I woke up super early, happy that my tumultuous night was over. After having a quick breakfast, I thought I had a chance of catching Mum and Dad on the phone before they went to bed so I went across the road and sat outside the restaurant to catch on to their Wifi. Luckily I caught my parents and I told them about the Mexico idea. Dan’s next commitment was June 28th, so it would mean we could spend a month together in Baja, travelling in his van. I’d already asked Kevin and Jon what they thought and they encouraged me to do it but I wasn’t sure what M&D would think since Mexico has a reputation for not being the safest place. When we talked, that was their initial reaction but by the end of our conversation, we all agreed that I’d most likely never get an opportunity like this again. To go to Mexico with someone I trust and who’s been there before. I’ve also got friends that have been to Baja and they advised it was perfectly safe to travel and a great place to soak up some good culture and food.
I still hadn’t totally committed to the idea when I drove out of Hanksville. Even though the Astro was fixed, I was nervous to be driving her. I just wasn’t convinced something else wouldn’t go wrong. As I drove south towards Natural Bridges National Monument, I realised just how lucky I’d been to break down where I did. The 100 miles to Natural Bridges was completely isolated on a road with no shoulder and I saw about 1 car every half an hour, granted it was early in the morning. The road that ran by Glen Canyon was super pretty, with views all the way down to the Colorado River right by the road.
Half way to Natural Bridges, I’d pretty much committed to the Mexico idea. When I mentioned it to Dan the night before he was keen for it and I didn’t have phone reception to double check so I just had to drive back towards Phoenix and hope he hadn’t changed his mind, though I didn’t think it likely that he would.
I stopped in at Natural Bridges National Monument, more because I felt like I should instead of really wanting to see it. I figured it would only take an hour or so, so I really had nothing to lose. After going into the visitor’s centre for a map, I talked to Dale in the carpark, a fellow van camper and retiree from Canada, he was all about nature and by the end of our talk he was writing his details down so that I could come and stay in Canada if I ever make it up there. With a hug, he wished me well.
I opted for the scenic drive through the park and stopped at the first two bridges for a look. Yes, they were both impressive, but I didn’t feel the need to go hiking down to them, it was enough to see them from on high. Now just wanting to get on with the drive to Phoenix, I got out of the park and back onto the highway. I listened to the Elon book as I went, I was about two thirds through now and it was getting really good.
The road leading into Monument Valley was one I hadn’t taken before and it was stunning. The highway changed into dirt switchbacks that descended quickly down the side of the mountain. It was narrow in places, so much so that I stopped to let others pass when I saw them coming up the mountain. The views into the valley stretched for miles and I could see all sorts of rock formations in the distance, including the ones of Monument Valley. At the base of the road, the highway continued and I was back in familiar territory.
It was my third time passing through Monument Valley and having needed to take a nap the last time I drove through, I was happy to be wide awake, despite my lack of sleep the night before. Back into Arizona, I stopped at the Maccas in Kayenta to see if I could get in touch with anyone. The Wifi wasn’t good enough so I carried on after using their bathroom. I did the same at Tuba City and had lunch this time but the Wifi still wasn’t good enough to contact anyone so I ate, then kept on driving.
I was in the right mood for driving the long distance, which was good. When I came into Cameron, a small intersection town on highway 89 travelling south towards Flagstaff, my worst fears happened. While going up a slight hill, the Astro lost power, just as it did when it originally died. Please no. I put my hazards on and let the car coast, but I was constantly pumping the throttle pedal trying to get some action. Eventually when I’d slowed to nearly a stop, she came back to life and drove up the hill. I was in a panic. I did not want to deal with this. I figured I’d stop to collect my thoughts and get petrol while I was at it. Maybe I’d just imagined the problem and the car had just been a little gutless going up the hill?
Filled up, I carried on and there was no sign of any issue, but I was nervous. Everything remained fine until I came into Flagstaff. I was definitely getting close to Phoenix now, this was all familiar territory. As I approached the town, I came back into phone service so that was a good sign but on another slight hill, I lost power again. I did the same as before, coming to nearly a complete stop before hitting the gas again when she came back to life. The “Service Engine Soon” light was on so I was under the assumption I had an electrical problem. “Please, just get me to Phoenix,” I chanted under my breath.
I got through Flag ok and I didn’t have to stop between here and Phoenix so I just turned my music down and willed the car to make it. I was happy when Kevin called because it had been ages since we caught up and he was also a good distraction from my predicament. He kept me company for a good hour all the way into Phoenix when I had to cut him off so I could navigate the last of the highways and get to Dan’s house. Just as we said goodbye, the Astro died again. Not good, considering I was on the highway but I put my hazards on and pulled over to the side. At least I was close enough now that worst case I could call Dan to come and give me a tow. No need, she got going again.
She died multiple times through intersections and the suburban roads and just before my last turn off, I had to climb a hill which was a major struggle. I had lost all power and she idled along up the hill at a crawl, just making it high enough so I could make the turn downhill and cruise into Dan’s driveway. I’d literally just made it.
Dan was out in the driveway working on the van so greeted me straight away. Cleo was just about as happy to see me as Dan was. He’d been expecting me to come much later at night so it was nice that I was able to surprise him. It was sweltering hot in Phoenix, I couldn’t believe he’d been working out in the heat all day. Dan’s Mum Deborah got home just as Dan was giving me the tour of his gutted van and I was happy I finally got to meet her. We all went inside for a reprieve from the hit and chatted in the kitchen a while before Dan offered me a shower which I so desperately needed.
Keen to pick up where we left off, we spent the rest of the night playing cards until I couldn’t contain my excitement for a decent night’s sleep any longer. After a couple of rounds, we went to bed on a nice soft mattress and I slept like a log.