I received a copy of the Sept. 4 issue of the Christian Science Monitor, where my book was mentioned in the Readers’ Picks section. Jean Blesh wrote a glowing report of my adventures, ending with the comment, “Meg is naïve, but fearless. A most enjoyable read.” I loved it! And she’s absolutely right. I had always thought of myself as practical and realistic, but, really, I wouldn’t attempt some of the things I do if I weren’t a bit of an idealist with a sprinkling of naivete. Danger or possible pitfalls are the last things that come to mind when I plan a new adventure. In fact, when someone says you can’t do it, that’s crazy, that’s when I decide to do it. And I still believe that there’s a guardian angel hovering over me in tight spots, assuring me that if I just approach people and situations with generosity and candor and optimism I’ll survive. Every time I approach a new mountain I say to myself, “Is this trip necessary? Do you want to risk falling on your face and breaking your wrist, again?” (shades of my 2004 Mt. Washington disaster) Then a little voice inside me recites the old refrain, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” and I barrel ahead. And that’s what makes me really happy, in case you were wondering.
I’m getting ideas and itineraries for our family sojourn to Africa next year, the highlight being a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro. I had tried without success to get from Dar es Salaam to Arusha twenty years ago, but the roads were washed out and there were no available trains, planes or automobiles, so I went on to South Africa instead. Now my dream of climbing the mythical mountain is about to be realized. I just want to hit the summit before global warming has completely melted the snows. If any of you have suggestions or know of reliable companies that could help me plan the trip, please write me an email. I’d be grateful for any information or helpful hints as I begin my research.
