Outback Challenge: Morocco (Team USA)
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
From Nathan
We made it over the atlas mountains and into marrakech last night. Had a huge scare coming out of the mountains when I was driving, there was a sudden burst of driveline vibration. Pulled over to discover that the right rear wheel had sheered off all of the lug bits and wheel studs holding it on the vehicle. Another mile or so and the wheel would have fallen off with disasterous consequences. We were caravanning with another team from the event who are a bunch of crack mechanics, and they were able to get us back on the road in about 15 minutes.
Got in to Marrakech a bit after midnight. The trip videographer
is familiar with the town and took us to an awesome restaurant overlooking the main square. We didn't finish eating till about 2 in the morning but the food was awesome. I had lamb with tomatoes and apricots that was to die for.
Anyway that's all for now. We got up at 6 this morning to hit the road. We're just outside of Casablanca and should make it in to tangiers with a little bit of time to spare.
Hopefully I can get a bit of souviner shoping done, cause the past week has been a total blur. I think that we've done a little over 2000 miles, mostly off road, in the last week.
~nathan
We made it over the atlas mountains and into marrakech last night. Had a huge scare coming out of the mountains when I was driving, there was a sudden burst of driveline vibration. Pulled over to discover that the right rear wheel had sheered off all of the lug bits and wheel studs holding it on the vehicle. Another mile or so and the wheel would have fallen off with disasterous consequences. We were caravanning with another team from the event who are a bunch of crack mechanics, and they were able to get us back on the road in about 15 minutes.
Got in to Marrakech a bit after midnight. The trip videographer
is familiar with the town and took us to an awesome restaurant overlooking the main square. We didn't finish eating till about 2 in the morning but the food was awesome. I had lamb with tomatoes and apricots that was to die for.
Anyway that's all for now. We got up at 6 this morning to hit the road. We're just outside of Casablanca and should make it in to tangiers with a little bit of time to spare.
Hopefully I can get a bit of souviner shoping done, cause the past week has been a total blur. I think that we've done a little over 2000 miles, mostly off road, in the last week.
~nathan
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
Thanks for all the forwards, Tracy.
Glad the wheel held on through the important part!
Glad the wheel held on through the important part!
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Great Work Guys!!!
:clapsmile
:bowdown: :bowdown:
:clapsmile
:bowdown: :bowdown:
DesertRose
Safari Chick & Supporting Sponsor
flywgn said:Just don't empty the cuffs of you shorts and you can send us all bits of sand from the Sahara.
Hey - sounds like a great prize for one of the Expedition Trophy events! A vial of Saharan sand from the first Team USA victory of the Otback Challenge.
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
Guys, I have been on the road so sorry for the late posting of my offical CONGRATULATIONS!!! There wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't there (in spirit) with you guys. I KNEW you would come home with a prize, whether tangible in physical form or not. Very cool indeed that you bring home a trophy, and as many have said, we are all very proud of you!
:clapsmile :beer: :clapsmile
The wheel studs story is a bit freaky. Be safe guys and have a great rest of the trip - it ain't over yet!
:jump:
Tracy, thanks for the updates so much. What would we do without you?!
lamb and apricots... damn....
:clapsmile :beer: :clapsmile
The wheel studs story is a bit freaky. Be safe guys and have a great rest of the trip - it ain't over yet!
:jump:
Tracy, thanks for the updates so much. What would we do without you?!
lamb and apricots... damn....
VikingVince
Explorer
Have been out of town for a week and just read all the updates...CONGRATS...CONGRATS...CONGRATS!!!!!...what a great life experience...can't wait for the pics!!!!:clapsmile :clapsmile
Back in France
Heard from Nathan about 30 mins ago (hey, I had to take a shower before posting, priorities!) They were off the ferry and about 10 mins out from Patrice's house in Avignon. They'll spend the night there and tomorrow morning Nathan takes a train to his brother's. From there he'll try to get on an earlier flight home but I really don't think he will, so I expect him back Wednesday night, as scheduled. Scott flies back on monday and will stay with Patrice until then.
They're both doing fine. Scott was still raging down the road as i could hear every bump the truck took.
And that's the last from me!
~tracy
Heard from Nathan about 30 mins ago (hey, I had to take a shower before posting, priorities!) They were off the ferry and about 10 mins out from Patrice's house in Avignon. They'll spend the night there and tomorrow morning Nathan takes a train to his brother's. From there he'll try to get on an earlier flight home but I really don't think he will, so I expect him back Wednesday night, as scheduled. Scott flies back on monday and will stay with Patrice until then.
They're both doing fine. Scott was still raging down the road as i could hear every bump the truck took.
And that's the last from me!
~tracy
flywgn
Explorer
God, all the fun and excitement Nathan and Scott have had and they get to spend time in Provence as well....too much!
I hope they eat dinner tonight on the terrace of Le Cafe des Artistes, a not-too-touristy cafe on the Place Crillon (assuming it's still there) and the mistral should not be howling now so the terrace is wonderful.
Ahhhh, I'm getting hungry. Just may open a bottle of Bandol blanc and have médaillons de lotte for lunch just to celebrate their being in Avignon. What a wonderful way to end such a grand experience.
I'm not envious at all.
Pinochio
I hope they eat dinner tonight on the terrace of Le Cafe des Artistes, a not-too-touristy cafe on the Place Crillon (assuming it's still there) and the mistral should not be howling now so the terrace is wonderful.
Ahhhh, I'm getting hungry. Just may open a bottle of Bandol blanc and have médaillons de lotte for lunch just to celebrate their being in Avignon. What a wonderful way to end such a grand experience.
I'm not envious at all.
Pinochio
blupaddler
Conspirator
Sounds like a great idea!!!
I think we should all open a bottle of Cotes Du Rhone to celebrate
I think we should all open a bottle of Cotes Du Rhone to celebrate
flywgn
Explorer
blupaddler said:
We did better than that. We went out to dinner. Since Diana consumes no alcohol I had to bear the burden.
So....I took a bottle of Côte de Rôtie '91 that I had been saving for an occasion. It was fabulous. Couldn't drink the whole bottle, so I offered a couple of glasses to a nearby table and they had never tasted a Rhône wine that old (a mistake many people make).
Anyway we had a grand time. I had escargots Provençal as well. I can't remember how many toasts to Scott and Nathan we (I) did, but even the guy at the adjacent table toasted them. :luxhello:
The restaurant had no pastis (an omission they have promised to correct before our next visit) so I resorted to a glass of vintage port to top off the dinner. Diana opted for a mousse au chocolat.
Anyway, Scott...Nathan...know that there we were celebrating your victory tonight and managed to introduce several absolute strangers to you two.
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
Congrats gentlemen, well done. As others have said, can't wait for the pictures.
Will we see some Outback Challenge-inspired events at this years rally?
Again, congrats.
Jeff
Will we see some Outback Challenge-inspired events at this years rally?
Again, congrats.
Jeff
