Finally getting back to the beach, what a perfect day!

Work has been a total trip! Things seem to be settling down.

I'm going to try to actually enjoy living in San Diego once in a while, instead of being absorbed in work problems 100% of the time.

I'll try to post more often, when I'm actually doing something. 

Back in Mexico, because it's cheap

Thanks everyone for your condolences and well wishes.

I've moved my rv back to Ramona Beach RV park near Encenada Mexico. It's cheap, and has good wifi. I'll stay here while I job hunt, my traveling days are over for awhile. I still plan to explore more of Mexico, but it has to wait until I get more money in the bank.

If I don't post anything it's because I'm just filling out applications, sending resumes, and other boring life things.

If I do something interesting I'll post it.

 

Life changes your plans doesn't it?

Two days ago I was on a journey to the desert.

Today I'm on a journey to go bury my dad.

I just got word that my dad Roger John Martin died about 6 am today.

My dad had many physical problems, severe COPD, and probably lung cancer. My dad was in a hospice, sedated, in no pain as far as I know, he is on his own journey now.

He was a very good man. 

Today I'm driving to Amarillo Texas from Las Vegas, 850 miles. 

Every journey starts with the first mile

My journey to Burning Man starts now from Las Vegas, 500 miles to go

This is Sunday 5 pm, a long nights drive ahead.

Wish me luck.

I will post when I can.

Randers

Very busy here in Las Vegas

Lots of preparation for the Burning Man trip, leaving Saturday night after dark.

I've lived in Las Vegas for 6 years so I'm not "blogging" about Vegas, but if you've never been it looks like this:

http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?searchterm=las+vegas&keyword_search=1

Not my images

It's been a very long day..

Yesterday, (Monday) I traveled from Ensenada Mexico to Las Vegas, 435 miles towing my RV.

I started at 3:30 am, got through the Tijuana border at a little after 7 am, after a search of the RV by two border guards.

Got in line at the border

Almost there! 

On the trip from Ensenada to Tj I realized that my brake lights were not always coming on when I hit the brakes. I crossed the border and went to a Walmart parking lot in San Ysidro to try to figure it out.

Two hours later, I ended up replacing the Brake light switch under the dash, on top of the steering column, a bitch to get to. Trip to Autozone, couple screwdrivers and new switch.

It's that white piece way up there

Fuck you General Motors for you idiotic metal clips that I couldn't get to release!!

Brake lights fixed! I picked up medical prescriptions I had ordered at this Walmart, then had walmart air up all tires, some were low from sitting, temp changes, etc.

Finally left San Ysidro at around 10 am.

Stopped somewhere to catch a nap, 30 minutes then it was just to hot. Had a healthy lunch..

It's hot in there

None of these in Mexico.

I drove to San Bernardino, exited off and went to the Camping World store looking at generators, after a lot of discussion I didn't like their return policy so I skipped it. I don't think the guy I talked to knew what he was saying, but I needed to keep moving. I'll deal with generators in Vegas.

I powered through Cajon Pass, a long uphill section of 15 highway, 25-30 mph, felt like I was pulling a million pounds. :(

Yeah! It's 100 degrees and this happens.

Between Cajon Pass and Victorville a tire shredded. No idea why, I may have hit something on the road.

After putting on the spare I got a cold drink out of the fridge, sat on my RV stairs on the shaded side and contemplated life.  Turns out it's pretty good, even with a flat and 100 degrees.

After putting on the spare I tested for slop in the wheel bearings and sure enough it was a bit loose. I took the spare off, tighten the hub but then put it all back together and hit the road again. It's a little after 5 pm by now, 13 and a half hours so far.

I stopped at a single little gas station in the desert before you get to Primm Nevada, 4.79 a gallon!

Luckily I wasn't stopping for gas, just a break and to check tires.

I do love the desert! 

There was one more hurtle, there is a VERY long (many miles) uphill crawl to get to Primm. It was very hard on the truck, I started smelling the transmission running hot, probably slipping, I couldn't feel it, and it was shifting the same, but a hour of driving at 30-35 mph in third gear was rough. I stopped three times, let it cool down, then went on.

Got to Vegas, dropped the RV at my friends Russ and Isabel's house, then drove to sleep at my friends the Herman and Vondran family. 

I can't thank you enough for all the hospitality, I greatly appreciate it.

It's now 10:40 pm

It's been a very long day..

On the road again, heading back to Las Vegas today

Burning Man starts in 7 days.

I'm heading to Las Vegas on the way to Burning Man.

My last Mexican sunset.  :(

Packed up, trailer hooked up, leaving early Monday morning.