Our first day on the road we decided to try to get as far as we could. Deciding to take the Columbia border crossing rather than go through Nuevo Laredo was definitely the best choice! The Combi arrived at the small and apparently isolated border crossing safe and smooth late in the afternoon. The scorching sun above welcomed us into the United States of America. Usually border crossings can be stressful and intimidating; however we were met with curiosity and smiles. Our van was sure loaded down and we were awaiting the brunt of “the search”. Here is where the strange part comes in. As we pulled in and presented our passports, Christopher, Daniel, and Rodrigo had to go inside and ask for a permit. There are different regulations for Mexicans than Canadians. I just had to show my passport and wait. No less than 5 minutes later they all came strutting out with papers in hand. We were all waiting for someone to come and search our van, but no one came. In fact, as I chatted with a border guard I realized that they weren’t going to check us at all. Not even a little. They didn´t even ask to see the inside of neither the van nor the papers for Sandia. Nothing. We were free. The least bit of hassle and some friendly smiles. We were all shocked, but pleasantly surprised! Our long haul through the States had begun as we headed straight for San Antonio to stock up on road trip goodies.
After we passed San Antonio it was well past dark. Most of the crew was sleeping and Daniel was driving. I was awoken by the feeling that we were slowing down and Daniel was pulling over to investigate. He was having a really hard time down shifting into any gear. The Clutch was fried! NO… We decided to pull over and take a look under the van. Luckily, Daniel has a Combi of his own and is used to the regular repairs needed. He adjusted the clutch and we were on the road again. We knew it wouldn´t hold long, but if we could just make it 25 more miles to Junction, Texas, we could get it inspected by a professional. Not soon after on this deer infested highway, a small helpless doe decided to run across the road right in front of our van. And yes, we hit it at 100 kilometers an hour. Our mouths dropped and shock set it immediately. The smell of burning rubber caused us to stop. The damages on the 1972 classic were devastating. A smashed front end and a rear wheel cave in that was glued to the brand new BF Goodrich solved the cause of the burning rubber. We couldn’t go any further. My tears began to well up, but I had to make a phone call. We needed a tow truck and with Junction not so far away, we were sure the insurance would cover it. Unfortunately, no signal. I went for a little walk to try to catch something, but nothing. Our only option at 4 in the morning was to try to get some sleep. Three of us crammed in the back of the van which would be the first night for the new futon and Rodrigo set up his tent next to us.
The next morning after some discussing, two of us decided to hitchhike to town to call a tow truck. A nice fellow in a high rider truck with balls picked us up. So far in our experience with Texans, they sure seemed friendly and soon we would see just how nice they really can be. After many phone calls and transfers, we finally were able to get a tow. Ricky from Hill Country Chevy picked us up and took us to for a ride to wait patiently in the well needed air conditioned office and offered us free coffee. Sure it was the weakly brewed office stuff, but it was the thought that counted, right? After about an hour, the poor little Combi rolled in with the others. The next step was to brainstorm (my new favorite phrase in Spanish – lluvia de ideas)
Pulling into the small town of Junction, Texas was about to provide us with more surprises than we could have ever imagined. Many phone calls, enormous amounts of desperation and several laugh until you cry moments were about to be transpire over the following 3 days in this little Jesus praised town.
To put it bluntly, the combi was all over. The poor little deer spared our lives but took that of the Volkswagen classic. Day one and we were stranded in a town of less than 1000 in the middle of now where, Texas. I was faced with a plethora of decisions and a limited amount of patience at this point. Being with an incredible and positive group of people in times of stress really makes a difference. I knew I could count on my buddies to cheer me up and help me through the next days of intensity. Being self sufficient hospitality wise, we headed for the river and set up camp in the park adjacent to it. As night set, a plague of deer watched us from the shadows of majestic Texan trees. Our cozy camp spot would do us good for a few days. At least we weren´t stuck in a polluted big city.
Insurance is a bitch. I think they make it so hard and complicated for you to understand their ridiculous policies on purpose. I am positive shit loads of people just say “up yours” and abandon their vehicles to the wolves. (This thought crossed my mind more than once). The only way to validate the cost of the damages was to get an evaluator to examine the vehicle and assess the costs of reparation. The only way to do this was to send the Combi to the nearest Mexican border crossing. My unnamed insurance company (keeping the name private for their salvation, even though I should expose the hypocrisy), didn´t have evaluators in the States. Do they pay for the towing to ship the vehicle? Well sure, up to $500. However, the tow would cost over $2000. So, what the hell is the point for anyone to send it to have them say, “Yes, you were right, your combi is fucked!!”? Luckily after being in and out of Hill Country Chevy several hundred times over the last three days, Bill, George, Jimmy, Bob, Ricky and the rest of the gang loved us enough to give us an incredible discount (almost 50%) on the cost of the tow to El Paso, Texas.
That is fine and all, but you are probably wondering if our trip was all over, or what we would do next… Well, in this moment, I have to say thank the lord Jesus for credit cards! Love them or hate them, in times of desperation, they can save your life. The next decision I was about to take would probably cost me the next few years of my life, but oh sweet love it was worth it!
Outside the little mechanic shop and car dealership sat a variety of almost new and used cars. Hmmm… we could buy a new car, load it up and drive all the way to Canada! (Of course with our planned climbing spots along the way!). 2005 Dodge Ram V8? NOPE. 1998 Ford Expedition, NOPE. 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport, SURE! Why the hell not! Put it on the credit card!
So, now we are on the road in the navy blue JEEP listening to the Chili Peppers to meet the Combi in El Paso tomorrow morning. Hmm. A new adventure is about to begin!
After we passed San Antonio it was well past dark. Most of the crew was sleeping and Daniel was driving. I was awoken by the feeling that we were slowing down and Daniel was pulling over to investigate. He was having a really hard time down shifting into any gear. The Clutch was fried! NO… We decided to pull over and take a look under the van. Luckily, Daniel has a Combi of his own and is used to the regular repairs needed. He adjusted the clutch and we were on the road again. We knew it wouldn´t hold long, but if we could just make it 25 more miles to Junction, Texas, we could get it inspected by a professional. Not soon after on this deer infested highway, a small helpless doe decided to run across the road right in front of our van. And yes, we hit it at 100 kilometers an hour. Our mouths dropped and shock set it immediately. The smell of burning rubber caused us to stop. The damages on the 1972 classic were devastating. A smashed front end and a rear wheel cave in that was glued to the brand new BF Goodrich solved the cause of the burning rubber. We couldn’t go any further. My tears began to well up, but I had to make a phone call. We needed a tow truck and with Junction not so far away, we were sure the insurance would cover it. Unfortunately, no signal. I went for a little walk to try to catch something, but nothing. Our only option at 4 in the morning was to try to get some sleep. Three of us crammed in the back of the van which would be the first night for the new futon and Rodrigo set up his tent next to us.
The next morning after some discussing, two of us decided to hitchhike to town to call a tow truck. A nice fellow in a high rider truck with balls picked us up. So far in our experience with Texans, they sure seemed friendly and soon we would see just how nice they really can be. After many phone calls and transfers, we finally were able to get a tow. Ricky from Hill Country Chevy picked us up and took us to for a ride to wait patiently in the well needed air conditioned office and offered us free coffee. Sure it was the weakly brewed office stuff, but it was the thought that counted, right? After about an hour, the poor little Combi rolled in with the others. The next step was to brainstorm (my new favorite phrase in Spanish – lluvia de ideas)
Pulling into the small town of Junction, Texas was about to provide us with more surprises than we could have ever imagined. Many phone calls, enormous amounts of desperation and several laugh until you cry moments were about to be transpire over the following 3 days in this little Jesus praised town.
To put it bluntly, the combi was all over. The poor little deer spared our lives but took that of the Volkswagen classic. Day one and we were stranded in a town of less than 1000 in the middle of now where, Texas. I was faced with a plethora of decisions and a limited amount of patience at this point. Being with an incredible and positive group of people in times of stress really makes a difference. I knew I could count on my buddies to cheer me up and help me through the next days of intensity. Being self sufficient hospitality wise, we headed for the river and set up camp in the park adjacent to it. As night set, a plague of deer watched us from the shadows of majestic Texan trees. Our cozy camp spot would do us good for a few days. At least we weren´t stuck in a polluted big city.
Insurance is a bitch. I think they make it so hard and complicated for you to understand their ridiculous policies on purpose. I am positive shit loads of people just say “up yours” and abandon their vehicles to the wolves. (This thought crossed my mind more than once). The only way to validate the cost of the damages was to get an evaluator to examine the vehicle and assess the costs of reparation. The only way to do this was to send the Combi to the nearest Mexican border crossing. My unnamed insurance company (keeping the name private for their salvation, even though I should expose the hypocrisy), didn´t have evaluators in the States. Do they pay for the towing to ship the vehicle? Well sure, up to $500. However, the tow would cost over $2000. So, what the hell is the point for anyone to send it to have them say, “Yes, you were right, your combi is fucked!!”? Luckily after being in and out of Hill Country Chevy several hundred times over the last three days, Bill, George, Jimmy, Bob, Ricky and the rest of the gang loved us enough to give us an incredible discount (almost 50%) on the cost of the tow to El Paso, Texas.
That is fine and all, but you are probably wondering if our trip was all over, or what we would do next… Well, in this moment, I have to say thank the lord Jesus for credit cards! Love them or hate them, in times of desperation, they can save your life. The next decision I was about to take would probably cost me the next few years of my life, but oh sweet love it was worth it!
Outside the little mechanic shop and car dealership sat a variety of almost new and used cars. Hmmm… we could buy a new car, load it up and drive all the way to Canada! (Of course with our planned climbing spots along the way!). 2005 Dodge Ram V8? NOPE. 1998 Ford Expedition, NOPE. 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport, SURE! Why the hell not! Put it on the credit card!
So, now we are on the road in the navy blue JEEP listening to the Chili Peppers to meet the Combi in El Paso tomorrow morning. Hmm. A new adventure is about to begin!
2 comments:
Que Locura !!! Lastima por el Combi pero pues que bueno que siga el viaje ! A Huevo !!
Hey Im glad to hear the trip has resumed and it sounds to be fun. I wish you guys the best of luck! Be safe in all of your adventures.....
George (Junction, Tx)
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