Preparing to drive the Pan-American Highway from California to Argentina in a motorhome with 5 kids
Our red, white and blue
1972 Pace Arrow 24 foot
1972 Pace Arrow 24 foot
The original blue stripes on the sides of the white motorhome had been decorated with stick on stars of all sizes (that glowed in the dark!) Also four red stripes had been painstakingly painted above the blue strip. Very patriotic, everyone would definitely know we were from the United States. Bill was very, very proud of being an American citizen. He had come to the United States from Argentina in 1963 at 25 years of age. His first priority was to learn the language. He still says he didn’t understand the word “marriage” and didn’t know what he was getting into when he said okay.
Eight bright yellow metal storage trunks (from K-Mart) were bolted to the roof. Wedged in between the trunks were duffel bags, and lawn chairs. Even favorite toys managed to find a place to ride. There were tears and tantrums over what could go and what had to be sold at a garage sale or packed to ship later. The Lego's and Hot Wheels won and wrapped in black trash bags went with us. They found places to stuff them between the trunks etc. on the roof. A bicycle rack welded on the front held Paul's bike. His bike looked like a mini-motorcycle with its red plastic tank and fenders. This would cause us some problems and laughter along the way.
Eight bright yellow metal storage trunks (from K-Mart) were bolted to the roof. Wedged in between the trunks were duffel bags, and lawn chairs. Even favorite toys managed to find a place to ride. There were tears and tantrums over what could go and what had to be sold at a garage sale or packed to ship later. The Lego's and Hot Wheels won and wrapped in black trash bags went with us. They found places to stuff them between the trunks etc. on the roof. A bicycle rack welded on the front held Paul's bike. His bike looked like a mini-motorcycle with its red plastic tank and fenders. This would cause us some problems and laughter along the way.
The added water and gasoline tanks give us a capacity of eighty gallons of each. A public address system and CB had been installed. Bringing up the rear was a ten-foot trailer. On it were Randy’s 1977 Honda 350 and John and Gil’s bikes. Also: extra propane tanks, tents, spare tires, more trunks and 2 big red toolboxes. We looked like refugees, traveling with all their belongings to a new home. And that is what we were - refugees from the hustle and bustle of California life looking for a better lifestyle.
Inside, every cupboard, seat and compartment had something packed in, on, around or under it. They were packed with such essentials as: cases of Coco Puffs, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Jiffy brand stove-top popcorn, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter and jelly, paper goods (toilet paper and paper towels), medicine and lots of spare parts. Can’t forget the TV, the Pong and Atari video games. John McClung’s contribution was a case of home made beer, compliments of one of his friends. It sat in one of the under floor side loading compartments just waiting to add a little excitement to our lives. Shoved wherever there was room were: hoses, shovels, picks, an ax, and rope for emergencies. Fully loaded, we weighed 18,500 pounds; the trailer added another 7500 pounds.
Friends who had recently returned from Argentina suggested a few things that we could take with us to sell there. Luckily our next-door neighbor was in the sporting goods business and had a garage sale just before we were ready to leave. Water skies, ski jackets, tennis rackets, tennis balls by the zillions, fishing poles and rods were added to the load. A few things?
Bill had also purchased two very realistic BB guns. While showing John and Paul how to safely use them Bill put a hole in one of the living room's sliding glass doors. We kept the drapes closed and hoped the Realtor wouldn't notice.
Hidden away deep down, under all the other stuff, and out of sight, were a real rifle and two real handguns. When I asked Bill why he wanted them. He shrugged and said, “Just in case.”
That was a comforting thought. -- Just in case.
We had all the modern comforts of home in the motorhome. The microwave in the bottom of the remodeled closet. A full kitchen: oven, stove and refrigerator-freezer. The bathroom had a sink, toilet and shower squeezed into a space the size of a small closet. When you showered you could sit on the toilet and take care of two things at once. In front next to the driver’s seat was a dinette table with two bench seats. One seat could be turned toward the front for traveling. Both seats could be laid down and it became a bed at night. Across from the kitchen in the middle next to the door, a long bench seat, that could be made into a bed. It had another narrow table that stayed up during the day. There were a lot of windows so everyone could sit by one and look out. The parents of five can really appreciate this. Way in the back was another table and seat setup. We kept this made into a bed all the time. Across the front above the driver’s seat there was an overhead bunk.
All the seats and benches had been reupholstered in heavy, durable, stain resistant (dark blue, black and white plaid) fabric. To even further protect the seats we kept them covered with blue and white woven Mexican blankets. These could be taken off and washed as needed. New drapes, cream colored with blue fringed trim and lined with black--out material, covered the windows. Also covering the windows was a solar film to help cut the glare from the sun. Another benefit of the film was it allowed us to see out but people outside could not see in. As the trip progressed this produced some funny situations. The blue/green shag carpet was covered with a heavy-duty plastic runner with throw rugs on top. Easier to clean that way. The throw rugs could be shaken and washed and the plastic just swept or spot mopped.
Preparation was complete for our drive to South America
Inside, every cupboard, seat and compartment had something packed in, on, around or under it. They were packed with such essentials as: cases of Coco Puffs, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Jiffy brand stove-top popcorn, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter and jelly, paper goods (toilet paper and paper towels), medicine and lots of spare parts. Can’t forget the TV, the Pong and Atari video games. John McClung’s contribution was a case of home made beer, compliments of one of his friends. It sat in one of the under floor side loading compartments just waiting to add a little excitement to our lives. Shoved wherever there was room were: hoses, shovels, picks, an ax, and rope for emergencies. Fully loaded, we weighed 18,500 pounds; the trailer added another 7500 pounds.
Friends who had recently returned from Argentina suggested a few things that we could take with us to sell there. Luckily our next-door neighbor was in the sporting goods business and had a garage sale just before we were ready to leave. Water skies, ski jackets, tennis rackets, tennis balls by the zillions, fishing poles and rods were added to the load. A few things?
Bill had also purchased two very realistic BB guns. While showing John and Paul how to safely use them Bill put a hole in one of the living room's sliding glass doors. We kept the drapes closed and hoped the Realtor wouldn't notice.
Hidden away deep down, under all the other stuff, and out of sight, were a real rifle and two real handguns. When I asked Bill why he wanted them. He shrugged and said, “Just in case.”
That was a comforting thought. -- Just in case.
We had all the modern comforts of home in the motorhome. The microwave in the bottom of the remodeled closet. A full kitchen: oven, stove and refrigerator-freezer. The bathroom had a sink, toilet and shower squeezed into a space the size of a small closet. When you showered you could sit on the toilet and take care of two things at once. In front next to the driver’s seat was a dinette table with two bench seats. One seat could be turned toward the front for traveling. Both seats could be laid down and it became a bed at night. Across from the kitchen in the middle next to the door, a long bench seat, that could be made into a bed. It had another narrow table that stayed up during the day. There were a lot of windows so everyone could sit by one and look out. The parents of five can really appreciate this. Way in the back was another table and seat setup. We kept this made into a bed all the time. Across the front above the driver’s seat there was an overhead bunk.
All the seats and benches had been reupholstered in heavy, durable, stain resistant (dark blue, black and white plaid) fabric. To even further protect the seats we kept them covered with blue and white woven Mexican blankets. These could be taken off and washed as needed. New drapes, cream colored with blue fringed trim and lined with black--out material, covered the windows. Also covering the windows was a solar film to help cut the glare from the sun. Another benefit of the film was it allowed us to see out but people outside could not see in. As the trip progressed this produced some funny situations. The blue/green shag carpet was covered with a heavy-duty plastic runner with throw rugs on top. Easier to clean that way. The throw rugs could be shaken and washed and the plastic just swept or spot mopped.
Preparation was complete for our drive to South America
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