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 .