ATV Adventures (Night 3)

Chapter 3: You've Got to be Kidding!

(or "How Many Times Can One ATV Break?")

Last night, we headed to the beach, secure in the knowledge that we had a new battery in the ATV and there was no imminent threat of rain. It was a very dull night, overall, always an appreciated state when turtles refuse to show up. Well, relatively dull. Three bored researchers can always find something to entertain themselves at midnight on the beach. 

Lindsey trying out the sheet-sail method of
entertainment on our very windy beach.

In my defense, there really is nothing to
do on that beach and Robyn started it!

At 4 am, we loaded the ATV and prepared to leave. The ATV, helpfully, started right up and we headed out on the road, planning to make a brief stop to check a potential nest site outside our monitored stretch of beach. We drove for five minutes, stopped, and hopped off.

After poking in the bushes for a little, we marked the potential nest site and climbed back onto the ATV. It was only then that it refused to start. Why the ATV insists on quitting right after a very brief rest is beyond me but it's certainly beginning to get annoying. Tonight, however, the solution wasn't as simple as towing the ATV back. Tonight was Chel's night off and Gene, another BICA worker, was on the beach with us instead. He drives a small scooter. 

Is this supposed to be attached
to something???

We poked around inside the ATV for a time. The methods tried this time included pushing the ATV, rocking the ATV, reconnecting various wires to the battery and each other, and tapping with a machete. Now just a note, if you're a person who happens to regularly ride, own, or repair ATVs, don't laugh at these methods. They are, in fact, all things that have worked on our third-world used and abused machines. Finally, we gave up and once again pushed the ATV off the road and walked out. 

Gene trying to fix our ATV.

What, you've never pushed an ATV with a scooter?
What do you do on your summer breaks?

Lindsey and Robyn on the hike out,
take 3.

So, once again, it's time to call in the rental shop owner and maybe this time get a permanent fix on that ridiculous machine. We're getting awfully tired of walking out through the mud. Stay tuned just in case the saga keeps going. I'm sure the stories will be good!