Road Trip? How About Patagonia To Alaska In Two Years?

Welcome to Alaska. All photos from americasenlimo Facebook page

Launching on a major road trip over two years ago, Lucas Cardena and Florencia Bratovich left their home in Patagonia, Argentina heading for Alaska. If a road trip of roughly 30,000 miles isn’t enough, they set out on their trip in a 1989 Cadillac Limo. One of GM’s finest when it was first built, but over twenty-years later, the stretch limo had a lot of… er…well…experience.

They left Patagonia on February 23, 2012 in the customized limo. The couple, Lucas Cardenas (35) and Florencia Bratovich (27), customized the limo with a bed, sink and stove, along with a plan to ride and live in the vehicle till they got to Alaska.

The plan was to go wherever the road takes them. No planned routes, no cell phones, no watches. In short, they didn’t set an itinerary, just a direction – North.

The pair documented and cataloged their travels on a website,  America sin limites (America without limits), and on social media, https://www.facebook.com/americasenlimo, where they made new friends that followed their path each step of the way.

The limo in Peru.

According to Lucas, he had dreamed about the trip long before embarking on the journey. “I dreamed for 20 years, chatted with Flower (Florencia) for a year and once the decision we took only 6 months to prepare everything. Starting with $700, but today we know that we could have started with zero or millions, it is irrelevant. On a long trip it is important to have the ability to make money on the road.”

The couple made money along the way by selling copies of their self-published book, and framed photos of attractions and spectacular scenery that they’ve photographed along the way. “We were selling photos and a book chronicling this adventure, which was growing by the day and even presented at two international fairs (Ecuador and Guatemala). All we need was to make money to get to the next town. There we had to start again and it was so hundreds of times over 17 countries.”

Welcome to Columbia.

Asked about their choice in vehicles, Lucas explained how they came to the conclusion that a GM Limo was the right move. “We had used a rental company limo for events and we didn’t feel we had the time to postpone the trip and start looking for a motorhome. This was the old lady who had, and always had, a special affection (with us) because it was a car with a lot of history. We modified the interior adding a double bed, a kitchenette and cupboard – So we created the first limo-home and set forward to the North Pole! Today we celebrate having that innocence because thanks to the limo, the trip was amazing.”

Cadillac Ranch in Texas.

There was a lot to experience and a lot to learn along the way. The unusual sight of a Cadillac limo draws admirers and the curious. The pair got used to waking up each morning with a crowd of spectators outside. “Every morning we wake up to faces,” Cardenas said.

The limo’s engine had to be replaced in Los Angeles – which as they found out – was a great place to find rare auto parts. They found a used engine on Craiglist, purchased it and replaced the worn out old engine.

“The best time is when you manage to cut all the strings and pay attention to your heart. The day you take charge of your destiny and you become a free human being. That is the best day ever,” he explained.

In Hollywood and in need of a new engine.

Cardenas explained more of the trip’s philosophical learning. “The greatest learning is what people gave us. We never were alone, literally. Before starting one imagines driving long hours in the middle of nowhere, but the reality of traveling is very different. We struggled to find minutes alone. People joined us, helped us and we stayed in each of the 17 countries, beyond all cultural, religious and language differences. Without their help we would still be in Chubut. A smile opens many doors.”

Canadian welcome for the Limo.

When asked if they would do another trip like this, Cardenas quickly responded. “Where do I sign? Sure! Today there are hundreds of travelers following the same path but the difference in our case is the limo that was, is and will be the main character of this adventure. If people do not scream in horror when they hear the accounts in which vehicle traveled, then you have not chosen well.”

Finally in Alaska.

For more information on the great journey of Lucas and Florencia, visit their website www.americasinlimites.com or Facebook page .

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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