Saying goodbye to a trip is always hard. Over four months later I am still writing about Bolivia and today is the very last post. Life has been so busy that it all feels sometimes like a blur. That is what has been so rewarding about having this blog. It has been a way to remember special moments in time and relive that experience through pictures and words.
As we left the Condoriri Valley after two wonderful successful hikes, I felt a sense of pride. I made it and wasn’t so sure I would given a hip injury that had kept me from running. But I did make it and I felt great, physically and mentally. Even more important is I made it with my dad.
Packing up our gear
Packing up the mules
We set off following the short hour and a half trail we arrived on just three days before. Unfortunately my stomach finally caught up with eating at 15,500 feet and I was sick making the walk back particularly grueling. But I focused on the spectacular views and tried to ignore the discomfort.
My favorite view of all. The morning reflection.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost
As we meandered down the rocky slopes and near the end of our hike, I reflected on what an amazing journey life is. The path is unknown and it is up to you to decide which one to take.
I also made a decision. After 15 years of dreaming about climbing Kilimanjaro, I finally am going to do it. And I am going to do it for a cause to help women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. I am thrilled to be part of an international team of men and women climbing Kilimanjaro this July on behalf of Solar Sister where we will climb to new heights by raising money to improve the lives of women and girls. Much more will be coming soon on my next adventure. Stay Tuned…
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Blur. To read more entries, click here.Â
Author’s note: This post is a continuation of “The Grand Finale: Climbing Austria Peak“.
Never a dull moment with you, Nicole. Thanks for sharing this and God’s blessings on your next ventures!
janet
No there isn’t Janet! My dad always tells me to “go for it” so I guess I am! 🙂
Great shots of the path, mountains, people…. Love the reflections you captured, Nicole! Amazing views…
Thanks Amy! 🙂
A great journey in a great landscape. And all my best for your next quest!
Thanks Leya! 🙂
Wonderful post and photos! Enjoy your blog very much!
Thank you so much! Love to hear those words of encouragement!
Can’t wait to hear about your preparation for the Kilimanjaro trip Nicole 🙂
Thanks Sas! I’m so excited!!!!
What a reflective and beautiful goodbye … and what an incredible adventure you have ahead of you!
Thanks Kat! I seem to never stop, do I?! 🙂
Best of luck on your new goal Nicole. Stunning reflection photos.
Thanks Sue! Glad I’ve got experience with long distance hikes otherwise I’m sure I’d be intimidated. 🙂
Intriguing … Kilimanjaro has been on my list also. I just wrote to the contact email address on the Solar Sister website for more info!
Awesome! They are wonderful! A fellow blogger and dear friend of mine knows someone who works at Solar Sister and she told me about the opportunity! I know they would love more people! Let me know too if you have any questions. It is going to be a fabulous trip and would be awesome if you could come too!
I got the info! This is the route I’ve been wanting to do, but now I’ve got to figure out if I can take another trip this summer. I’m already going to be overseas in June and have two U.S.-based moves to do later in July and August. Might be a stretch to squeeze all this in, but I’m going to see if it’s possible!
Great! keep me posted!!!
you will enjoy it! s
Can’t wait!
Wonderful pics. All stunning but I particularly like the two mules against that vast space. Good luck with Kilimanjaro! Have you also thought of trying the Rwenzoris sometime?
Thanks! I liked the mule photos too. Where is the Rwenzoris? Never heard of it! May be a new place to hike!
It’s a mountain range on the border of Uganda & DRC, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. Not quite as high as Kilimanjaro but more spectacular. I saw them from the bottom once, & couldn’t believe how high the peaks went, but then I live in Australia where our mountains are more like large hills.
I believe they’re extremely challenging to walk into but also amazing. Definitely something for the bucket list, tho I’m not sure I’ll ever have the strength and stamina for them.
Sounds fabulous!
You are amazing!
You are too kind Angeline! I just like to follow my motto “carpe diem”. 🙂
What an incredible experience and awesome pictures!
Thanks so much! It was a special trip indeed!
Your thoughts and pictures of your trip are beautiful. We grow so much when we travel, isn’t it?
Inspired me to try out Kilimanjaro as well! 🙂
Thank you so much. Yes, I have loved travel all my life. My parents started me young and I never stopped. It is my passion and I hope someday my children feel the same way (instead of saying “Mommy, why are you leaving again?””
Reblogged this on Cityontravel.
Wonderful captures Nicole – looks like you had quite a productive trip and have some wonderful memories from it.
Thanks Tina! It is hard to take photos on the fly while hiking but I tried my best. Good thing is it is so beautiful there!!!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. The images are so memorable and remind me of our adventure to Machu Picchu. I love your line about choosing the right path in life, made me think of my grandfather whose words of advice to me when I was 13 were, ” In life Andrew there are always two roads, a right road and a wrong road. Make sure you always choose the right one.” Climbing Kilimanjaro, that’s wonderful and for such a great cause; definitely the right path. I shall look forward to reading all about it. Warm wishes, as always 🙂
Thanks Andrew! Machu Picchu was my very first big hike that I did with my dad and from that point on, I just didn’t stop.
My dad always taught me “carpe diem” and that is what I do. Go for it. Thanks so much for support. 🙂
Wonderful post Nicole. Beautiful photos of truly spectacular scenery. The whole story reads like the journey of a lifetime and one I’m sure you’ll always remember. The highest Don and I ever got was 16,404 ft – also in Bolivia, but we drove there. We hiked up to 15,953 in Ecuador, and then turned back due to heinous weather. I can’t imagine being able to tackle what you and your father did. Kudos! The whole journey must have been amazing. The photo above the Robert Frost quote is my favourite.
And congratulations on the decision to climb Kili – another journey of a lifetime!
Alison
Thanks Alison! That is wonderful that you ad Don are hikers too. Where in Bolivia did you go? I would love to see Ecuador someday too. But for now, I’m so excited about Kili! Its been on the radar for 15 years now! 🙂
We did a 3 day 4×4 overland trip from San Pedro de Atacama (northern Chile) to Uyuni (central Bolivia) crossing the alti plano, then went to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca. It was an extraordinary journey, definitely one of the highlights of South America for us.
http://alisonanddon.com/2014/01/20/unboliviable-the-high-desert-and-altiplano-of-bolivia/
http://alisonanddon.com/2014/01/31/salt-flats-and-bowler-hats-uyuni-and-copacabana-bolivia/
http://alisonanddon.com/2014/02/22/reeds-rocks-pumas-and-gods-lake-titicaca-bolivia-and-peru/
I would love to have seen this part of Bolivia but just not enough time on this trip. Looking forward to checking out these posts. Thanks for sharing!
Kilimanjaro! How absolutely fantastic. I am definitely staying tuned in for your new adventure, but I’ll miss your gorgeous photos of the Andes.
Thanks Debbie! I am so incredibly excited as I’ve wanted to do this for 15 years since my dad did it. I can’t wait!
What a brilliant journey. And fantastic photos. A place I’d love to visit, having made it at last to Nepal last year.
I climbed Kilimanjaro many years ago in the 80’s the first time I lived in Tanzania. I gather it is a lot more ‘touristy’ now, although that has led to more routes being available. It is a breathtaking mountain and a wonderful country. Make sure that you have time to visit other parts too.
Thanks so much! I did Nepal 4.5 years ago which got me to start this blog. I loved it. I know Kili is very touristy these days. Hopefully it won’t be too bad but I’ll just have to tune it out and enjoy the climb and of course the cause! 🙂
Why am I not surprised you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro? Looking forward to hearing all about that adventure. 🙂
Ha Ha you know me too well LuAnn! Ever since my dad did it 15 years ago I knew I had to myself. It just took a little longer than I expected! 🙂
Awesome 😎
Thanks so much!
Reblogged this on Nilzeitung.