Two Latvians overlanding south

[Wiley]

bummer!

 

[T.Low]

Yeeouch! Heel well! Great pic.

 

[izaicinajums]

Quick update!

After couple months Dace has recovered well, and is able to roam around on her own feet - YEAH! At the moment with a little help of single crutch, but that is going to be gone soon. Full recovery is on the way!

We are leaving Latvia and flying back to Canada in early-Jan and right now our plan (if no changes...) is to hit the road and head south ASAP

 

[AZAstroVanNovice]

For you trips: Do you carry SPOT or any other emergency locator/communicator?

 

[izaicinajums]

For you trips: Do you carry SPOT or any other emergency locator/communicator?

We do carry SPOT on this trip, but mainly to keep our families back home informed where we are in the world.

The device was cheap (now they are even free http://www.findmespot.com/FREE/) and subscription was cheaper for inReach. But it's a one way communication.

I don't mind inReach and would probably buy it, if my wife would be staying at home. But as we are traveling together SPOT seems to be a right fit for the need and leaves more money for actual traveling.

 

[izaicinajums]

We have a good news! Both of us have made it to Canada and are planing to hit road south again.

Not quite sure how far we will make it, as we feel a bit mentally, as well as financially drained after being forced to stop for 5 months.

That said initial plan is to start and head for Baja. Figure out if we want to continue farther South after we reach Baja or get back to "normal" for some time.

 

[Herbie]

San Diego!

Peter and Dace,

Looks like your route will take you right through San Diego on your way to Baja. If you'll have time for a beer or a meal while you pass through, please let me know!

Would love to compare Astrid to my Astrolander up close!

 

[izaicinajums]

Peter and Dace,

Looks like your route will take you right through San Diego on your way to Baja. If you'll have time for a beer or a meal while you pass through, please let me know!

Would love to compare Astrid to my Astrolander up close!

We should have time - that would be great! Shoot me your e-mail or FB link in PM, so we can keep in touch and arrange something!

 

[AZAstroVanNovice]

Great news.
Phoenix is a bit inland for your trip, but if San Diego turns into a group, I'd be happy to chip in for the beer and meal

 

[izaicinajums]

Great news.
Phoenix is a bit inland for your trip, but if San Diego turns into a group, I'd be happy to chip in for the beer and meal

We can try to. Anybody knows good wild camping (preferably free or cheap) near Sand Diego? Herbie?

 

[Herbie]

We can try to. Anybody knows good wild camping (preferably free or cheap) near Sand Diego? Herbie?

I can do some more research, but things are a little lean for free camping in the area, depending on the season and distance from the city. Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the nearby BLM land are excellent and free, but too hot most days come late spring to early fall. There is precious little dispersed camping in the mountains - there are a few areas near Mount Laguna, but you'll need an Adventure Pass as these are in Cleveland National Forest land.

If you're just looking for a place to stay a night while passing through, I know at least two of the local Indian Casinos allows overnight camping in their parking lots (much like the Wal Marts, etc.)

For cheap but not free, then the State Park campgrounds are a good bet, though hit-and-miss for availability. During summer, the beach campgrounds will be filled to capacity on weekends, and nearly full mid-week, but you can typically find a spot mid-week during the shoulder seasons. The mountains have several good campgrounds that are good spring to fall, and you can generally find a spot except on holiday weekends.

North of San Diego in the San Bernardino National Forest, there is a whole network of free "Yellow Post" camps that are totally primitive, but beautiful. Not recommended during winter (many roads closed to prevent damage while wet/snowy), but otherwise good. I'll point you to an excellent collection of those.

Let me know how long you expect to be in the area (and what season), and I'll try to get a list of recommendations together for you.

 

[izaicinajums]

I can do some more research, but things are a little lean for free camping in the area, depending on the season and distance from the city. Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the nearby BLM land are excellent and free, but too hot most days come late spring to early fall. There is precious little dispersed camping in the mountains - there are a few areas near Mount Laguna, but you'll need an Adventure Pass as these are in Cleveland National Forest land.

If you're just looking for a place to stay a night while passing through, I know at least two of the local Indian Casinos allows overnight camping in their parking lots (much like the Wal Marts, etc.)

For cheap but not free, then the State Park campgrounds are a good bet, though hit-and-miss for availability. During summer, the beach campgrounds will be filled to capacity on weekends, and nearly full mid-week, but you can typically find a spot mid-week during the shoulder seasons. The mountains have several good campgrounds that are good spring to fall, and you can generally find a spot except on holiday weekends.

North of San Diego in the San Bernardino National Forest, there is a whole network of free "Yellow Post" camps that are totally primitive, but beautiful. Not recommended during winter (many roads closed to prevent damage while wet/snowy), but otherwise good. I'll point you to an excellent collection of those.

Let me know how long you expect to be in the area (and what season), and I'll try to get a list of recommendations together for you.

We'll be departing tomorrow, in San Diego probably in 2 -2.5 weeks.

Was just thinking, if there are few of us Astro fans (and others), maybe we can meet up over weekend somewhere - doesn't have to be by ocean.

 

[Herbie]

We'll be departing tomorrow, in San Diego probably in 2 -2.5 weeks.

Was just thinking, if there are few of us Astro fans (and others), maybe we can meet up over weekend somewhere - doesn't have to be by ocean.

OK, you'll definitely be here during desert season, but your timing stinks! We'll be out of town for both the weekend of the 13th and the 20th of February! We'll be in town during the week, though. I'll still spread the word around and see if we can't find some other Astro-fans for some kind of get together.

 

[Grabow]

We can try to. Anybody knows good wild camping (preferably free or cheap) near Sand Diego? Herbie?

There is always Fiesta Island. Technically, you're not allowed to camp there, but the worst that might happen is waking up with a $50 parking ticket on your windshield. Some people stay there for weeks at a time without getting a ticket. We stayed one night and got a ticket, but the $50 fine was cheaper than any of the local campgrounds.

 

[izaicinajums]

OK, you'll definitely be here during desert season, but your timing stinks! We'll be out of town for both the weekend of the 13th and the 20th of February! We'll be in town during the week, though. I'll still spread the word around and see if we can't find some other Astro-fans for some kind of get together.

It is what it is in this case, can't help with timing.

We can always meet up during the week if that is how we end up getting there. We are in Oregon right now.