Eshel Hashomron Ariel

... sunset while I catch a bunch of crappie. I already planned dinner (bacon wrapped filet mignon) so I don’t have to keep and clean any fish. I let’em all go – I even snipped and retied a couple hooks rather than rip their guts out – which I normally use as my excuse to keep a few to eat. I fish a little too long. It’s pitch black out and I awkwardly steer through the woods to get back (I believe ...

I tasted teargas for the first time on Friday. It stung my eyes, burned my throat, and irritated my nose. To help with the effects, a couple of villagers passed around some raw onion to smell. That helped a bit. Rocks were flying toward the soldiers as they were approaching on foot, shooting rubber bullets at Palestinians and firing teargas canisters high into the air. The villagers of Jayyous, a small village north of Qalqilya ...

... to my surprise that the gas prices in Texas aren't very much cheaper than what we have back in Michigan. While going through Missouri and Arkansas, I noticed that gas was about $2.79 - $2.89 a gallon. But once I got into Texas, the prices went back up to $2.99 a gallon. So either gas prices went up across the board (again) or the differences I'm seeing is the difference in the way each of these ...

... several of us had never been to his Algiers home, including myself. It was good to see where this all started, and even better to see it continuing strong. If you want to learn where Common Ground came from, you can read Malik's original opEd from September 1, 2005. Much has changed since that time, but much has remained the same.

Ok so I haven't left for Greece yet, I know I know. But i know how much all of you want to know my address so you will be able to write me while I am there. Mandy Finch Harding University 37th Klm Leoforos Markopoulou- Porto Rafti 19003, Porto Rafti Markopoulou Mesogaias Greece Hope you have a wonderful day. I will be packing during the rest of mine since I only have two days left really now. I'll miss everyone, but at least you keep up with me while I'm gone.

... A tornado force 4 is coming our way!!! So we waited until they announced it changed direction and was now going north!!! So we finally went out on Bourbon Street of course!!! Live music in every bar, Jazz and soul, and a really party spirit!!! You really want to come back for Mardi Gras!!! 3 days later, Kathrina arrived and destroyed the city!!! A real shame!!!

Crew 618-B gets together for one final gear shakedown and to load the Crew trailer. Mr. Adrian's home-built trailer and Mr. Russ' fine artwork are just what the Dr. ordered to get our gear to Philmont safe, sound, and lookin' good, but not necessarily dry. Once we post a few pictures you should be able to see the garbage bag pack covers placed over the pack before loading?

... stop at McD's for lunch, a gas station for jalapeno Zaps and beer for the party, and we were on the road. Amazing how much of a cultural difference there is just an hour outside of Baton Rouge. I'll take some comparison pictures next time I head out that way.

... in a black SUV...waving beads at us! oh ya, and more...they mooned us!!! i have to say those were some good lookin asses!! And another odd sighting! we saw a wheel chair on the back of one of those traveling vans!! hilarious, we thought grandma feel off! so, we made it back...although we missed the Super Bowl but the weekend totally made up for it! that was one sick ride!! next on the agenda...Mardi Gras 2006 (bigger and better!)

This is actually pretty close to the real date of my first big trip away from home - my six week trip to Europe with a friend when I was nineteen. Departing from the place where I grew up, we changed planes in Atlanta and landed in London. I still remember the price of that plane ticket: US$400 for the round trip from Baton Rouge to London! It's probably more than that now!