After a sunny childhood of exploring in southern California, Gary Eduardo migrated north to the Redwoods, where his studies in Geography and Spanish were capped by a cultural immersion in Oaxaca, Mexico. He then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and began leading backpacking adventures in Mexico, and later South America, always seeking places off the beaten path. Mountaineering adventures brought him to Washington state, where he has lived since 1992. After some two dozen trips to Latin America, he has collected many maps, as well as personal stories about stumbling upon wonderful places, meetings with remarkable and friendly people, and the joys of travel and exploration in remote places. He hopes that through sharing these words and images, readers will find inspiration to explore, appreciate, and care for the Earth.