The desert strikes back

Another week in the bag. This week was the roughest, and longest week of our trip. The weather has turned hot in the last week, and the desert seems to have remembered that it is a harsh environment and should kick our ass a little. The first dishing of ass kicking was in the form of cactus spines in the fingers. I fell one day and got about ten cactus spines really deep in my finger, many of which broke off and are still inside. I decided to keep them. I hear the mother won't give them back after they are handled. Actually, it is because tweezers wouldn't get them out, and I don't feel like going at my pinky with a knife. I also managed to get a cactus spine under my fingernail, which is a thing I don't recommend anyone doing.

The other form of ass-kicking the desert delivered was MARV's first wound. In our field area, there are access roads that have many plants hanging over the road, which we have gotten used to hitting the truck. Well, one hit the driver's side window in some magical way that shattered it. Seriously, it was a one and a million shot. So now we have a broken window, and are going to head into Miguel Aleman and try to find someone to fix it.

So, asses kicked, tired, sunbeaten, but fish tacos and ping pong here at the Prescott field station can heal any wound. Tomorrow we head back out into the desert, and plan on returning the favor of ass kicking right back.

Rocks? Whales!

Ok, so we didn't make it out to the field today after all. As we were packing this morning, the marine biologists working here offered to take us out with them on a mission to get pictures of whales. An offer like this is ridiculous to refuse.

As soon as we set out we found whales, and got to see several large pods of them throughout the day. They were all fin whales,

which are the second biggest behind blue whales, which are the largest animals that have ever lived on earth! I am not sure if the fin whales are the second largest animals that have lived on earth, but let's pretend because that is much more interesting. there were a few times that they were within feet of our boat! Even the marine biologists were screaming like little excited babies at the sights. We also saw a hammerhead shark, followed a huge stingray for a while, saw lots of sea birds, and some jellyfish.

Ok, well back to the rocks tomorrow. At least the rocks don't swim around elusively (Not sure if that is actually a word) so we know they are there waiting for us.

Bahia de Kino, Mexico, Week 4

We are back in Kino Bay, and I finally have a chance to get some blerging in. I thought I would have more time, but the combination of spotty internet and so many things to do leaves little time for blogging. Also, there are no students here this week. When they are here they suck up all the internet juice. Actually, all of the Prescott students we met in the last few weeks were all very nice and fun to hang out with. It is good to have more room for the rest of us this week though, and nice to have hot water for showers and get our laundry in, etc.The desert is so beautiful! There is not another person for many miles! We do see hunters every once and a while, but apparently the hunting is really bad this year, which is pretty good for us. Hunting season just ended too, so we won't be seeing anymore for the rest of the field work. There are some cool critters out there with us, we have seen some cool birds, a few lizards, some mice, and one persistent fox. The plants are very large and unforgiving, especially the

cholla cactus. It has these buds on it that will embed themselves in anything except metal. They are insanely painful and difficult to pull out (usually requires pliers), and are all around jerks. The other plants aren't so bad, you kind of have to go out of your way to get stuck by them. The larger cactuses are actually really neat, and they make really sweet disc golf targets. The wildlife out here has left us alone for the most part, with the exception of a fox that has taken to sneaking up on us and trying to grab inedible things. For the first time a few days ago, it went for the garbage bag and we had to run it off. Before this it has tried to run off with a huge duffel bag, a tire from MARV, and my camp chair.

Being back at the field school is pretty great, we watched the super bowl yesterday at our favorite restaurant, La Palalpa. We were the only gringos there watching the game, and two of three people watching it intently. It was fun to watch in Spanish, the sportcasters were hilarious. And we have gotten to know one of the servers at La Palapa and he started giving us free shots of really good tequila. Score! They also may have the best fish tacos I have ever eaten. We are getting pretty good at getting our way around town, and have discovered where to get the best fruit and tortillas. I don't know if I can ever eat American tortillas again. They really know how it's done down here. I am also going to have to stock up on Sonora sauce, which is their hot sauce standard down here. The field school is really great, we have a great roof to kick it on with a sea view. Also, great beach access. Bahia de Kino is not that touristy, and it is where people from Hermisillo go on weekends to get some beach time. There is also a large old white people population here, in the form of RV and vacation home. Seems like a great place to retire. They all drive around on four wheelers all the time. It's pretty hilarious, I wonder what the Mexicans think of them.

So everything is going really well, getting lots of sun and exercise, getting some good mapping done, and haven't picked up any viruses, although we both got sick from the milk here and had to give up cereal. They use different bacteria here to pasteurize the milk, and our American stomachs are not used to them. It was basically like being lactose-intolerant for a couple of days. It would really suck to be lactose-intolerant. If any of you are, I am extremely sorry for you. God must be punishing you for something. We have managed to stay quite healthy on a diet that is about 80% tacos, which is a pretty great diet, if you ask me. The weather has been really nice for the most part, although we did get rocked by a pretty big storm out in the field the first week and we have been rained out of work a few half days, (we were told it rained here once a year. we were lied to) it has been mostly sunny and beautiful. So for a little rain we have no reason to bitch. We could be in Oregon getting rained on everyday right now.

Right now we are set to head back to the states on March 9th, and be back in Eugene on the 11th. It's a pretty long drive, but it will be fun being back in the states! USA! USA! USA!