Thanks to everyone who sent a back a note. It’s a joy to write this when we know that folks are reading it and some are even inspired to do this trip someday as well. That’s how I came to doing this-by reading about others when I was a teenager, so on we’ll go happily blogging away as often as we have something worthy to say.

Pictures of our last few weeks will hopefully become available in two or three more weeks. We’re in such a remote spot that all we can do is send text via our short-wave radio. We need internet for more extensive stuff like photos. We’ll likely be back on the grid in a couple or so more weeks.

Jon, thanks for the engine tips. You bet I’m watching the exhaust smoke like a hawk. It’s clean as a whistle so far after 25 hours. The oil is amazingly clean as well. I changed it along with the fuel when I though it might have been contaminated as well. The engine is actually running better than ever. The injector pump overhaul must have been needed as we’re running smoother than I remember. The only bother is a slight diesel leak from somewhere. About a tablespoon in five hours, so more a bother than a problem. I’ve checked all the lines but no moisture. I suspect it’s the #4 injector. I tightened the hold down nuts on it and #3 today. The bolts went about another 1/4 turn, so maybe that will solve the issue. Hard to know how much to turn as I don’t have a torque wrench(That’s going on the list!) and don’t want to over torque especially since they are just studs coming out of the block

Again, thanks all for the notes! Ann and I appreciated hearing from you all!

S/V Charisma