BELIZE TREK '97
The Allen Family had only a vague notion of what lay ahead as we gathered in the parking lot of Phipps Plaza in Atlanta in July of 1997.  Recently rebuilt to questionable standards and grossly overladened with gear, Nell - our Series III Land Rover,  was to be the only non-modern Land Rover leaving Atlanta for Belize.  Here Richard Geddes looks over Nell with a dubious eye.  Few of our friends who set off that day gave us much of a chance of completing the 8000 mile round trip through the southern USA, Mexico and Belize.
Right: 
A Mexican Border Guard gives directions.  It took the entire day to process over 25 Land Rovers through the US - Mexico border.



Below: 
Well into Mexico,  the heat was constantly over 100 degrees. 

The occasional stop along the highway gave us a few minutes of relaxation.
We made it over through Texas despite the strain on the aging four cylinder engine, which had to keep up with Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders. 

At a camp site in Larado, Texas we re-pack and make last minute preparations before entering Mexico the following day.

The heat was already hovering over 100 degrees at mid-day.  A ten dollar fan and gallons of water kept us going.
After a week of hard travel we were a pretty ragged looking bunch. 



Left:
Ian Allen, mechanic Frank Delahan and Randy Tuggle.


Below:
Tom at the Mexico - Belize border after driving 36 hours straight.
After a few days rest and relaxaion (that means lots of Belikin Beer) Mark Ritter is sufficiently recovered join the group in admiring a local Camel Trophy Discovery belonging to Bill McKenzie of Belize City.





Behind Mark is Nell, who not only made it to Belize,  but made it home to Atlanta a few weeks later.
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