January I had 2 trips , number 97 & 98 , up to Phoenix from Akumal , then from Texas back to town . The Texas trip was in a , 1998 Dodge van for Lighthouse Church in Tulum , so as close as I can count , that was trip ” 98 ” , sue me if I’m wrong !! March had me on the road again ,( I did buy Willie Nelsons CD , just for my theme song) , trip 99 was a long journey to California , I was co-pilot, navigator and driver . A very over loaded trailer , pulled behind a Toyota 4 runner , 4 days from here to the border , then 4 more to Dana Point Ca. , just south of LA . I spent a couple of days there in town , got my feet wet in the Pacific Ocean , not as cold as I thought , hit the ” In-Out Burger ”  double-double animal style and drag it thru the garden , if you know what that means !!  After all that fun , it was off to sunny ….ops , snowy Wisconsin . Some asked if I was on the wrong plane , no I said , I always wear flip-flops , even when it’s snowing !! I did have jeans and long sleeves on , I stepped off the plane into 2 inch’s of fresh snow and headed for the terminal . I had packed a coat , socks and sneakers , just in case . So trip 100 started out in , Appleton Wisconsin , it was a fast pace to beat the snow . The forecast  was 6-10 inch’s , I had to haul ass south , I was in Illinois  before it turned to rain . My original plan had been , to see the Harley museum in Milwaukee , then head to St. Louis , hang out with my buddy Steve Pounders , for St. Paddy’s day weekend . All of that changed , with an e-mail and a phone call , while I was in Dana Point , an idiot called me from Fort Worth Tx, he wanted me to make a fast run , from San Fransisco to the Chetumal – Bacalar area . It all sounded good , fast paced back to back trips , we played paperwork tag while I was on the road . I made it from Appleton Wi. to Eagle Pass Tx. in 36 hours , that’s almost 1600 miles . I crossed the border at 7 am. Sunday morning , everything going just fine , when I got to the hotel I was beat . Then came the news , my price was too high for moving the truck , he said a college kid would do it cheaper ,  ” I should think about it and rebid my offer ” , are you F**king kidding me !!  I blew off my whole weekend for nothing , ( note to self , deposit now required on all trips ) . Irena is quite happy , her car is here , she is 5 months pregnant  , driving her car is better , than riding with KC on the motorcycle . So Wednesday night , the 20th of March I threw a small party , just a get together at La Buena Vida , happy hour of course 5-7 pm. My 100th trip in or out in 15 years , like I said, my accounting skills are just like ” Enron ” , I’m close enough . Trip 101 … where are you ??

Saturday night was amazing , we raised over $ 3000. There was some much stuff available , some things were not bid on . So here we go , till Sunday night at least for most items . We still have 2 beachfront weeks , one in Akumal at Playa Blanca , 3 bdrm condo , bid is at $600 so far . The next one is Casa Cenote Hotel  , 6 nts. for 2 in the hotel , includes breakfast , bid is $ 400 . Both are on Facebook , check the last posting for link . These two will last till Dec. ??

Thanks to Everyone  Redbeard .

Hello from Akumal , we will be having a fund raiser , Saturday night the 17th of Nov. This will be at Tequilaville Restaurant , from 3pm. till 9pm. CST , there will be a silent auction , with lots of good stuff . Among the items , a week stay in a 3 bdrm. beachfront condo , a 3 nt. stay at Vista Del Mar hotel , 1/2 day fly fishing trip for 2 , a hand made custom chair , a ladies 24″ aluminum beach cruiser bike , several gift certificates for local restaurants and more . There is also a raffle  , first prize is a 3 nt. stay at Villas Flamingo here in Akumal , 2nd prize 2 tickets for Edventure extreme tour and 3rd prize is breakfast for 2 at Turtle Bay Bakery . I will be manning the phone and this web site , doing my best Jerry Lewis imitation , for those who are not able to make it , but would like to bid or just help out . This benefit is for Ani Nicoll who has Breast Cancer. She is a long time resident of Akumal, and is now undergoing radiation treatment in Merida . We all wish her the best of luck .  Anything you do will help . Thanks Redbeard  984-129-2185 mx. cell . Tequilaville  Magic Jack number 586-231-2110 US number .

The auction for the 3 bdrm. beachfront condo will be on Facebook  , we will also have another beachfront place as well. Visit Facebook and “like” Fundraiser for Ani – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundraiser-for-Ani/432169296845029

Photo of Half Moon Bay by Scott Brown. Minimum Bid $100 USD/$5 increment

Beach fence photo by Scott Brown. Minimum Bid $100/$5 increment

Palm tree sketch by Shaleh Clark. Minimum Bid $35/$5 increment

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Pool side ink drawing by Shaleh Clark. Minimum Bid $25/$5 increment

Progresso Beach pencil drawing by Shaleh Clark. Minimum Bid $35/$5 increment

Shells pencil drawing by Shaleh Clark. Minimum Bid $35/$5

Progresso Beach pencil sketch by Shaleh Clark.  Minimum Bid $35/$5 increment

Blue crystal and bead necklace and bracelet set. Minimum Bid $15/$3 increment

Internet wifi router. Minimum Bid $200pesos/ $20 pesos increment

Swimsuit. Minimum Bid $200p/$15p increment

Bikini swimsuit. Size Lg  Minimum Bid $200 pesos/$15p increment

Lord of the Ruins print by Richard Mazzola. Minimum Bid $12/$3 increment

Iguana & Cozumel photos by Bijan Zade. Set of two. Minimum Bid $400 pesos/$15 peso increment

Iguana & Cozumel photos by Bijan Zade. Set of two. Minimum Bid $400 pesos/$15 peso increment

Beaded necklace with monkey charm, handmade by Nancy Poor. Minimum Bid $100 pesos/$10 peso increment

Fly Fishing excursion with Rhett Schober.  Sold Thank You !

Akumal 50th Anniversary Commemorative Poster. Minimum Bid $12/$3 increment

Sun Print by artist Oscar Romero. Minimum Bid $40/$10 increment

Obama poster by artist Oscar Romero. Minimum Bid $75/$15 increment

Palm Tree Sketch by Oscar Romero. Minimum Bid $80/$10 increment

Also available for bidding:

Attractions & Activities

Hidden Worlds Adventure Package for Two, includes lunch.  Minimum Bid $60/$10 increment

Casa Cenote – 6 night stay in beachfront hotel, breakfast included for two people. Minimum Bid $300//15 increment . This is on Facebook till Dec.

Playa Blanca – Seven night stay in luxury three bedroom oceanfront penthouse condo with private terraces and beach.  Minimum Bid $555, $50 increment. This is on Facebook till Dec.

SPECIAL FEATURE:

An evening with the Most Interesting Man in Akumal.  Includes romantic dinner on the beach, cocktails and philosophical insights. Dessert is up to winner. He does not go rollerblading. (PS – You pay for dinner and cocktails)  SOLD !

Also available:

Black and white framed photos taken in 1927 of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Labna. 5×7 matted Minimum Bid $20/$5 increase.  5×7 framed without mat Minimum Bid $10, $3 incrememts
Muchas gracias to all of you for your support!

Summer is over , I had a blast in Alaska . Now it’s time to hit the road , as some of you know , I have 3 trips under my belt , since August . Austin to Akumal with Tom del Monaco , Bob , Sherwood and their 3 dogs . Up to Kelowna BC. for Mark and Betsy , I was able to see Wendell in Texas for a couple hours, he looks fantastic , can’t wait to see him back in town .Hung out with Zubet for a day in Kelowna  , we did a winery tour , then off to Chicago . 2 nights in the windy city , Friday night I sat outside Wrigley field , Springsteen was playing inside , Liz and Bonnie live 2 blocks away . I meet them at the local bar , then off to freeload in a lawn chair outside the bleachers . The sound was good enough , I’m not a Springsteen fan but what the hell , bring a 6 pack and a lawn chair . Saturday I was off to Jackie and Davids house , I drove their Toyota Convertible  to Tanka . Next up I fly out to Austin , drive back as a tour guide , chauffeur and coyote . I have 3 more trips , lined up as well , lets hope they stay in order . I will be busy till ,mid November  so far . When it rains it pours , I’ll take the jobs . I did have a few days off , I saw the whale sharks this month , last day of the season , I was on the boat with 4 other people , only 15-16 boats , somewhere around 80-100 whale sharks , just having a good time , lots of food on the surface . I will post a link , I didn’t have a camera . Awesome sight to see , some as big as 25 feet , plus we saw a couple of baby’s , only 5 or 6 feet long . I will put up some more photos , I need to tag them first .   See Ya Redbeard

Here I am in Seattle , waiting to go back to Austin . To say its a weather change , would be an understatement  . From Ketchikan to Seattle is about 10 degrees warmer , same rain pattern , in Austin it will double the high of Ketchikan , high temp. of 102 -104 , versus 55-58 . The contrast is amazing , mountains – fishing – weather – roads – wildlife – prices – the only thing that stays the same , good food and beer in both places . There is more paved road between , Austin – Dallas and Ft. Worth , than the whole state of Alaska , there are more people in Austin , than the state of Alaska as well . Thats what makes Alaska so beautiful , very few Texans have found it ….. Just kidding ! I had a good time on the ferry ride from , Ketchikan to Bellingham , got on Thursday afternoon , landed Saturday morning . All along the inside passage , lots of unspoiled islands and tons of forest  , some small villages dot the landscape , not many people up there . Just think about living without , Walmart – Sears – Home Depot – HEB or Fred Meyer nearby . Everything is delivered by boat or plane , or you just do without !  I spent a couple days with , Sharon and Steve , here on Whidbey Island , just across from Everett Wa.  Thats the home of the Boeing factory , all of the planes they make 737- 787 all come out of there . Unlike the Ford plant , I went to many years ago , they don’t turn out 20 or so an hour , maybe 1 or 2 a month . Steve and Sharon have a nice house on the water , at low tide you can walk out 100 yards , good spot for crabs and clams . You can see Mt. Baker and Mt. Bachelor , on a clear day from the deck out back .

I got here in Ketchikan on Wednesday night , went fishing on Friday . My first King Salmon ever , what a blast , what a taste ….. fresh from the water ! So I went out with Marcia’s husband Ed , he is one of the top dogs here . Ed sleeps , breathes , and dreams 24/7 , hunting and fishing , he knows what he’s doing  . Along with the 3 Kings I caught , we saw a bear cub on the rocks , 2 Orcas jumping behind the boat , two far for a picture , then a Humpback Whale . Not bad for my first day on the water . I think I’m staying here till Thursday afternoon , then catch the ferry to Bellingham Washington , stay a few days there , then off to Texas or the East Coast . My idea of working on a boat , is not working for my sinuses , 55 and rainy is normal summer time  , I’ll have pneumonia in record time . I still have a lingering head cold , from  the kenai peninsula trip . Check out my pics. at Ketchikan Salmon .

Check out Alaska part 2 , I’m off to Ketchikan this morning . Going to see Lesley Brewer and Marcia Kirby , Akumal direct in Alaska !! Good times ahead .

I just finished my updates , the last few days ,before Canada  I left off . Good stuff to check out , I know I breezed thru Mexico , but the new road we are taking, is all toll road , not a lot of stops . Scroll down to the bottom to see them . Thanks

End of the drive , or at least the first one . I hit town about 2pm. Thursday , 15 days and 7036 miles later . Coming into Anchorage is wild , the mountains keep going to the ocean , right to the end . I stayed right by the Anchorage International Airport , Hood Lake was right behind the hotel , largest Seaplane base in the world . Their are more private planes , than people here in town . After 9/11, this place was a mess , everything outside of town , depends on plane service . 3/4’s of the state has no roads , summer time is small plane or ferry service , winter is snow machine . The snow here in town , cleared 2 weeks ago , about mid May , this was a long snowy season . Another record some didn’t want , now that its gone , time for hiking , biking and fishing . This weekend , I’m staying with Ed mans collage room mate , Alex and his wife Gayle . They have been here 15 years , in Alaska . I rented a car , for the next 8 days of adventure . I want to see the Kenai peninsula , Kenai , Homer and Seward . Then off to Fairbanks , check out Denali on the way up or back . Still need to find some work , if I want to stay for any length of time . Summer time is tourist season , all the prices go up . I have a friend here in in town , Mike knows the whole area , he said to do the Kenai . Check out a couple places as well , some famous bar in Homer . I might have to start camping , everywhere you go is RV park and campground . The number of Rv’s are equal to the moose population , motorcycle tours are popular  as well , lots of older bikers from Europe . Off to do laundry , keep checking my spot , I still need to update the US side as well .

Last day going north , after this its west , then south to Anchorage . From Dawson City to Tok Alaska , is ” Only 185 miles ” piece of cake right !! Check out Mapquest , 6 1/2 hrs. IF the road is open , Sept. 15th its closed for the season , reopens around the middle of May . Some of it is paved , most is gravel on the Canadian side , then the US side is dirt for 40 miles or so , glad it wasn’t raining , that would be mud ! I had $ 60 Canadian cash, to spend before I leave , might as well get gas for the ride , $ 1.59 a litter or $6.25 a gallon , and you don’t even  get a kiss with that . As I pulled in to the Shell , their was a guy in ” 75 Fleetwood Caddy , he has a set of cattle horns , mounted to the front . He has to be a lost or misplaced Texan for sure , nope he is from Yellowknife , Northwest territory of Canada . I asked if I could take a picture , of the Caddy , sure thing he says . I asked about the car , he starts talking like were old friends , “75 still runs good , 16 mpg. tires are 20 years old . He was just a blast to talk with , he asked where I was coming from ,” Akumal Mexico that’s a long and dangerous journey my friend ” . How far is Yellowknife ?  ,” maybe 1500 miles , half is dirt and gravel , but I came to see a friend here in town , I have the summer off ” . When I walked back from the store , he was writing something on a book mark , he handed it to me , ” check this out when have time ” , it was a book he wrote . I thought he must own a fishing or hunting lodge up there , I was looking at it as I got in the truck , then read it again . He had autographed it , I walked back to ask , if I was saying his last name right  , Deb-a-gor-ski , Alex Debogorski from Ice Road Truckers TV show , Yep one and the same he says , on the show he is the quiet one , in person he could talk circles around me . We spent 20 min.bullshiting  out side the store , I took a couple of photos , I’m wearing a new La Buena Vida shirt , ( Thanks Jamie ) .The new season starts June 3rd , be sure to watch , his book is ” King of the Road ” .  http://www.wiley.com/buy/9781118148280  the life and times of a legendary ice road trucker .Maybe if I sell enough books for him , I could do a guest spot , next season , you know misplaced Mexican with sandals  .  He drives across frozen lakes for a living , but he said driving thru Mexico was dangerous !! I gave him my card with the web address , he thought that was a great idea .  After that I just laughed all day long ,  the drive across the ” Top of the World Highway “,  was breath taking and 7 hrs. I stopped for photos and more photos . After I crossed the border , into Alaska and US soil once again , I was checking out the road side , streams and creeks abound , I stopped for photos with a Gold Miner , he was just setting up for the summer , camper , tent , 2 gold dredges  , lots of time on his hands , he said there are about 1000 people , full time looking for gold in the area of 40 mile creek . Off to Chicken Alaska , big gold mining town as well , a 16 oz. bottle of Coke was , $ 3.00 USD , you better find a lot of gold . On to Tok Alaska , good food and phone service once again , gas was $ 4.86 a gallon . A couple more moose , along the way , I saw a place that was built in 1901 , Gakona Lodge, cabins for rent , restaurant and tavern , sold out for 2 weeks the girl said , when she asked where I was coming from , I told her Akumal , she has a sister doing church work in Coba !! I stayed in Glennallen , not to my liking , $ 149 with no free internet or breakfast . I got to Anchorage , about 2 pm. Bill and Renee were happy to hear I made it , safe and sound . Now I have some time , to fill in the gaps , get pictures up , I took over 200 photos , how many moose do you want to see ?????