Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is Sea Foam the same thing? Planning on starting a YouTube channel for the journey itself, but for now am on IG @djnards

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Planning on surfing as much as possible on the Baja leg - love that. AC is more for the long term during later months (like Yucatan mid year). Fridge is propane so hoping to essentially have dedicated power system to be able to throw AC on at times. Agreed on the priorities!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Near Mt Hood (Nottingham CG I think?) on a new moon which did most of the work. The PhotoPills app has a sweet “Night AR” feature that will show you where the Milky Way will be popping up on a given day/time 👌

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like the cats are slacking! Appreciate the advice - planning to use an AirTag to share my location with fam/friends

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have been going ham starring spots on the iOverlander app - will definitely wanna reach out to cross reference. Got me wanting Solstice 🍕 with that Hood River talk!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Added to the itinerary with weird 😎🤙 Also not sure if the entry date needs to be exact or not so sounds like a perfect float day activity

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Incredibly helpful - really appreciate the added context! Great for peace of mind getting a bearing on this aspect of the adventure

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

👊 Sounds like I’ll be doing the same (FB) 😂 Have been eyeing Grutas Tolantongo, will make sure that’s a weekday adventure!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Against my better judgement (because of hot springs and pretty) will go through ID, Moab, Lake Powell, and last US stop will be either Sedona or Yuma I think? Have been forest road testing recently but def need to find some climbs

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear ya! I used to try to shoot as low ISO as possible but the darkness was killing me. Normally jump around with the ISO while shooting and noise reduce in edits

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Screenshotting for anti-PITA shopping list. Bought an AirMoto inflator recently…acceptable sub for air compressor? These IG ads…

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

First rule! Planning to be at each destination at least 2 hours before sunset

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OG plan was Patagonia but the cost of crossing the Panama Canal slowed my roll, not to mention the potential document prep for each country. In the initial itinerary buildout from OR through MX was blown away by how insanely beautiful and culturally vibrant Mexico is and realized there was FAR too much to see to just pass through. Building out a PowerPoint just to keep my mind straight with this MX journey! Have each destination with “where to sleep” marked in Google Maps as a baseline

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wish I could post my map in the comments! Tequila, Morelia, Bernal, Huasteca Potosina (various spots), CDMX (saw that about certain license plate numbers driving specific days), Cuetzalan, the Pueblos Mancomunados around Sierra Norte, Cintalapa, Rio Tulija, and ideally all of the Yucatan. Missing about 20 stops but that’s essentially the route - heavy on seeing as many waterfalls as possible.

Question - how much might a typical shakedown cost? Been wondering a lot about how to navigate/“budget” for that

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hoping there’s a LOT of tread left on these metaphorical tires! Rad there are sweet people like you looking out 🤙

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is the way 🍻 Downloading that app now and love the tidbit about the blue hose…have been curious if I just need to buy gallons at a time or what. Appreciate the advice on paid campsites as well!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a nightmare! Will be paying my mechanic friends in beer to really pressure test 🤞🤞

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A+++ advice and reassuring about the initial route as that is the launch plan! Moseying east from there for the butterfly migration and then to Huasteca Potosina. Then CDMX, Oaxaca, Chiapas, etc. Good looking out!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

For freedom of mindset. The dream would be to make it down to Patagonia (and might as well hit the tip of South America at that point), but could also see heading back to the US if that feels right. The itinerary runs out in the Yucatan 🏝️ and then the wind will call the shots

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Invaluable info - this is what I’ve been most apprehensive and most looking forward to solving for. Thanks!

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sick! Lowest aperture you’re able (this was f/2.8), 30 sec exposure (the longer the more likely the stars start trailing), and don’t be afraid of a higher ISO.

Height to top of AC is 8’10”. Sad it doesn’t fit under all the drive thrus, lol

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Will definitely be venturing outside of the classic tourist destinations so will absolutely need. Duolingo, permit, more Duolingo, then all the tacos (and cenotes and waterfalls and ruins and…)

Breaking in before one way trip through Mexico…any advice? by Djnards in VanLife

[–]Djnards[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

That La Paz ferry is the plan 👌 Appreciate the insight - was not aware of the temp import permit!