The hitch and Catavina

[Sparkle]

We are crossing Baja to the Sea of Cortez side again. The roads are not nearly as bad as we had been led to expect. For those not interested in my hitch problems - go straight to the photos. For those sticking with me, even though I got the equalizer bar made I was still having problems. Every tope was a nightmare. When we got into Fidels campground in Catavina I was literally dragging sand. Fidel said, "Fidel, he fix!" He took my hitch off and raised it. I thought my problems were over. Wrong. When we left there I could hear horrible groanings and moanings from behind my truck. As I was on a dirt road I wanted to get level and take a look. We limped into a gas station and I'm surprised I hadn't lost the trailer. Fidel's fix was good, but he had just used a crescent wrench or something to tighten the bolts and the whole thing was slipping. The great thing about Mexico is that everyone is so willing to help. But I was getting wary of shade tree mechinics, who were more than willing to help, but really didn't know what they were doing. While we were waiting for El Mecanico to come in diez minutos Beth and I seriously discussed whether we should return to the mainland and get this fixed properly. However when the Mechanico showed up he had a professional looking truck and two helpers. They took the hitch off, tightened it with an air compreeser. He hitched me up, obviously familiar with the process. He took one look and mimed, we turn it upside down. We unhitched again. He took the whole thing apart, reversed it, assembled it again and repositioned it and hitched me up. Success! I can clear anything now. And it only cost me 32.00 US. When they took my hitch off at Kaibab I think they put it on wrong then, and that has caused all my problems since. And being on the rougher Mexican roads really showed it up. So hopefully there will be no more on hitches! On to the good stuff!

I think God said at one point, Hmmm, I'd like a rock garden with some cactus. Boy, did he do a good job. There were miles and miles of boulders interspersed with every variety of cactus, Saguaro, Boojum, Barrel, Cholla and many I didn't know the name of. Miles and miles of what, in a garden, would have been the envy of every neighbor.



The famous Boojum Tree.

[sharon]

So glad your hitch problem may by fixed! There's absolutely nothing worse than going down the road, heart in throat waiting for something scary to go wrong! Might even help your backing up!

[Cedar518]

Whew! I've been concerned that your hitch would cause a major problem for you. I'm so glad you are fixed. Loved the comment about "shade tree mechanics!" And I think I love Mexico!

[mitch5252]

Man, you guys are having a wonderful time I'm envious of! Thanks for taking us along.

Is your hitch WD or just anti-sway?

[Redetotry]

Glad to hear the hitch in your' git along' has finally been fixed!!

Thanks for the pictures of the sea it is nice to dream and look. It is 15 degrees here with lots of wind and four inches of snow! Send up some warm air please.

[retiredhappy]

Where are you in Baja? Where are you going? Glad to hear your hitch is fixed - just think what it would have cost you in the US.

Carole and I are in Ocala Fla - colder than hell here!!!!! Just got here today after driving six hour days all the way only because there is no where to camp in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi AND they don't pee in those states either. Absolutely no where to pull over for a potty break. We may rethink our route back.

[snowball]

so glad that problem appears to be fixed!!!
love the picture of the desert something about the various cactus has captured
me love to look at them see them in bloom when there is an opportunity
thanks for the tour
sheila

[avalen]

so glad your hitch is fixed, and fixed right,
what a lovely cactus garden!!! and thats coming from the one that hates cactus
maybe I'll just rephrase that....what a lovely rock garden!

[Cedar518]

Just got here today after driving six hour days all the way only because there is no where to camp in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi

Karen: Suggesting in AL: Meaher St. Park (Spanish Fort off I-10) and Dauphin Island Campground (obviously on DI ) and also in MS: what about the Biloxi casinos,... there must be some open by now post-Katrina (off I-10...) I've camped at both MSP and DI,... would recommend them.

[Liz]

Carole and I are in Ocala Fla - colder than hell here!!!!!

Hmmm???

[Cedar518]

Carole and I are in Ocala Fla - colder than hell here!!!!!

Hmmm???

Must be warm then.... as I think hell is all fire,.... !

[AlmostThere]

Karen, I just read in an RV Mag (might have been Highways), about the soaring # of rest stops that are being closed because of budget cuts. I'm not saying that's the problem in the south as it sounded like there weren't any to be closed!! Perhaps they have better bladder control down there!??!

[VickieP]

Just got here today after driving six hour days all the way only because there is no where to camp in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi

Karen: Suggesting in AL: Meaher St. Park (Spanish Fort off I-10) and Dauphin Island Campground (obviously on DI ) and also in MS: what about the Biloxi casinos,... there must be some open by now post-Katrina (off I-10...) I've camped at both MSP and DI,... would recommend them.

Cedar, they didn't go across on I-10, they went the northern route on 84 to avoid larger cities, but unfortunately you miss some of the cg's too. I'm just wondering why they couldn't just pee in the rv unless they're like Mitch, LOL.

[JanetA]

maybe they all wear adult diapers~!

note to self,,, stay away from the southeast!

love ya'll


JA

[Getupngo]

Carole and I are in Ocala Fla - colder than hell here!!!!!

Hmmm???

Must be warm then.... as I think hell is all fire,.... !

Nope, if you think of the phrase, "a cold day in hell," these kind of temps in FL qualify. Yes?