BajaNomad - Remembering Mike Humfreville... 1 year later

Remembering Mike Humfreville... 1 year later

David K - 11-6-2007 at 09:37 AM

It has been a year since we got the sad news that Mike had left us...

Some photos from the times we got to enjoy him with us...

OCT. 2000 Viva Baja-1

FEB. 2001 Matomi Tour/ Sulfur Mine

MAY 2001 Viva Baja-2

JUL. 2001 Lost Mission Hunt/ Las Flores

NOV. 2001 BBBB-2 Guadalupe Canyon

FEB. 2002 Viva Baja-3

SEPT. 2002 BBBB-4 Cielito Lindo

FEB. 2003 Viva Baja-4

MAY 2003 Pyramid Book Signing-1

JUL. 2003 Camp Gecko (Yellowtail fishing with El Camote)

JAN. 2004 San Borja Tour/ Montevideo

FEB. 2004 Matomi Tour

APR. 2005 Pyramid Book Signing-3

OCT. 2005 In front of their new Baja Home

MAY 2006 Pyramid Book Signing-4

Mike will live forever in us... VAYA CON DIOS MI AMIGO!

Paulina - 11-6-2007 at 10:23 AM

Thanks David,
That was very nice.

P<*)))><

bajajudy - 11-6-2007 at 11:18 AM

Thanks DK
He is definitely someone that we should all remember and be thankful that he came into our lives whether in person and/or through his writings.

capt. mike - 11-6-2007 at 11:39 AM

a good guy. sure loved the peninsula.

Skipjack Joe - 11-6-2007 at 11:48 AM

You done good, David K. Very appropriate to remember the man like that. I miss reading his stuff.

Jack Swords - 11-6-2007 at 12:26 PM

Thanks David...he still is a part of Baja.

Bob H - 11-6-2007 at 01:04 PM

David, that was great! I only met Mike once and I will never forget him!
Bob H

Minnow - 11-6-2007 at 02:47 PM

Thanks David. That was very nice. I think even Mike would have approved.

Ya no, If we were to have a ,Mike H memorial, Nomad get together. I might even come. :yes:

fdt - 11-6-2007 at 03:02 PM

Thank's DK, I feel proud to say that I was there at your first viva baja in 2000, were Mike H and others from the days before Nomad attended.

KHumfreville - 11-6-2007 at 04:57 PM

Thanks a bunch David.. I needed that. We have pictures of him all over the house, but it still seems like forever since I've seen him.

Kevin.

David K - 11-6-2007 at 05:21 PM

De nada everyone...

That is very special coming from you Kevin... I also received a nice email from your mom...

Mike was a great man and I was proud to know him for the few years I did... The giving of himself to everyone here tells it all.

Thanks David....

Mexray - 11-6-2007 at 05:22 PM

...Remember the '01' Matomi 'Tour de President's Day'...Mike rode with me in the old Subaru Brat that brought me south to San Felipe that year!

We rode together all the way up the Rancho, high in the hills where we rested around the 'pond'! The old Subaru, with it's questionable ground clearance, and the two old farts inside, bumped along the desert track, flinging a few stones along the way! We made the trek OK, but in the process 'modified' the exhaust system at bit, moving it close to the driveline where it 'sang a song' as it rubbed during some maneuvers! A few miles farther along the track, another stone again 'modified' the exhaust pipe away from the driveline, earning us the title of the 'Self Repairing' Subaru!

On the way back from the Rancho, Mike elected to be 'strapped' into a folding camp chair in the back of David's Taco, facing backward. Mike was able to see all the 'action' of the rest of us rolling down Matomi Cyn through the sand and the rocky sections! I was right behind the Taco for awhile, and enjoyed watching Mike holding on for dear life, as he enjoyed a beverage between the bumps and natural 'Topes' of the canyon.

That was a real fun trip, where several of we 'internet' friends met together for the first time! Mike's stories are legend, and he passed several along to all of us on that memorable trip...one I'll never forget!

Mike and his Baja adventures will be with us always...

David K - 11-6-2007 at 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt
Thank's DK, I feel proud to say that I was there at your first viva baja in 2000, were Mike H and others from the days before Nomad attended.

Here is the day I met Mike and Mary Ann (and Ferna de Tijuana, elgatoloco, Baja Barb, M, Lorenzo de Baja, Tim Walker, Dick Van Bree, Carlos Fiesta, and more...)

I brough Graham Mackintosh, who is next to the Humfrevilles in this photo I took, Feb., 2000 on the San Clemente Pier. This get-together of Baja Internet people was so great and is what inspired me to host Viva Baja parties that began later that year.

san clemente 2000 003.jpg - 48kB

David K - 11-6-2007 at 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexray
...Remember the '01' Matomi 'Tour de President's Day'...Mike rode with me in the old Subaru Brat that brought me south to San Felipe that year!

We rode together all the way up the Rancho, high in the hills where we rested around the 'pond'! The old Subaru, with it's questionable ground clearance, and the two old farts inside, bumped along the desert track, flinging a few stones along the way! We made the trek OK, but in the process 'modified' the exhaust system at bit, moving it close to the driveline where it 'sang a song' as it rubbed during some maneuvers! A few miles farther along the track, another stone again 'modified' the exhaust pipe away from the driveline, earning us the title of the 'Self Repairing' Subaru!

On the way back from the Rancho, Mike elected to be 'strapped' into a folding camp chair in the back of David's Taco, facing backward. Mike was able to see all the 'action' of the rest of us rolling down Matomi Cyn through the sand and the rocky sections! I was right behind the Taco for awhile, and enjoyed watching Mike holding on for dear life, as he enjoyed a beverage between the bumps and natural 'Topes' of the canyon.

That was a real fun trip, where several of we 'internet' friends met together for the first time! Mike's stories are legend, and he passed several along to all of us on that memorable trip...one I'll never forget!

Mike and his Baja adventures will be with us always...

That was a great day indeed! In this photo taken by elgatoloco, the caravan is entering the Matomi narrows... look closely at the roof of my gold '01 Tacoma and see Mike Humfreville's head! Mexray's Subaru Brat is right behind...

The Subaru did great, but with 13" tires and not a ton of ground clearance we decided that Mike could ride the roug part in my truck to help the Subaru clear the rocks and my kids could ride in back... Mike insisted on roughing it, so with my folding camp chair facing backwards in the truck's bed, he sat like a third world country's king, in a parade!

Mexray's Brat in rocky Matomi wash...

[Edited on 11-7-2007 by David K]

May catch hell for this but Mike was destined to become part of the Baja Dust

Baja Bernie - 11-6-2007 at 07:30 PM

Please remember that once the dust of Baja settles on your shoulders you may never shake it off.

Saludos, Mike

Lindalou - 11-6-2007 at 08:22 PM

David, thank you, I miss his writings so much, they were the first place I went to when I got to this forum....I never met him, but felt like I knew him.

jeans - 11-6-2007 at 08:22 PM

I did not realize it was that sad anniversary, but earlier today, my eyes played tricks on me as I thought it was Mike behind the wheel of my neighbor's truck...

Now I have goosebumps....

Thank you for the tribute.

Sallysouth - 11-6-2007 at 09:44 PM

Very nice David.When I saw your post and pics, I remembered meeting him at our baja 4 and then Marianne with Debra in DP with Miguelito for a lunch.Tho I never really knew him , your pics brought back memories of his family, and his writings, which I sorely miss. Sweet tribute...Gracias.

elgatoloco - 11-6-2007 at 11:24 PM

It was always fun and interesting to be in Mike's company. His love for Baja and his love for his family permeated everything he spoke and wrote. His ability to put feelings shared by many into words and and on paper were to me amazing. He and Ma made a quick visit to our family's casa during the 2005 book signing and later he wrote a short story about the house titled 'Family Matters' and he nailed the essence of the place with his words as usual. He is missed but his stories live on.

Viva Mike H.

BajaWarrior - 11-7-2007 at 06:17 AM

I am only now getting to know Mike.

I recently read his latest book, In the SHADOW of the VOLCANO.

We purchased it at the May 07 book signing from Mary Ann.

The book is a very casual approach to his family's memories of their time in Baja, a very good read.

Now I see the reason for the reverence...

bajamigo - 11-7-2007 at 09:09 AM

Sadly, many of us newer faces in Baja didn't have the privilege or the pleasure of knowing and interracting with Mike. I looked up a review of "Shadow of the Volcano," and this fascinating glimpse into the history of the Humfreville experience came up (remember, it's a book review, not a tribute to Mike):

This one is a little different from your usual travel adventure in that the people involved set out with the definite intention of "roughing it." And they seem such an unlikely pair. They are Michael Humfreville and his newly-wed wife, Mary Ann. The two were married in California in 1973. Both were employees of the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena - Mary Ann in procurement and Michael as a support engineer. Both decided there was more to life than working as intensely as they did and, after much discussion, they decided to take a leave of absence and go on an extended trip in Baja California. A short time later, they rented their house, sold one of their cars and filled their Toyota Land Cruiser to capacity with their belongings, including their two dogs, Rochie and Dulcie, and said goodbye to friends and family.

This was not to be your usual sight-seeing trip, moving from one convenient accommodation to another. Their desire was to be isolated from civilization and to live as simply as possible. An element of self discovery was also a definite part of the program. Thus it was that they found themselves a week or two later on an empty beach on the remote west coast of the Baja constructing a tiny hut that was to be their home for an indefinite period. Pacific breakers pounded the beach a few steps away. The specific area where they set up camp was between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro where a number of tiny fishing villages were located.

I should mention here that one thing this enjoyable book lacks is a map or two. I found myself several times having to run to an atlas or a road map to find the various areas Humfreville was referring to, which was a bit of a nuisance.

That initial site was on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula. It's a bay with a beach that overlooks an island on which there is a volcano - hence the title of the book. However, a short time later they decided to relocate, mainly to escape the damp west coast weather. And so they took to the hot, dusty roads toward the Sea of Cortez coastline. Their destination was Bahia de los Angeles, a place they had previously heard about from friends. Once there, they decided to build a beach hut from long gangly pieces of cirio cactus, interweaving the lengths to create a framework. To this they added cardboard from old boxes, blankets, layers of newspaper and anything else that would prevent sunlight from invading their private space, yet allow adequate airflow.

What they ended up with was a sun-proof single room, twelve by seven feet, facing the water. A space was left on the floor for sleeping bags while a three-foot shelf and camping stove served as their kitchen. This would be home for an indefinite period.

As Humfreville writes: "Our surroundings were completely natural. Producing food by fishing and simple baking in our homemade oven, we bathed and washed clothes in sea water heated by burning collected wood. Walking on the beach, we learned the habits of the sea and began to understand the complexity of tides. We watched the sea life that, day and night, passed through our shared environment."

He continues: "Mary Ann and I were learning a lot about each other with our quiet time there during that summer in our hut of thatch and on our beach, alone. We learned about ourselves and our environment - about life and death in the natural world. We learned about relationships and the limits of love and animosity, about richness and poverty, aloneness and togetherness."

He gives an excellent account of a life that's lived in a way that the vast majority of us never come close to experiencing. The couple also took time to explore the Baja, which, for my tastes, sounded just a little too desolate and uninhabited. Also, the rough unpaved roads were a challenge for their not-too-reliable car. Still, they obviously enjoyed their adventure.

The time came, however, when they had to return to Pasadena and to resume their jobs at the Jet Propulsion Lab. There they settled into the old lifestyles - always thinking, of course, of returning to the Baja. In the following years Mary Ann gave birth to two sons, Michael and Kevin and when the boys were starting to grow up, the family's story took a different turn. It was 1985 and Michael was eight years old and Kevin six years old.

Humfreville and Mary Ann made the unusual decision to return to the Baja. But this time, they would take their sons and resume the beach life they had left years earlier. It was a surprising decision to take young children to that destination. At one point, for instance, he writes about the hazards to be found there, such as tarantulas, scorpions and snakes; two-inch black wasps, coyotes, foxes; eels, sharks, stingrays, and killer whales plus the water itself; wind, rain and lightning. Hardly the ideal place to bring up children. However the hazards were offset by the abundant harmless and entertaining wildlife - sea lions, dolphins, tuna, pelicans, whales, gulls plus all kinds of birds and endless fishing. And, as a close-knit family, they enjoyed their days together - not just the humans but their domestic animals, too, like Burlap, their burro, Billy, their goat (of course), their chickens and their dog, Lassie. Humfreville describes the many idyllic moments they shared in this environment.

Nor should I give the impression they were without company or were out of touch with other people. At one point they found they were sharing their stretch of beach with Don, a geologist and a professor at one of the California state universities. Don was there to study the geology and microclimate of the area and was enjoyable company for the family. A little later in their relationship with Don, they were instrumental in saving his life. It makes for quite a dramatic and suspenseful story within the overall context of the book.

On another occasion they invited friends and family members to their beach. Would you believe that forty of them arrived, almost all at the same time? They were mostly work buddies from the Jet Propulsion Labs. They came in motor homes or in autos, hauling tent trailers and small boats. They were well equipped with tents, food supplies and plenty of booze. Their arrival was spread over a few days and they all stayed a while and had a great time on that isolated beach. It sounded like one helluva party!

Nor was the beach totally isolated. The village of Las Cuevitas was only a half hour drive away. But there wasn't much there - a few shops and one restaurant. Three hours drive further away on the awful roads was the town of Black Warrior where there was a market and more shops and restaurants. For the youngsters, there was even a toy shop.

Their idyllic summer inevitably drew to a close. It was time to say farewell to their beach hut and the animal life and the spectacular scenery. The boys had to get ready for school and Michael and Mary Ann had to think of getting back to work and earning some money. It was time to head north.

David K - 11-7-2007 at 09:30 AM

Here's Mike's book... published by Sunbelt...

humfreville.JPG - 50kB

Mexitron - 11-7-2007 at 12:08 PM

Thanks Dk for the memories, and thanks for the post bajamigo--that's inspiring! I want to do a long trip like that before too long.

Debra - 11-8-2007 at 03:09 PM

Thanks David, I've been off computer for awhile and just now saw your post. It was beautiful.

As many of you here know Mike, Mary Ann and the boys and I have been very close for many years. I have traveled with them and been a guest at their house up north as well as their Baja house, many, many times. I went with Mary Ann this spring for her first return to the Baja house since she lost Mike and it was very, very hard. I kept looking for him, expecting to hear "hey, Putz!, what's happening?" Just being in his well orginized garage helping Mary Ann figure out how to do things was so odd. (Mike always took care of those sort of things) One thing that brought a tear to my eye more than once was seeing his boat and remembering how much fun it brought even when we were rescuing it. (which happened many times, with many people here involved in the rescues, you know who you are.)

Brendan and I miss him so very much, even when I felt like belting him up-side his head I loved him very much.............This ones for you Mike

Bajamigo, Just for clairifacation. The title "In the SHADOW of the VOLCANO" didn't come from their short stay on the Pacific side, it comes from their second trip with the boys at Las Cuevitas and refers to "Smith Island" north of Bahia de Las Angeles.

[Edited on 11-8-2007 by Debra]

Minnow - 11-8-2007 at 03:37 PM

Deb, I feel your pain.

I guess all we can ever hope for is pleasant memories with those we love. Lo Siento. Tomas

Neal Cox - 11-8-2007 at 03:59 PM

Hi There, I used to read this board and post a bit. Got out of the habit, even though I still love Baja and spend time there. About a year ago I logged after a year or two of not doing so and read the sad news that Mike Humferville had passed. For some reason yesterday, I logged on again and saw this post that it has been a year. I never met the man, although I talked to him on the phone a few times and read everything he wrote. He was truly one of a kind.

Also, sometime in the last 3-5 years, I went over to the Olympic Pennisula and met with some of the NW Washington baja rats at a park. I remeber Debra and Georock being there as well as a number of others. It was a good time - maybe we should do it again. Regards to all, Neal

Debra - 11-8-2007 at 04:52 PM

Hi Neal, good to hear from you............yes we should do it again.

BTW: I'm not sure who you are thinking of, but, Georock has never been up here, that I know of anyway.

David K - 11-8-2007 at 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnow
Deb, I feel your pain.

I guess all we can ever hope for is pleasant memories with those we love. Lo Siento. Tomas

The trip we met Minnow (Tom) was at M's BBBB #1, Cielito Lindo... Minnow gave us a very generous suppy of filets for us traveling in the Viva Baja Van to enjoy during our week voyage.

On the 4th of July, Mike Humfreville cooked up all of those great fish Tom gave us when we went to Herman's place to fiesta, at Bahia de los Angeles.

Debra, Paulina, El Camote were also there... Remeber that fish you guys? Photos: http://vivabaja.com/van1

Thanks Tom!

Mike and Paulina at BBBB-1 with Eric and Earle of Amigos de Baja also:

[Edited on 11-9-2007 by David K]

BAJACAT - 11-8-2007 at 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Here's Mike's book... published by Sunbelt...

Thanks Dk, I really enjoy his book. he was a great man,to bad I never was able to met him.

David K - 11-9-2007 at 12:16 PM

It would be nice if all the Nomads got a copy of it... Sunbelt, Discover Baja, Judy's BajaBooksAndMaps? Links to all these sources are in my web site under the link, "Baja Book Authors"

Bajabus - 11-9-2007 at 07:15 PM

Mike was a very good and special soul and we are all richer for having known him.

Thanks for the tribute David..that was awfully nice of you.

Barry A. - 11-10-2007 at 10:27 AM

Well done, David---------cannot believe it has been a year already.

Tho I never personally met Mike, we shared on this forum many tales of the sites and fun enjoyed around Bahia de Los Angeles back in the "old days" when we both camped in the exact same places, but apparently at different times.

His "humanity" shown thru in all his writings, and he was truly a "good man", and I miss his stories and tales of the adventures that he and his family enjoyed together and shared.

It is GOOD to think of him once more, and savor those memories.

David, you made this possible-------you too are a good man!

barry

Eli - 11-10-2007 at 02:03 PM

I too, want to thank you David K. for this reminder of a Man I never met but felt that I knew so well. Mike contributed so much to my vision of Baja and my writing and all. He was a great joy to find on this board. I miss him.

AcuDoc - 11-16-2007 at 12:31 AM

Thanks for the thoughts of Mike

24baja - 1-19-2011 at 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Here's Mike's book... published by Sunbelt...

I just finished this book (Living in the Shadow of the Volcano), I laughed and cried and felt every experience his family faced. I identify with the strong need to be a member of the BOLA family. Being new to BOLA, I am sorry I did not meet them.

FYI for folks with a Kindle, the book is available at Amazon in Kindle format.

Does anyone know if the family still travels to BOLA?

[Edited on 1-19-2011 by 24baja]

mcfez - 1-19-2011 at 05:04 PM

I just now saw this about Mike Humferville. I never read about this in the past (?!)

My regards to his family.
His posts were of most interesting to read.

David K - 1-19-2011 at 05:44 PM

Most if not all of Mike's Baja stories that were posted on Amigos de Baja and here on Baja Nomad are saved on Fred Metcalf's page:

BAJA WITH MIKE:

http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/Correspondents/BajaWithMik...

Only some of them were used by Sunbelt in his book... You are sure to enjoy Mike's stories that date beck to 1967... the golden years in Baja!

On Fred's page, these are direct links to the stories:

"The Storm" ( Posted: October 30, 2006 )

"Singing" ( Posted: September 16, 2006 )

"Turbulence" ( Posted: August 15, 2006 )

"Punta Eugenia" ( Posted: July 27-31, 2006 )

"Brisa's Moon" ( Posted: July 7, 2006 )

"Ballons" ( Posted: June 15, 2006 )

"Family Photographs" ( Posted: June 4, 2006 )

"Lessons Learned" ( Posted: May 18-22, 2006 )

"Buzzards and Moss Balls" ( Posted: April 29, 2006 )

"Adios o A Dios?" ( Posted: April 28, 2006 )

"A Mexican Form of Honor" ( Posted: April 26, 2006 )

"Shells" ( Posted: April 12, 2006 )

"A Personal Library" ( Posted: April 1, 2006 )

"Options" ( Posted: February 3, 2006 )

"Winds" ( Posted: January 19, 2006 )

"Comfort" ( Posted: January 16, 2006 )

"Thatch" ( Posted: December 1, 2005 )

"Rains" ( Posted: November 25, 2005 )

"Cycles" ( Posted: November 22, 2005 )

"Save Me, Baja" ( Posted: November 20, 2005 )

"Alluvial Fan" ( Posted: November 14, 2005 )

"Peace" ( Posted: November 12, 2005 )

"Cattle Tracks" ( Posted: November 9, 2005 )

"The Gecko Road" ( Posted: November 7, 2005 )

"Día de Los Muertos" ( Posted: November 6, 2005 )

"Birds and Bees" ( Posted: October 31, 2005 )

"Guerrero Negro" ( Posted: October 27, 2005 )

"Sea Scenes" ( Posted: October 19, 2005 )

"Burritos" ( Posted: October 13, 2005 )

"External Relations" ( Posted: August 16, 2005 )

"Bad Habits" ( Posted: July 11 - August 7, 2005 )

"Hearty Guitar" ( Posted: June 17, 2005 )

"Ricardo" ( Posted: June 1, 2005 )

"Family Matters" ( Posted: May 4, 2005 )

"Dolphins Dancing" ( Posted: April 25, 2005 )

"Trust" ( Posted: April 19, 2005 )

"Cups" ( Posted: April 6, 2005 )

"Adriana's Tacos" ( Posted: March 10, 2005 )

"The Bucket" ( Posted: February 20, 2005 )

"Sycamores" ( Posted: February 11, 2005 )

"Sea Lion Pup" ( Posted: January 23, 2005 )

"Cabin Fever" ( Posted: January 13, 2005 )

"Baja Heart" ( Posted: December 22, 2004 )

"Langosta - Bahía Tortugas and Punta Engenia, 1969" ( Posted: December 16, 2004 )

"Fireman's Summer" ( Posted: November 18, 2004 )

"A Queen" ( Posted: October 20, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 28: Photos" ( Posted: September 2, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 27: Epilogue" ( Posted: August 30, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 26: Final Days in Camp" ( Posted: August 25, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 25: Billy's and Burlap's Unexpected Trek" ( Posted: August 17, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 24: Billy's Defining Moment" ( Posted: August 10, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 23: Continuing Days" ( Posted: August 2, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 22: Fishing Pals" ( Posted: July 26, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 21: Friends" ( Posted: July 20, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 20: Solitude and Storms" ( Posted: July 12, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 19: Black Warrior" ( Posted: July 7, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 18: Barsam's Corner" ( Posted: June 30, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 17: Desert Educations" ( Posted: June 21, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 16: Coyotes!" ( Posted: June 15, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 15: Don the Geologist" ( Posted: June 9, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 14: The Village" ( Posted: June 3, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 13: Evenings" ( Posted: June 1, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - Bahía de Los Angeles 1985, Part 12: Perspectives" ( Posted: May 27, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 11: By Sea" ( Posted: May 25, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 10: Idle Days" ( Posted: May 21, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 9: Billy and Burlap" ( Posted: May 19, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 8: Black Warrior Chickens" ( Posted: May 14, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 7: Snake!" ( Posted: May 12, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 6: Slowing the Pace" ( Posted: May 9, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 5: The Hut" ( Posted: May 5, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 4: Las Cuevitas Again" ( Posted: May 2, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 3: The Trek South" ( Posted: April 28, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 2: Finding Las Cuevitas" ( Posted: April 26, 2004 )

"The Tempests of Summer - La Gringa 1985, Part 1: Plans" ( Posted: April 21, 2004 )

"La Gringa - 2006" ( Posted: March 16, 2004 )

"La Gringa - 1974" ( Posted: March 16, 2004 )

"Rocks and Roses on the Road to Matomi - A Previous Trip" ( Posted: February 6, 2004 )

"Depth of Heart" ( Posted: January 13, 2004 )

"Saving Baja" ( Posted: January 6, 2004 )

"Pelican Migrations at Gecko" ( Posted: December 28, 2003 )

"Friendships" ( Posted: December 18, 2003 )

"Regarding Military Checkpoints" ( Posted: December 10, 2003 )

"Family Storms" ( Posted: December 9, 2003 )

"Tiny Mouse" ( Posted: December 2, 2003 )

"Dark Days Following Escalera Nautica" ( Posted: November 14, 2003 )

"Recovery" ( Posted: November 4, 2003 )

"Mars Chasing Moon" ( Posted: October 19, 2003 )

"Santiago's Los Cascades" ( Posted: September 22, 2003 )

"A Mexican Moment" ( Posted: September 16, 2003 )

"Reflections on Mama and Papa Diaz and Bahia de Los Angeles" ( Posted: September 4, 2003 )

"Old Dirt Roads" ( Posted: August 30, 2003 )

"Monsters from the Deep - Another John Story" ( Posted: August 23, 2003 )

"The Magic Rod" ( Posted: August 18, 2003 )

"The Hut" ( Posted: July 29, 2003 )

"Life for a Life" ( Posted: July 21, 2003 )

"Malarrimo!" ( Posted: May 16 - June 8, 2003 )

"Volcano" ( Posted: April 8, 2003 )

"The Eclipse Trip - Conclusion" ( Posted: March 3, 2003 )

"The Eclipse Trip - Part II" ( Posted: February 19, 2003 )

"The Eclipse Trip - Part I" ( Posted: February 16, 2003 )

"hoar Town" ( Posted: February 12, 2003 )

"Brendan's Song" ( Posted: February 6, 2003 )

"Steel on Cobbles" ( Posted: January 27, 2003 )

"Los Tres Migueles - Part 1" ( Posted: January 22, 2003 )

"Heavy Weather" ( Posted: January 9, 2003 )

"Integrity" ( Posted: January 4, 2003 )

"The Box" ( Posted: December 26, 2002 )

"The Mine" ( Posted: December 17, 2002 )

"John's Crabs" ( Posted: December 16, 2002 )

"Down Time Up" ( Posted: December 5, 2002 )

"A Guy Named Raphael" ( Posted: December 2, 2002 )

"Bullet Trips" ( Posted: November 25, 2002 )

"Mosquito Mulegé" ( Posted: November 20, 2002 )

"Early Seaside Mornings" ( Posted: November 17, 2002 )

"Phosphorescence" ( Posted: November 14, 2002 )

"Rincon at Bahia de Los Angeles" ( Posted: November 7, 2002 )

"La Bocana, Mr. Gomez and Jack Smith" ( Posted: November 5, 2002 )

[Edited on 1-20-2011 by David K]

Packoderm - 1-19-2011 at 05:51 PM

I was thinking about him during my last trip to Baja. I remember when I saw him at Camp Gecko, how much he laughed when I brought up Bad Habits. He really enjoyed writing that. He said he made it up as he went. He said he had no idea where it was headed as he was writing it. He really seemed to like how vague he made it. He was laughing about that too. I declined buying his book and getting it signed because I was watching my pennies. I regret that choice now.

55steve - 1-22-2011 at 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 24baja

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Here's Mike's book... published by Sunbelt...

I routinely have visits from Mary Ann every time I make it down to our place at Gecko - usually have a community meal or just visit. I'm guessing she is either living there full time or we coincidentally make it down at the same time.

[Edited on 1-22-2011 by 55steve]

[Edited on 1-22-2011 by 55steve]

David K - 1-22-2011 at 09:59 AM

Do order a copy of Mike's book... ASAP... trust me!

http://www.sunbeltbook.com/BookDetails.asp?id=75