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Nzoner's Game Room>Planning to drive from LA to Patagonia next year (looking for copilots)
suzzer99 02:44 AM 05-13-2017
Link to blog!!! - http://ushuaiaorbust.com/blog/

I better post this before I get banned for welching on my bet and posting in DC. If I'm banned and anyone wants to go for any part of the trip - PM flopnuts or BRC - they know me on twoplustwo.com and can contact me. More eyes and ears are always welcome. I've got one guy who wants to go - but he'd have to quit his job, so obviously nothing is guaranteed.

I just got back from a photo trip in Patagonia, where we drove a lot. I LOVE the region and South America in general. Never been to Central America but I've had some great trips in Mexico.

I have two jobs and I'm sick of both. I don't think the side job will last much longer, and the day job is about done for me. I probably need to stick it out until the end of year to get my bonus and pay off some 401(k) loans. But unless I get plugged into some interesting projects - I'm gone. I figure there has to be some advantage to dying alone with no kids. This would be the adventure of my life. I'd try to live-blog it as much as possible.

Our photo tour guide from the Patagonia trip is planning a 20-day partial boat tour next May that he's calling "an expedition". We'll get into some fjords in Southern Chile that hardly any one's ever been to - much less landscape photographers. So that's my parameter - be in Patagonia by mid-May.

I've done some cursory research, and it seems pretty doable.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35876322/n...nyc-argentina/

http://www.worldlyrambles.com/summar...o-or-not-to-do

You have to ship your car across the Darien Gap - which is a PITA.

Very rough plan is to drive to Cabo, then take the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. Then head South. I'd probably zip across El Salvador and Honduras as fast as possible, enjoy myself in Costa Rica and maybe Nicaragua. I've been to Peru, Columbia, Chile and Argentina and know they're pretty safe. I feel like I'd want to avoid driving in Brazil, Venezuela (govt might seize my car) or the Guyanas. Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia should be fine. I know not to drive at night in sketchy places and find secure parking for my car.

I plan to mostly camp and stay in hostels. I can sleep in my car in a pinch. Maybe splurge on a hotel when I want some extra security for my car. On the way back I may either sell my car or ship to LA or Florida from Colombia.

Prerequisites:
  1. Must learn reasonable conversational Spanish. I know a lot of words but no sentences, etc. I am using this online thing called duolingo. Looking for an an immersion program in LA. There are some Spanish classes by me but they don't start right away.
  2. Lose at least 30 lbs. At 257 - I'm 40-50 lbs over-weight right now. It's just no fun in a lot of ways. I won't enjoy myself unless I get below 230. Plus I hope to get laid a decent amount with my fun story and mad Spanish skillz.
  3. Maximize my social media footprint so hopefully the blog picks up some traction and has a lot of viewers. IE - finish photo website (pretending to sell photos), get active in 500px (2p2 for photographers), start blogging, get active on forum for people doing these driving adventures (forget the name), FJ Cruiser forums, Instagram.
  4. Figure out what modifications if any I want to do to my car. A flat roof rack with a pop-up tent seems really cool. But as I'm going to be jobless maybe I should think about limiting spending. Or maybe some kind of hidden compartment to hide camera gear/computers/etc?
  5. Research, get permits, visas etc. ahead of time.

Big question is whether or not to take my FJ Cruiser or buy an Outback or something for $5k:

Pros:
  1. Great car, nice and high so I can see things developing.
  2. Built like a tank to protect me in a crash.
  3. Can get into fun places like camping on the beach.
  4. I pan to blog the whole thing - so me and my FJ is a fun angle. Me and my Camry lacks the same zing.

Cons:
  1. Everyone says try not to draw attention to yourself. Big ginger beard with CA plates in that car does the exact opposite. (I'm hoping people will think I'm ex-military or something lol)
  2. I am stupidly emotionally attached to my car, and have put some customizations into it. It's got 100k miles so it could easily last me another 10 years. I really would have a hard time selling it at the end, even though supposedly you can get good money in Brazil. Also I know there's a very real probability it doesn't come back from being totaled, or stolen. I have to be ok with that.
  3. 15 miles to the gallon/15 gallon tank (yeah wtf) - but I figure I can carry extra tanks.

Any thoughts or advice is mucho appreciated.

I am fine with the idea that I could have everything stolen and have to limp back with my tail between my legs. You don't have an adventure w/o risking something. If I get killed I had a good life. My biggest fears are getting kidnapped or paralyzed in a car wreck. Both seem fairly low probability.
[Reply]
Easy 6 07:09 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Simply Red:
no but I've certainly been there - all up and down that west coast of Mexico.
Its pretty much paradise as far as I can tell

Dirt cheap living in Shangri La, it would be one HELL of a place to retire to

Some social security, a little 401k or a pension on top of that, throw in a sweet little senorita, and you'd die in peace completely relaxed and well fed
[Reply]
suzzer99 08:25 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
I always really enjoy these updates, your trip would make a great multi-part special on the Travel Channel

I'd try a cricket, as long as it was well spiced up to kill the bug flavor

Whats on the right side of the breakfast plate with your frijoles and huevos, is that like tortilla strips with some kind of tomato sauce and cheese?
Yeah chilaquiles. They're awesome. It's tortilla chips in a red or green sauce - either can be spicy or mild, with runny sour cream and some kind of crumbly cheese. When it all works they're delicious. I've had some at hotel breakfast buffets that were pretty lackluster. But every authentic breakfast place has been great. They can be eaten for lunch too.
[Reply]
Easy 6 08:26 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Yeah chilaquiles. They're awesome. It's tortilla chips in a red or green sauce - either can be spicy or mild, with runny sour cream and some kind of crumbly cheese. When it all works they're delicious. I've had some at hotel breakfast buffets that were pretty lackluster. But every authentic breakfast place has been great. They can be eaten for lunch too.
Where does tonight find you?

Any crazy fellow travelers like Stretch around tonight?
[Reply]
suzzer99 08:29 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
Its pretty much paradise as far as I can tell

Dirt cheap living in Shangri La, it would be one HELL of a place to retire to

Some social security, a little 401k or a pension on top of that, throw in a sweet little senorita, and you'd die in peace completely relaxed and well fed
San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas are far from dirt cheap. But there's tons of little beaches around there - and up and down Baja on both sides - that you can buy a nice piece of land for like $15-$25k - then start building on it.
[Reply]
suzzer99 08:31 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
Where does tonight find you?

Any crazy fellow travelers like Stretch around tonight?
I'm with my friend and ex-coworker Shauna. We've been traveling for a little over 2 weeks and are getting along pretty well. We had some other friends meet us in Tulum (near Cancun) and then Belize. We're in Guatemala now - just crossed the border from Belize yesterday and went to Tikal today - the most impressive Mayan site yet.

So yeah I'm a little behind on the blog.

My Instagram and other social media links are on my blog if you want to follow.
[Reply]
Easy 6 08:36 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
I'm with my friend and ex-coworker Shauna. We've been traveling for a little over 2 weeks and are getting along pretty well. We had some other friends meet us in Tulum (near Cancun) and then Belize. We're in Guatemala now - just crossed the border from Belize yesterday and went to Tikal today - the most impressive Mayan site yet.

So yeah I'm a little behind on the blog.

My Instagram and other social media links are on my blog if you want to follow.
Ah, getting down into Central America now... you still have a looong ways to go, how long are you planning the trip to last? Anyway, keep us informed along the way, I really enjoy this vicarious adventure

Stay safe
[Reply]
Easy 6 08:39 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas are far from dirt cheap. But there's tons of little beaches around there - and up and down Baja on both sides - that you can buy a nice piece of land for like $15-$25k - then start building on it.
I'm SERIOUSLY intrigued about retiring down there, which small coastal town do you recommend?
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 09:45 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
I'm SERIOUSLY intrigued about retiring down there, which small coastal town do you recommend?
Dude, I kinda wished you had dropped everything and joined him.

You guys would have had a helluva time.
[Reply]
Simply Red 09:51 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Mole poblano - a highly anticipated food highlight of the trip. Not eating mole in Puebla and Oaxaca would like not eating BBQ in KC.

oh I do love Mole sauce - excellent!
[Reply]
Simply Red 09:52 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Dude, I kinda wished you had dropped everything and joined him.

You guys would have had a helluva time.
I second this - Scott is a very nice individual - as is Suzzer!
[Reply]
Simply Red 09:52 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
I'm SERIOUSLY intrigued about retiring down there, which small coastal town do you recommend?
where do you even live?
[Reply]
Easy 6 09:54 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Dude, I kinda wished you had dropped everything and joined him.

You guys would have had a helluva time.
Getting tired of hearing me go on and on about it? :-)

If there was any possible way to make that happen, I'd do it in a New York minute... suzzer and myself on an epic road trip would surely be something to remember
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 10:05 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
Getting tired of hearing me go on and on about it? :-)
No man, not at all. It just seems like it would have been a great adventure for you to join him.

I'll do it someday myself, when I'm in my late 60's or 70's.

No time at the present.
[Reply]
Easy 6 10:09 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
No man, not at all. It just seems like it would have been a great adventure for you to join him.

I'll do it someday myself, when I'm in my late 60's or 70's.

No time at the present.
Yeah, thats a bucket list trip if one ever existed

Hell who needs Patagonia just roam around Mexico living it up
[Reply]
suzzer99 11:06 PM 03-03-2018
Originally Posted by Easy 6:
I'm SERIOUSLY intrigued about retiring down there, which small coastal town do you recommend?
Look into the areas around Cerritos and Todos Santos. If you're not into surfing look into El Requeson around Bahia de Concepcion. Bahia de Ascuncion was also nice on the Pacific coast.

Really you just need to drive down there and figure out which vibe floats your boat. Some beaches are all Canadians. Some are all US snowbirds. Some are more mixed.
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