The transmission is rebuilt and able to set up. Renzzo is organizing a tow truck to return by Monday morning to select up GANNET2 to take us to the store the place a choose up with a tow rope will haul us into his yard. Rusty and I’ll stay aboard there till the set up is full.
There’s a slight up hill from the road the place now we have to unload as there’s a low arch over the doorway to the courtyard. In right here we take a pointy proper previous the black automobile into his store so this needs to be fascinating.
GANNET2 received’t match beneath right here on high of a tow truck:
I went over there on Saturday as I had been panicking myself by studying about the way you want new bolts to put in the transmission and I had visions of the gearbox falling out of the van as we drive merrily alongside.
Naturally my panic was over nothing as Renzzo purchased unique tools substitute components from Mopar which incorporates model new bolts…Nevertheless Layne and I’ve made ourselves a promise to maintain management of any course of involving GANNET2 whether or not it’s after we get caught or if one thing breaks, so I used to be decided to verify we take no possibilities if I might help it. I feel Renzzo is amused by my fussing.
Then there have been the Brazilians. They got here in a few days in the past and blocked me from in entrance with their large motorhome.
They had been parked precisely the place the tow truck will park to load GANNET2, however fortunately they moved yesterday to a spot with a stronger WiFi sign within the campground. Rusty wasn’t impressed by their maneuvering.
Brazil has a vibrant RV constructing trade and in summer season half the nation takes off exploring. They love Patagonia the place the chilly is a break from their tropical local weather. Brazilians are like People in that they’re an enormous nation and really feel no have to study every other languages. Portuguese is extraordinarily obscure and so they make no concessions: they simply shout louder when you don’t perceive and no it’s nothing like Spanish or Italian when spoken quickly.
I’m hoping we will probably be roadworthy someday Tuesday when Rusty and I will take a look at our house on the highway. If all is effectively, that’s if we get good shifting and no engine overheating, I will probably be prepared for Layne to get again Friday morning. Our plan is to go on a protracted take a look at drive after she will get again and take a few days to drive the mountains to Cusco the place my new passport is ready for me on the Consulate.
After that we’re most likely not going on to Brazil. I learn the remark the place somebody mentioned the highway throughout the Amazon seems iffy and I agree. I worry we could have issues taking an untested transmission a whole bunch of miles on filth by way of the Amazon and the place there isn’t a lot assist over hundreds of miles to and from the Guyanas which is our final purpose within the north. With an occasional metropolis of doubtful measurement each three or 5 hundred miles it may imply large tow payments…and lots of stress whereas driving.
So our revised plan, the wise one when you can imagine that, is to method Brazil from the south which might give us a future throughout civilized components to get to the nation of Uruguay which borders Brazil on the Atlantic coast. Distances are huge:
Now we have to drive south to Santiago to get to an all climate secure crossing level by way of the Andes. It’s been snowing closely over the northern passes this winter. Paso de Jama (15,900 ft) with robust winds three days in the past:
June twenty first within the northern hemisphere is the longest day which all the time appeared too early within the yr to me, however down right here it’s the shortest day and the official begin of winter which could sound complicated. Which means we have to choose a decrease move throughout the mountains and Paso Libertador close to Santiago goes by way of a tunnel and is stored snow free for heavy truck visitors.
In Uruguay we wish to spend some cash to enhance and modernize our electrical system at a German run RV store outdoors Montevideo. The thought is to put in a low profile 12 volt air conditioner to interchange our 110 volt system that eats electrical energy and in addition to put in a correct cabin heater for our return to southern latitudes and at last to place some new batteries in to interchange our aged first era lithium ones. They had been cutting-edge in 2020 however they’ve been effectively used and don’t maintain a full cost anymore.
That’s the plan however first we should be certain the transmission is nice and that we didn’t injury the engine when it briefly overheated. Then we will probably be prepared for the winter roads and I can’t wait to get shifting once more. Fingers crossed.