29 AUG 97

Hello from Telluride, Colorado. A lot has happened this month, so prepare for a few run on sentences. Since my last update Karla and I took a nice canoe trip at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest and then I got my first speeding ticket on the drive back to South Florida. My mother did not even know that her car could speed in a 70mph zone. Then I flew to L.A. and had dinner at my Uncle Gary's. The next day I drove up to San Francisco and played with Uncle Lenny's ever larger family. I had a great time and then it was back to work.

I picked up ten passengers in the 28 to 52 year old range and we headed east. The van broke down the first day and it was the start of a great trip. Two days later a pair of bears spent 45 minutes destroying our food and supplies while passengers were trapped in their tents near Yosemite. It was scary. That night we found four rattlesnakes at our new campground. Then we drove the Extra-terrestrial Highway in Nevada. Yes, that is what the sign said.

Then on to Zion for a hike up the Narrows. It was incredible. That night, for the first time ever, I shaved on one of my tours. I am now convinced that perhaps I am more attractive with no facial hair. Then we went over to Bryce Canyon and were lucky enough to enjoy that area while seeking protection from a very fierce hail storm.

Next, we made our way over to middle-southern Utah and spent the whole day driving on gravel roads through the middle of nowhere. We ended up spending two hours clearing mud from the road so that I could drive the van up to the river and then drive through it. My passengers were just like a frontier family in the movies. The men took turns with the shovels and the women brought them water as they all worked hard in the desert sun. We took a well deserved swim in Lake Powell after that. The next day we rented a power boat and raced through canyons and jumped off cliffs into the lake.

Then it was on to Monument Valley for an overnight horse ride and camping in the middle of Navajo Indian land under the stars. We saw many shooting stars and many satellites. The next day it was off to the Grand Canyon for hiking and my first helicopter ride. It was very enjoyable. I can not wait to jump out of one someday. Then to finish off the trip in style, it was some champagne and a limo ride down the strip of Las Vegas.

4 AUG 97

After I braved the Mexican traffic in Puerto Vallarta I drove up to the place Arnold Schwarzenager filmed Predator. I played in the same waterfalls he blew up and swung on a rope. Eventually my passengers realized I was having fun and joined me in the river. Then we went up to San Blas and hand fed an alligator before we swam in his swamp. Then up to Mazatlan for a day in the sun (and the pool) at the El Cid Mega Resort. Two days later we took one of the best train rides in the world from Los Mochis to Creel up the Copper Canyon. We took a couple of enjoyable day hikes in the canyon and played in some hot springs and waterfalls. The next day was another nine hour train ride. I was good for most of it, then I got too bored and entertained the whole train by having my hair braided, leading a session of limbo, encouraging water gun fights, and playing with the little kids on the train. The last two days of the trip involved nothing but driving and a stop a Dairy Queen once we crossed into the U.S. I spent two days in the Los Angeles office and then flew home to Florida. My brother Milo was down here and I also saw my mother, grandparents, and cousin Dori and Uri. Then I drove up to Tampa to watch my childhood friend get married. Tracie had a very interesting Catholic wedding and an enjoyable reception. Then I drove up to Jacksonville and hung out with Abbie and Brian for a day. They have this great board game called Settlers and I am now addicted. Now I am in Gainesville at Karla's work trying to get her to take the rest of the day off and come out and play.