February 1, 2007

We don't pretend to be expert road-warriors and the fear of not having all of the "right" camping supplies and vehicle gadgets for our road trip to Mexico and Central America had put us in a frenzy for months.

This frenzy continued for the most part for our three of camping nights in the San Diego area, as we searched for, among other things, a new portable propane tank to replace the half-full but fully rusted one we had brought from home.

We ended up finding one at a small RV supply store in the outskirts, and getting hammered at a price of $100.

We had been told by a adventurous retired couple who had driven from Vancouver to the tip of South America that locking wheel nuts were a useful security measure. Again, after much searching, we found some that fit our tires at 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers in El Cajon.

(In hindsight, we think the wheel locks were probably unnecessary because: 1) compared to the tires on some of the pimped out SUV's and other vehicles in Mexico and Central America, the van tires just weren't that attractive; and 2) a mechanic who worked on the van in Mexico was able to pop the tires off in about 12 seconds, finding no need to first deal with the wheel locks).

The most important errand on our plate in San Diego was purchasing Mexican auto insurance. Our British Columbia ICBC coverage would be ineffective as soon as we crossed the border.

After consulting with the agent at Discover Baja Travel Club's office on Clairmont Drive in San Diego, we decided to purchase our insurance on-line through Mexpro. The 12 month "Mexican Auto Insurance" policy with Grupo Nacional Provincial, S.A online cost us $433, including taxes and fees.

We likely would have needed only two days in San Diego to take care of business if it hadn't been for the grinding noise we had been hearing from one of the front tires.

Yes, the final, final, final frenzied errand before crossing the border was a morning spent sitting in the cramped lobby of Bru Automotive as we waited to have a front wheel bearing replaced.

Given our big breakdown just a week earlier in Newport, Oregon, this latest mechanical setback left us completely dejected, and entirely on edge as to whether the van was going to be capable of completing its assigned mission: getting us to the Panama Canal.

Key Facts & Figures:

-South Carlsbad State Beach campsite: $20/night
-San Diego Metro KOA: $30/night
-14 X 1.5 mm wheel locks: $21.64
-Propane tank: $100
-Mexican Auto Insurance (12 months): $433
-Wheel bearing replacement, Bru Automotive: $258