Monthly Archives: February 2013

Weekly Photo Challenge: Forward

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I like these photos for the Forward challenge because they show the view from the cockpit …. one literally and the others more figuratively.  The actual cockpit photo was taken near Juneau, Alaska.  We flew Ward Air out of Juneau and had the great fortune of having a friend of a friend be our pilot.  He took great care of us and took us on some special glacier viewing opportunities as well as up and over some glacial valleys.  I’ll never forget this moment because we were all looking out the windshield seeing these peaks getting closer by the second. No one said anything but we were all wondering … how are we getting over those when we are obviously lower than the summits.  Fortunately, without any problem!!  There was such a thrill on the other side of these peaks.  The ground fell away immediately and it felt like we were free-falling for a second.  The other two photos were taken on sea kayaking adventure trips.  One was taken in the Sea of Cortez and the other most recently kayaking to Tobacco Caye by the Belizean barrier reef.  Tobacco Caye was literally Gilligan’s Island and where we would spend the next 3 nights!!  Hope you all enjoy the views forward!!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Forward

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I recently had the privilege of trekking to the first Mt Everest base camp in Nepal.  It was one of the most amazing adventures I have ever experienced, in part, due to the group I travelled with.  There were 12 of us (from 19 to 60 years of age) who made the trek together with fierce determination to make it to 17,500 feet.  Despite a few minor mishaps with altitude sickness, we all plowed forward and made it all in one piece with an immense feeling of accomplishment. These photos below were taken by my friend and fellow traveler, Rick Burns and represent my view of ‘Forward’ for the photo challenge this week!

Please see the WordPress Photo Challenge:  Forward for a peek at other great talents!

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The Indescribable Adventure to the Everest Base Camp

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Hello from the Life Bus!! After about a month of being away, FastPam is slowly getting back into the swing of daily life.  Had no flippin idea how much of a life change it would be after spending 3 weeks in a 3rd world country in the middle of no-where with a bum tooth.  I went from focusing on peaceful daily survival in the middle of the Himalayas to planning weekly business trips with a client in distress and scheduling a root canal.  Where do I start? I have gone round and round with how to describe this completely AMAZING adventure and for me, the best way to share the trip is through the images I produced.  In a nutshell, I spent 3 days exploring Thamel, Kathmandu and about 15 days on the main trail up to the first Mt Everest Base Camp (17,500 feet) – Into Thin Air actually means something to me now.  If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. There were 12 strangers who hiked over 60 miles, climbed ~9,000k feet and came out in one piece with a greater appreciation for life and for each other.

An amazing group of people, bluebird-sunny days, minimal shower opportunities, shoddy power, no TVs, constant black fingernails and boogers, sherpa squat toilets, frozen underwear and socks, yak dung fires, blankets that smelled like bellybutton lint, a helicopter evacuation, and views of the most amazing mountains in the world contributed to one of the greatest adventures I will most likely ever experience in this lifetime!   I hope you enjoy viewing the adventure through my eyes.  As you can see, my favorite part of the trip, were the people we encountered along the way.  Thanks to REI Adventures for a trip of a life time.  If you are interested in the detailed trip itinerary, take a look on the Travel with REI section of the REI website.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Home

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3 years ago over Christmas the Life Bus took an amazing journey to Tanzania.  Pam, Greg, Emily, Todd, and I climbed Kilimanjaro, experienced the wildebeest migration along with numerous other spectacular animals on safari in the Serengetti, and spent a week on Zanzibar.  I became fascinated by the Masai culture which manages to maintain many traditional customs while living side by side with the modern world.  On our drive from Arusha to the Serengetti, we had the opportunity to stop at a Masai village.  Despite the fact that this community probably sees its fair share of visitors, there was nothing that felt touristy about the experience.  It was, however, an incredible opportunity to actually step into (crawl into is really more what we did) one of the mud hut homes of the Masai.

The women traditionally are the ones to build these homes.  The huts are made of dung, sticks, grass, ash, and really anything else they can find.  These homes are intentionally simple as the Masai have been a nomadic culture.  That, is of course, changing to some degree.  The homes are very small, approximately 9″ x 12″ x 5″.

We were invited inside and the reality of how small the space is became very apparent.  Within this space the family does everything:  cooks, sleeps, and socializes.  The sleeping area consists of a small alcove off to the side.  The cooking area dominates the small space.  The smell of smoke inside was so thick I wasn’t sure how they are able to breath.  There was one funny moment while we were in the hut.  While sharing stories about Masai customs with us, our Masai guide took out his machete and waved it in the air.  We were all crouched shoulder to shoulder in this tiny space.  For an instant, my eyes got quite large.  Emily and I were quickly assessing the exit plan.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember what he was trying to show us in that moment.  The machete had my full attention.

I am choosing this as my selection for this week’s photo challenge because I continue to remain thankful to travel for opening my eyes as to how others in the world live and the places they call home.