Turn back the clock one year, more or less (you know how Thanksgiving always falls on a different date), to 2006 and here is how I spent Thanksgiving. It was Day 2 of a 5 day horsepacking trip in the Copper Canyon region. Looking back, it didn't really feel like Thanksgiving to me since I had been living in Mexico since mid-May. I was so removed from American culture that to me it would have just seemed like any other day. But, we had four Americans that had traveled down from Durango and Santa Fe for the trip so with their help, I did get into the Thanksgiving mood.

We packed up camp and left the little town of Naranjo and journeyed towards a town called Urique where we were to meet the owner's wife to re-supply. At our first stop on the trail, someone broke out a bag of Turkey Jerky, probably Diego. I also think that we had dried cranberries. We jokingly exchanged "Happy Thanksgivings" and expected that to be the end of our Thanksgiving festivities.

Eating. From left to right clockwise - Maria Jose, Ryan (my goatee is most visible), Fred, Randy, Jim, Diego, Ana, Hugo.

Imagine our surprise when Diego's wife, Ana, showed up in Urique with a typical American-style Thanksgiving. I was pretty amazed because I know that nearly much everything had been purchased in El Paso, Texas, which was a mere 12+ hours drive from the Hotel. For whatever reason, Mexico does not do turkey. There is chicken a plenty but I can count on one hand the number of times I had seen turkey in Mexico. Gravy, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce. Diego and Ana did an excellent job. I think I knew that Ana and Diego were planning a little something but I didn't know it would be quite that extensive. I do remember being asked before we left what "ginger" translates to in Spanish (ginebre for all you biliingualoids). Ginger, as you know, is a key ingredient in punkin' pie.

All in all, good times and good food with great people!

Our group was composed of
Diego - owner of the Hotel Paraiso del Oso
Hugo - Mexican wrangler/son of Diego
me
Dave - friend of Diego from Santa Fe, New Mexico
Randy - horse trip operator from Durango, Colorado
Jim - retired lawyer from Durango, Colorado
Fred - retired optomologist from Durango, Colorado

Ana - Diego's wife and preparer of aforementioned feast
Maria Jose - my girlfriend at the time from Guadalajara, Mexico

If you are interested in the entire trip, click on the Mexico link at the top of this post and you should be able to find the article that was published in TrailRider magazine about the trip. 

Matt Hawkins, Coach Pat Owens, Ryan Hawkins, and Nathan White (not necessrily in order of speed)
November 2007, Living History Farms, Iowa

The annual running of the Living History Farms Cross Country Race in Des Moines, Iowa, always brings out familiar faces. I have been running in this event on and off since 1996. This year was an “off” year for me, meaning I didn’t run (the jeans should be a giveaway.)

Anyway, my brother was running this year and I decided to ride along to enjoy the race as a spectator. Back when I was in high school in Bondurant, our school district shared a cross country program with a neighboring district, Southeast Polk High School. For three years I ran cross country and I was excited that my brother joined me for the good times when he was in high school. It turned out to be a wonderful experience and I can’t go to any running event in Central Iowa without seeing somebody I know from my cross country days. See the picture above for two examples. Patrick Owens was my coach my junior and senior seasons and Nathan White was one of the best runners in SE Polk cross country history. I also ran with Whitey's talented brothers Nick and Tony during my time there.

The actual race is between 6 and 7 miles (varies every year) over the hills and through the woods and creeks and cornfields. It can get pretty messy depending on the weather conditions. My only complaint is that the race field has gotten huge. The first year I ran it in 1996, there were 1200 finishers. This year there were over 7000 entrants!

Living History Farms Race - Info and Results

The legendary Jim Ross, play by play announcer for WWE, and the slightly less legendary John Hawkins.

My father, the gatekeeper at the south endzone entrance at Iowa State football games, welcomed a legendary sportscaster through his gate during the Iowa State/Oklahoma game. Jim Ross is widely regarded as the best announcer (possibly ever) in the wrasslin' business. His commentary adds immeasurably to the spectacle that is professional wrestling. JR, as he is referred to in the WWE, was on-hand to watch his beloved Oklahoma Sooners take on the Cyclones.

Before the game, I was outside the stadium and I was asked by a person that I didn't really know that well if I watched professional wrestling. As a 27 year-old I was hesitant to respond and gave a "yeah, I've seen it a few times." (The truth being I have been an on and off fan for most of my life.) The person proceeded to point out JR and his trademark Resistol 200x (black hat). Later, I went down to the field to talk to my dad and told me JR had a sideline pass. We got JR to stop on his way out for halftime and I got a picture of him with my dad. Honestly, JR couldn't have been a nicer guy. He was accomodating to all fans and was very genuine.

Oh yeah, my dad tends to be a pro wrestling fan, hence the picture. (In case you are wondering, JR is unable to smile because he has had multiple bouts with Bell's Palsy which to me makes his announcing all the more impressive.)

If you are not familiar with JR's work and want to be, here is a link to a WWE site that has a video recap of his illustrious career. It's a real slobberknocker!!

Jim Ross Highlight Package (you might have to push the play button a couple of times, it doesn't autoload)

Jim Ross Wikiquote Page

Say what you will about pro wrestling and the "sports entertainment" business but when someone is as great at their job as JR is, respect and admiration is due.

Pictured: Juliana Lutz, Ryan Hawkins and Matt Hawkins, November 2007, Boone, Iowa

On Sunday, my niece, Juliana was baptized at a Lutheran church in Boone, Iowa. In addition to being uncles, my bro and I are now Godfathers to little Juliana as well. It was a nice little ceremony and Juliana did her part very well by looking pretty and not crying. It turns out that I can clean up pretty well when needed. No word on whether my brother and I will dress identically at the next family function, although one could argue that his collared blue shirt has more sheen to it than mine does so technically they are different.