A bad day fishing....

Sometimes a bad day fishing is BAD. Yesterday we headed out for the mouth of the Inland Sea with friends, including our computer geek friend, Tarek, of whom we are slightly fond. We all met to have breakfast at Kudu in the Hyatt Plaza mall down the road....steak, eggs, toast, hash browns, OJ and coffee is 15 QR ($4.12 USD). The steak is sliced up in small strips because it is the same steak they use in their subs but it is DE-lish! We love it! Of course, it is better for a diabetic like me to skip the pancakes, but once in a while I think I deserve one or two and they are darn good there. Anyway, Tarek didn't realize our fishing methods....he thought we were going somewhere nearby and taking a boat, no clue that we drive so far south, almost all the way to Saudi Arabia, to go fishing! He waited until we were almost there to ask what time we thought we would be home. He had to read the news at 8:00. Ah ha!! AND he didn't bring swimming trunks, not realizing I guess, that we swim and that the fishing requires a little wading into the surf. He solved that by cutting his pants off at the knees. Very resourceful young man!

In any case, to make a long story short (because I am tired and really don't want to relive the day too much), we did a little fishing (no catching of fish though) and we swam a little, found a few shells, caught a little sunshine....and as we headed back to be closer to the Coast Guard station where we head back through the dunes, the sand was soft and we all struggled to make it through. Suddenly, as Nelson downshifted to make it through a soft patch, the clutch went all the way to the floor and STAYED there. Nelson looked up and said, "Is that smoke?" And it was smoke, coming from under the hood. We jumped out and as we realized the smoke was not from steam but from FIRE, Tarek and I grabbed important things like wallets and purses and my book and started tossing them out, while Nelson scrambled to find the fire extinguisher. By the time our traveling companions came back to help, the fire was out and the Jeep was a goner. Wires melted everywhere, no saving it now. So, now we have to wonder, how the hell do you haul a dead jeep 30 km through the dunes to a main road? Tarek made several phone calls to find out what one does with a dead jeep on the beach, on the other side of the desert. Apparently no one knows and mostly, people just leave such things where they die. I imagine that would be a hefty fine! Tarek discovered that it would cost us around 2000QR ($550 USD) to get it hauled out (assuming no one came along and stripped it of its almost new tires and any other useful items in the meantime). It was our good fortune to once again meet a pair of fellows who had stopped earlier to help us push Phillip (Nettie's boyfriend) out of the sand. They agreed to take the Jeep, haul it and part it out. We exchanged information and the deal was made. Nelson was very sad to leave his old Jeep out there, but I reminded him that it's better than having to shoot a horse with a broken leg. Phillip called colleagues who were spending the day at the Inland Sea, who came and picked us up. There simply was not enough room in Phillips Pajero for 3 adults and our cooler, and various and sundry STUFF, including a box of horseshoes and Nelson's bumper anvil. Phillip's friends led the caravan out through the dunes, up and down the dunes, it was fabulous although a couple of times, I gripped Nelson's arm a bit hard. It was a new experience, for sure. But the dunes themselves (some scalloped as if sculpted, some pointed like pyramids) were gorgeous as was the view of the water from the top of some of them!
We made it home in one piece, a little worn out and a little bummed. But, no one was hurt. That is the important thing. Perhaps next fall we can buy a better SUV, a little newer.....Nelson suspects that a gas line broke and sprayed or leaked on the exhaust. It was a freak thing and could have happened to anyone (not really...it is EXACTLY the kind of thing that happens to US!). :) We are mostly bummed that some of our activities will now be curtailed unless we are able to catch a ride with others. We had planned to pit crew at the last endurance ride of the season next weekend, maybe spend the night and go fishing in the morning (Endurance Village is VERY near where we go fishing, or at least the entrance to the desert).
In any case, I have 3 weeks left of teaching. Thank God. This is the time of year when students and teachers start getting fed up with each other. Exams are coming and then that 3 or 4 week wait after before I can leave for home. Nelson is coming home about 3 weeks early ahead of me. I can't afford to take the time off and I MAY have an IELTS prep course to teach. I really hope so. It might help us towards another SUV. :)
Keep in touch. Write when you can. We miss home and a note from home is always welcome. God bless!!
Maggie