Bahia de Kino, Mexico

Well, we made it. Just got done with our first week in the field, and about to get headed back for week two. We crossed the border about two weeks ago, got our work visas and headed down for Bahia de Kino, Sonora. The Prescott field station is amazing! It's right on the gulf, and there is beach access right out front. Most of the time, however, we are in the desert north of here. Out there, we are probably 30 miles away from anyone. Last week when we were there the only signs of people were the occasional plane and satellite. The weather for the first week was good at first, but a few days in a huge storm swept in and we got hammered by wind and rain in the night. Luckily, the days were still nice, so we were still able to get some work done.

My time is limited right now, we are about to get packed up to head back out to the desert. We will be back in a week and I will have more time to post then. Salud!

Tuscon, Arizona/More Hamm's

Day four. Drinking Hamm's in a hotel again, this time in a motel 6 in Tuscon, Arizona. Plans have changed a bit since the beginning of the trip. We spent the last two days in Borrego Springs, California, camping in Anzo Borrego state park and touring around the area, looking at some really cool geology in split mountain gorge. Our guide was Becky Dorsey, the PI on the project we are working on and a really great stratigraphic geologist. It was really great having her as a guide though the area, she knows a lot about the area having worked there for years. The park was really beautiful, although it is expensive camping there, I highly recommend it.

Our original plan was to cross the border near Yuma, but we needed to ship Mike's passport down from Oregon to get him into Mexico. So we decided to get it sent to Tuscon because it would take too long to get it to Borrego Springs, which is a little remote. So here we are in Tuscon, ready to pick up the passport in the morning and cross the border though Nogales and then head to Bahi Kino and to the Prescott field station. Then, the real fun begins. Life at the field station sounds like it will be pretty cushy, but out in the field is going to be pretty rough. However, this is what being a geologist is all about, so I think the field will be pretty fun. I am just hoping that we don't pop a tire or get M.A.R.V. stuck or run out of gas. We are going to be out in the middle of nowhere so who knows what we would do then. I bet it won't be too bad, no reason to worry now, we will cross that bridge eventually.

For the time being, I am really excited to go back to Mexico! I had a blast last time I was there, and I am sure this time will be even more epic. Well, it will definitely be more epic. Two days versus two months. Epic. I will be listening to a lot of Ennio Morricone.

Lodi, California/Hamm's

The journey begins. Drinking Hamm's in a Microtel Inns and Suites (not as small as it sounds) in Lodi, California. We got started a little late this morning, packing and getting last minute things together, replacing headlights, eating Glenwood eggs benedict, etc. Got to see Mount Shasta at sunset, play hacky sack in a few random rest stops and gas stations, and get some extremely tasty bbq at Fatboy's in Redding, thanks to Leland's suggestion. It was a really nice drive, it's good to be back on the road (Willie Nelson enters with guitar). M.A.R.V. handles like a dream. For those who don't know, M.A.R.V. is the new name of the former, less-awesomly-named Orca, a University vehicle and our wheeled companion for the next two months. M.A.R.V. is actually an acronym, which over many evolutions in the past few days now stands for Mexican All-Terrain Research Vehicle. It is a white 98 Chevy Suburban and is extremely full of things right now.

Tomorrow we head for Burrego Springs, in southern Cali. We will set camp there for tomorrow night, and spend Monday field tripping around southern cali, looking at, thinking about, and talking about rocks. Monday night we will stay again in Burrego Springs and cross the border into Mexico the next morning, making our way through Sonora and into Kino Bay and the Prescott Field Station. Hide the fish tacos!

In other news, I noticed I now have followers! I was under the impression that no one was reading this, like I was just throwing words into space. I feel like I have to be more eloquent now. Just kidding! fart fart fart.

Countdown to Mexico

Here we are. The first day of school on campus, I didn't have my U of O internet revoked like I thought I would, I will have a job in the spring and my letters of recommendation are coming together. Good start so far. The main task for the week, however, is to prepare for two months in Mexico. Even though it is only a few days away, I still have no idea what to expect. I have only left the country for about three days total in my life, so it promises to be interesting. The only advice I have received so far is not to wear my taco costume into town, and to get stomach parasites as quickly as possible so I can enjoy the rest of the trip. I plan on following the former.