Mid-November, 2009, I climbed Mt. Tunari.

(Link to: Video at the peak)

Saturday, April 3, 2010, I go again.

Same guide, different group. This time I am going with a bunch of Danes and a few friends. I am so excited!

These last two weeks before the ascent I have increased my work out to include stairs. With the goal in mind it is actually fun to meet the sunrise on the steps.

Following are some facts about the altitudes of the Mountains in Bolivia found on the Peakware site. Clicking on the name of the mountain will take you to a dedicated page on their site about the climb, where to start, some classification, some strategy, etc. This is a complilation for my future reference, more than anything.

1. Tocorpurri (Sucre, Bolivia)
   22162 ft/6755 m
2. Sajama (La Paz, Bolivia)
   21424 ft/6530 m
3. Illimani (La Paz, Bolivia)
   21200 ft/6460 m
4. Ancohuma (La Paz, Bolivia)
   21095 ft/6430 m
5. Illampu (La Paz, Bolivia)
   20873 ft/6362 m
6. Chearocko (La Paz, Bolivia)
   20101 ft/6127 m
7. Huayna Potosi (La Paz, Bolivia)
   19996 ft/6094 m
8. Chachacomani (La Paz, Bolivia)
   19928 ft/6074 m
9. Acotango (La Paz, Bolivia)
   19856 ft/6052 m
10. Sairecabur (Chile / Bolivia – enter from Calama, Chile)
    19613 ft/5978 m
11. Mururata (La Paz, Bolivia)
    19242 ft/5865 m
12. Condoriri (La Paz, Bolivia)
    18530 ft/5648 m
13. Nevado Jacha Huaracha (La Paz, Bolivia)
    18176 ft/5540 m
14. Serki Khollu (La Paz, Bolivia)
    18140 ft/5529 m
15. Maria Lloco (La Paz, Bolivia)
    18117 ft/5522 m
16. Cerro Chello Cunka (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17880 ft/5450 m
17. Hati Khollu (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17785 ft/5421 m
18. Chacaltaya (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17700 ft/5395 m
19. Cerro Chualluma (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17684 ft/5390 m
20. Pequeno Alpamayo (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17618 ft/5370 m
21. Cerro Mullu Apachita (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17611 ft/5368 m
22. Tarija (La Paz, Bolivia – start point for many others)
    17241 ft/5255 m
23. Wila Llojeta (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17208 ft/5245 m
24. Piramide Blanca (La Paz, Bolivia)
    17159 ft/5230 m
25. Cerro Tunari (Cochabamba, Bolivia)
    17060 ft/5200 m
26. Cerro Kuchu (La Paz, Bolivia)
    16306 ft/4970 m

You know how much I love graphs and charts.

Altitudes of Mountains in Bolivia

Cool, eh?

The fresh air was filling my lungs. I took a deep breath to enjoy it. We stood on the porch surveying the fertile hues that seeped into the murky brown lake. My girls reminisced about this and that. Then it got quiet. Out of the blue my three year old boy matter-of-factly announced, “Dat’s a cow.” We looked at one another and burst out laughing, my girls and I. Then we listened. He had indeed heard the moo of the cow in the meadow down the lane.

Being the quick humored boy that he is he joined us in a good belly laugh at his frank interruption to the serenity of the moment. Later in the day I we had a few chuckles about it as we remember his cuteness together.

The idea of a hike was proposed for the afternoon. After a morning baking in the sun by the pool the overcast path was inviting. A cool breeze picked up to aid us on the upwards walk. Twenty-six sprightly feet ran ahead of the six parental ones leisurely lagging behind. The incline was gentle. Again things fell quiet as we took in the beauty. All of a sudden the littlest boy, my boy, turned around and announced, “Dat’s a cow.” Again a pause was followed by a good laugh, especially since  Tyler was slightly mistaken in that the sound he heard was  not a moo but instead the roll of thunder. He once again joined us with his funny chuckles.

The mouth of the cave was our destination. The children scaled, crawled, and spelunked as us big people watched, pointed and photographed. The thunder continued softly in the distance and the clouds darkened in the sky. The lull in the conversation came. Mist and sprinkles began to form. This time the announcement came from my friend. The matronly observation was thus, “Hm, looks like the cows are about to start peeing.” Glances of wide-eyed disbelief were exchanged before we doubled over in laughter. It was a perfect punchline.

I assumed that was the end of our bovine frivolity. There was one more funny tucked away during our time; my oldest daughter was the instigator. The following morning I was up with the sun. I wrapped a comforter around and wandered out to greet the day. Low and behold my Raimy had beat me to the welcoming spot. I crouched down beside my girl. Both of us were still groggy with puffy sunburned faces. We exchanged monosyllabic noises and went back to letting the breaking dawn work its wakening magic. Quiet calm surrounded the chirps of birds. Then came the announcement, “That’s a cow.” Sure enough bessy had made her presence known to us with a lowing in the field below. We looked at one another and grinned. The grin broke out into a full blown laugh as the sun broke out from the clouds.

The cow that started it all was finally spotted. That rump was all we saw of the infamous cow that vacation.

Would you believe me when I tell you that one of the toys Tyler brought on our trip was a plastic cow?

Two years ago we took the youth of our church on a retreat outside of town for the days of Carnaval.  This year we took a group of pastors to the same resort center about a 45 minute drive from the city for a relaxing conference.  Both times our children were in tow. We like to get one of the cabins on the grounds and have some fun family time alongside the ministry that takes place.

It was fun to look at the shots from 2008 and my shots from this year as we put together the following pictures. Enjoy!

The cabin porch overlooks a lake in a mountain basin. Cacti scattered on the hillside mix with the lush green trees and make a fun playground for dozens of birds. It is stunning from sun up to sun down. In 2008 Timothy and the girls are seen. In 2010 Tyler was sitting with his sisters.

Sisters truly do share everything. This swim suit was worn by 10 year old Raimy in 2008 and by 8 year old Gabrielle this year. Yes, Gabrielle is tall. Makes it nice in the hand-me-down department, that is for sure.

Fun in the sun was a common thread from one vacay to the next. This year we had the luxury of some extra playmates by way of friends of ours who brought their kids. One morning we had a fun water balloon fight. The pool was our gathering place for the bulk of the time. There were other outdoors activities: foosball, hiking, basketball, cards on the veranda, meal time buffets and tadpole watching by the pond.

We all got sunkissed, some got more smootched than others.

Biggest regret: not enough photos. I must make it a point to get a good family shot and a good shot of DaRonn and I – an oversight two years running now.  That’s ok though, this just gives us an excuse to do another family get away, soon.

Little Miss Gabrielle keeps a smile on my face with her antics. Both shots are at the cabin. In the 2008 shot she is saying “What up homes?”. Her papa taught her the phrase. In the 2010 shot she found my hat and modeled it begging for a picture. Who could resist that charm?

Denise, the mother of the family who was there with us, and I were discussing a photo phenomenon. When do kids learn how to fake smile? Every kid goes through a phase during which if you ask them to smile their faces wrinkle and contort into a silly looking grin, or worse, the powerful tooth bearing squint. Unless you catch them in a candid shot the exhibits above are what you get. No matter, 8 year old Timothy and 10 year old Timothy still had fun, as did we all.

Die hard @ngie fans can visit this online album for a slew of photo fun from our get away: Kaluyo Resort Family Get Away / Pastors Conference album.

One more vacay post coming soon: “Dat’s a cow!”

For more about our climb of Mount Tunari read my previous post: Desire Fulfilled (click to go there).

For more vlogs you can go to the video page (click to go there).

Enjoy the view!

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

(Proverbs 13.12 New Living Translation)

Laying on the landscape framed by my kitchen window Mount Tunari waited. From afar I watched it change unchanging. Snow, clouds, fire, sun, green, brown, and shadow playing on the peak as I longed from afar. Promises many, whispered, proclaimed and writ: I will climb you, Tunari. Did my words reach your rocky ears from afar?

The rains are coming; come to me. Her answer beat full in my chest. Come away and up; know my curves, crevasses, edges and bits. Come with feet quickened for climbing that you may feel me ‘neath you. Come with hands grasping to ascend, lungs virgin to the heights so I may afresh fill them with thin crisp air and warm rough earth.

I heard. I heeded.

Pulling draughts, ever needing more. Blood beating, keeping quick time. Impending explosion, lungs and heart assume. One. Step. Then. Another. Minutes make an hour twice. Pinnacle seen. Electricity crackles under boots. Stand, arms outstretched. Snow and sparks dance on the fingertips. Life like a tree sprouts through veins; the desire fulfilled.

They are known one by the other. Firsts are never forgotten. Cords tied tighter, binding soul with land.

(images can be seen enlarged by clicking on them)

Of the hundreds of pictures we took last week I was able to narrow down the ones I am choosing to display to a mere 26. These will give you a feel of my most exhilarating experiences. There are four categories with a bit of a description before each one: St. Malo, Crosses, Mountains, and Out and About. (Mouse over the image and it’s title will pop up.)

St. Malo

The retreat center where we stayed for the better part of the week we were in Colorado was called St. Malo. It is nestled in the mountains just outside of Estes Park. The seclusion afforded us an atmosphere free of distractions and replete with nature in it’s most natural state. One morning I awoke early and climbed up on a rock formation where they have placed a statue of Christ. My companions were a squirrel and two blue birds. As far as the eye could see great mountains rose out of the ground reaching up to embrace the immensity of the foreboding clouds that washed the heavens with gray tones and swirling forms. The most wonderful part was that we were with friends, dear friends. We also met some new people and had some great conversations. The conference was limited in numbers to create an ethos of intimacy.

Crosses

Our time was saturated with spirituality, but not in an ethereal way. Rather, there was a very real sense of heaven come to earth. On the cross Jesus made the ultimate connection of his humanity and his divinity. Tapestries depicting the life of our Lord draped every wall and welcomed us in to a contemplative state. Some of the crosses on the grounds were refined, others rugged. The diverse crosses remind me that Christ came to seek and to save all sectors of the human race.

Mountains

Mist danced with the relentless dusting of snow. Crisp air filled our lungs. Gusts of wind coming through the trees made us catch our breath and wet our eyes. I wiped away the reflex tears not wanting to miss a moment of majesty. I love the mountains. I love living in the mountains.

Out and About

Tooling around discovering new things to see, do, and eat was so much fun. Certain foods and shops could not be passed up. Then there were other places we had never been before, but will probably be back to because we enjoyed them. There is a shot in this group of a farm and a sky that never ends. We whizzed by it on the highway and I told DaRonn, “That right there is America to me.” He snapped and it turned out pretty good.

The Rockies are calling me. This is the last day that I will only gaze on them. Tomorrow I will be in them. The air, the immensity, the trees, the dirt, all of it will be nothing less than exhilarating. Exhilarating… Exile… I will be completely unplugged: no phone and no internet. It will be good. I am looking forward to it.

Right now my hand is reaching for the plug. We have had a few days of travel thus far. The cities that have brought us here are: Santa Cruz, Miami, Denver, and Boulder. We are in Dacono. The new sites have that familiar gleam. My head is swirling with thoughts, hopes, stimulants, speed, glistening cleanliness and pinch me I am dreaming reality.

- o -

Here are some pictures… unedited, simply snapped along the way.

Amidst all the list making in preparation for travel in a few days I thought it would be fun to make a ‘live’ list of what awaits me this coming week. I let myself start getting excited the other day. I felt it building. It’s one of my favorite sensations!

Without further ado and void of much forethought here is what awaits me:

• Kid free travel
• Loads of air time and some layover bits for tons of reading
• The unknown
• Surprises
• Mystery
• Good friends
• Good conversation
• Good food
• Navigation on the passengers side (I haven’t yet replaced my stolen U.S. drivers license and I don’t think that they will accept my much labored for Bolivian one)
• Breathtaking scenery
• Rocky Mountain air
• Hiking
• Listening
• Time with my Moleskine
• Hanging out with DaRonn
• Being unplugged
• Photos ops galore
• Inspiration
• Rest
• Prayer
• Quiet
• Creation
• Hugs from dear ones
• Good memories of times past
• New memories made
• The manifold voice of God

"Diversity", watercolor and felt tip pen

So, when we are in the States again I must remember to flush the toilet paper. Wipe and drop, wipe and drop. It’s not so hard. The absence of a trash can overflowing with wadded up toilet paper complete with brown smudges will be your first clue. Wipe and drop.

I wonder what else I can expect. It has been 28 months since being back in the States. I have traveled to other places like Peru and the Salar de Uyuni. But we are going back to THE United States. Home of the fast lane. Home of fast food. Home of fast talking because everyone is so gosh darn busy.

Remember you are free of the green envy monster. Be happy for people when they tell you that things are tight so they can’t give towards the orphanage… but come see my new car. Be happy when people tell you they only have a couple minutes to talk even though they haven’t seen you face to face in hundreds of thousands of minutes. Remember that, “Hey! How ya’ doing?” isn’t a real question.

Must not kiss. No kissing anybody. Do you need to pack the duct tape just as a reminder? Extend hand,  lock elbow, grasp firmly, up and down. No kissing. Oh, and don’t forget the churchy-nothing-kooky-going-on-hug-slash-pat. Stand shoulder to shoulder, reach over and give a quick pat on the opposite shoulder. It shows you care, but not overly.

Babies. You got some very strange looks when you goo-gooed over some bitty ones last time. Oh, of course the babies were just eating it up, but the parents start personal space training at a very young age in the States. The baby stays in the plastic carrier. That is their place: strapped to the plastic thing sitting on the floor while mom talks to everyone. Don’t bother the babies because the parents might be bothered by that. Sneak your goo-gooing in when the mom loses interest in your conversation and turns the other way.

Conversations. Have you got your kodak moments prepared? Can you sum up your life in a 30 second phrase? Sure, there will be some people genuinely interested in what you have to say, but test the waters before you jump right in. Don’t worry about being up with the latest lingo. They find it endearing when you slip some Spanglish in or have an odd accent.

They have home court advantage… HEY, hold it right there… what is all this us and them talk? You are a they and they are a you. You don’t have to try to be someone you are not. You just be you and they will love you. I would suggest that you remember what sports season we are in, though. You might not want to use phrases like “home court advantage” seeing as we are in football season. Oh, and that is the football with the hands, feet and pads, not just the feet. Got it?

*We all do it. We talk to ourselves. The sophisticated pros call it ’self-talk’. In a theatrical production it is like unto a soliloquy. Whatever it is, here’s some from my head.

- o -

Well folks, I am off to the States early Friday morning. DaRonn and I are going back to where we spent our honeymoon: Colorado. That was 13 years ago. We will be there for a week with some very good friends and a few dozen other people who have also dedicated their lives to ministering to others. I am more excited than nervous. It is really going to be a wonderful time.

We have been offered a wonderful opportunity. At the end of September a time for ministers at a retreat center near Estes Park, Colorado is being hosted by our home church. We have been invited to attend. It will be so good for just DaRonn and me to get away to be refreshed and built up.

We need some wheels.

If you or someone you know would be willing to lend us a vehicle that would be great. Our flights are not arranged yet, so we can coordinate where we need to fly into and all that. Even if it is in one of the states that border Colorado we are willing to make the drive in and then back again to return the vehicle. If you are able to help or have some connections then please let us know. Thanks!