loatrip

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In the late June of 2009 we purchased a 1984 VW Vanagaon with the help of our friend Tym. After finishing repairs we shortly began to finish our plans for a 3-month long voyage starting from Salt Lake City, Utah ending in Ushuaia, Argentina (The southern most city in the world reachable by car). We packed swim trunks, a spare tire, fruit, rice, a bedazzled compass, and supplies for over 100 orphans. We also packed enough supplies to make it through the rugged weather of Chile and Argentina seeing how there winter has just begun. Our first stop Tijuana, Mexico. As we crossed the border we were greeted by one of Mexico’s largest national flags as well as one of Mexico’s finest men Freddy Duarte. After meeting with Freddy at Tijuana’s one and only Costco we followed him to 1 of the 14 orphanages we will be working with on a permanent basis in the Northern Baja region. Upon arrival to the orphanage we were then greeted by Freddy JR. Freddy’s 7-year-old son who helps out with any thing from stray dogs to the organizing of the supply closet. We dropped off all of the supplies for there 40 plus children, met with Freddy and a few other staff members and discussed various plans for the near future

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After meeting all of the children we then drove south to our next stop Casa de Paz located in Valle de Guadalupe. Another 30 plus child orphanage nestled in a small canyon 1-hour North East of Ensenada. The drive through this canyon included every thing from wine vineyards to 80-foot rock slabs. Upon arrival to Casa de Paz we were greeted by a group of fun loving children. After we unloaded supplies we were given a tour of the orphanage including that of a tomatillo field, animal lot, and half pipe. We worked with the children till dark helping them with their daily duties and then spent another few hours at movie night with them. Of course a film none of us had ever heard of before.

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The following morning we packed up our time machine said our goodbyes and continued down the Baja Coast to a town by the name of Guerrero Negro. This being the Spanish translation of Black Warrior, an American whaling ship that sank near the coast in the 1850s. Although famous for Grey whale spottings from the months of December through April we were obviously too late for one. We set up camp at an industrial windmill plant and fell asleep to the droned noise of hundred foot windmill blades. We awoke the next morning and made our way to Cabo San Lucas. Nice people, good food, and good waves once again greeted us.

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We spent 2 days in the southern Baja region and then caught the ferry leaving from La Paz entering into mainland Mexico. As the ferry pulled in we drove our little van off, bought some fruit and cooled off in Mazatlan’s own industrial port.

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Shortly after we drove our van into Guadalajara. Beautiful roads and cool weathered mountains carried us into higher elevations. We spent the night in Guadalajara and then made our way to a small town by the name of Cheran. A small mountain town whose community lives off of cattle trade and commerce on a local level.

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Our next destination Barra de La Cruz, where we met with Pablo Narvaez to discuss future plans for Mexico’s first Autistic surf camp.

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Two hours into Guatemala we arrived to Lake Atitzlan to stay with our friends the Ruiz family.

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Guatemala City

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The trip from Guatemala City to Costa Rica a bit treacherous. 4 borders, 3 days, and 1 stolen wallet later we arrived. Of course sold back to spencer at a very low price.

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Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

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Alto Rio Claro, a small indigenous village nestled 6 hours deep into the Costa Rican/Panamanian border by foot. Documented very little, if not at all by foreigners. The presiding Patriarch of this village described a lack of proper educational funding as well as a lack of health care for their 39 children.

Photo series by Aquilino Treras age 9

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At the present we are in a pre-analytical research phase. If you would like to take a more active role in helping to make this trip a success there is an option at the bottom. All proceeds will be used for repairs of our vehicle, gas, and parts to complete this journey. For more information on how to help out in a specific region where we operate please contact at loachildren@gmail.com.