The New York Times runs a piece on
adventure traveling AARP-style, with 50, 60, 70-somethings climbing tall peaks, and (apparently) riding camels. Citing
examples of the 60-year-old John Kerry windsurfing and snowboarding, as well as Bush Sr. skydiving to celebrate his
80th birthday, the article is all agush about old people getting out there and living life as if they were 20…or until
they die.
Bobby Model and Photography
The photographer Bobby Model lives in Nairobi, Kenya and takes
some sweet photos. His site is loaded with examples in Flash of some of
his work, which contains some amazing images that range from zebras on the African savannah to mountain
biking, kayaking and climbing. He’s also shot some exquisite documentary photos of people making their way through
their daily lives in countries all over the world.
It’s an extraordinary range of work that will make you want to blow the dust off your SLR and get out there.
Joshua Tree blog
Here’s another fine site that should not be missed. Kolby Kirk’s
Joshua Tree blog was a welcome surpise.
Just happened to be clicking around randomly and came upon it. The first thing that struck me was some of the
great photography. But there’s more. Kirk
adds bits of wisdom along the way and some interesting factoids about Joshua Tree itself. To wit, that the Joshua Tree
“is technically a member of the lili family. Their trunks are made of a flesh-like pulp that do not create rings like a
tree. The name was given to the plant by the Mormons passing through the desert in 1851. Due to the lack of food, or
possibly because the extreme temperatures, the Mormons saw the plant as the prophet Joshua pointing them to the
promised land.”
Didn’t know that. And I’ve been there.
A Trek For Peace
Here’s a tour I think more people should sign up for – “the 35 day crash course in peace.” From
the tip of Chile to Antarctica, four Israelis and four Palestinians took an adventure together
in hopes to reach common grounds. Though many issues were still quite painful for the travelers to face, they faced
them together all while reaching toward a mouintaintop in Antarctica. The
Hearld Sun has a pretty heart warming recount
of the tale, but for the real scoop check out the breaking the ice site,
here.
Best Backpacking
Backpacker Magazine runs a feature
on the best backpacking in America. Some good stuff here. All 50 states are thoroughly covered within an easy interface
and lots of solid recommendations.