The other day we were at the Mayan ruins in Tikal in Guatemala, swatting away Mosquitos. At the last minute, we realized Belize was only a 6 hour bus ride away. Wanted to get out of the jungle heat.
Belize has been great. we are on Caye Caulker, a little island off of Belize city. 80 degree waters. snorkeled with sharks and stingray. really beautiful. hung out in my hammock. Kim got a tan for the first time in years. we are staying …

Hi everyone! I had a good flight to Guatemala and landed yesterday morning. Geoff picked me from the airport and impressed me with the spanish he learned in one week of intensive spanish lessons (6 hours a day, for 5 days). So, he´s now our official navigator! We walked around this cute little old town of Antigua yesterday and today. Antigua has a lot of old colonial architecture that´s now in ruins, but it´s quite a sight- the ruins in the foreground and lush greenery of …

I suppose, after my last post, it would be hard for Guatemala to get worse. If it did, I probably wouldn´t be posting! After arriving it Antigua, I spent a few days recovering my leg and exploring the city. I was hanging out with Babke, the dutch girl who I met in Lanquin and helped me with the doctor. We met Emma, and irish traveler, and the three of us were hanging out. Last weekend, Babke was going to the beach, and …

First, let me apologize, I have no new pictures.  My camera is in recover mode, tough in the humid environment here.
When I last updated the blog, I had had an OK, but slightly  frustrating start to my trip.  To recap briefly, I’d missed my flight, spent many days waiting for the raft guide to show up, thought I did see some neat stuff, then hurt my arm-shoulder falling through a rotted out step on some stairs.   But it was day 8, I’d paddled with Andrew the guide a few times, …

Well, it’s Weds now. I’ve been in Guatemala for 8 days. I’ve been sweating for the vast majority of that time. It’s hot a humid here. I’m writing this from the home of the owner of the raft company. It’s a simple home, but the location is tough to beat. I’ve got the sound of the Lanquin river about 6 feet below me and two feet behind. The view is of some undeveloped mountains and the loudest sounds, other than the river, are some sprinkles of rain on the tin …

Hmmm.  Weird accents are showing up.  Sorry about that.  Not sure what to do, since they aren’t in what I’m seeing. 

Today I woke early,and went for a walk. I bought a tamale, wrapped in banana leaf and a bit different than the tamales I’m used to. Went back to the hotel. Annalise was ready to move on to Lanquin, so Iris and I walked her to the bus stop, and then we walked to a different spot, where we caught a mini-bus to a small village 8 km away. …

I woke up tuesday morning around 8 a.m. and sliced off some gluten-free bread for toast.  I sat down at the computer, and started to think about my day.  I needed to run a  few errands, return my library book, and pack for my trip to Guatemala.  Kim came out, and mentioned the new hands-free cell phone law, and I said, “Well, you don’t have to worry until tommorow.”
She said, “No it starts today.”
I said, “July 1 is tommorow.”
Kim, “No today is july 1″
My heart sank and I got …

Kim’s friend Hong came to visit us in Northern California.

Sometimes staying home is a good idea. A rough day of paddling on the amazing south silver creek.

John Day River
A few months ago, my old climbing buddy Brian emailed me. I hadn’t seen him in 8 or more years, but we’ve stayed in touch. He’s retired from climbing these days, but has taken up rafting with enthusiasm. He was listing his plans for the next few months, and I invited Kim and myself along. The trip grew into a full week vacation for Kim and I.
I was busy the week leading up to the trip, and didn’t get everything as organized as I …