Following Scott’s Footsteps

by Erik Olsen on

History buffs, particularly those with an Antarctic bent, all know the tale of Sir Robert Falcon Scott’s epic walk to the South Pole. It was, in a word, gnarly. And no one has really duplicated the feat, that is of making the trek to the South Pole and back.

Well, Ben Saunders, said to be “one of today’s most exciting and successful polar athletes” (or so says his site), is attempting a rather amazing feat starting this October. Ben and his team will manhaul 400 pound sleds from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back, some 1,800 miles. Wow.

We’ll try our best to keep an eye on the team as they gear up and get ready. But for now, check out their site and if you feel like it, kick in $100 to “buy a mile”.

Visit a California Monastery…for the Wine

by Karen Walrond on

In Northern California, 25 Benedictine monks have opened the first Roman Catholic Cistercian winery in North America.  The brothers hope to make money selling their syrah, a full-bodied red wine, in order to support the monastary. 

“We need to work to keep going, but we don’t want or expect to get rich. But the wine has done well – better than expected,” said Father Harold Meyer, who has been at the Abbey of New Clairvaux for 33 years.  “There’s a sacredness about working with grapes.  Wine is very special.”

The brothers’ living quarters are private; however, they have opened up the monastery for retreats, tours and wine-tastings.   If you’re staying for a retreat, the rooms are very basic; however, each has a modern ensuite bathroom.  Retreats must be booked months in advance, and are donation-based.

“People will come at first because we’re monks, but we want them to come back because this is a good place and we have quality goods to offer,” Meyer said.

Sounds positively peaceful.

Potts on Yahoo

by Erik Olsen on

One of our favorite travel writers and, well, sometime, bloggers Rolf Potts seems to have landed himself a great gig over at Yahoo. He’s got a new column called Traveling Light where he ruminates on the Art of Independent Travel. The most recent piece examines Pushkar, the Hindu holy town in India. It’s a nice little peice with real Pottsian flair. Of Pushkar, Potts writes: Pushkar didn’t seem much like a Tourist Zone: There were no glitzy hotels, no air-conditioned knickknack boutiques, no busloads of sunburned Germans and chubby Texans.

But he soon discovers that Pushkar is indeed a Tourist Zone, where monk-like sadhus approach to have their photos taken for money, and a New york City-like array of international foods are at one’s fingertips. We’ll keep checking in on Pott’s peices here, as we’re always eager to see what he has to say.

Immigration Panos

by Erik Olsen on

Folks know I’m cuckoo about panoramas. I haven’t done a ton of pano surfing lately, but I did just get an email from someone calling my attention to this panoramic photograph from the recent immigration protests. I’ve seen better ones, but it is still an interesting historical document.

See the Northern Lights

by Erik Olsen on

Neil posted a few times here about the Northern Lights, and what an exhilarating experience it can be. I confess that seeing, photographing them is an item high on my personal life list. Yet, despite almost five years of living in Seattle and numerous trip to Canada (ski trips to Whistler mostly), I’ve still never laid eyes on this amazing natural spectacle.

But I could, if I was willing to fork over the cashola to haul my arse up North. Just haven’t done it yet. But part of me think that to finally do the Northern Lights I should to it in style. And that is why I found this trip so appealing. First of all, you head to Iceland, a fascinating country rich in culture and natural beauty. Second, and equally important, you make the trip with Sky & Telescope magazine editor Paul Deans who, presumably, will be on hand to answer all your silly questions (what makes the sky glow like that? Magic fairies? Why don’t the lights make a sound?)

So check it out and let us know if you take this trip or any other to see the lights.