Getting our stuff together

Mo and I worked on organizing and preparing our gear for our trip this afternoon.  I've got a lot off stuff between my Kilimanjaro hike https://www.zaratours.com/and doing a 60 miler across Connecticut last spring.   I'm including a link to Zara Tours, because is the group that led us up Mt Kilimanjaro.  Another friend contacted me about getting some information about doing the same hike.  Only regret I had was that we didn't do a more extensive safari.  I hope I will be able to go back again one day and take my wife, Wendy.  We did a one day one, and got to see some amazing things, but a 3-5 day trip into the Sergengetti would be amazing!!!  If you ever want an adventure I highly recommend Tanzania.  

Did I tell you about my friend, Mohamed.  I met Mohamed 4 years ago at Kroger's in Blacksburg.  At the time Mo was working at Kroger's and taking classes at New River Community College.  Mo came over from Tanzania  Since then he has graduated from New River and now is close to finishing at Va Tech.  Mo talked with one of our mutual friends, Wanda Price, about getting a Va Tech class ring.  We worked on this together and Mo has his ring coming in July.  I only wish it could get here a little earlier.  Mo is heading back to Tanzania

I was able to borrow several things from my Kili hiking partner, Herb Grant.  Just missing a couple of small things.  I told Mo that we will want to have everything ready and packed on Friday evening, May 16th, so that we can get an early start Saturday morning. Unlike Kilimanjaro, if i forget something i can pull off the side of the road and find something along the way.

When Herb and i hiked Kilimanjaro I was 54.  the oldest in our group.  Herb and I worked very hard to prepare ourselves for this hike.  my favorite character of all the folks that went along on our hike was
Joseph Mele.  Joseph was about my age at the time. He had been helping lead trips up Kilimanjaro.  Joseph had an addictive personality, and everyone loved him.  He would frequently break out singing Christmas carols and would often stop and yell "power to America, power to Tanzania!!!"  We also loved hearing him sing this song.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBwp9k0i-3IJambo Bwana a swahili song.  Because I was the oldest, Joseph tended to connect with me.  He called me "Papa" and we frequently walked together on our way to the top.  I also called him "Papa" as he was the oldest in our group.

Herb Grant 2010 - Full moon hike Mt Kilimanjaro

Got some great advise on South Dakota from my friend, Steve Cass.  Steve recommended swinging by the badlands https://www.nps.gov/badl.  He also recommended stopping by Wall Drug.  Will fit in what we can.  So much to do and so little time to do it.



In addition to our stuff we need to start pulling together a plan on how we will eat.  Fortunately Mo says he know how to cook.  I can survive.  I know I can.  I cooked dinner for myself each night on a 6 night hike across Connecticut.  We will keep things simple to save time, more than anything else.

I'm planning on growing another beard on the trip.  Probably will start tomorrow morning.  Takes me a long time to grow a beard, and even then it isn't very full.  My father grew a beard several times.  Not sure what his motivation was, but I think I liked that he did that.  Made him a little edgy.

We called my father "Papa" when I was growing up, and even as I grew up and had my own family.  Never called him anything else.    Wish I had gotten to know him better.  Lost him in 1990, so almost 25 years ago.  I ran into a guy recently that had my father in a freshman English class in 1965.  He told me that my father was his favorite teacher ever.  I don't know if he was being truthful, but I'm taking it that way anyway. Here's to Papa!

Forgot to tell you.  When we got ready to leave Tanzania I asked my Tanzanian friend, Joseph what size she he wore.  He had accompanied me to 19,000 feet above sea level wearing 15 year old ill fitting running shoes with holes in them.  I took off my $300 hiking boots and gave them to Joseph.  I have no idea whether Joseph is still wearing them or if he sold them to provide for his family.  Makes no difference to me.  Here's to Papa Mele!