These creatures are spectacular and as I get close for a macro shot, I discover that they have very small teeth even though their diet consists mostly of small insects which they snare with their long tongues.

Our next destination is Ngangu Hill from where we hope to gain a nice view of Kilimanjaro from a distance. Along the way we find a chameleon and coax it onto a branch for some portraits.

Next, we descend into a deep gorge to view the Kilasiya Falls. The steep and treacherous descent is made on wet clay which is about as slippery a surface as you can imagine for negotiating with a pair of crutches. Amazingly, Nico is able to climb down and out without killing himself. If not for the beauty of the falls, I almost regretted this detour because of the risk it posed to ending our climb before it had even started.

Today is meant to be a rest day but we quickly grow bored and hire a guide, John, to show us around the area. We start with a tour of the Chagga Live Museum. The Chagga people are indigenous to the area around Kilimanjaro and we learn of their history, culture, and lifestyles.

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport, we are met by our driver who takes us on the final one and a half hour stretch of our journey to the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. Driving here is on the wrong side of the road and requires enormous skill to avoid collisions with other vehicles (including your normal array of gas fueled types as well as mule and human drawn carts and bicycles carrying huge loads of thatch, water jugs, or lumber), innocent by-standers, livestock, unmarked road work, etc. On this occasion our instinctive search for seat belts went unrewarded. 

Nico seems very introspective as we wait to board our flight to Tanzania. Fortunately, during this 9-hour leg of the trip, we had an unoccupied seat between us affording Nicolai the space he needed to recline and both of us were able to get some much needed sleep.

During our layover in Amsterdam, Nico and I treat ourselves to a huge breakfast fearing this may be one of our last good meals. Neither of us were able to sleep much on the plane as we had hoped to. Nico swears that if he were just one inch shorter he would have been able to find a comfortable position. It should be noted that all such positions involved use of my body as a form of pillow for some part of his body.

While standing in line for security screening at Logan airport, I ask a stranger if she would mind taking a picture of Nicolai and I as we embarked on our voyage. The woman recognizes us from one of the TV spots we had done and was more than happy to oblige fawning over us as if we were celebrities. Strapped to my chest is a camera bag which houses both my still and HD video camcorders. You will see it there in almost every photo of me on the trip.

All of our gear is packed and we can not wait to begin our odyssey. All the recent media attention has been wonderful for the fundraising effort (total is now just over $20K), but has left us both anxious to get on with the challenge before us. For all who have wished us well and supported Nico’s cause you have our sincere thanks. Please know that we will be drawing on all the encouragement you have provided when the going gets tough.

Today is the big day. Nico and I leave for Africa and our attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. We are both more than a little nervous. Nicolai spends some time resting up with Nala.

This evening, Jeanine prepared a feast to help Nico and I carbo load for the climb. Dessert featured this Kilimanjaro inspired cake complete with frosted glacier courtesy of Maya. Friends have been streaming through all evening wishing us well on our odyssey. Kyle survived day two of soccer tryouts (although he is walking around the house like a tired old man). He was the only freshman to make the first cut based on passing a gruelling fitness test.

The interviews were a lot of work, but Nico appeared to have fun with it and is pleased with the results. Meanwhile, Kyle had a double practice today for the high-school soccer team tryouts. One of the challenges is to run 2 miles in under twelve minutes. Kyle was one of the few freshman who passed the test. 

Video Links

ABC News

FOX News

New England News Channel

Radio Links

WBZ Radio

Print Links

The Concord Journal

Today we experienced a media onslaught. Nicolai and I did three television and one radio interview about our upcoming Kilimanjaro coming of age adventure. Nico was a cool cucumber, the same of which can not be said for the father. The links to the various sites are embedded above.  

As I stumbled downstairs for breakfast this morning, I found this creature rocking on our sun porch. I asked the creature what it was doing. The creature said it was rocking. This fact not having escaped my keen powers of observation, I persisted and inquired of the creature why it was covered from head to toe in a blanket. The creature said it was cold. This was the end of our conversation, I ate breakfast, and have not seen the creature since. 

Every evening our little gymnast entertains us with roughly 100 or so cartwheels and roundoffs. It should be noted that most of these routines traverse the sight line to the living room TV. 

This evening I was in charge of salad preparation. Fresh picked tomatoes courtesy of our neighbor, basil from our garden, combined with mozzarella, virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. I think of my dad everytime I eat this dish. 

Along the walk I was lucky to catch this butterfly. They are so hard to photograph because they take off the moment you approach. Although it is a little over exposed, I like the back lighting through the wings. 

Jeanine, Nala and I returned to the Minuteman National Park today. I did the entire 7.5 mile Battle Road trail with a 15 pound day pack. Jeanine and Nala did 6 miles. Pictured here is one of the historic home along the path. 

Jeanine and I went for a walk on the Minuteman Trail this evening. In four years of living in Concord I have never taken the time to appreciate this wonderful local treasure. 

The setting sun through the tall grass. My art shot for the day. 

Jeanine encouraged me to take this photo, but I have no idea what kind of plant it is. 

Nala was keenly interested in the approaching Golden. 

This evening Jeanine, Maya, Nala, and I went for a nice walk on Mattison field which was freshly mowed and the hay bailed. 

To break up the return drive we paused in North Conway for a little shopping, lunch, and card playing. 

Kyle was the real leader on this climb and it was a challenge to keep up with him. He is no doubt part monkey. 

On the way home from Maine, we crossed back into New Hampshire and drove to the top of Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the state and the place where the highest winds on Earth have ever been recorded. The drive, on a road designed for horse drawn wagons, was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Kyle’s constant reminders about the nail in our front left tire nearly earned him a one way ticket down the mountain. We did pause for a nice little climb near the top. It was my first real test of my knee and I am pleased to report that it held up very well. 

I spotted this fly and thought I would tune up my macro skill in preparation for the Kilimanjaro trip. 

This is the reason I was awake each morning at sunrise. Fortunately, there where no sharp implements around when I came across him. 

There are few things Jeanine enjoys more than being in nature and staying in a B&B. Put the two together and you get this face. 

In addition to playing with all the farm animals and milking the goats, Maya becomes the mother hen for the children of our inn keeper.