"Through the hills of Baja with NO brakes! Who needs brakes?"

It was March 2008 and we were on our way to one of our favorite spots in Baja. We were heavily loaded with supplies to work on our tree house and pulling the Samurai as well. The summer before I had rebuilt the engine in Big Red and put a new system of brake lines and master cylinder in. We were just about 25 miles north of Lake Chapala when I noticed there was something going on with the brakes. They started feeling a little soft in the brake pedal. I’ve felt that feeling before when my brakes had given out, but this time I had a whole new system in so there shouldn’t be anything wrong. I wasn’t using the brakes that much for Big Red has a five speed transmission which allows me to use the gears instead of using the brakes constantly.

I was hoping my hunch was wrong but the next time I stepped on the brakes I felt that lousy feeling again and my hunch was right, something was up with the brakes. I didn’t say anything to Roberta because I didn’t want her to worry. So I began driving a little slower and making sure that I didn’t have to reply on the brakes, I needed to save them for when I would really need them. As I was driving along, I was trying to figure out what the problem could be. The next time I needed to use the brakes the pedal went almost to the floor. I was completely out of brakes! I figured a good place to pull over with what little of the brakes was left would be Lake Chapala where the restaurant was. There were truckers there and a good long flat area in case the brakes failed completely. But before the next turn in the road I needed to use the brakes and they were gone. I gave a little statement of excitement and Roberta asked me what was wrong and I said nothing, just thought something was up with the engine, but not so. We got to Lake Chapala and pulled off to the side of the road with no brakes so I was down shifting until I was in 2^nd gear, then I shut the engine off and let the engine stop us. I then told Roberta we were out of brakes and had been for the last 10 miles. I got out to see if I could tell what was wrong and it was easy to see. The back right rear wheel was covered in brake fluid. I had Roberta step on the brake and the fluid was leaking fast.

First we had to unhitch the Samurai. We had about 2 hours, maybe 2 ½ hours of daylight left so we decided to head for Guerro Negro and try to make it before dark. I would use the gears and go slow on the down hills. We had walkie talkies so we could communicate while driving. I wanted Roberta to drive the Samurai . This would take some of the weight off Big Red and so Roberta wouldn’t be in Big Red also for her safety. So we were off and everything went well. It was easy with the gears that I have, the new engines compression made the down shifting easy to control Big Red.

We were about 65 miles into driving and talking back and forth. We were climbing a gentle grade which at the end of its downhill side is a dangerous curve at the bottom of it. I was talking with Roberta on the walkie talkie and let my timing of shifting the gears go a little to long, for when I shifted into 3^rd gear I realized I was going a little to fast to downshift into 2^nd and I was already at the top and beginning to descend down the backside of the hill and steadily gaining speed instead of slowing down so I could shift into 2^nd gear. If I shifted into 2^nd gear now I would probably blow the engine. I got a real lousy feeling as I began gaining speed and approaching one of the more dangerous curves in Baja. Plenty of accidents happen on this curve. Now here I am going way too fast! As I start into the turn, Big Red is starting to lean so I instinctively start pumping the brakes but there are none! Now I need to make a decision fast. Do I go wide on this blind curve and hope there are no cars coming or do I stay in my lane and hope Big Red doesn’t roll. It feels as though its going to roll the way it’s already leaning and I’m only just beginning to take the turn so I decide to take it wide into the other lane, all the while stretching my neck as far as I can to see if another car is coming. Fortunately I made it around the turn with no accident. By the time I was through the turn I was sure that Big Red would have rolled had I stayed in my lane. I was almost on 2 wheels as it was.

We continued on to the military check point which was at the bottom of a long grade and I made sure all my shifting was right for if I blew it this time I would certainly run through the check point taking a few signs with me. No problem though, by the time I got to the check point I was able to shut the engine down and stop me right at the guard. He noticed the engine looping as I came to a stop. I said to him, no brakes! He looked at me with surprise and waved me on and made the statement, Loco Gringo!

We made it to Guerro Negro just at dark. We pulled into the Malaremo and had a good nights sleep. Next morning I took off the brake line to see what was wrong. It had a crack in it behind the nut where the flare seats on the slave cylinder. A factory defect that almost cost us dearly. So I took the line to the auto parts store where the guy cut off the bad piece and reflared it for me at no cost. I went back, put it on, bled the brake lines and we were off. I now carry my own flaring tool, just in case. Makes me wonder how lucky we were that the line didn’t give out going down the hill into El Rosario.

Just another trip with Big Red and it’s surprises. All in all, it was about 120 miles of no brakes!

Brake Line in Ensenada

It was on one of our longer trips and we were fully loaded in Big Red and pulling a 4 x 8 utility trailer fully loaded. I had just put on another gas tank making it three in order to help minimize carrying gas cans. I had installed it about 2-3 weeks prior to make sure everything would be working well for the upcoming trip. We had just change dour U.S dollars into pesos at the money changer in Ensenada. We pulled out just in time to make the light at the intersection before it turned red. I started to make a left turn onto the main road heading south. I put my foot on the brake pedal to slow down a little and the pedal went slowly to the floor. No brakes! We made the turn, fortunately no one was in front of us. Immediately I looked for a place to pull over. Luckily there was a nice big empty spot a couple of hundred feet up to the right. Big enough to get Big Red and the trailer over and out of traffic. It also had a curb that I could ease Big Red into and bring it to a stop.

I got under the Big Red to see what the problem was, The tank I had installed just prior to this trip had been rubbing against the flexible brake line and sliced it open. When I installed the tank Big Red was empty of supplies and riding higher. When I loaded it up with all the supplies which is almost 2,000 pounds it naturally rode lower and placed the brake line dangerously close to the edge of the seam on the gas tank. The up and down movement of the rear axle did the trick and acted like an edge of a knife and sliced the brake line.

I got my tools and took off the damaged piece of brake line and took off to look for a junkyard. Roberta and our dog stayed with Big Red. There were a few junkyards nearby but I had no luck in finding a part to match. There aren’t many, if any, 55’ Chevy Step Vans around like there use to be in the earlier days. Fortunately one of the yards owner was a real nice guy and had his nephew drive me to a parts store somewhere in Ensenada and I would never be able to find that place again if I had to. The ride to and from only took about 8 minutes each way. When we got to the parts store the guy behind the counter looked at my part and went in the back with it for about 20 minutes and came out with the exact part. He said they only had one so I was real lucky. The part cost me $15 which I thought was more than fair seeing as how my truck was so old. Anyway the drive to and from the parts store in this guys car was a classic journey in itself.

The stereo cassette player was hanging from the dashboard by wire and the windshield was in pieces so every time we would hit a bump the cassette player would chatter the music and pieces of the windshield would fall into my lap. I had to laugh to myself of how care free the guy was. He didn’t seem t mind and was as happy as could be. We made it back to Big Red and I thanked him for the ride and we shook hands and I gave him $20 and he went on his way. I got under Big Red and installed the new line and wrapped it up with tape and out of the way. Soon we were headed south once again. If we had made it into the hills there might have been a different ending.
　

Fuel Pump

Over the years I’ve learned when traveling anywhere and especially in Baja, it’s best to carry every possible part that may go wrong. Well this time we were on the dirt road and Big Red began acting a little strange, stuttering a little. It felt as though it wasn’t getting enough gas. We had just gone through a good sized mud puddle and about 100 yards past it Big Red stopped dead in it’s tracks. I cranked the engine a few times but no life. I thought maybe it might be the fuel pump so I had Roberta turn the ignition key while I checked the fuel pump to see if it was pumping gas. Sure enough no fuel was being pumped. So I got out my tools, got to my spare parts and pulled out a brand new fuel pump and went to work. I laughed a little while changing the fuel pump thinking how lucky I was that Big Red didn’t stop in the middle of that mud pond. That would have been a lot of fun. Within an hour I had the new fuel pump in and we were on our way again.

Friends in Baja

Over the years we have met some really great people and have been fortunate enough to make some wonderful and lasting friendships.  

Glen and Flemming

Roberta and Boots

Glen and Boots

Hillary, Roberta and Phil

Hillary and Glen - "Pizza Night!"

Ralph, Glen and Roberta (life of the party!)

Kevin and Glen

Roberta and Mary

Lanny and Ralph

Ralph and Mary

Glen and Jody

Phil, Hillary and Debbie

Jody, Vince and Glen

Jody, Roberta, Glen and Jimmy

Vince and Debbie 

At Glen's B-Day Party

Glen and Ed - Glen's B-day

Always fun at Glen's B-day parties!

Roberta, Barry and Glen

More party fun!

Kevin and Roberta

Kevin and Glen - Cool party hats!

Ed - Hey, who took my party hat?

Glen, Flemming, Jimmy and Mike

The Coyote, Boojum and Me

This was a time in Boojum’s life when he was struggling with a partially broken back and could barely walk much less try and run after coyotes. Boojum was a noble dog with a presence of grandness and calm.

This particular day Boojum was just basking in the sun and I was enjoying the sun also sitting beside Boojum and looking through a surf magazine. The surf was small and the day was still with just a slight breeze. Then I saw Boojum sit up with his attention directed to the southeast over the desert. I looked in the direction of his gaze and saw a coyote making his way towards us. Earlier that day I had taken some time to go diving to see about some halibut for dinner. I had just fed Boojum some of the halibut for his afternoon meal which was probably the reason the coyote was coming our way. He probably smelled Boojum’s meal which was still partially left in his bowl. So for the next few minutes Boojum and I watched as the coyote started getting closer and closer until he was within about 150 feet from our camp. By now Boojum was on full alert but not making a move. Then as the coyote came even closer I said to Boojum, “Hey Booj, what are you gonna do, that coyote is coming to get your food?” Right then Boojum got up and tried to chase after the coyote, one of the things he loved most to do, only when he got about 50 feet into his chase he collapsed from his back legs giving out and probably in pain.

This is the part that gets me. The coyote was about to run but when he saw Boojum fall he turned and started walking towards camp where I was sitting. Boojum saw this and struggled to his feet and came back to camp just as the coyote came into camp. I couldn’t believe that the coyote was being so unafraid and bold. As Boojum got to camp, partially dragging his back leg, he laid down. Now the coyote was about 20 feet from me and Boojum, he stopped, looked at Boojum and he laid down right there! Now the three of us sat in a triangle about the same distance from each other. It was quite a moment and it only lasted about a minute and a half but it was incredible. I looked straight into this wild animals eyes and said, “Mr. Coyote, what’s up? Do you feel bad about Boojum and are you giving him a little moment of sympathy? Cause you know if Booj was feeling good he’d give you a good chase”.

I got to sit there and just stare at the coyote and feel all his wisdom. I believe that he and Boojum must have had some fun times and good chases in the past for why else would the three of us just be hanging out together. It was a special moment and then the coyote casually got up and walked away.

Big Red Trauma Center - Nov. 2008

Every year in November my brother Phil and one of our best friend's, Hillary head to Baja to camp and surf with us for 2 weeks. Here are some pics of their camp.

Phil at camp

 

Hillary

"Agave anyone?"

Phil and Hillary

Foggy morning!

Phil, Hillary & Glen

Relaxing at sunset

Hillary hanging out

Roberta, Phil & Hillary

During this trip we had alot of hard offshore winds combined with good surf.  Unfortunately for Phil (with 2 days left of their trip) the winds got the better of him.  However, not to fear, Big Red was quickly turned into a state of the art trauma center and Glen went to work fast to save the day.  Good thing we carry a stocked first aid kit! 

Here is a video of what can happen on a hard offshore day. I must warn you, this is a bit bloody and graphic, so if you don't have a strong stomach, maybe you should not watch.

Pushed At The Border

Roberta and I were heading north back to the U.S. when Big Red began kicking and bucking like an old Brahma Bull, acting up like never before. Something was really giving it a problem. It was loosing power to where it was laboring uphill. If I had to stop for any reason I would have to stop on a hill downside so I could pop start the engine cause it would start regular and it wouldn’t keep an idle. This was a bummer cause I knew I was going to be in big trouble at the border line if I couldn’t keep the engine revved and it died on me. I thought how I was going to be able to start it again. I could only hope that I didn’t blow it. Well the time came when I had to face up to the border line and Big Red was having a fit. Between trying to keep it at a high RMP and moving forward and stepping on the brake so I didn’t hit the car in front of me, it was a major physical and mental mind screw. I made it down as far as where all the Vendederos and shops are under the bridge. But right about there is where my clutch pedal leg was starting to cramp up and that’s when I lost the RMP’s and stalled Big Red.

The Vendedoros and their buddies saw and heard me trying to start Big Red with no luck. One of them came up to me and asked if I wanted a push. I said sure but Big Red is real heavy and is not starting. He said not to worry and waved to some of the other Vendederos. They got 5 guys together and tried to get me enough push but it wasn’t enough to pop the clutch. I said thanks but he insisted on trying again. He said, “one minute my friend. I will get more to push you.” He managed to get 10 guys all together. The best thing about these guys was they were on different places of Big Red with one hand on Big Red and in their other hand they were still holding their trinkets and blankets. They kept a space clear in front of Big Red of about 4 cars so we could get enough speed to pop the clutch. So I told him when I was ready and he gave the word, and all at once with a huge effort from all of them Big Red got enough momentum so I could pop the clutch. Just before I ran into the car in front of me it started and all the Vendederos shouted, “Viva El Toro!” I called the guy over and dumped my whole box of change in his hands which was about $20 and he was happy and so was I. I kept Big Red running and made it home again.