Summer’s almost over and school is about to begin again. Am back teaching adult English Language Learning classes at our local community college. Fun! So, before summer ended, I wanted to finish an iMovie actually “in the making” for a long time. I finally completed it: 7 Continents: Melodic Sounds and Imageshttps://youtu.be/uUU_RKCooNg .
Since returning from Australia in late June I’ve wanted to assemble a collection of photos and memories from time spent on all seven continents and see what I’d end up with. I did make the iMovie and sort of like how it came out. It’s a bit long (54 minutes) but hope you like it too.
Hope you’re still managing to stay healthy. Sorry it’s taken this long to add a new post. For me it’s been a very active, hectic, and rewarding thirteen months with trips to East Africa, Antarctica, and Australia. (Exhausting but packed with wonderful memories!) In addition to the actual few weeks experience (and very long airplane rides) each trip included months of preparation and then months of processing (including thousands of photos to catalogue). During “processing” Susan and the boys seldom see me because hours each day I’m at the computer reviewing notes and photos. But I’m finally coming up for air from this most recent adventure: two magical weeks down under in Australia.
This trip was a long time coming, its inspirational seed planted in the late 1990s when I first met my friend Paul Taylor, a gifted Australian storyteller and musician. It was through meeting Paul I learned about his collaborative work with senior Aboriginal Elder Yidumduma Bill Harney to document Bill’s culture and people. (To learn more about the Yubulyawan Dreaming Project visit https://ydproject.com/index.php/blog/.)
Ever since meeting Paul I’ve wanted to join him and Bill (and a small group of fellow travelers) to experience the home of Australia’s First Peoples. Below are some very special photos from this trip and a link to a short 29-minute YouTube video https://youtu.be/eEIMyvy_8Qc .
Sydney Harbour – New South Wales, Australia
Vivid Sydney (light show) – New South Wales, Australia
Eucalyptus sunrise, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Boab tree, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Termite mound, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Dingo, Darwin Wildlife Park – Northern Territory, Australia
Flying foxes, Charles Darwin University Rural Campus, Katherine – Northern Territory, Australia
Dance performers, Barunga Fest 2023 – Northern Territory, Australia
Dance performers, Barunga Fest 2023 – Northern Territory, Australia
Dance performers, Barunga Fest 2023 – Northern Territory, Australia
Dance performers, Barunga Fest 2023 – Northern Territory, Australia
Making didgeridoos, Barunga Fest 2023 – Northern Territory, Australia
Yidumduma Bill Harney entering a sacred site, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Yidumduma Bill Harney introducing a sacred site, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
“Moon Dreaming” sacred rock art site, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Dreamtime rock art, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Dreamtime rock art, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Yidumduma Bill Harney, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Yidumduma Bill Harney and travel companions, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Starry night with Southern Cross, bush camp, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Yidumduma Bill Harney visiting with Paul Taylor, Wardaman Country – Northern Territory, Australia
Hope it’s beginning to look and feel like spring. Unfortunately, not so in Laramie, but next week is Spring Break so will pretend. Did finally finish both a DVD and YouTube video highlighting recent adventure around the Antarctic Peninsula. The DVD presentation is next Tuesday afternoon (announcement below); if you’re in town, hope you stop by. (Link to the YouTube video also provided below.) Having a month to process the trip, I’m relieved all the logistics worked out and I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to visit “The White Continent”. I truly was awe struck by the beauty and fragile nature of Antarctica located at the bottom of the world. Below are a few more photos.
Looking for whales – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, Antarctica
Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic, National Geographic Explorer, Captain, Doctor, Program Coordinators and Naturalists – Antarctica, January 2023 (Nat Geo Photo)
Early morning light – Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Falling wind over glacier – Antarctic Sound, Antarctica
Tabular berg – Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Paddling through ice – James Ross Island, eastern side of the Antarctic PeninsulaPaddling through ice – James Ross Island, eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula
Zodiac ride – Lindblad Cove, western side of the Antarctic Peninsula
Arriving Tay Head cove – Tay Head, Joinville Island, eestern side of the Antarctic Peninsula
Killer whales – Bransfield Strait, western side of the Antarctic Peninsula
Zodiac ride – Paulet Island, eastern side of Antarctic Peninsula
Colony of Adelie penguins – Paulet Island, eastern side of Antarctic Peninsula
Adelie penguins – Paulet Island, eastern side of Antarctic Peninsula
Adelie penguins – Paulet Island, eastern side of Antarctic Peninsula
Adelie penguins – Tay Head, Joinville Island, eastern side of Antarctic Peninsula
Looking for whales – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Looking for whales – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Humpback whale – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Humpback whale – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Tail of Humpback whale – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
National Geographic Explorer – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Gentoo penguin – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Gentoo penguin walking a Penguin Highway – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Gentoo penguin – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, western side of Antarctic Peninsula
Hope you’ve managed to stay healthy. Last week I returned from a 10-day cruise to the Antarctica Peninsula. Like trekking the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2017, this was among the most challenging adventures of my life. Similar to the Kilimanjaro trek, much of the challenge was in preparation – for Kilimanjaro it was training and conditioning for dramatic gain in elevation; for Antarctica it was logistics of leaving Laramie in mid-January and traveling over 8,000 miles to board a ship in Ushuaia (on the southern tip of Argentina) and the rough two-day crossing of the Drake Passage. But, like Kilimanjaro all went well and I was able to spend six fascinating days cruising the Antarctica Peninsula and taking lots of pictures. To date, I’ve only catalogued half my photos but thought I’d share a few. (I plan to add a YouTube video later in February.)
Adelie penguins and Weddell seal – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Golden evening sky – Western Weddell Sea. Antarctica
Early morning light – Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Tabular berg – Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Iceberg – Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Chinstrap penguins – Barrientos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Chinstrap penguin – Barrientos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Gentoo penguin – Barrientos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Paddling through ice – James Ross Island, eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Paddling through ice – James Ross Island, eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
James Ross Island – Eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Adelie penguin colony – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Adelie penguins – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Adelie penguin feeding chick – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Adelie penguin walking along beach – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Weddell seal resting – Tay Head, Joinville Island, Antarctica
Taking the plunge – Eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Sea ice – Gerlache Strait, western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Penguins walking on berg – Gerlache Strait, western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay – Western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Gentoo penguin walking – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, Antarctica
Gentoo penguins walkingon expressway – Neko Harbor on Andvard Bay, Antarctica
Hope the year treated you well and you managed to stay healthy. Fall was a busy time in Laramie; I returned to the classroom in September, teaching a few beginner-level English as a Second Language courses for our local community college (up to 18 hours a week, a bit more than planned), Susan continued with her tennis, and the boys got a lot of prairie outings. For a few months I had no lower leg issues and began running again but a recent flare-up changed that, and I need to visit with my orthopedic physician once again. Let’s hope for the best. Next month I finally depart for a 10-day Antarctica cruise – an adventure a long time coming. But Susan won’t join me – too cold, she believes she’s already living in Antarctica just without the penguins and ice bergs – so she’ll stay home with Lincoln and Ridge who celebrate their first birthday December 19th. Fortunately, Laramie recently opened Elevation Pet Resort (a doggie day and night camp) so Susan can get some time away from the boys. Don’t have many photos to share but will attach a holiday greeting card. Best wishes for 2023!
Hope all doing well. Still, unseasonable hot weather this summer in Laramie. We’re good (still Covid free) but back in a supportive orthopedic boot – another Achilles tendon flareup … aging is not for the weak of heart. But hope to soon return to walks with the boys and pickleball. Lincoln and Ridge are growing fast (8 months old this week); prior to my recent setback, the boys had their first swim opportunity at North Crow Reservoir (some photos below); they loved it! And the boys still get morning (and now afternoon) visits to a local dog park. Later this month, I’ll present a program at our local Eppson Center for Seniors (announcement below). Two recent YouTube videos will be presented — a link to one of the videos was shared in my last blog: Majestic Mara
Safari Moments 2004-2022 (27:20) https://youtu.be/xaCptCbft5MLincoln & Ridge enjoying first swim – North Crow Reservoir, WyomingLincoln & Ridge enjoying first swim – North Crow Reservoir, WyomingLincoln & Ridge enjoying first swim – North Crow Reservoir, WyomingCooper, Steve, Susan and Lincoln watching Ridge swim – North Crow Reservoir, WyomingLincoln & Ridge enjoying Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln & Ridge enjoying Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln & Ridge enjoying Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln playing fetch, Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln enjoying eating his ball, Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln watching birds, Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingRidge enjoying his ball, Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, WyomingLincoln & Ridge, Sandy Aragon Dog Park – Laramie, Wyoming
Happy Summer! Very hot here, very unusual. Susan, Lincoln, Ridge and I all well; boys went for their first swim at North Crow Reservoir yesterday – will post some photos shortly. But first, I’ll share a few photos from our recent return visit to Bateleur Camp and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya (also attached link to 20-minute YouTube video). Wow, what an adventure leading up to flight … so many challenges: I was wearing a supportive orthopedic boot due to an overuse injury of my right Achilles tendon; Delta airlines cancelling flights and moving departure time from Denver up two hours (10:30am); boys needing to be boarded for 10 nights in Fort Collins (at Camp Bow Wow) and not able to drop off until 7am; dealing with numerous visa and Covid-related requirements by the Kenya government necessitating electronic visa and verification of prior Covid-testing in the U.S. (thank you Bret) and possible Covid testing at Nairobi airport before returning to the US. In addition, for three years we hadn’t flown internationally so were already apprehensive about the trip and the thought of testing for Covid in Nairobi airport prior to return was unsettling, but we made it! Didn’t need the testing and had a wonderful time. Included are a few photos.
https://youtu.be/RDHOIHUn75sNorfolk Hotel Collage – Nairobi, KenyaBateleur Camp Collage – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaAnimal Selection Collage – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaBird Selection Collage – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaSavanna Landscape – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaMale Lion at Sunrise – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaLeopard Resting in Tree – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaCheetah with Clean-up Crew – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaBlack Rhino with Calf – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaImpala with Fawn – Masai Mara National Reserve,KenyaSouthern Ground-hornbills – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaElephants Walking Road – Masai Mara National Reserve,KenyaAfrican Jacana Walking on Lily Pads – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaMale Lion Resting – Masai Mara National Reserve,KenyaLilac-breasted Roller – Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaMale Lion with Lioness- Masai Mara National Reserve,KenyaDefassa Waterbuck with Calf– Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaMajestic Topi – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Hope you’re staying healthy; so far, so good for all of us. On March 20th we celebrated the first day of Spring with sparklers: celebrating both Spring’s arrival (in theory anyway) and the boys 13-week birthday; they’re healthy, happy and a handful. Today, the boys are another week older and time with them is flying by — yesterday, I posted a brief 7-minute video celebrating the boys first 4 weeks with us. Below is a link to the video and a few photos.
Celebrating the first day of Spring 2022 – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge celebrating the first day of Spring 2022 – Laramie, Wyominghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4MhgBTDzgLincoln and Ridge 1st Month Collage – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge 1st Month Collage – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge 1st Month Collage – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge 1st Month Collage – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge 1st Month Collage – Laramie, Wyoming
For us, very quiet in the house since Sorrel’s passing in December, but that changed a week ago once we met the boys: Lincoln and Ridge. When we finally decided upon a breed of dogs that best fit our lifestyle, we blew caution to the wind and once more selected Springer spaniels, thereby committing, once again, to more active lifestyles. We truly love Springers, and these two males are the best pups: very alert, very active, very loving. Our search ended when we found Denise Root, a successful English Springer Spaniel breeder who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming (Rocky Mountain Springer Spaniels). Given the popularity of Denise’s pups, we had to wait about six months. Mother to the litter of eight pups was a lovely black and white English Springer Spaniel named Lizbeth; dad was Tucker, a blue tri roan colored English Springer Spaniel (both seemingly with wonderful dispositions). The boys are now a bit over nine weeks old and from the photos below you can already easily see who resembles mom and who resembles dad. For those living in Laramie, we hope to introduce you to the boys shortly, for the rest of you the boys can’t wait to meet you.
Ridge and Lincoln Day – Laramie, WyomingLizbeth and Tucker (parents of Lincoln and Ridge), Rocky Mountain Springer Spaniels – Cheyenne, WyomingLizbeth’s litter of 3-day old pups with Lincoln (#6) and Ridge (#2) identified, Rocky Mountain Springer Spaniels – Cheyenne, WyomingLizbeth’s litter of eight pups at about 20 days, Rocky Mountain Springer Spaniels – Cheyenne, Wyoming“Got Ya Day” 8 Weeks, Susan with Lincoln and Michael with Ridge, Rocky Mountain Springer Spaniels – Cheyenne, WyomingSusan with Lincoln (in lap) and Ridge, first morning at their new home – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge’s first vet visit, Chappelle Small Animal Hospital – Fort Collins, ColoradoRidge and Lincoln explore their backyard – Laramie, WyomingRidge and Lincoln explore their crate – Laramie, WyomingRidge with new friend sharing his dog bed – Laramie, WyomingRidge relaxing on his dog bed – Laramie, WyomingLincoln relaxing on his dog bed – Laramie, WyomingLincoln and Ridge napping – Laramie, WyomingBest Friends, Lincoln and Ridge napping – Laramie, Wyoming
Earlier today, like her brother Rusty who passed nearly a year ago, Sorrel was peacefully laid to sleep in my arms at Chappelle Small Animal Hospital in Fort Collins. As you might imagine, saying goodbye to Sorrel was heart-wrenching. A month ago, she celebrated her 15th birthday and for most of 2021 Sorrel was in fairly good health: still taking short runs/walks on the prairie once a week (sometimes with both Arnie and me) and able to walk to the park (on her leash) twenty minutes or so each morning. Then a few months ago Sorrel’s back hip began weakening and her stumbling increased. This past week was increasingly difficult for her though Sorrel’s spirit and resolve remained strong: drinking water, taking dog biscuits and allowing me to support her when trying to walk. Sorrel could no longer stand or walk on her own (I helped as much as I could) and we all knew it was time. She’ll be greatly missed. Below is an iMovie posted on YouTube shortly after Rusty’s passing and a few photos I’ll always cherish.
Joyful Seven (19:05)
Sorrel Day 2006-2021Sorrel & Andy, January 2007 – Laramie, WyomingRusty, Sorrel & Trapper Christmas 2012 – Laramie, WyomingTrapper, Rusty & Sorrel, Neighborhood Watch, Spring 2016 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel at 12 weeks (2007) – Laramie, WyomingMichael & Sorrel, Easter 2011 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel in her Living Room Fort, November 2021 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel Portrait, 2008 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel & Susan, January 2007 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel, November Snow, Undine Park 2021 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel, November Snow, Undine Park 2021 – Laramie, WyomingSorrel Resting with Andy’s Stuff Cow, December 15, 2021 – Laramie, WyomingRusty & Sorrel, Pilot Hill Recreation Area, September 2020 – Laramie, Wyoming
WONDER 