Dormobile Adventures: May 2018

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Baja for Christmas 2017 and New Year 2018

We crossed the border at Mexicali...

then drove along the border fence from the Mexican side:

Our view the first morning in Mexico:

Driving on the beach in Gonzaga Bay:

Cocos Corner

Santa found us on our remote beach campsite

Can you find our Dormobile in this picture?

Waking up in an oasis in the desert:

In the square of San Javier, BCS:

Another beach camp:

Gearbox swap

We have been lazy about updating this blog. The original gearbox was getting sloppy and popping out of gear on the overrun, so we installed an ex-MOD rebuild Series 3 gearbox and transfer case in the fall of 2016.

Out with the old...

...and we forgot to take photos of putting in the new. :(

Big Bend National Park for New Years 2014

Some photos from our trip:

No trip to west Texas is complete without visiting the Prada store west of Marfa.

Hot springs on the Rio Grande.

On River Road with the Chisos Mountains as the backdrop.

Looking north from our campsite across the river into Mexico, with the USA in the background.

What is a Dormobile?

It is a camper conversion for various types of vehicles. I own a Land Rover Dormobile Camper conversion. It was done in England as a factory authorized conversion. The distinguishing feature is the tilting camper top that is installed. Most Dormobiles have this feature. You could buy one without the tilting top, just the fold-down seats and the stove and wardrobe.

Our Dormobile has the top with two bunks installed in the roof, a stove/sink cabinet, a wardrobe, and the front seats fold flat to make a full size bed.

Let Her Drive!

Since I started this blog many men on the various Land Rover lists have sent my husband emails. Many are amazed that he has a wife that enjoys the Land Rover because, lets face it, an old Land Rover is not very comfortable.

Here is how I got hooked. The first time I went out with my husband in his Series III, 88” Land Rover, I was miserable. It was bumpy, hot and dusty. After about an hour, I was ready to be done with the whole off-roading thing. James was clearly picking up on my miserable vibe, and said, “Do you want to drive?” I said yes, and he let me have fun with the car. He didn't criticize, and only groaned a bit when I ground the gears. The paint job was not as important as me enjoying myself. The result: I have been hooked ever since.

So, any time a guy says, “I can't get my wife to come”, I ask, “Do you let her drive?” Most of the time it is a resounding “No!” Almost all of the women I have met over the years that enjoy spending time in the Land Rover drive some of the time. So, if you don't want your wife to drive then you will probably spend a lot of time alone in your Rover. And she will never understand the money pit that your Rover will inevitably become. If she drives then she will want those upgrades, too.

If you want her along, let her drive!!!