not, stick with paper maps, a compass, and a brain!

[Lone Wolf]

A group of 4 friends are planning a 12 month expedition from California to Chile and everywhere in between - departing in August of 2007. We're currently contemplating the rig but are thinking of going with a full size 4 door diesel pickup truck with a long bed that is 4x4 and a pop-up truck camper on the back. Our adventure will focus on surf, philanthropy, and culture. We're looking at possibly converting the truck to run on vegetable oil as an alternative to diesel when available so as to help minimize the impact of fuel consumption.

If anyone has any input as to the rig (type of truck, camper, modifications, gps, maps, etc.) I appreciate all advice.

We're working on a website that will track our trip, where we can post updates, photos, and video footage. Does anyone have any websites that they really like that have been put together for this purpose? We need something to model our site after.

-Team FERAL GREEN

We are driving from California to Panama from the 14th August 2007. It may be worth considering joining us for our route, if it suits you. As has been said above, two vehicles is usually better than one. Particularly if you have such a short time frame, it will allow you to use the first Central America section much more as a shakedown trip.


We are keeping a website with a journal tracking our progress, it works by the expedition leader writing the journals on his laptop, and e-mailing them back, along with photos to the home team, to upload them to the website. It could probably be done much more efficiently, but probably not more cheaply.


Hope This helps, and good luck with your planning,



Nick and the Lone Wolf team
________________________________
Lone Wolf Transglobal Expedition 2007 (http://www.lonewolftransglobal.com)
Home Team

[feralgreen]

Apologies, I was AWOL for a few days out of connection. Thanks for the input and links! We've been reading up on the SVO/WVO, other travel sites and looking for a truck to acquire.

Two of us speak Spanish close to fluently, although learning the lingo for explaining the veggie fuel system will be an initial challenge.

With regard to navigation it looks as though hard maps are the way to go over an electronic system.

Nick/Lone Wolf - It'd be great to hook up with you guys for the initial leg and see how far we can caravana down. I didn't see an itinerary for the California/Mex/Central America leg, but did enjoy your website. Do you have any rough dates, other than August 14th, for arriving at any of the other countries?

Quixote - We'll keep in touch, at some point we're bound to cross paths.

If anyone has input on going with a pop-up/folding trailer versus our originally planned truck camper I'd love to hear your thoughts. We've been researching both and are debating which route to take.

Thanks!

[Lone Wolf]

Nick/Lone Wolf - It'd be great to hook up with you guys for the initial leg and see how far we can caravana down. I didn't see an itinerary for the California/Mex/Central America leg, but did enjoy your website. Do you have any rough dates, other than August 14th, for arriving at any of the other countries?

Unfortunately, no complete itinerary/ time schedule, but we have booked flights back to the UK from Panama City on 12th September, though we are prepared to be a bit slower and not make this date, and Myself and Amy fly on to Panama.




Thanks,


Nick

[SOAZ]

Apologies, I was AWOL for a few days out of connection. Thanks for the input and links! We've been reading up on the SVO/WVO, other travel sites and looking for a truck to acquire.

Two of us speak Spanish close to fluently, although learning the lingo for explaining the veggie fuel system will be an initial challenge.

With regard to navigation it looks as though hard maps are the way to go over an electronic system.

Nick/Lone Wolf - It'd be great to hook up with you guys for the initial leg and see how far we can caravana down. I didn't see an itinerary for the California/Mex/Central America leg, but did enjoy your website. Do you have any rough dates, other than August 14th, for arriving at any of the other countries?

Quixote - We'll keep in touch, at some point we're bound to cross paths.

If anyone has input on going with a pop-up/folding trailer versus our originally planned truck camper I'd love to hear your thoughts. We've been researching both and are debating which route to take.

Thanks!

All,
Granted these guys are cutting it quite short, but its amazing what they have done in this amount of time. From talking with Feralgreen they have it pretty much dialed now compared to even just a couple of weeks ago. Granted it makes it a lot easier to get it all done when you quite your job and dedicate 24/7 to gearing up and talking to sponsors. These guys are in no rush and plan to take as much time as needed for repairs, surfing, and getting to know the locals and fulfilling the rest of the goals they have for this trip. Hell, I wonder if they will ever come back!
So as any internet dork on a forum would say. "Where the @#$& are the pictures of the truck!?"
:gunt:

[Quixote]

So as any internet dork on a forum would say. "Where the @#$& are the pictures of the truck!?"
:gunt:

x2

Our build-up is still coming along. I just had to send back the Toughbook-19 I got from Amazon.com, it was making a capacitor-type humming noise. Don't want that going out on me...

The RAM mount, OTOH, just shipped, so I gots a mount but no laptop. Sigh!

Sounds like you are doing better...

[SOAZ]

Quixote,
How long are you guys going for?

[Quixote]

Quixote,
How long are you guys going for?
We are starting from San Francisco October 15th 2007, ending in Buenos Aires January 2009.

You can look at the route plan (http://www.alongdrive.com/about)on our site. Click on the waypoints to see our scheduled arrival date.

We are planning to be away for 15+ months, but on a trip like this who knows? Plans change, people change, its all good stuff!

[SOAZ]

Nice! I plan to fly in and visit the green guys. We are all jealous and looking forward to living vicariously through both of your trips!

[SOAZ]

http://www.feralgreen.com

Thank goodnes for sponsors!

[Super Doody]

We don't surf :(

But we ski! Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood.

From your press release:

"It's the ultimate surf trip for Newport Beach residents Eric Paine and Sean Robbins and their two buddies, but they're more than a band of beach bums looking for an extended spring break. They're four college grads setting out with a long bed, crew cab truck that runs on veggie oil."

If you dont surf you should start. I'd love to go on something like this.

[SOAZ]

From your press release:

"It's the ultimate surf trip for Newport Beach residents Eric Paine and Sean Robbins and their two buddies, but they're more than a band of beach bums looking for an extended spring break. They're four college grads setting out with a long bed, crew cab truck that runs on veggie oil."

If you dont surf you should start. I'd love to go on something like this.
Quixote is a different guy. The Feral Green guys are all really into surfing. Crazy bastards go down to baja and tow into the big waves even! craziness!

[elcoyote]

THEY'RE OFF!
The Feral Green Gang hit the road today after stopping off at AT for some final training on the finer points of axle, hub, brake and pivot rod maintenance for the Chaser trailer they will be towing throughout their surfing safari. Their planned first stop will be in/near San Quintin, about 6 hours south of the US/Mexico border. They plan to lay low until the holiday traffic blows over before continuing their journey.

I know that when they first posted here on ExPo per our recommendation, they received many words of caution about lack of preparation. I must say that we too were concerned when they first approached us for sponsorship. What they may have lacked in actual Overland experience, they more than made up for in unbridled enthusiasm, incredible teamwork and a "Dog on a bone" focus towards achieving their goals.

They have spent hundreds of hours in prep, sought professional advice, done their shakedown runs, sorted out the bugs in their equipment and are now headed for the border. We are very proud of how hard they have worked and are totally stoked for them. What a grand adventure!

Along the way, they will be checking in with us, transmitting pictures and stories that I will post here. They will also be checking in when they can and updating their site at www.fergalgreen.com Be sure to check in and follow this Dan Brown inspired trip of 4 friends, a bio-diesel Ford, a Chaser trailer and 16 surfboards.

[adventureduo]

Shoot!, i need to figure out how to get sponsored... just point and tell me where to drive, i'll go!

I wish them luck!

Whats the deal with the water bottles being strapped to the top? seems odd

[elcoyote]

Whats the deal with the water bottles being strapped to the top? seems odd

Just some empties so they can stock up for their base camps. It does impart quite the Gypsy look doesn't it?

[SOAZ]

So Jealous!!!! I'm trying to figure out where I might fly in and tag along for a week on their journey. Until then I must live vicariously through them on their website! :arabia:



THEY'RE OFF!
The Feral Green Gang hit the road today after stopping off at AT for some final training on the finer points of axle, hub, brake and pivot rod maintenance for the Chaser trailer they will be towing throughout their surfing safari. Their planned first stop will be in/near San Quintin, about 6 hours south of the US/Mexico border. They plan to lay low until the holiday traffic blows over before continuing their journey.

I know that when they first posted here on ExPo per our recommendation, they received many words of caution about lack of preparation. I must say that we too were concerned when they first approached us for sponsorship. What they may have lacked in actual Overland experience, they more than made up for in unbridled enthusiasm, incredible teamwork and a "Dog on a bone" focus towards achieving their goals.

They have spent hundreds of hours in prep, sought professional advice, done their shakedown runs, sorted out the bugs in their equipment and are now headed for the border. We are very proud of how hard they have worked and are totally stoked for them. What a grand adventure!

Along the way, they will be checking in with us, transmitting pictures and stories that I will post here. They will also be checking in when they can and updating their site at www.fergalgreen.com Be sure to check in and follow this Dan Brown inspired trip of 4 friends, a bio-diesel Ford, a Chaser trailer and 16 surfboards.

[Scott Brady]

I spent an hour talking with these guys tonight. I am impressed. They are going to do great and have a wonderful adventure. I wish them all of the safety and success.

Looking forward to watching your progress!

[XXXpedition]

They will also be checking in when they can and updating their site at www.fergalgreen.com
the site doesn'tseem to be up...

i'm looking forward to reports and pics, though...

[Scott Brady]

try www.feralgreen.com

[SOAZ]

First update. Sounds like a ford to me. hehe!
http://www.feralgreen.com/feralblog/?p=4

[XXXpedition]

that worked, scott.
thanks

[adventureduo]

already a dead battery, got stuck and ripped the bead off the rim.. Dang. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be better.

[elcoyote]

Some updates....

September 21, 2007

The last week in Baja produced more highs and lows for Feral Green than a UCLA football season ending with pepper spray. We found out the brakes on our truck were shot the hard way. Pushing them to the floor and realizing we were 14,000 pounds without a way to slow down. Using a combination of downshifting and the emergency brake, we made our way into Guerrero Negro, the first main town in Baja Sur. Before the mechanic’s opened in the A.M, we went to refill our potable water, which had run dry at our last camp. Bill tried to ease the tuck into the parking lot, but ended up having no braking power and smashed into the door to the water company’s truck at a low speed. An awkward silence ensued. The workers came out of the purified water shop and stared at us with wide eyes. After making sure the window rolled up with ease, they began cracking up and told us not to worry about a thing. Relieved, we told them to keep the change for our water bill, and we set out for repair.

We took the truck to a mechanic’s shop run by a man nicknamed El Chepe, who we later named El Chepiac due to the fact that he was crazier than Gary Bucci after a seven day bender. Putting down his 2nd Tecate (it was 10AM) and belching loudly, El Chepiac informed us our master cylinder was bad. He laughed and told us that he would have to order the part from San Diego, which would take a few days. Eyeing the dingy town, replete with mangy cur and plenty of trash, we decided to limp our injured rig to a new venue on the beach in search of some tasty waves. Arriving, we found the surf flatter than Jane Fonda’s stomach. Kevin & Bill went for a spear fish, but found only murky seaweed and some mean looking plastic bottles. Eric befriended a local fisherman named Alicio, who gave us some mesquite and cactus to burn for firewood in a land where kindle is scarcer than non-alcoholic beer in a taco shop. We thanked our new friend for the tinder and set up camp in the windy darkness. Standing around the fire, Bill had two scorpions crawl across his feet in less than 20 minutes… we spent the rest of the night taking turns checking for scorpions on the ground with the flashlight.

We spent the next day working on the truck: painting, electrical work, minor repairs etc. Alicio, the fisherman came by in the evening to check his lobster traps. A spectral shadow, he walked up with his catch of eight healthy looking lobstrocities. Reading our minds and salivating mouths, he offered to share his plunder with us. Like finding $$ in a pair of dirty jeans, our day just became that much better. We gave him a $20 and told him to grab some cerveza and whatever else he needed from town. When he returned, we had already taken the tails off the lobster and he showed us how to remove the intestines and filet them with butter. We ate like kings; lobster, corn, rice, tortillas, beer and enough butter to keep someone on Lipitrol for years to come. We slept easy and awoke early.

Kevin and I took the inflatable boat out fishing with Alicio in the morning and scored 15 fish in just over an hour. We gutted the fish, gave half to Alicio, and took off back to our hovel of a mechanic shop in Guerrero Negro to get our brakes fixed once and for all. Arriving at El Chepiac’s, he and his cronies were already drunker than the 7th inning bleacher section at Dodger Stadium. Yelling at us with a smile on his face, he said the part was in and they would start working on the truck right away. Awesome… nothing like a group of inebriated grease monkeys fixing your brakes in a foreign country. Returning after a few hours of useless internet time, El Chepiac dealt us some bad news. The wrong part came for our brakes and we would have to wait 3 more days for the next part. Being that our truck was disassembled in this madman’s lot, we told him to order the new part and asked him if we could make his mechanic’s yard a motel and sleep there for the next few days. Screaming, he began swearing and finally said “Si, Si, Si. Venga Gringos. Hotel Chepe esta abierto”.

The next three days were like a bad version of the movie Groundhog’s Day, but instead of Bill Murray, we had Bill Boyd. Every morning, El Chepiac would walk into the auto yard (also our hotel at the moment) early in the AM and begin banging on our camper and would yell “pinche gringos” wake up. He would peak his head inside our tent, yell like a maniac, laugh aloud, and would jokingly yell every Spanish expletive I had ever heard of. Laughing with him, we would rise like white zombies out of the auto yard into the dusty streets of Guerrero Negro. El Chepiac and his lackeys would start their day working hard, but drinking harder. We would leave Hotel Chepiac for breakfast at a diner that showed C grade American movies in Spanish and served up a mean short stack of pancakes with tocino (bacon). The real draw to the place was not just the pancakes or entertaining movies, but the fact that they had a bathroom with a toilet seat, a small luxury we had taken for granted early in the trip.

The three days in Guerrero Negro were spent reading, logging internet time, interacting with the locals, playing pool and trying (sometimes in vain) to stay out of trouble. Bill, Kevin and I played soccer in the town soccer match (futbol rapido) on Sunday. Everyone had a great time and Bill pretty much dominated the town single handedly. The kids in the town loved us and sent us home patting our backs and asking us to stay another week. Then Eric scored us 50 gallons of vegetable oil from a guy who ran a taco truck. We filtered the Veg into our sedentary truck in Chepiac’s auto yard and taught some people about our Veg Oil System. The correct brake part finally arrived on Tuesday, September 11. Chepiac told us to buy him a 12 pack before he would start on our truck. We hardnosed him and agreed to buy him and his crew beer when they finished the job. Incentivised and thirsty, El Chepe had our truck fixed and running within 2 hours.

We scored him some cerveza and cash for his help and three days of madness and went to the local welder for some much needed strengthening on our surf racks. The welder, named BUCHO, turned out to be a great guy. He had a dog that was a hermaphrodite and was very proud of IT. He took a great deal of time showing us what a hermaphroditic dog looked like… I will leave it at that. He welded supports for our board rack and spare tire mount. We paid him with some tools we were not using and hit the road just before dark. Bill drove us partway to La Paz that evening. We holed up in a hotel parking lot in Santa Rosalia and took a swim in their pool while security was sound asleep. The next AM we were gone before sunup in an attempt to escape the omnipresent heat. By 3:30 PM on September 12 (Happy B-Day Taylor), we were enjoying phenomenal ice cream in an oasis called
La Paz in the southern part of Baja. We found a spot on the beach to camp and went for a refreshing dip in the Sea of Cortez before bed.

Waking up with sand fleas in our hair, Bill and Eric suggested ice cream for breakfast. Smiling, we rushed into town, grabbed ice creams and got back to the port just in time to get our truck on the ferry from La Paz to Topolobampo, in Mainland Mexico. We parked the rig on the boat and found a nice corner on the boat to hole up for the next 9 hours. As I watch the rowdy truck drivers getting belligerantly drunk before we have even left port, I know inside my head that things are going to get worse on this boat ride before they get better.

[viter]

another update from mainland Mexico:

Kevin Broderick, signing in…The ferry ride across the Sea of Cortez was interesting to say the least. Here’s the deal, the ferry is primarily used by truckers with nothing to do for the 9 hour ferry ride; so in the true Mexican trucker tradition, they blast the music and drink excessively. Seeing as how the music was way too loud to allow us to carry a conversation within our little nook, we proceeded to watch these future engineers proceed to build pyramids out of their slain beer cans… and get WASTED!!! Rolling blackouts were a common theme. During the ride, we occupied our time watching flying fish go anywhere from 50 to 100 yards out of the water. We also struck up a 4 hour game of Liar’s Dice (LD) and soon had two Aussies (Gabe & Ash) and an English chick with surprisingly perfect teeth playing with us.



As we unloaded the ferry around 10 PM the question that had been shooting through our minds all evening was answered; if these guys are wasted, who drives their trucks once the ferry disembarks at port? Well to them this did not seem to be an issue, as they all climbed in their rigs and barreled out of the parking lot. Sean & Eric, who were down on the loading docs with these inebriated maniacs saw a truck crash within 5 minutes of the gates opening. We waited a few minutes to give these locos a head start.


Our new Aussie friends, Gabe and Ashley, purchased an around the world ticket, and as a part of it, they bought a truck and camper in LA, and were driving through Mexico. They decided to caravan with us to our first spot in Mainland Mex called Marmol, which is just north of Mazatlan and is said to have some great breaks. As we exited the lot we weren’t sure where to go, and found ourselves lost in the barrio within 5 short minutes. Consulting our map for some guidance, we hopped back on the road with the Aussies in tow. Within 1 mile, flashing lights appeared behind us. Realizing it was not a UFO, and only a federale (Mexican Police), we pulled over next to a swamp rife with mosquitoes.



Two rules to driving in Mexico: 1. Never drive at night (broken) 2. Never stop for anyone (broken). We pull onto the tiny shoulder as drunken truckers blast by us. Being next to the quagmire, we quickly find out the bugs are attracted to our headlights. The cop has found something bogus to pull us over for, and Sean and Eric are arguing with the cop, all the while fighting off the incessant swarms of biting bugs. The cop gives us our options: Pay $240 USD to get back on the road, or sleep on the side of the road next to the swamp and die from blood loss as the bugs devour us. The first two options just were not feasible for Feral Green, so we did what we do best, argue, negotiate and haggle. As Sean threw out his best ninja moves battling the bugs, he and Eric managed to talk the dirty cop down to $47… a great deal to get us back on the road and out of the swamp. We pulled away, a little dizzy from the bug bites and got back on the road. The Aussies to our surprise, had driven ahead, and pulled over on the side of the road to wait for us. Within the first 10 minutes of caravanning together, we had been pulled over, and gotten them lost… they are a trusting pair! Unfortunately, a little further down the road, they pulled off in a truck stop to sleep the rest of the night.



Eric somehow managed to drive us until 4 in the morning to our destination city. I don’t know how, I was asleep, only awoken to us being ushered in reverse out of the tollbooth lane as we had overshot the exit (which was an unmarked dirt road) to Marmol. Although expensive, the toll roads were the only way to go for safely driving at night. We parked it for the night in front of a small school, and set up camp for the night/ morning. We awoke to the sound of little kids yelling and the shuffle of small feet outside the camper. Unbeknownst to us, we had pretty much camped in the school. Awkwardly arising, we gave the kids a “Buenos Dias” and headed towards the beach. After a little help from the locals, we tracked down the surf break at the mouth of a river that was also used as a fish camp. We parked and locked the truck and made our way out to the breaks. After a good day of surfing Sean and I took out the crab trap, and some fishing gear to try and score some dinner while Guillermo and Hongo de la Gente (Eric) set up a nice camp of hammocks and sun shade. The fishing trip did not go smoothly by any one’s definition. In an attempt to check out a rocky beach we managed to nearly sink the boat, and kill ourselves. Let’s just say that Sean paid the price for choosing not to wear shoes on this little lark. Getting off the beach turned out to be no easier than getting in. After starting the motor, we spent a solid 20 minutes using our scupper to scoop out 4 inches of water from our inflatable boat. We decide to name ourselves Team Scupper International (patent pending) and headed back out to sea. We dropped our lobster trap and started fishing. After an uneventful hour, we decided to head in and wait for the cooler hours of the evening to try again. We headed in and couldn’t make it back up the river due to the low tide, so we buried a stick, tied up the boat and left it on the beach until the tide came up. The camp smelled like the outhouse door on a tuna boat and had more bugs than the Midwest. We decided it was time for us to move on. Sean and I now had the task of retrieving our homemade lobster “Trap” (patent pending). This task was not easy… for the sake of our mothers’ health, I will leave it at that…



We packed up camp, and headed for Mazatlan to celebrate the Mexican Independence Day.

__________________________________________________ ___

somebody should move this thread to expeditions in progress

[viter]

2 more updates - http://www.feralgreen.com/feralblog/

[dmc]

i'm pretty sure i spotted these guys in quepos the other day. i was stuck in a long line of buses dying to get to the beach and didn't turn around. it also took a few mins to put 2 and 2 together it was them.

[Red Zebra]

:lurk: :exclaim:

[feralgreen]

As our expedition will be winding up in March we are going to be selling the vehicle (2000 Ford F350 4 Door Crew Cab, 7.3L V8 Diesel/Vegetable Oil, Long Bed Pick up with Six-Pac cabover camper) from Santiago, Chile. For more information see the ad posted on the link below.

(http://www.feralgreen.com/feralblog/?p=31)

Saludos....

[Scott Brady]

What happened to the trip? It does not look like you made it to SA...

Anything you can pass on the members? Pearls of wisdom from your experience?

[haven]

The blog says the truck was shipped to Colombia in January. The team's current location is unclear. One page says their current location is in Ecuador, while the "for sale" page says they drove to Santiago, Chile. Maybe that's their destination by the time the trip ends.

Chip Haven

[feralgreen]

We are currently in Pacasmayo, Peru surfing the longest left hand waves in the world (on its day that is). We have had a couple instances of theft in Peru - 6 surfboards in Mancora and the face of our stereo (only the face not the carcass). We had just taken photos of the truck and had mistakenly left the faceplate on. Other than these two instances we only had one other break in and it was in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The locks on Ford pickups are surprisingly easy to jimmy with just a screw driver punching through the lock hole.

We will end the trip in Chile and have a trove of advice that we can share regarding the entire process.

Saludos. Eric

[SOAZ]

So whats the plan Eric. Coming back to the OC or staying down there?
Give me a call when you get back into town.