Friday, December 23, 2005:
7AM - Moving back to our bottom Camp.
Reader Charles wrote yesterday that maybe something is interfering with our Datastorm transmissions. Since the Datastorm only started having problems when we moved to the top of the hill to our present Camp, we decided to return and see if the Datastorm works below. Unfortunately, when we went to level out, our right rear leveling jack nut broke?! Wow! There seem to be a lot of challenges lately.
8AM - Breakfast Camped in a level place off Highway No1.
After we removed the broken leveling jack, we moved down to a lot where we had made a camp before. It is pretty level here and the Sea of Cortez is only a few feet away. After leveling out, Mr. Datastorm went up to see if this location would be better than the one at the top of the hill. Mr. Datastorm did not see any improvement. All of his tests to pass isolation and get online have failed. We now are wondering if perhaps our SatMex5 satellite may be having problems for users trying to pass isolation?
10AM - Going to get a propane fillup.
We have decided to return to our top of the hill Camp, that has such a good view. But first we are going to get a propane fillup at the station about 6 miles north of Santa Rosalia. We had just started out, when we saw a fellow with a huge backup and a gallon water bottle looking for a ride, and we stopped and picked him up. His name is Hugo, from Belgium, a very pleasant young man. His English is excellent. We took Hugo north to the GasPasa propane station, and took the pic below. Immediately afterwards, we asked a construction truck driver if Hugo could ride with him, and the driver said yes!!
 Hugo from Belgium at the GasPasa station.
11AM - Back at our hilltop Camp.
The GasPasa propane place was out of gas. We are OK with propane for a few more days, so MsTioga drove back to our hilltop Camp. Mr. Datastorm tried one more time without success. We are preparing this post, and saving it. Then Ms. GQ (our laptop) and I will go down to the Internet Cafe and post to you.
Dealing with Challenges.
Doesn't it seem like The Team has had more than our share of challenges over the past few months? However, there are sooooo many things going right, why should we focus on the things going wrong? We have the Internet Cafe for posting, and expect that Mr. Datastorm will soon be his old self again. Just a matter of time, right?
Looking for the Amelia Mine, some thoughts.
One of the confusing things about our Amelia Mine search exploration, is that we are unable to locate the railroad grade. Since the ore crushing factory and smelter are still here, although rusting away, it seems that the old grade should be visible. When we ask about the grade, we have been told that it was destroyed. However, we believe that a road is almost impossible to destroy. Once it is made, some signs must be visible. We will keep looking.
However, we will not be looking for a few days. Yesterday's 20 kilometer bike ride up into the mountains has taken its toll. Last nite leg cramps came from being a bit dehydrated. After drinking about two liters of water during the nite, things seem to be better.
3PM - Mr. Datastorm is back online! 
We just got back from visiting the Cafe Internet, visiting friends around El Centro, and lugging a 2.8 liter bottle of apple juice up the hill to MsTioga. When we came inside, Mr. Datastorm said, "Give me another chance, OK?"
There are four blue lights on Mr. Datastorm's 6000 modem. All four must be lit in order to go online. Lately, the transmitting blue light only flickers. This time the transmitting blue light was working hard. Could this be the time? All of a sudden the fourth blue light came on!! Everybody on The Team was screaming with delight for Mr. Datastorm. And Mr. Datastorm is so happy, you would NOT believe!
Mr. Datastorm wants all of you who want to buy your own Datastorm but have been having doubts because of our recent problems to know something. Sometimes the satellites have problems. Remember that we are sending a signal out into space more than 22,000 miles. Then that signal gets sent back to earth and to the DirecWay Network Operations Center (NOC). Then the signal goes out into the internet. All this happens in a second or so. This is an amazing technological feat. But it works nearly all of the time. The Datastorm system is a magnificent system for your RV. Have faith, OK? Buy it! You will love it.
Late afternoon on our hill.
Just below my Hill Camp is a small neighborhood. People are always working down there. Fixing their homes, building something. People below me walk to the markets in El Centro, turning right past the historic French Hotel, walking the stone paved street, and then decending the stairs near the hospital.
This afternoon is a wonderful time for me. I have decided to make this Hill Camp my home for the winter. Only today this decision was made. Now, I am enjoying this place. The sounds of music drift up, Mexican ballad music. Roosters are crowing, lots of roosters. Those vulture like birds, scavengers, are forever gliding; wonderful gliders.
Does it get any better than this? Hmmmm?
 
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TiogaRV Team Mission
To share the vagabonding life with our fellow RVers like yourself. We hope that you will try to boondock and dry camp.
We have found great joy in camping away from the RV Campground. We would like you to try our camping life style yourself.
Sharing with you our Daily Adventure is our way of encouraging you to try to camp as we do.
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