We are finally done! Our last day excavating was on Thursday. We thankfully got a machine to backfill, so we weren't stuck shovelling for a week. We got to bedrock in five 2x2 metre units, which was about 8 metres below the surface. We didn't find any archaeological material that far down, but it did become clear that the cave floor was formed by wave action. There were little depression where we found sand and lots of fossilized bones of large birds and some mammals. We also reached the back of the cave, which we have been trying to do for 3 seasons now.
So we packed up yesterday and today we are spending our last night in Mexico. Tomorrow we will head for the States and then stay in LA. At that point I will separate from the crew, spend a few days with some friends and then fly home. Hurray! Home. It will be nice to see everyone and get ready for going to work in the Yukon. I won't have e-mail from there, but I will post when I am back in Edmonton.

It has been another exciting week in Baja. The boys bought chicken necks instead of thighs for dinner one night. That was an experience I don't want to repeat. Shake and Bake necks just don't quick make a filling or appetizing meal. On our last day off three of us went on an overnight hike into the east hills. We walked through a valley with some lush greenery, which was a little closer to home compared to the semi-arid conditions around the site. We camped under the spectacular stars and had a huge bonfire. We didn't encounter any snakes or dangerous wildlife, just some interesting insects and birds. We are steadily getting deeper at the site. We are down past 7m. We haven't found anything too exciting, just lots of huge rocks and dirt. Only 2 more weeks, so hopefully we will find an occupation. Last Saturday night there was a carnival in Erendira with bumper cars and a few very unsafe looking rides. The highlight of it was the carnie food. I only had the churros, but I could have chose from corn in a cup, fried bananas and various other fried items doused in hot sauce. There was a fundraising dance next to the carnival, but the crowd wasn't really near our age. Lots of young teenagers and 50 year old men. The weather has been pretty good. I've managed to get a bit of a sunburn, but most days the fog doesn't clear until noon, so it has been chilly in the mornings.

Hello. Another week has gone by, and it has been filled with fun outside of work. Last weekend was the Baja 500. We watched the race from a hill and got to watch trucks and buggies, some with helicopters to help some of them. We were then invited for dinner to one an Americans house. We had the best Mexican food yet, with lots of new people to talk to. Today Laura and I walked to some petroglyphs near town. They were small, but impressive. It was a hot day, so the rest of the day was spent on the beach and reading. We have a friend that has e-mail in here under that I can check, so that is great. Haven't used a 56k modem in a while, but it works! Have a great week! Only 3 more until I'm back in Canada.