Mexico

I love Mexico City. It's a beautiful city and the people are really friendly. Even after all the Trump drama they treat visitors with respect and hospitality. With every great city comes crime but Mexico City has to be explored.

Met this little girl while we waiting to cross the street. She was cute and giggly. She ran off when the light turned and I could see she had to get somewhere. I wish her well.

This is a simple Mexican Margarita that is the best I've ever tasted. If you're ever in Mexico City go to the restaurant Fonda El Refugio. Great food, great service, great drinks. Very affordable. 

Appetizers

Pork with Green Chili. A great meal.

View from the rerun flight home. I hated to leave but gotta get home. 

Guatemala

The best thing about my job is the travel and I get paid for it. I do work hard but you have to take advantage of the trip and get out. Guatemala is great country and the people are extremely friendly.

Zacapa Rum. This stuff is good enough to drink like scotch; glass, ice cube, sip.

This is Antigua a touristy town surrounded by volcanoes. That's Volcán de Agua (Volcano of Water) in the background. Or that's what our driver told us.   

An old church being restored.

Old church.

More to follow. Q

Vehicle Change

Changed my ride. Went with a Flycraft. A present to myself for surviving hard times. I'm ready for Spring. Q

Moving Forward

Lots of changes for better and worse. It's almost the end of the year and I don't know where the time went. I had some challenges in 2016 but overall it was a good year. Work has me travelling all over South and Central America so I've been busy. Didn't get to fly fish much this year but will reattack in 2017. Changes.

I took a trip to Buenos Aires. It's great city with great steak, wine, beautiful women, phenomenal architecture. I'll be back

Jr came home for Thanksgiving. We fried a turkey. I love my son so much.

Took a trip to Mexico City. Got a cool mask and ate a lot of tacos. I'll be back.

Moochie passed away in December. He was 14 years old and lived a full life. I'm glad we were able to give him a good life. He's in cat heaven sleeping, eating, pooping, and peeping. I miss him already. Love you Mooch. My son. 

The Mooches. 

Outside

Went fly fishing at Fort Belvoir today. Nice hidden water that not a lot of people know about. It's close to my apartment also. Caught some fish but not a lot of pictures. Enjoy.

A great day. Sunny, not too hot, all to myself. Peaceful

Caught some of these guys. Nice fighters. This guy was big and he liked the popper.
Thanks for stopping by. 

El Crapo

Sorry, I let it lapse again. Nothing new going on. I'm retired and doing contract work for ok pay. The weather has finally turned nice so I'll be in the water soon. Hurt my back so I'm stuck on the couch mending. More to follow. vr Q

The Force

I can feel it in my bones. It's going to be a cold winter. Time to buckle down and tie flies.

My bedroom. The bum is on the right side

Foody Oody

Just some stuff I like to cook for myself. It's little challenging cooking for one person but I'm a fixer so I eat for two.

This is a short rib which is probably my favorite cheap meat to cook. Takes time to cook but turns out great. Enjoy your evening.

Adjustments

Had to move my canoe to my apartment. It was a clandestine effort but I got it in and I don't think anyone noticed. I'll use it as my new fly rod rack. I don't think there's anything wrong with having a canoe in your living room. It's only plastic right? vr Q

Tumultuous At Best

I'm back. Since my last post I had some major changes in my life. Divorce, kids moved out, retired, cats moved out, joined the civ work force. There were some dark periods since my last post which kept me at bay but I'm good, still fly fishing and having fun. More to follow.

The North Fork of the Shenandoah. My favorite place to fish and be alone.

Me

Rapidan River Part II

I fished the Rapidan River out of the Shenandoah today. I had to hike in about two miles and then back out. I had a great time but I'm smoked. It was cold to. A high of 37 degrees today. Pictures

I hiked down to a place called the Rapidan Camp which President Hoover had built as his forest retreat. It was a pretty interesting place. Had it all to myself and didn't see anyone all day.  If you want to see it let me know and I'll take you. It's a long walk though and the trail is beat up. You have to cross a few streams so you'll get wet.

The front of Herbert's house.

This little pool ate about four of my flies. It's difficult to fish due to all the bushes and tress and my rod was too long. I used my 9" rod but should have brought a 7'6" rod. Since I don't have 7'6" rod it looks like I'll need to go buy another fly rod. I need another fly rod like I need another fly rod. 

Complicated water. 

If I got wet I was ready to fire this thing up.

It looks like I'm pointing at something but I'm not. Just wanted to get a picture of my fly rod.

My pack with lunch. This thing has been with me all over the world fly fishing. I bought it in Korea dirt cheap and it has held up well. 

Water Fountain

There were several water falls but this was the only one I took a picture of. It's not much of a water fall but it looked and sounded nice. Even though it was cold it was a great day to be out. I really enjoyed exploring the area and may go back tomorrow. The Shenandoah National Park has a lot of trails and things to see. It's even better in the winter because nobody is out there.

Back For More

Well I dropped off the net again but I'm back and will update this blog. I went to visit my mother who was sick. She mentioned there were no updates to my blog which surprised me so I will continue to blog. Since I've been absent not a lot has happened but I did go to Belize to fly fish. Pictures

Started the trip in Houston to visit my sister Ilia and pick up Mark. Mark's brother shot this deer and, well there it is.

It was a great flight in to Amber Griez Caye, Belize. 

Drank a lot of this local beer.

I think I was tipsy.

Mark hanging out by our cart drinking beer. This is where we were practicing fly fishing. The place had crocodiles but we didn't know.

Mark was the first one to catch a Bone Fish. I told the guide to cut his line because I wanted to be first but he wouldn't do it. Mark was extremely happy because, as he told me later, it took everything he knew about fly fishing to bring that Bone Fish in.

It was a great trip and I need do it again next year. And the year after, etc. 

Our guide Rojo. He was great and got us on the fish all day. He knew all the good spots and had a great sense of humor. We tipped him well. Good luck Rojo!! See you next year. 

Back to Breckinridge

I love this place. Never crowded and there's lots of great water to wade or row. Lots of bass, crappy and blue gills. Took my son with me this time. Enjoy the pics.

Great day out

They like the yellow popper

Even hooked my son

No clue what I was doing here. 

Breckinridge

Out for a day on the water in Breckinridge Reservoir. Had the place to myself all day and caught some fish. Another great day.

The Ride. Turns on a dime and lots of room.

Ran out of water so I had to drink Japanese beer.