Central America venture leaves memories aplenty

Jim Jaillet has one major passion – travel.

“I’m a Sagittarius,” he says, “and we love to travel.”

Jaillet left home at 17 and joined the U.S. Navy to see the world.

“It’s the pull of new horizons,” he admits during a telephone conversation from an RV park in Cottonwood, Ariz.

Jaillet, 66, acquired his first RV in 1962, a converted International panel truck tagged “The Weekend Wanderer.”

In 1995 he sold his Olympia real estate business and hit the road full time.

Today he trundles around in a modest 1983 23 1/2 -foot Suncrest class A.

Jaillet selected that particular rig before striking out in 2004 on his longest RV trip – 11,000 miles through Mexico and Central America to the other side of Panama and back.

“I wanted a rig with an engine that I could work on,” he recalls. “I knew the roads were going to be rough and I didn’t want anything fancy.”

During their six months in Central America, he and his caravanning buddy, Bud Kuball of Las Vegas, saw no other RVs.

While no major disasters happened during their travels, there were a few minor incidents, including being robbed four times and destroying his rig’s engine beyond his ability to repair.

“We were a couple of days’ travel north of Guatemala and I had to be towed into Oaxaca, Mexico,” he says.

“It took two months to get a new engine. Fortunately we were ‘stuck’ in one of the most beautiful areas of the entire trip.”

He adds: “Had that accident occurred in Central America, chances are I would have had to abandon my rig down there.”

After Jaillet arrived back in the States, friends encouraged him to publish a book about his adventures.

“The truth of the matter is,” he says, “when we went down there was nothing, zero, available about RVing in Central America,” he says.

“People need to know that they can go to Central America and have a wonderful time,” says Jaillet.

“But, it is a different ball game than Mexico,” he adds. “It is somewhat more dangerous. However, with planning along with some basic caution and common sense, you can go and return with incredible memories.”

Start your planning here

There are a number of guidebooks on Mexico and Central America. Here are a few geared to RVing and camping.

•”Panama or Bust: A 343 day adventure in a motorhome,” 2005, by Jim Jaillet (Jim Jaillet, $19.95, 288 pages, paperback). This is a day-by-day journal that describes the 11,122 mile adventure through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama with 14 border crossings.

•”Central America: The New RVing Frontier: How to take an RV into Mexico and Central America, enjoy countless cultural experiences and return alive,” 2006, by Jim Jaillet (Jim Jaillet, $19.95, 193 pages, paperback), www.panamaorbust.com.This is in a practical, question-and-answer format.

•”99 Days to Panama: An Exploration of Central America by Motorhome,” 2005, by John and Harriet Halkyard (Brindle Press, $24.95, 352 pages, paperback). The Halkyards traveled with their dog to Panama and have pages of up-to-date useful information on their Web site: www.99daystopanama.com.

•”Travelers Guide to Mexican Camping: Explore Mexico and Belize with RV or Tent,” Third Edition 2005, by Mike and Terri Church (Rolling Homes Press, $21.95, 512 pages, 250 maps, paperback), www.rollinghomes.com.

•”Central America on a Shoestring,” Fifth Edition 2004, by Robert Reid (Lonely Planet Publications, $23.99, 804 pages, 123 maps, paperback), www.lonelyplanet.com.

RV caravan to Panama

If you want to join a guided RV trip to Central America check out Adventure Caravans headquartered in Livingston, Texas.

There is a 78-day excursion leaving from Texas for Central America and the Panama Canal each January. The company currently is taking reservations for the 2008 trip.

Costs run about $7,900 for two; $6,600 solo. The Web site states that this trip is for the “Adventurer at heart.” The roads are poor in some areas. Cost does not cover fuel, insurance, tolls or border crossing fees of between $500 and $600 per rig.

For details call (800) 872-7897; www.adventurecaravans.com.

Wheel question

Pat and Roy Scott of Spokane sent in an e-mail asking about private party RV rentals.

“In the 1980s we lived on the West Side and rented a motor home from a private party. Are there still people who rent their motor homes and don’t charge per mile? I’ve looked in the Seattle Times and found nothing. We can’t find anything here either. I would appreciate any help.”

If you have suggestions for the Scotts, please call (509) 459-5435 or send an e-mail to juliannec@spokesman.com and I’ll pass the information along.