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Off with his HAIR! East Cape of Baja
The sun is hot. I am fair skinned. I am balding. Not a good combination. I don't have enough hair to block the sun, but do have enough hair that I can not glob on the sun block. Easily fixed, shave it off! So I did. First time I have been this short, and it actually looks pretty damn good if I do say so my self!

My good friend joined me in Mexico for a few days of sun and fun, and we raced up the 4 lane highway of death and arrived in Todos Santos, scene of my victory on the battle field for Spanish Supremacy! Our days were spent shopping in the little town, surfing at Cerritos and San Pedrito, attending mass at the little church on Good Friday, eating, drinking and relaxing by the little pool.
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One afternoon we headed to La Posa (the lagoon) in Todos Santos where the waves break right on the beach. These bad boys are 5 to 8 feet high, and will sweep you out to sea then smack you back on to the beach. I played chicken with the waves like we used to do in Cali (ehem) years ago. Very fun. Check out the pics!

We headed up to La Paz for one night, which is the largest city in Baja at 170,000 people and sits on a beautiful lagoon that feeds the Sea of Cortez on... Continues...

The Magic of Montana
Bozeman Montana:

Population: 35,000
Truck Owners: 30,000
Gun Owners: 25,000
Hunters: 20,000
Skiiers: 15,000
Average Commute time: 10 min

Thats about all there is to do in Bozeman.

Some random experiences in Bozeman from the week I was there include meeting some of the nicest people in America. There were a lot of 'how are you?', 'nice to see you' and 'have a nice day!' from total strangers. It was very refreshing.


The pumpkin farm was having a special that gave fathers 2 for 1 white pumpkins if they came before 5. 'Better leave work a little earlier than usual today folks' said the radio announcement. EARLIER THAN USUSAL? Yes, they actually work 9 - 5 here!!! AMAZING!

Two men were arrested over the weekend for cleaning a deer carcass....IN THE LOCAL CAR WASH!!!!!!

RightNow Technologies is the largest employer in Bozeman with just over 600 employees. Only Montana State University employs more.

Greg, the CEO of RightNow moved his family here in the early 90's to raise his 4 kids in a nice and clean environment. After a few years of retirement, he got restless and coded a piece of software that now brings in over $100 M in annual revenue.

The... Continues...
Random thoughts and stats from the trip!
Stats:

115 travel days, 40 take offs and landings, 22,324 miles flown, 2,600 miles driven, 15,200 feet peak reached, 110 feet underwater dive, 5 continents visited, 8 oceans snorkeled, 14 visa stamps, 40 cities walked, 47 different beds slept in, 33 addresses exchanged, 6 one time email exchanges, 3 multiple exchanges, 5 books read, 7 pounds lost, 8 pounds gained, 3 police traffic stops, 2 tickets, no arrests.

One 45 liter (4 day) back pack, 3 pairs of shoes, 5 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of underware, three pairs of pants, two pairs walking shorts, one pair running shorts, one pair board shorts, 4 shirts, toilette kit, electronic kit, miscellaneous kit; 13 Kilos or about 22 pounds.

One shoulder bag, travel Sony Vaio laptop, Canon Digital SLR Camera, Sony compact digital camera, passport and travel wallet, two books, iPod (until fatal drop from balcony in Malta!) and various DVDs; 4 Kilos or about 12 pounds. One note book lost with important info and numbers….lost on LAST day of trip…

Random Observations and lessons learned:

Travel light. Get SKYPE and keep in touch. You are never too old to surf. Vegemite tastes better with toothpaste. With 25,000KM of open road,... Continues...
Family Matters! The mission of a life time
As mentioned in the earlier blog, Cayman is only 500 miles from Cuba, and Cayman Air offers daily flights to Havana. Since it is PROHIBITED for Americans to visit Cuba without a US Government sponsored visa, I decided NOT to go there, but here is a report from a friend who went to Cuba. It sounds wonderful, and I hope to be able to visit there sometime.

-------

Dear Andy,

Thought you might be interested in this.

Cuba Mission: Daily Brief

Mission to find gravesite and information on death of a friend's great-great-great aunt who died in Baracoa Cuba May 13, 1882. Her husband was appointed by President Hayes in late 1870s to be consul to Cuba for his loyalty and bravery during the Civil War. Wife and first child died in Baracoa, Cuba, of malaria. Hope to make gravestone rubbing and take photos for extended research on family ancestry.


Day 1.

Arrive Havana on 30 min flight from Grand Cayman. Ask Customs agent for permission to stay in Cuba for 5 days. Ask that she does NOT stamp passport. Permission granted.

Check in Hotel National. Mojito, 3 glasses of Havana Gold on ice and a Cohiba Cigar, $6. I like Cuba.

Go to Casa de Musica to listen to live Salsa.... Continues...