I received some phone calls from JoAnn and Dad a few weeks ago, giving me the latest scoop on Terry's activities in Baja. Here's what they told me....
He had a good start, heading south into Baja. His first stop was Bahia de lost Angeles. There he set up camp, and was trying out his kayak on the rolling seas. Apparently there was a stormfront coming in. He was practicing Eskimo rolls to the right and to the left.
Then he had the good fortune to meet a family from Oregon, the Messingers. They were a mom, a dad, 2 girls and a boy. They hung out together and enjoyed each others company. Terry was teaching them camping stuff, how to use the kayak, how to play the dijeridoo and the guitar, etc, etc. They visited the local mission together, which was 20 miles and 2 1/2 hours away. Terry was the translator. He must be getting good at Spanish by now!
They had a great time, and when asked what they could do for Terry, he said, "Yeah, just give Aunt Jo and my Dad a call and let them know what I'm up to." So they called, and I eventually got the news. I hear they had nothing but good things to say about him, calling him "Truly a Renaissance Man"(!!!!) who could do "a little of everything."
Oh yeah, there was one more story to tell, probably the most exciting on this page, since I've forgotten all the other good ones. (By the way, if you have any stories to tell me, please tell me by email: Update Steve)
One night, as most young men are apt to do in Mexico, the son was shooting bottle rockets out over the bay. It just so happens that there is a Naval base across the bay from the campground, and lo and behold, the Federales (or Naval guys, most likely) showed up, dressed ready for battle. I guess there were about 6 guys with BIG guns, in uniform. You can guess why they came... Apparently the situation was looking bad, when Terry shows up with his Spanish skill and sincerety. He was able to "defuse" the situation, and they left without a fuss. Yeah, Terry!--------------------------------------- Update 4.20.1999 --------------------------------------- Update from Dad:
I received a call from Terry last night. He has completed his adventure in Mulaje and returned to Loreto. He had to get his catelitic converter fixed in Loreto and now the blue bomb sounds like a Mexican blue bomb. He is having fun and sounded well. He is traveling with another kayker, a fellow at 58 - like me. They are headed on to Totos Santos. I remember an island by that name near Ensenada - but I think they are headed south. He indicated he will be another month or so.