Robert and Nina
Names and ages:
Robert Blackwell 62, Nina Blackwell 61
Hometown:
Washington, south of seattle
When did you start your travels?
March 2009
Reason for taking this trip
It was a long term plan. Started with a plan to explore the US and Canada and grew from there
Why did you decide to drive?
Was always a driving trip. We have traveled other parts of the world by bus/train
What type of car are you driving?
Our vehicle was a Provan Tiger. This is a small motorhome built on a 4x4 Chev Silverado. The manufacturers website is www.tigermotohomes.com. www.travelin-tortuga.com is a website of another couple that have travel the americas in a similar vehicle.
Did you make any modifications to your car for this trip?
In some sense the motorhome is already a modification. However we added a tire carrier at the fron and a carrier at the rear so that we could carry a second spare tire, additional fuel and a local-country propane tank.
How did you save up or finance your trip?
We are retired so we are already living on savings. We spent less money per month on the trip than we do at home.
How long do you plan on traveling?
Our Americas trip is over. We spent 19 months on the road and traveled 60,000 miles
Where do you plan on driving?
See the map on our website. Alaska, Canada,US,Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolvia
What were your family’s and friends’ reactions when you told them about your trip before you left?
Interested and a bit nervous for us.
Did you speak Spanish before you left your home country? How much Spanish? Are you taking more Spanish lessons as you travel? If so, where and for how long?
We spoke no spanish before leaving and we only learned a little. We each did a one week course. Nina did hers in Quito and I did mine in LaPaz. One week intensive is too much too fast. Try doing a course BEFORE you depart and do it over an extended period like 6 months. The more spanish you know the better time you will have
Do you have a favorite place or country that you have visited during your trip? Peru, Bolivia
What was the weirdest thing you experienced on your trip?
Two answers - one serious. In the camping ground in Puerto Deseado, AR Nina was attacked by a man with a knife while she was naked in the shower one morning. She eventually escaped with only minor injuries. There after she never went to a show building without I accompanied her. This together with stories we heard from other travelers convinced us that the more tourists an area had the more dangerous it was.
We had lots of experiences of hospitality, like the old women in Armenia, CO who saw us parked in her street so invited us in for breakfast.
What was the worst border crossing?
Mexico to Guatemala on the way south. Generally central american borders were more difficult than south america.
Do you have any advice for others who may be considering driving the Americas?
yes lots, see our website. But the most important points are: a) do it!! b) learn some spanish
Would you do it again? yes - we probably will a new plan is already forming.
Do you have a blog or a website describing your trip? www.whiteacorn.com
