South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by Nice_Rumble

Referred to this thread by Dwight (Kedgi) who is riding south a few days (weeks) behind you. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832336

Hope you guys get to meet up at some point. That would be fun to see two threads merge. Looks like you're having fun. Ride safe.

Hi Nice_Rumble,

Nice to have you along for the ride. And yes, would love to meet Dwight. It sounds like he is on the Pacific and I am in the Yucatan right now, but I'm sure I'll run in to him at some point.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by _cy_

John.. thanks for all the updates ... sounds like good times.

Howdy _cy_,

Your G/S would love it down here. It's my job to keep you Northeast Oklahoma boys entertained after all the kind hospitality you extended me.

I am wearing my Zombie Apocalypse Tee shirt as I type this. It is pretty gross after changing the oil and filter today and wiping my hands on it. I like to think of it as Zombie wardrobe patina.

Best,
Nebraska John

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by TUCKERS

Nice couple of days John.

Pretty flat out there eh? Stay clear of Can-Cun, nothing for you there unless you want to take a flight to Havana.

Chichen Itza and then south?

Great stuff, loving it.

Hi Señor Tucker,

I agree no need to see Can-cun. But Tulum, yes. Chichen Itza definitly. I'm on a bit of a Mayan tear right now. That Mayan mask zip tied to the number plate of the bike seems to want to turn down every freaking back road that has a pyramid sign pointing down it.

Saludos,
Juanboy

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by Cal

John
Don't miss Tulum, the Mayan's knew how to pick a spot to live when then built Tulum! When you go into the park take your traje de bano porque la playa a bajo Tulum es el mejor! You can then cross into Belise at Chetemal.

I am heading towards Tulum. I am on a new fitness workout program called sweatin' to the pyramids so its taking me a while to make it there.

I don't have a traje de bano so will have to go swimming in my long johns. Picturas to follow.

Suerte,
Juanito

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by thepackrat

Hope to do a similar trip in the next couple of years. There are decent cabanas/camping places right on the beach at Talum. From them it's a decent walk north to the ruins. Great place to swim at the ruins as well. Enjoying your reports. Paul

Hi Paul,

Glad you are enjoying the reports. Good to know about Tulum camping. I'll be sending back pics of white sandy beaches, hammocks, palm trees, and pyramids on the aqua blue waters of the Carribean pretty soon. Nice to have you along.

Best,
John Downs

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by Almost There

Great report. Finally got caught up in rainy Oregon.

Hi Almost There,

I'll be heading back to Oregon sometime after this ride is over. I prefer right after the July 4th weekend when the rains let up.

Nothing like reading ride reports of sunny beaches and far off places on a rainy afternoon in Oregon. I know I did it plenty when I lived there.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

[OldPete]

Some of your quips have a trace of M. Twain, Following The Equator (More Tramps Abroad, Titled for England).

That bald truck tire seems to have no rim.
Always a treat to see our Mexican tire guy seat beads with a poof of gasoline during roadside repairs.

edit: The pics of the temples w/o tourists present were a gift.

Thanks for keeping it real and us current.

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving JDowns!

Best Regards,
OldPete

[craftsmanjoc]

Hey JD
You probably know but for other readers, the Yucatan is full of cenotes. Actually the entire peninsula
Is like a giant rock sponge. The whole region is full of pits and underground caves. Some that are connected
For miles. The thing that makes them different is most are filled with water. Apparently if your huevos
are big enough you can scuba between them.
Anyways you can go into many of the denotes. There are a few near Telum that seem a bit touristy but for $50
a guide will take you snorkeling through the caves. Very very cool.
Happy Turkey Day

[_cy_]

Originally Posted by JDowns

Howdy _cy_,

Your G/S would love it down here. It's my job to keep you Northeast Oklahoma boys entertained after all the kind hospitality you extended me.

I am wearing my Zombie Apocalypse Tee shirt as I type this. It is pretty gross after changing the oil and filter today and wiping my hands on it. I like to think of it as Zombie wardrobe patina.

Best,
Nebraska John

can't wait until it's my turn ... yup the G/S will be heading that way too.

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by OldPete

Some of your quips have a trace of M. Twain, Following The Equator (More Tramps Abroad, Titled for England).

That bald truck tire seems to have no rim.
Always a treat to see our Mexican tire guy seat beads with a poof of gasoline during roadside repairs.

edit: The pics of the temples w/o tourists present were a gift.

Thanks for keeping it real and us current.

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving JDowns!

Best Regards,
OldPete

Hi OldPete,

I totally forgot about Thanksgiving. It's funny how you lose touch after a few thousand miles. Its Thursday tomorrow so I assume that must be it. The only thing I saw today that vaguely resembled turkeys were some vultures feasting on carrion in the middle of the road. Oh, and a couple peacocks on the side of the road were vaguely reminiscent of turkeys.

Tacos and tortillas are probably the only T food I'll be eating tomorrow.

I am thankful though.

Suerte,
Juanito

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by craftsmanjoc

Hey JD
You probably know but for other readers, the Yucatan is full of cenotes. Actually the entire peninsula
Is like a giant rock sponge. The whole region is full of pits and underground caves. Some that are connected
For miles. The thing that makes them different is most are filled with water. Apparently if your huevos
are big enough you can scuba between them.
Anyways you can go into many of the denotes. There are a few near Telum that seem a bit touristy but for $50
a guide will take you snorkeling through the caves. Very very cool.
Happy Turkey Day

Thanks. Okay, so I need some swimming apparel. It's becoming clear.

Saludos,
Juan

[godad]

Hello John,I have watched your ride with great intertest since we met Sunday morning at Roll The Bones. I was one of the two 650l`s you spoke with. If you find yourself in Tulum I would like to recomend Xel-Ha. Its a beautiful lazy river with clean, clear water - very relaxing. Enjoy.

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by godad

Hello John,I have watched your ride with great intertest since we met Sunday morning at Roll The Bones. I was one of the two 650l`s you spoke with. If you find yourself in Tulum I would like to recomend Xel-Ha. Its a beautiful lazy river with clean, clear water - very relaxing. Enjoy.

Hi godad,

Yes I remember you. I look forward to visiting Xel-ha and figuring out how to pronounce it.

Will make a point of posting pics of the river with me in it wearing my spankin' traje de baño jams as a special favor.

Best,
Mayan Juan

[Idahosam]

Originally Posted by craftsmanjoc

Hey JD
You probably know but for other readers, the Yucatan is full of cenotes. Actually the entire peninsula
Is like a giant rock sponge. The whole region is full of pits and underground caves. Some that are connected
For miles. The thing that makes them different is most are filled with water. Apparently if your huevos
are big enough you can scuba between them.
Anyways you can go into many of the denotes. There are a few near Telum that seem a bit touristy but for $50
a guide will take you snorkeling through the caves. Very very cool.
Happy Turkey Day

I concur, Splurge a little, this is worth the time. I went to Dos Ojos about 5 to 7 miles north of Tulum Cost me 400 Pesos the guy provided me with everything including a wetsuit. Guided me through about an 1 and 20 minutes... AWESOME.

http://www.cenotedosojos.com/

I was in Palenque on Turkey day last year and I noticed the patch work of repairs but seeing it through your trained eyes.

When you get to Tulum it's kinda expensive I rode almost to the end towards Punta Allen before I found something affordable. but Oh My that beautiful turquoise sea.

[JDowns]

Originally Posted by Idahosam

I concur, Splurge a little, this is worth the time. I went to Dos Ojos about 5 to 7 miles north of Tulum Cost me 400 Pesos the guy provided me with everything including a wetsuit. Guided me through about an 1 and 20 minutes... AWESOME.

http://www.cenotedosojos.com/

I was in Palenque on Turkey day last year and I noticed the patch work of repairs but seeing it through your trained eyes.

When you get to Tulum it's kinda expensive I rode almost to the end towards Punta Allen before I found something affordable. but Oh My that beautiful turquoise sea.

Okay Idahosam,

Dos Ojos it is after a swim in Xel-ha. It looks like I will be transitioning from Pyramid aerobics to aqua-aerobics in the next few days as soon as I get some swim trunks. I'll spend the money and report back. I owe it to all my devoted sponsors to report back with pics to keep them entertained until their next big ride.

Have you left Idaho yet?

Saludos,
Juanito