Today's sunrise wasn't too shabby:
We left the campsite north of San Felipe and drove into the town to do some chores. But first, Chris Z. found that the sea shell Lori had collected yesterday actually had a creature within! So they took Stewie, their Overlander rig back to the beach and deposited the shell back in the water:
We got fuel while heading into San Felipe at the Arco Station. Paid 1930 Pesos for regular gas. Then it was groceries, dumping tanks and taking on water (100 Pesos) in San Felipe. We also tried to score some booze but only found some beer (Modelo Negro) at 97 Pesos and Chris got some new blended whiskey to try out. Driving in town was an exercise in concentration due to the narrow streets with cars parked along the curbs. No room for error!
Next we headed south out of San Felipe on Federal Highway 5 towards Puertecitos. The "highway" was two lanes, no shoulders and narrow! Still, no major issues were encountered though we narrowly missed a ditch when pulling over to let cars behind us pass at one point!
When we got to the site, as reported by iOverlander, and while the way in had been a bit rough, it was quite doable by Umarang, my VRRV. Chris said to move in first to the spot we picked, giving me first dibs.
I found a spot I thought nice but I changed my mind about parking head in, so started backing up so I could then reverse into the same spot for leveling ease.
Well, that's when I found a large sand patch and Uma quickly buried her rear tires into the soft stuff! Dammit. Ironically, same patch that I'd just driven over...
Lori and Chris offered to use Stewie, their Overlander to pull Uma out but I wanted to try the sand tracks and to self-recover. After all, what if I'd been camping by myself?
Here's a movie about my self-recovery debacle. Should have listened to the Z's original offer but it was something I needed to try!
The only damage was the mud guards that were caught under the rear tires and ripped off their mountings. I should be able to remount them with no major issues expected.
My thanks to both Chris and Lori Z.! Of course, Stewie, their mighty Overlander rig who was the brute force hero....Lori reported not feeling the rig strain at all when pulling Uma out!
It'll be a day of rest tomorrow, for all of us!
9 comments:
Aw... the famous Mexican sand trap, you found it.
Do you think a 4x4 Rv would have made a difference in self-extraction? Have often wondered if those are worth the extra $$ and maintenance.
That would have been NO fun if you were by yourself. That sand sure was soft. Glad you had people with you.
Another question. Does the RV have a locking rear differential or at least limited slip?
Thanks Oz, definitely good that there was an overlander nearby!
CCjon, Chris seems to think that 4x4 might have helped. I am unsure.
RichardM, Chris seems to think that it has a limited slip differential, because he saw both right and left duties spinning uselessly.
Added sunrise pics
Well, Dom at least you know that you need some more experience in self recovery (or a capable rig nearby to help out) ;-)
Oh yes, SonjaM, several lessons learned today!
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