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Travel & Everest at Age 50? Why Not?

July 31, 2022August 3, 2022Posted in adventure travel, blogging, Everest, Mountains, photography, TravelTagged Mountains, Nepal, outdoors, travel, trekking2 Comments

Recently I immediately saw a photo of Mount Everest on the wall behind the bar at the Dutton-Goldfield Winery in Sebastopol, California. It was a photo of Mount Everest from Kala Pattar! So many of us climb this 18,519 foot peak to see a spectacular view of Mount Everest and the nearby peaks. I love travel and the chance to share experiences with others who have been to a same place! I wanted to know more.

Who traveled to Nepal and took the Everest photo hanging behind the bar? Thankfully the man setting up our wine tasting knew. After finishing a business meeting at a nearby table, Dan Goldfield was introduced to me! (He’s the Goldfield in Dutton-Goldfield Winery!) Both of us, many years ago and at different times, turned 50 years old and trekked to Mount Everest’s base camp. On his trek he continued to a neighboring valley. When I turned 50 years old, I trekked to Mount Everest’s base camp, thanks to the support of my employer allowing me time in Nepal during the school calendar.

Was it easy to train and complete the trek?

Train for the trek: carry a fully – loaded backpack, climb up and down garage parking lot stairwells – often smell horrible – and icy northeast USA roads, plus time on hiking trails in Arizona and the Grand Canyon (my favorite place now that I moved to southwest USA) to determine best hiking boots! Many times I wished I was 20 years old because the months of training were hard work! In retrospect, I am thrilled to have accomplished what I did! Out on the trail, “climb the mountain” was my mantra. Burning through hundreds of calories, sleeping on the ground, hiking for hours at continued increasing elevation – hike high, sleep low – and enjoying the company of fellow trekkers and locals where we enjoyed delicious food all added to the experience! Of course, arriving at Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp were the ultimate goals and then downhill to safely arrive home!

Yes, life is good with travel!

After the trek, I made presentations for my students and staff at my school, my community and at a local Eastern Mountain Sports – provider of my reasonably priced outdoor gear – some I eventually donated to our trekking porters. I cannot speak for Dan; however, if I was able to travel to Nepal to climb mountains when I was younger, I would have. From my point of view, when reaching 50 years of age it is time to travel and climb mountains or it will never happen. I love mountains! Thankfully my school’s faculty, board of education, student body and community allowed me the opportunity to trek in Nepal. Writing this post brought back wonderful memories!

Bridges – not for the weak of heart! I loved their sway!

On top to see Everest still in the distance.

Avalanche while we were there at base camp.

I could not step on the Khumbu Icefall as Chinese liaison stop you. Look closely, in center of photo, of people crossing a crevasse. The icefall is huge.

I visited a local school as I do on all my travels. Eventually we send additional supplies to the school.

Our group leap-frogged up the trail with Erik’s group. He is with his brother and father who I meet. Years later his father is involved with a Tibetan project I had; small world!

Wally – wonderful person and guide. I follow him to my next big mountain the next year!

I admired Rob Hall and was saddened by his death so left prayer flags at his memorial.

A few decades later, I am so glad I kept these photos! While having great memories is wonderful, especially since I am still of an age with a good memory, it is fun to see the good times and other people in the photos. Don’t wait till you are 50 years of age if you can make some of your dreams happen now! There’s a big world out there with many fantastic adventures to be had, so enjoy!

Is That A Bird Nest or What?

April 7, 2021March 31, 2021Posted in AnimalsTagged Nature, outdoors, wildlifeLeave a comment

During my daily neighborhood walks, I look for plants and animals new to me. Recently I was looking for active bird nests for my possible participation in Nest Watch. With focused eyes toward tree tops, shrubs and cacti, I saw a hefty silhouette of something and thought it may be the start of some bird’s nest-building. Here is what I saw … look closely in the top quarter of the photo below:

As I walked closer to the tree, I observed it was not a bird nest. And what was in the space remained in place, not bothered by my approach. Upon closer inspection I observed a ground squirrel, sitting on the tree branch riding the wind as the branch bounced up and down, looking at me! The ground squirrel never moved as I took a couple of photos with my phone. These photos allow you to more easily see the ground squirrel:

Usually I see ground squirrels on the ground:

But the winning, most fun observation for me was when 9 months ago in our backyard I saw this ground squirrel pulling on our prayer flags!

It is important to keep our eyes open, even during our daily neighborhood walk or looking in our backyard. There may be a fun observation to be made by you! What will you see? No idea until you get out there and look; have fun!

Protect the Grand Canyon…and All our National Parks!

February 24, 2017February 23, 2017Posted in UncategorizedTagged Grand Canyon, greenways, National Park System, national parks, outdoorsLeave a comment

I love trees and when in combination with a beautiful canyon all is wonderful. I want to see them together!

I hope many of us understand the importance of protecting our national parks, outdoor spaces, and even our local greenways whether we are using them for hiking, bicycling, bird-watching or relaxation of any sort!

I am forever thankful to our predecessors who had the foresight to set land aside to be protected. Now if we can keep them protected, future generations will enjoy what we have been able to enjoy yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I Hope More of Us Protect Wildlife

May 14, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged hope, national parks, outdoors, wildlife5 Comments

A generation of young people may be attached to their video games and other technological gadgets, but there is no reason why the person can also not step outdoors every so often! It could be to simply see the crack in a sidewalk or a local dog park where one would find an insect or two, or a small reptile or mammal running by. With small appreciation for those critters, a person may venture further to a creek, pond or lake or a garden, field, or forest. Whatever it takes…a small step to simply appreciate wildlife, small or large, one or many…if more of us do not encourage others to notice and appreciate wildlife, there will be none!
You do know we lose many species per year; destroy vast habitats; don’t appreciate our forefathers who helped set lands aside for us all to now enjoy….I hope there are enough of us to understand why we need natural areas for our wildlife and to help protect the areas for multi-use while also allowing our wildlife a home.
I had hoped our country would be as progressive as Costa Rica where at least 50% of that country is natural. While we may never be to that percentage, let’s hope we can protect what we can. Humans need wildlife, I hope we never forget …I hope more of us protect wildlife.