Sneaky Salamander

And so my latest endeavor begins- the next adventure spotted. However, the means to achieve it are questionable. In the next six months, what needs to happen is the following:

1.) Find a sponsor willing to donate at least $5,000
2.) Get a week off from school either before or after spring break
3.) Obtain a suitable means of protection
4.) Get the Bronco up and running
5.) Clear the entire shoddy, dubious plan with the parents

After hours, well maybe just a few minutes of drinking wine in a state of speculation, Alyson (willing and enthusiastic partner in crime) and I have decided to dub our quest Mission Banditos. Inspiration for the title– derived from a book that was recently devoured upon discovery. The book in question? In Search of Captain Zero, the true story of a surfer seeking his friend somewhere in the broad region of the Americas.

Steely beast that it is, this year will be the final one for my lovely blue bronco. I recall its maiden voyage from Oregon to Seattle, learning to drive stick couldn’t have been more challenging. While I swore violently, the massive truck humped its way down the street as it lurched and screeched to half-halts and finally shuddered to a complete stop. I slammed my head into the wheel and looked over at my dad who sat very straight, his clenched knuckles white and teeth bared. Slowly my supportive father forcefully crinkled his face into a reluctant grin and said “All right, lets try again”.

It is now going on four years of an amazing relationship with my baby and I am sad to say that it is beginning to need some extra attention I can’t afford and the parents WON’T afford. But, my dream is to send it off with a bang, to give the veteran what it deserves and leave it somewhere it will be cherished. The easily-fixed mechanical wonder may no longer be appreciated here in the States (more specifically San Francisco) but it is a fact that old Fords are welcomed with open arms anywhere south of the border.

Alyson and I hope to take it as far is it will go… down through Mexico, cruise into Guatemala and maybe over through Belize, who knows? Along the way we’ll be stopping for waves and sleepy towns protected from the ever-extending grasp of commercial tourism (very romantic and idealistic no?).

More on all this later… it has yet to unfold