Monday 13 Feb, Loreto, Mex

It was a cooler morning at first.  Rob dragged his chair down to the beach for a little view and sunshine while reading his book and enjoying his coffee. Bella and I joined him and pretty soon John, Lori and their dogs were with us as well.  We visited for a bit and then decided we better figure something out about our slide.
This RV park as villas and big storage garages in it.  There were two men at one of the garages that was open and they were tinkering in.  I told Rob they must be here full time and perhaps they know someone who could help us with the slide.
As it turns out, there is a man here in the park that does it and a bunch of other stuff.  The took Rob to him.
His name is Dan and he is from Canada.  He crawled underneath it with Rob and checked this and poked that.  They had me push the "in" button and the "out' button and he explained to Rob how it was "supposed" to work.  He also showed Rob what was wrong with it and explained to him what needed to be done.  He had to many jobs going right now so couldn't do the work himself, but explained to Rob what and how and said he's be back to help check on him from time to time.
So, Rob got to work and was soon joined by John and Bob and they started taking things apart.

I really don't know what these pictures are showing exactly.  I do know that there are two brackets that hold the drive tube on.  They were both tweaked and there was a bolt missing from the drive tube.  One bracket they had to unbolt and take off.  Then take a bolt out of the other to release the tube.  
Once things were disconnected they were able to manually slide the kitchen slide out.  That was nice.
Then they had to take the skirting and a panel off the other side to get the tubing out.  After that, Rob had to use a grinder to grind off the other bracket that was welded on.  At last it was free and everything was removed.
Dan came by and whisked Rob off to a machine shop to have one bracket straightened, another one made, and a new bolt made. 

Meanwhile, Lori and I made breakfast for everyone.  We had fruit salad (just fresh fruit cut up and thrown together) we had yogurt and she made a egg dish of peppers, onions, eggs and and meat that she gets packaged down here.  It was all scrambled together and we made it into burritos.  It was super yummy.
Unfortunately, it was just as it was all ready that Dan came and got Rob and took him away.  So, I made him a couple burritos for when he got back.
It was a lovely, yummy breakfast.
Rob was not gone for long, maybe an hour or so?!  He had all the parts and pieces and got under and put on the straightened bracket.  About 15 min later, the man from the machine shop arrived and welded the other bracket back on.  Lickety split, maybe 15 min.  Rob was so grate fun and asked how much we owed him.  He said 700 Pesos.  700 for making the new bracket, the new bolt to fit the drive tube, coming out and welding it on.  Rob said not enough and gave him 1000.  That, for all that he did, was only $50. US dollars.  Amazing!
So, Rob, John and Bob got busy and put it all back together and WOW!! It worked like a champ.  The only bad thing is we do not know why it tweaked in the first place, but for now it is fixed and happy.
But....let's reiterate! We had a non-functioning slide with bent brackets and missing bolts. And in one day, for $50. and not having to tow or move or anything.  We had parts straightened, manufactured, welded and reinstalled to perfectly working order.  Back in the states it probably would have cost us over a thousand dollars, they would have probably have had to order parts, on, and on, and on.  Amazing.
Unfortunately, while working under there Rob knocked a flashlight down that bonked him in his forehead and later (because he didn't wash his face afterward) got a little piece of metal in his eye.  We worked and flushed trying to get it out and finally went to Urgent care.  While waiting to see the doctor he finally got it out without scratching the cornea and we left.
We found the grocery store that had an ATM machine and had to wait for about 30 minutes, in line, while armed guards guarded the man who was filling the two machines.  Finally, we were both able to get more Pesos.  
We went to find this Rattlesnake IPA that Rob likes and it turned out we had to go the the brewery itself so Rob bought a growler.  I went to a nearby cafe and had a margarita while waiting for him and we enjoyed so chips and guac.
We came back to camp and Rob went for a run.  He really needed to unwind.
We sat with the group, Pam, Bob, John, Lori, the dogs and I and had a cocktail waiting for Rob.  He came back showered and joined us, as did another couple from Canada.
And then Lori, Pam and I got busy.  I fixed a green salad, prepped some zucchini for grilling and as well as peppers, onions and celery for grilling as well.  They both fixed chicken for the Barbies.  
We had dueling (3) Barbies going and 2 fire pits and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and the evening until bedtime.  It is really nice being here with good friends.