On Feb. 24th my wife Sheila and I returned to our winter hideaway in Tucson, Arizona, following our 70 day adventure from Tucson to Panama (we winter here, but are from the Okanagan Valley, B.C., Canada).

Last night we enjoyed the company of a fellow rider we met last summer in Nakusp, B.C.; Michelle Eisele (scrabblebiker). Michelle is on her way down to Mexico and perhaps beyond.

We were talking about Mexico and happened to mention that we spent a few nights in Mazatlan on the way down to Panama. We went on to say we were walking along the street in front of our hotel and saw three guys sitting outside a bar enjoying a . One had a Horizons Unlimited t-shirt on and as we approached were surprised to see our friend Bill Atchison. We had met Bill at the Nakusp meeting last August so we joined our friend for a or two.

It was then that Michelle told us of Bill's passing. We were absolutely stunned to hear this aweful news. Bill had emailed us several times during our trip through Central America and in his last email on Feb. 15th, he invited us to join him at Garry's hostel in Mexico City just last month.

Sheila and I would like to send out our heartfelt condolences to Bill's wife Janine and his family.

I know I speak for all of you when I say Bill Atchison left a huge impression on us all and will be greatly missed.

Casey & Sheila Boyle