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LAGUNA MANUELLA, MEXICO, POSTED -- OK, so the photo isn’t so great. It was shot with my little Olympus autofocus, in the dark, with my arm sticking out the door. It’s a coyote four feet from the van. There were two of them. Bold little suckers. Laguna Manuella, MX DULUTH, MN -- Just to get an idea of what the inside of the van looked like upon departure. As the trip progressed, stuff seemed to materialize and accumulate from nowhere. It definitely began to look like my house. Gear DULUTH, MN, -- This is what Duluth looked like the day I left, December 23. Between there and just south of Albuquerque. Minnesota had the least snow of anywhere I drove. Duluth, MN
BUCKLIN, KS, -- Here seemed to be the heart of the recent snowfall. None of the inhabitants appeared to be too put out by it but Highway 54 had been closed down during the storm. All along this stretch of the highway were indications of vehicles having driven off the road. There were even some vehicles that remained in the ditch. Bucklin, KS HOOKER, OK - Not only is there snow on the ground, but a 40 mph wind (note the flag) rocked the van and covered the road with blowing snow. Hooker, OK SAN FELIPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA NORTE -- New Years Eve night. Just one of several bars serving up the night’s celebrants. I later heard that it got pretty rowdy about 2 or 3 in the morning. The other bar I spent some time in, The Beachcomber, went to great lengths to generate a NYE atmosphere, handing out party hats and noisemakers. Perhaps I left too early, but it was a depressing place. San Felipe, MX
SAN FELIPE, MEXICO - Ruben’s RV park, for $12/night, offered these nice two-storied palapas. The top level was perfect for sleeping, reading, catching the view, or just hanging out, while underneath was a picnic table, water, and electricity. <br><br>There were great showers with plenty of hot water and a restaurant next door with satellite TV. I watched the last half of the Rose Bowl amongst an entire crowd routing for Washington. They were booing wildly after the game’s final two seconds. San Felipe, MX PUERTECITOS, MEXICO -- The road from San Felipe to Puertecitos, which was a paved road. This was the worst section of the road, which was washed out during the storm in September. There were many such washouts which necessitated the creation of detours along side the road, in the sand. These detours were well-traveled and posed no problems what so ever. PUERTECITOS, MEXICO HUERFANITO, MEXICO -- Zelda soaking up the sun. Even though we are south, it is not warm yet. The night is still cold-- lower to mid-40’s. The sun, on both of us, feels great. As it gets hotter Zelda begins to seek the shade, under the van being her favorite spot. Then, after she gets accustomed to the heat she often will lie down right out in the blasting sun, like some Mexican dog lying in the middle of the road in the middle of the day. Huerfanito, MX
HUERFANITO, MEXICO -- Tony and Ed’s neighbor. A wild guy in his day. Full of tales and misdeeds. Has a way of telling a story, cocking his head, and letting go a good laugh. Huerfanito, MX SAN IGNACIO, MEXICO -- Mechánico Porfírio—38, gracious, generous, competent, and ingenious auto mechanic who repaired my rear brake line in San Ignacio. It was a busy Monday in the junkyard/auto repair shop. For one customer he found and installed a Toyota gas tank into a Dodge van. Another had his radiator repaired. The next day he was headed to Tijuana for two weeks for a little R&R. I was fortunate to have had him available when I needed him. San Ignacio, MX The road to San Francisco de la Sierra snakes between two giant arroyos, precariously clinging to the mountainside. On this road are herds of goats, mules, and, of course, cows. San Fransisco de la Sierra, MX
HUERFANITO, MEXICO -- Unfortunately for Tony and Ed, they only get to escape to the Baja two weeks each year. While they are there, they seem to make the most of it. Huerfanito, MX SAN FRANCISCO DE LA SIERRA, MEXICO -- This is the little pueblito of San Fransisco de la Sierra, (4500 feet above sea level) as seen from the top of the hill behind the town. From the top of this hill I was afforded a spectacular view of the Sea of Cortez as well as the surrounding canyons and mountains. San Fransisco de la Sierra, MX HUERFANITO, MEXICO -- This is a very nice triggerfish. They are not usually this big. I caught it on a little stretch of beach between the rocks. It ended up, with a small grouper, feeding Tony, Ed, and myself in the form of fish tacos Huerfanito, MX
SAN FRANCISCO DE LA SIERRA, MEXICO - Zelda on the continental divide between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific. The town of San Francisco de la Sierra is a half-hour below. San Fransisco de la Sierra, MX LA PAZ, MEXICO -- I first met Ewan, from Edinburgh, Scotland, at an RV park in San Ignacio. He was riding his bike and pulling a 70-pound trailer. He had been riding since San Fransisco, California. I was waiting for my brakes to be repaired. I again met him south of Loreto as he negotiated a long steep climb over the mountains there. I offered him a ride to La Paz, and he accepted. He was a most amiable van companion. We traveled together for three days. La Paz, Mexico PUNTA EL MECHUDO, MEXICO -- Approaching the second of two monstrous climbs around Punta El Mechudo this burned out, overturned, automobile carcass which lay at the bottom of the arroyo seemed an apt image to illustrate the fate a navigational misstep would ensure. Punta El Mechudo, Mexico
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO (SUPER BOWL SUNDAY) -- The Tropicana's Alejandro. He's been there since I started coming down to San Jose, four years ago. He's a great guy and a splendid no-nonsense bartender, usually. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO (SUPER BOWL SUNDAY) -- My favorite dive spot in the world. Lots of fish and sea life. Can be very dangerous to the stubborn or foolish. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO (SUPER BOWL SUNDAY) -- A nice little leopard grouper soon to be six or seven fish tacos. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Zelda at the Iguana. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO (SUPER BOWL SUNDAY) -- Welcome to Hotel Posada Senor Manana. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- Gerardo Villanuevo, came to San Jose from Mexico City a little over a year ago to manage a hotel. He stayed and started his natural food restaurant, <em>Natura Los Conchas</em>. In the background you can see the Sea of Cortez, shining like an azure jewel. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- Pools of water like this can be found by the adventurous hiker in many of the arroyos that are carved out of the mountains all over the Baja. Miraflores, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- After an hour of hiking this arroyo a short distance from San Jose del Cabo, Jay and I decided to refresh ourselves for a quick swim in this pool of incredibly clear, cool pool of agua dulce. Miraflores, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- Good friend Enrique with Zelda, on a San Jose beach, fishing, sipping brandy, smoking cigars, fathoming life's mysteries, gossiping, and talking about women. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- The waters around Cabo Pulmo contain the second largest coral reef on the Eastern Pacific Coast. During the winer months the prevailing winds are from the north, making calm water here a rarity. Usually the winds begin to shift from the southwest sometime in March, then affording splendid diving and boating. Cabo Pulmo, Mexico SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO San Jose del Cabo, Mexico San Jose del Cabo, Mexico San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico San Jose del Cabo, Mexico Daybreak along the Sea of Cortez from just south of Punta Willard. Punta Willard, Mexico PLAYA PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO --Paco held up three sierra mackerels caught from the little aluminum boat. Turns out we both made ceviche with our catch. San Jose Del Cabo
PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- Jay Crawford holds up a splendid dorado caught on a little fresh mackerel employing the Kohlsaat mackerel harness. Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- Once again, mi marinero, Paco comes up big in the fish department. Of the six sierras he is holding, five are his. I did catch the biggest, however. Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico Even though Terry caught the fish, I was proud to be photographed with it. With another two months having Prez Ja, I hope the next photo of me with a marlin is a marlin I caught. Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- A six-foot marlin circled under the boat after a 20-minute battle. Truly a magnificent creature. Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico PALMILLA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MEXICO -- This is where I've relocated my office due to the unusual amount of noise that assaults the hotel because of the construction next door. With the early morning sun and gentle surf, it is the perfect place to start one's workday Playa Costa Azul, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico BAHIA LOS FRAILES, BCS, MEXICO -- The wild selling of pots and pans and other kitchenware at the Midway area of Fiesta San Jose. San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
PALMILLA, SJDC, MEXICO -- The morning sun sneaks into the arroyo about 8:00 am while our overnight campsite remains in the shadows. Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico PLAYA LOS FRAILES, MEXICO -- This is a portion of the beach at Los Frailes looking north at Cabo Los Frailes, which provides shelter for mooring boats and small fishing craft from the prevailing winter/spring northerly winds. On the other side of Cabo Los Frailes--a mile, as the fish swims--is the reef at Cabo Pulmo. Playa Los Frailes, BCS, Mexico PLAYA LOS FRAILES, MEXICO -- Playa Los Frailes can accomodate a good number of campers, but there is one campsite that is most desired-- the one with the tree. Playa Los Frailes, BCS, Mexico
LA PLAYITA, BCS, MEXICO -- After over two hours, the spectacular fish is boated, dead from its two-plus hour battle. The meat will be distributed to the families of La Playita. Gordo Banks, Sea of Cortez
The website of cartoonist Peter Kohlsaat
Single Slices
Wombmates
Travels with Zelda, OutWest '97
Kent is about fame, one of the most obvious goals society celebrates. Kent has achieved this benchmark by being the lead character in a marginally successful cartoon strip. This has allowed him an amount of marginal fame, just enough to be silly, like so many others.
The Journey Back
The NOOZ
That National Implier
Cabo Shore Fishing Report '97
Travels with Zelda, Cabo '98
Just Taking Up Space
Fishing cartoons
Love Smarts
Nice fish
Cartoon maps
Tom Katt
Cartoons for Playboy magazine
Grab bag

Magical Baja
If you want to find some snow...
Macho, macho man
Goat route
Nothing fancy
Just boppin' around the Baja
Just boppin' around the Baja
On the road to Cabo: Bahia Concepcion
Hanging out at the Iguana
The cow on the road - was it an omen?
Love too much, care too much, hurt too deep
As you can see, any guy can get a girl if he's got a Harley
There are those who fish...and then there are guys who FISH. Paco is one of the latter.
Prez Ja - the sweetest 14-foot aluminum boat that has ever been dragged across the sand
Even though Terry caught the fish, I was proud to be photographed with it. With another two months having Prez Ja, I hope the next photo of me with a marlin is a marlin I caught.
My new office
Old timers: They sure do know how to fish! The van in typical camping mode, this time at the beach at Los Frailes

What was once a very utilitarian nine-foot shore casting rod was now a pathetic, unaesthetic stick
Howie and Zelda on the briny for a day of not catching fish
The Baja is a mecca for all cow-obsessed dogs
Unnatural elements were still coursing through his system. Rocks, he told me, were all looking like shark teeth
It was Marcos' fish, to bring in or lose. I would content myself to sitting in the bow, smoking a cigar, a witness to the theater
For four years Bobby has been trying to get me to rent one of his pangas, telling me, You will catch fish
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