by Dee Mason

Studying Statistics Should Help

Americans are becoming increasingly risk averse. This is bad news, not just for them as individual Americans, but for the global economy too. Being risk averse means that one never experiences anything new and exciting, for fear of discomfort or falling foul of some statistically unlikely event. It inhibits and limits the imagination and restricts movement.

Life is Risk

All forms of travel bring a certain degree of risk. Moving from A to B is inherently more risky than staying put in position A. That applies to jumping in your car to visit the shopping mall, or driving around the corner to see friends. But did you know that statistically car accidents are more likely to happen within a quarter of a mile of your own home than anywhere else on a given journey. Seems implausible? It is a fact, and if you consider the elements that come into play it is not surprising. Perhaps, after a long journey you are tired. As home comes into view you relax your guard, allow your mind to scuttle ahead and think about what you want for supper. That momentary lapse of concentration can cost you your lives. But you would never consider staying at home instead of visiting a relative an hour’s drive away because of that statistic. Nor refuse to visit the shopping mall.

Harmless Holidays

One might think that staying close to home would be the safest route to longevity. With this world view many Americans never leave their own state, let alone attempt travel to a foreign country. Two out of three Americans don’t even have the chance, as they have never applied for a passport. But when you look at the figures, sometimes it is safer to be on holiday than it is to stay at home.

Baja

If you want to holiday, but don’t want to take a plane abroad then Mexico is a great option. The Baja area in particular is stunningly beautiful and offers so much for tourists to enjoy. But it is surprising that this area of Mexico is overlooked by some American’s—for whom the fear of travel stops them seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes and beaches in the world. With plane travel available from major airports there is no reason not to fly to the Baja region for a short break or even for a long weekend. Why not fly in for a round of Golf? There are golf courses for all abilities. When you’ve finished the round you could go deep sea fishing? Big fish can be caught in the sea here, and it is very popular with serious anglers. Or, if this sounds too exhausting, the beaches are stunning–with white sand and clear water.

Statistics Say It All

Mexico is the number one travel destination for Americans, which may surprise some. Over 50,000 each day visit Mexico, which means that statistically your chances of being hurt or the victim of crime come down considerably. Fear of crime and violence is one of the reasons American citizens cite for not wanting to visit Mexico. That having been said, Mexico is actually safer than America, even after taking drug cartel related violence into consideration. In world wide comparison Mexico doesn’t even rank in the top ten dangerous places to visit.

Live a little!

If we all stayed at home and never traveled, we would never have the chance to experience the wonderful gifts that travel can bring. They say it broadens the mind, and indeed it does. Walking under the stars on a moonlit beach, trying new and exciting foods, finding out that people everywhere are just the same…all these things enrich our lives and make us feel that we have really made the most of our time. If we don’t like it we can always go home. But if we never try we may always wonder what the world had to show us.

Remember you are more likely to die of a smoking related illness in the U.S. this year than be murdered in Cd. Juarez, the most dangerous city in Mexico! You are also more likely to be killed in a drunk driving accident within 20 miles of your home than even witness a violent event on vacation in Mexico. So let yourself go and live a little. A visit to Baja is a great place to start.

Smile Madison

Our first week in San Felipe has flown by. Chuck and Larry have been busy adding electrical outlets to the shed/shop. Lynn has been unpacking and kicking back with a book. I have been attempting to put some work into my web sites. It seems I have diversified to the point of chaos so I am attempting to narrow my focus and work on one or two sites.

Yet is is easy to get distracted with new toys (Google Voice) and social interactions (Facebook) and I don’t seem to be making much progress on my ‘cash’ pages like SoWhereToFromHere and CheapLivingTips.

We have managed to stay in contact with video calls and chats on Skype. It is really great being able to see the baby (Madison) and chat with Jeremy online.

p.s. Note the new “Call Me” button on the right of this page.  It is a direct link to our Google Voice number which will ring us here in San Felipe (or on our cell phones when in the states).

Full credit for the music goes to Jenn Grant.

Pet Crate from Amazon

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Chicken To Go..photo courtesy of Brittany Semplonius

My cousin recently shared this photo on Facebook and I was so tickled by it that asked the photographer for permission to share it on my web page. It just goes to show you that where there is a will there is a way, yes?

However, if you are looking for a more conventional means of transporting your pets or wildlife, you can find all types of carriers at Amazon.

Pend Oreille River - Back Yard in Newport

It is difficult to grasp that we have been here in Newport, WA for almost two months. The days go by swiftly like the Pend Oreille River in the back yard.

Since my last post, we arrived here at Larry and Lynn’s (my brother and his wife) shortly after Jeremy’s (my grandson) graduation from high school in June.  We brought Torie and Alex (my niece and nephew) up to their grandparents for a visit.

Bonner – 3lbs14oz – 9 weeks

We acquired a new puppy, Bonner shortly after our arrival.  He’s a real joy but he did put a kink in our travel plans.  Because of him we missed out on a visit at Chuck’s sister Cathy’s.  We are looking forward to making up for that lost time when they come to see us in San Felipe though.

After a week of lazing around looking at the beautiful view (above) we took a road trip to Nampa, ID and visited with our good friends Rob (the world renown Robert Roberts of R2rockz) and Cerise.  They had just added a new puppy, Ziljian, to their menagerie but the four dogs blended well and became good friends (as long as you don’t mind your friends trying to sit on you:).

From there we made a quick trip back to California, stopping in Susanville to greet our new nephew DJ into the world (my niece Frances and Donny’s son) and going on to Paradise to visit with Staci, Arby and Jeremy and pick up Chuck’s turning equipment and supplies.  While there, we also retrieved our retriever, Maxx.Back in Newport, Chuck is again turning but has also been busy building steps for our RV, working on the boat and just generally being handy about the place.  He has trouble sitting and relaxing unless he has a computer in his lap or the TV in front of him but he’s finally getting the hang of this retirement stuff.

I have been busy working on my web work (no not spider webs!!!).  You can see my latest endeavors on my new My World, DIYEnergy-Net and DIYSolarSupplies sites.  Feel free to browse and comment and don’t forget to bookmark my Shop pages for your future Amazon purchases!

We expect to be back in the Sacramento Valley about August 20th and hope to see all our friends and family while there.  Then off to San Felipe!

Check out video of Maxx and Bonner playing. Maxx often remains prone to level the playing field for Bonner.

I’m still  struggling with the new movie software and I was not able to find the “edit titles”  option so this is going up rather unfinished.  I only published about four minutes of the 30+ minute show. I tried to capture the highlights but it doesn’t do the display justice as it was nearly nostop like this for the whole presentation.  It was really incredible.  Very nice.  Hope all had a safe and sane Independence Day.

New Family Member - Bonner at 9 weeks

This post comes to you not from the deck in San Felipe but the deck in Pend Oreille County.  Our travels have taken us to a picturesque spot on the Pend Oreille River which has no DSL or even cable available so I have had to resort to using my USB air card from AT&T.  I selected the company with care after studying all the coverage maps for the competing providers.  AT&T rated high but I am sadly disappointed in the speed of transmission.  I am able to check email and Facebook but viewing videos online or uploading pictures is a major drag.

Pend Oreille River in our Front Yard

I’m told I will need to drive into Newport and use the wireless at the library to get better.  This is really frustrating.  Having to go somewhere and sit to watch my lessons or post movies is a lot like work.  Not at all like sitting in comfy chair and typing away while looking at the river flow bye.  Hope we have better luck on the road. Wireless air cards are not conducive to working from home when home is on the road.

The picture on the right is supposed to a snap of the moose we saw the day before yesterday while drinking our coffee, however I was too slow at remembering the phone was in my pocket so he has already strolled down the trail and behind the neighbor’s shed.  Later that day a white tail deer almost jumped the fence in the picture while I was sitting on the hammock but I startled her when I tried to get Chuck’s attention and she took off the other direction instead.