Monday, October 24, 2011

New Mexico Adventure 2011

This past weekend I went on an adventure. I decided that it was time to reconnect with my friend from elementary school.  Yes, I've known Camille (Heather) since the 4th day of elementary school.  We were Smith Surfers, Jr. Oilers, and Oilers together.  Go HB!! WOOOO.

She graduated number 1 in her class from UC Davis law and now lives in New Mexico.  It's not my first choice to live but it's certainly a place for adventure.

I started in El Paso, TX.  I didn't do much there but there were some lovely chalk paintings and a crazy statue.



The El Paso taxi driver told me I needed to learn Spanish.  He also said he used to live in Juarez...and I told him that I didn't want to cross that bridge :) I'd like to live through the weekend.  I had coffee at the Percalator and waited for Camille. It was tame

We went to Las Cruces to meet the puppies.  Camille has two dogs, Hermit (black) and Jemima (white).

We went backpacking in the Gila National Forest. The ranger said that there would be running water so we brought a filter.  We hiked for about an hour and we didn't see any water and were getting really worried.  The dogs sniffed it out! We set up the camp and kept hiking where we proceeded to act like Bear Grylls. 


I stepped on a snake (accident) and proceeded to scream. The snake is alive...I think.  It wasn't there when I went to check on it, so I assume. It was a tiny snake so it wouldn't have killed me.  Ok...onto the Bear Grylls...

Scenario 1: Hiding in the wilderness!


Scenario 2: Crawling on a log...please don't fall!


Scenario 3: Scare away the scary beasts of the wild!


And then, there is enjoying the surroundings! and not listening to directions ... eek!



All in all, a great weekend! A great adventure....oh ya! and we saw llamas! Weird!






Pirate Weekend

There is this thing called Buccaneer Days! 

It happens once a year, the first weekend of every October at Two Harbors on Catalina Island in California. 

I highly recommend it. 

There are a couple of rules.

1. Dress like a pirate!



2. Talk like a pirate. ARRGGHHH!


3. Act like a pirate!

He's acting like a pirate!


I arrived on a Friday.  I took the Catalina Express but next year I will sail.  There was a live band this year.  There is a DJ. The weirdest thing every is to see pirates moshing.  There is Grog! There was a special Catalina drink called Buffalo Milk.  This year I camped at the elementary school with Johanna, Mike, Nick and John.  Friday night is a party and Saturday day and Saturday night is an even bigger party.  Sunday morning is a recovery morning/day.  I left on the 4pm ferry back to Long Beach but next year, I'd take the 2pm ferry.  

Let me tell you!! Pirates can boogie! Make bad pirate jokes and drink. ARGHH!