2002

This year I was blessed with many different travels and visits with family and friends. In January I flew to Venezuela and Peru to visit my friends. I then flew to Santiago, Chile where my girlfriend, Betty, met me. We toured the city and visited some wineries. We then flew to Punta Arenas in southern Chile, took a bus to Puerto Natales and then rented a 4x4 so that we could do some backpacking in Patagonia. Also, took a ferry to see a penguin colony on Magdalena Island. Absolutely beautiful country!

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, southern Chile

In February I flew to Houston to visit my sister and attend the Rodeo Houston event. Had a great time. I got to see the Cumbia Kings (brother of Selena who was killed a few years ago). I just wish I could have stayed an extra day to see Clint Black, one of my favorite Country Music artists.

In March I flew to Austin to attend the South by Southwest Music and Film Festival. Bands from all over the world convene for 10 days in the middle of March and play throughout the city. If you get a chance in the future to attend, you should. You can view the events for March 2003, which I will be attending again, by going to: www.sxsw.com.

April was a wonderful month as well. The baseball season began April 5^th and I adopted two players again this year. Neomar Flores, a pitcher, from Venezuela and Mikail Jova, an outfielder, from Costa Rica. Also, in April, I flew to Mexico to see Betty. She took me skydiving in Cuatla, just south of Mexico City. Had a blast!!

In May I took my students (Hispanics with the Charleston AlleyCats) for a visit to Teays Valley Nursing Home. The Nursing Home Residents loved it and Channel 13 televised it. I just hope I can organize another visit with our elderly again next year. Also in May I took the boys to visit the Hurricane High School Spanish class. Both events were well received.

In June, I flew to Alaska to visit my buddy, Daryl, for my annual fishing trip. He took me Halibut fishing near Homer. We filleted the 80 pounds of fish we caught, vacuumed sealed it, froze it and shipped it to family and friends. We also fished on the Kenai River and then drove to Seward. Had a terrific time! Also during this time, my Huskey, Joshua, passed away. It was a difficult time for me as I was very close to him.

Daryl and I fishing on the Kenai River

The latter part of June and early July, I flew to Houston to meet my girlfriend, Betty. She and her sister wanted to do some shopping. We stayed with my sister, Marissa, and toured the city as well. Had a good time.

In July and August I took my sister, three nieces, as well as, Betty and Bobbie (who grew up with us in Farmington) and her son, Jamey, backpacking in Colorado. I took them just south of Telluride. Then Betty and I did some backpacking in the Grand Canyon . Also, in August, I drove to Marlborough, Connecticut to visit my Tio Juan and Aunt Marge. Had a great time!

Labor Day in September was the end of the ball season. It was sad to see my boys go, but I expect to see some of them next spring. Speaking of which, four of my boys made it to the Big Leagues! Three of them I had last year (Diego Markwell – pitcher, Guillermo Quiroz – catcher and Alexis Rios – outfielder) and one this year (Francisco Rosario – pitcher). They are on the 40 man roster with the Toronto BlueJays. I am very excited for them! I just hope they do not forget their adopted dad here in West Virginia! Also in September I flew to Albany, New York to visit my friends Tony and Cecilia Cerra. Had a great time!

October was a quiet month. I did, however, fly to Houston and then drive with my mother and sister to Louisiana to attend my cousin Javier Zamora's wedding. We stayed at the Paragon Casino/Hotel in Marksville, LA. While there I gambled $200 and lost it. Oh well, maybe I’ll hit the lottery someday!

In November, I took a trip to Venezuela with my friend, Stacy. She was Medina's girlfriend this past summer and wanted me to take her down. She does not speak Spanish and did not feel comfortable going alone and asked me to accompany her. We had a good time.

Now for the BIG news. Also, in November, I flew down to Mexico during the Thanksgiving Holidays to celebrate with my sister and nieces. She had driven down to see my girlfriend and take my nieces to Acapulco and to Mexico City. After they left, my girlfriend and I spent a few days together before I flew back home to West Virginia. During these few days, I proposed! I was blessed with the acceptance of marriage. I guess I should now call her my fiancé, right?

As for December, I am not traveling due to Open Season for the Federal Employees (my main job) and with the high volume of mail with the Post Office (my part-time job). Not a problem, I think I can stay home for a whole month without traveling!

For the New Year, I have already made a few plans. In January I will be flying to Texas to attend my Uncle and Aunt’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary, attend a seminar here in WV the following weekend and then fly to Austin the week after that to see George Strait at the Frank Erwin Center. In February I will be flying to Kampala, Uganda, Africa to visit some friends and then climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It will take 8 days to climb the mountain. I can hardly wait!! Then in March I will be taking my friends to the South by Southwest Music/Film Festival in Austin again and then the following week attend my fiancé’s sister’s wedding in Mexico. Then in June I will be going to Alaska for my annual fishing trip.

I can’t seem to stop this “itch” to see the world. Maybe you all can join me on one of my adventures! I would love to have you join me!