30casa30.com

Uhheh, Uhheh (cough cough)…

Yowsers, didn’t think I would have anything dramatic to write about until I was down in Mexico.  On the contrary, I just witnessed the largest evacuation in California’s history.  All due to “Firestorm 2007″.  I had planned on my last full week in the US, during ‘07, to be a relaxing one.  Finalizing details for my upcoming trip.  Instead it was spent inhaling smoke, planning for evacuation, and chasing fires.  That’s right, I said chasing.  I’m a guy afterall, ever since I set my GI Joes on fire in 3rd grade I’ve been a little fascinated.

Pacific Beach, where I live, didn’t receive anything but smoke and ash.  However, my girlfriend was evacuated along with her Grandparents and 1,000,000 other SoCal residents.  I was also witness to the Cedar Fire of ‘03.  From what I recall it seemed to produce more ash and smoke but I’m sure that was just due to wind direction.  Not that the Firestorm 2007 hasn’t been hard on the lungs.  I’ve had my moments with shortness of breath.  Derek and Claudia would agree, they took their little one (Izzy B) to Long Beach to escape the air quality and give her lil’ lungs a break.  Although, one may be able to argue that LA smog is as bad as San Diego fire air.

While at my girlfriends I was able to watch the fire roll over the hills and head toward her and her parent’s houses.  Luckily Otay Lake was a natural fire break and prevented the fire from coming towards their homes.  Well, with the assistance of winds switching directions, the Santa Anna’s subsiding, and the hard work of Cal Fire.  So, one could say it was a VERY close call.

Here is a picture I took at Eastlake Woods where all the multi-million dollar custom homes are.  It was amazing to watch how fast the fire(s) climbed the hills.  Most of them were still under construction and neighboring residents trespassed to get a better look at the blaze.  Don’t know if you can see it but there are people standing on the hill in front of the fire.  Gives you a good scale.  You can also see the ash coming down in front of the camera, almost like snow.  Still trying to figure the posting of pictures in the blog out.  So, may not turn out like I hoped.

But, so you know, in the end all is calming down.  Fires are still burning and homes have been lost along with life.  One of the individuals who passed away on Monday was an employee here at NAVFAC.  I had met him before and it is truly a tragic loss of life.  My thoughts are with his son who remains in intensive care with burns over 60% of his body.

Hopefully this has no indication on what is to come for my travels in the south.  Hopefully this last week is more dramatic than anything I experience while traveling…time will tell.

Hola Mi Amigo…

Kidding, that’s about all the Spanish I know.  But, that ain’t going to deter me from heading south.  First, welcome to this new website that my compadre (Sean Carty) setup.  He finally dusted off his MIS diploma and put it to use.  Guess that’s where the statistic comes from, college students use 3% of their education post-graduation.

For those of you who don’t know,  Sean and I are heading south for the winter.  Spreading are wings one might say.  Not to escape the cold but to fulfill a long time goal of ours.  A backpacking trip through Central and South America.  Hence the website name, CASA (Central America South America), also meaning home in Spanish.  And, we’ll both be turning 30.  Me while on the trip and Sean at the tail end of it.  That’s where you get the 30casa30.  Two men, some may still say boys but don’t mind them, soon to turn 30 looking for a little adventure away from the daily grind.  That’s my take, for all I know Sean just wants to look at Brazilians in thong bikinis.

Our journey began almost a decade ago when we went on Semester at Sea together.  Shortly after our return in the Fall of 1999 we discussed another trip.  A backpacking trip to include the continents we missed during Fall 1999.  We have three left, South America, Antarctica, and Australia.  This trip will include Central and South America, maybe Antarctica or a lil’ Bed, Bath, and Beyond if we have time.  I hear the Beyond section is to die for. 

We’ll be taking nothing more than what we can fit in our newly purchased 70 Liter backpacks.  I believe Sean went with the Osprey Aether 70 and I chose the Gregory Baltoro 70.  When it comes down to it they’re no bigger than a small duffel bag.  I’m quite excited to widdle down my personal effects to four pairs of underwear, two pairs of shoes, five shirts, two pairs of shorts, one pair of pants, a jacket, and other miscellaneous items like a camera, flashlight, medical kit, etc.

Right now, I’m counting down the days.  12 days left.  Sean and I will be meeting in Cancun to start off.  I’ll be flying from San Diego and he’ll be leaving from New York City (in search of some authentic salsa).  Yes, a bad reference to Pace Picante Salsa.  After that well, its a bit of a question mark…a big one.  But, it is how it should be.  Adventure never really followed a schedule.  So, for answers to those questions you’ll just have to subscribe to the website and read our updates.  We’ll be posting photos and stories of all our debauchery as we go along.

Oh, in prime fashion my Mom has bought me the latest in spaceage personal tracking gadgetry.  Its called ”The SPOT”.  Basically, its the 2007 version of those accordion leashes that Moms use to put on their kids during shopping trips at Malls across America.  It uses Global Positioning and should link to Google earth and allow you to see our exact location.  More on that to follow.  Doesn’t come out until November 1st.  So, still figuring out how to get it since I’ll already be in Mexico.  Who knows if it will have coverage, but, fingers are crossed.  Or else my Mom may not sleep for 5 months.

Next story to follow in a few weeks…