On The Road

"All Participants" log at the expedition home base

Day 1 - 4 (8/19-22) - Seattle to Houston.
Louise: Late going Simon drivers license has expired:). Driving to Yakima DMV office to renew, luckily it's on the way! 10am first day, drivers license successfully renewed, now they are on their way, leaving Yakima....

Simon (8/22): We left Seattle early on the 19th and after 4 days, 2500 miles and 10 US states (WA, OR, ID, UT, WY, NE, CO, KS, OK, TX) arrived safe and sound in Houston. GPS and navigation software is helping us to keep on-track, with just the occasional deliberate detour. . Some camping, some hotels, and several cans of Red Bull to keep the energy levels going. Altitudes ranged from 100' above sea level to greater than 8000'. The DII took it all in its stride and well deserves its oil change at Land Rover Houston tomorrow .

Day 5 (8/23) - Houston.
Simon: Acquired better jungle clothing, loaded the new BIG :) Harding cases onto the roof rack. Hung out at the Houston Land Rover dealer much of the day getting an oil change, tyre rotation, and generally taking in the ambience. The dealer put on a rather fab Texas BBQ for the participants and with the local Houston Land Rover club members turning-up in numbers it was a real Land Rover Fest!!

Day 6- 8/24) - Houston to Brownsville.
Simon: An early start in Houston, with vehicle loading complete and an HOP breakfast (the last for 2 weeks).
Louise: By midnight they are in Brownsville, TX, right at the border. One of the cars has dropped out already due to a participant medical issue, another is delayed due to engine trouble (& 50MPH max), but he's still hoping to catch up once the flown-in dizzy is fitted. There are four people in Simon's car now, as Nathan had to catch a ride due to the engine trouble in the other car. They have only 3 seats so not sure how comfortable they are! They all sound very happy talking on CB radios to each other. Simon seemed to be the lead driver as he has all the hi-tech toys!!!
Simon: Sally sleeps alone for the 2nd night in a row. She's getting a complex! Humidity is 'rainy', but a/c saves the day. Shame that 2 of the vehicles don't have any. :( Next stop Mexico! :-))

September 2nd- Belize They called last night, and each one of them is speaking in a Caribbean accent! They are staying in hut like cabañas on the beach, Life is tough! Life seems to be laid back in Belize they have been snorkeling, on river boat trips, up Mayan monuments, and serious off roading in the jungle, much to Simons pleasure he has at last had use his winch to get him out from a serious ditch. I believe his off-roading and winch out were so hairy scary they made it onto the Movie being produced. He said his car is so covered in mud - it looks great:) and best of all his car is performing very well with no break downs yet!

The people they have meet all seem to be very friendly, lots of security check points in Mexico and they only had to bribe one guard with a bottle of water:), plenty of beggars, who ask for change, but no other issues.

September 4th - Belize Click on the "All participants log " on the top of this page for updates, and emails from expedition members. They are leaving Belize today, heading back via a similar route to their outward journey.

September 7th - After 3 days driving through Mexico it's a lay-over in San Antonio, TX and thence to El Paso on the 8th, Blythe, CA for the 9th and San Francisco on the 10th. Looking forward to meeting-up with Howard and David again! The Land Rover received some TLC at the LR dealer in McAllen, TX with a two new pulleys and a replacement serpentine belt: squealing and cracks respectively. Great service with the work done in 100 minutes with no pre-arranged appointment. All warranty work too :-].

September 8th - 11th - The trip west across country (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) and then north through California is made easier with three drivers and loooonngg straight high speed roads. Much of the 10th is spent showing Chris and Sally the sights of San Francisco. Howard and David's appt in Noe Valley is an oasis and some R&R is in order after 1500 miles of driving in the last 2 days alone. Next stop Seattle?

Checkout the MANY more pictures added to the gallery below. They number in the hundreds for your viewing pleasure :~).

Sept 8th - 11th - USA Return Leg (TX, NM, AZ, CA)