Welcome to this new discussion! For those of you who haven't read it, I can only urge you to pick up something, anything written by Tim Cahill. He can be a little flip, but his depth of knowledge keeps him from being a light-weight.

I really enjoyed the Introduction and the discussion of why and how risk-taking is enjoyable. What is all seems to boil down to is 'mindfulness,' that Buddhism tenet that encourages us to be fully aware of what we are experiencing in the moment, and the element of risk demands mindfulness.

As to the use of tourism to preserve a place, it's flora and fauna, I guess it makes sense. It would be nice we as a global people could agree to act in the best interests of a place without some kind of reward, but not realistic. And I do admire the government of Costa Rica. It's solution to preserving its rainforests seems to be working quite well.

Can you imagine being in the jungle and having a small baby gorilla stand before you with arms up, asking to be cuddled - and then growling at it to make it go away? Yes, but good for her. I do believe the temptation must have been fierce. I loved the part when Cahill described the silverback sitting next to him, silently asking, "What is this stuff you have on your legs?" while fingering his rainpants.

Let me know who's out there...

Katie

KATIE, I'm out here. I know my oldest daughter is reading it. She's a bit new to the net, but I know she's interested. My oldest granddaughter, Kendall would enjoy the stories almost as much as we will.

The Brazilian Gold Mine tale reminds me of a Gold Mining Stock I used to play with. I'd buy a couple hundred shares, wait a while till it went up 50 cents then sell and wait till it went back down and buy again. Did that for about three years. It was very reliable income.(At that time only 50 bucks but thats wasn't peanuts 20 years ago)

The segment on Jim Jones was about the most perceptive I recall seeing.

I have a friend who once met Ms Fossey. He was not impressed with her as a very personable individual, but that was at a reception and brief impressions are unfair.

The cult material was good reportage, but left discussion to the ages. Probably just as well. Some of these, practice demigoguary (The Moonies) and are involved in intensely partisan political backing and support. Most play on the perceived illogical actions and statements of main-stream sects to substitute their own organization and its tenets.

Best

LJ

LJ!

I can't tell you how good it is to see your logon again! And I hope your daughter will get to know SeniorNet too. Since she's your daughter, I know she'll get the hang of the 'net quickly.

Poor Dian Fossey clearly had a problem with Public Relations, which probably did lead to her murder. People shouldn't be murdered because they are rude, but apparently need to be careful about to whom they are rude. In fairness to her, her commitment to the gorillas and the battles she waged for them, along with the heartbreak over Digit's murder, can probably excuse a whole lot of rudeness. How sad she would be if she could see Rwanda today.

I never realized before that survivors of Jonestown managed to leave with a half a million in cash. It's too bad the authorities couldn't ascertain whether any of these 'survivors' were also perpetrators.

I loved Cahill's harassment of the Hari Krishnas in the airport. It makes me laugh whenever I think of it - not particularly nice, but funny.

Katie

Wait for me, wait for me: reading now!! Wait??

Ginny

Being "Nood in the Farst" is "Okeh" if one is accustomed to it. Viz. The various geographic et. al. ETV productions. If one is not so accustomed, it is VERY hard on the feet. Furthermore, Poison Ivy, bugs, fire ants, and even if there are no poisonous snakes around, other natural inhabitants make one very cautious. BUT I honestly believe it to be a normal, natural human urge. In fact when faced with a hot mountain volcanic spring in the forest, its positively irresistable.

Best

LJ

LJ,

I've spent many a blissful hours sitting nude by a river in the Carmel hills of Central California at a wonderful Buddhist retreat called Tassajara. Large flat rocks provided perfect sunning platforms and river was cool and gentle. Absolute heaven. However, it was quite a bit more benign than the African jungle.

I had a similar experience to Cahill's. I was camping up in the Maroon Bells area above Aspen one beautiful summer - by a lake, no one anywhere near. The only sounds were the wind going through the mountains, the rustling of leaves. I was sunbathing, dozing, nothing on, when out of the trees silently marched a troop of boy scouts. I sat up and covered up, and nodded hello as they giggled and their leader frowned. Boy scouts should be required to wear bells, like cats.

Wasn't that interesting, that Sumerians have an Adam and Eve story just about identical to the one in the Old Testament?:

Nearly five thousand years ago, in what is now southern Iraq, the people of the land of Sumer developed the world's first written language. One of the grand Sumerian epics concerned an earthly paradise - probably located in southwest Persia - where the first man and woman went proudly naked. According to cuneiform script scratched into rock five millennia ago, the first couple was persuaded by a fox to eat one of eight fruits that had been specifically forbidden to them. Big mistake. The landlord evicted the couple, and their descendants were forced to wear T-shirts and designer jeans.(p.135)

Katie

Delightful Katie, My similar experiences have ranged from the tropics to Canada where (later) a friend of mine in whose wedding I was best man (One never gets a chance to prove that) honeymooned. They, similarly to you, were surprisingly "Happened upon" by a crew of canoeing Boy Scouts.

When I was a Boy Scout, I was never the recipient of such good fortune.

Best

LJ

LJ: Try a cruise - it's not too late yet! We are going on our first cruise in November (never really wanted to go, as they seemed rather boring to me, but a couple asked us to accompany them, so Dick said yes). We were informed by this couple that there is a sunning deck where people sun themselves in the nude! We'll do some peeking in (clothed) if we can find a spot where we won't be visible.

Ella, I lived on a Caribbean Island for three years where many beaches were so deserted that nude bathing and sunning were quite common, but the cruises I've participated in would have left me "Ill at ease" were I to have been totally unclad.

Best

LJ

Well, all I can say is you all must look a heck of a lot better then I do!! Ella the cruises I've been on one would have DIED and been the object of much sailor staring to let slip a strap, much less anything else. The pools are always overlooked by balconies, unless this is a nudist ship. Oh well, wear your flowers, no one will notice!

hahahahha

Ginny buttoned up and staying that way

The most intrigueing thing about Scuba Diving is the fact that nearly everybody ignores the virties of just plain Snorkeling.

After my son and I took the course, and passed our "Exams" I went on a Caribbean cruis with my expensive gear and was fortunate enough to do not only "Night Diving" but also had the opportunity to explore an old shipwreck. Later when I lived in the Leewards I found that I realy had no use for all that fancy gear and sent it home.

Without any of the risks of "Air", Depth timing, decompression etc. etc. including time limits on both depth and air supply, I found that it would take a lifetime to explore the reefs around just one island and surface dives work quite well for close ups. One can stay out an UNLIMITED length of time with just a mask, snorkel and fins. (a cut-off T-shirt is desirable to prevent sunburn)

Years later I learned that, even following heart surgery, a permanantly broken left arm, and all the other vicissitudes of growing up (not old) that one can easily and safely swim in the Ohio River with just fins and a Ski-Belt.

Best

LJ

LJ,

Your post above about "growing up" reminds me of something I heard on TV this morning from a financial adviser who was being interviewed. He referred to active seniors as "OPALS", which I suppose stands for "older people-active living".

It sure sounds like you could write a very interesting book on all of your travel and adventures. You haven't written such a book, have you?

Larry

Larry, I'd love to write a book, but it would be banned in more than just Boston, and unless it were published posthumously would probably land me in jail.

Best

LJ

LJ, Those books that would be banned are the ones that really become the best sellers. I would certainly buy your book and as cheap as I am don't buy very many books anymore.

Larry

Thanks Larry. That's very flattering, and as I've often told people, "Flattery will get you everywhere"

Best

LJ

LJ - I'm like Larry, cheap when it comes to buying books. That's why we have libraries I've often thought. But I would buy your book also, it sounds fascinating! Why not put a few "unpublished excerpts" on the internet. You can put anything on it, you know, with no fear of banishment. And then we can all say "we know this author personally and you must read, etc. Best, OPAL (well, maybe just half an OPAl, since I'm not all that active anymore due to a health problem myself!)

LJ - I join the ranks of those who would love to hear of your adventures. Just throw one in every now and again, and we'll be happy.

My son just got certified for scuba, and like you, all that equipment - especially the weight belt - looked like no fun at all. I love snorkling too, though I tend to get sea sick bobbing up and down on the surface. But it's worth it, to be a part of a different world for a little while.

Has anyone read the essay on the eclipse of the sun? I loved Cahill's description of it:

The first sensible monotheistic religions worshipped the sun as the giver of life - "the Creator of us all," ... There is a truth there so deep and obvious we seldom acknowledge it, but it helps to explain the suicides in Seattle's sunless seasons and why an eclipse has the power to stop the heart of a king. What we know intellectually - that totality is a transitory phenomenon - is not something we share with our emotions. The eclipse is a sudden, sharp view of the apocalypse....The moon swung slowly through the sky, and a salmon-colored sunrise glittered on the mountains far to the west. In the sky we saw another diamond ring, and then the wall of darkness rushed out over the plain to the east. Cocks crowed....and we were all laughing and shouting, and it seemed, for the moment, as if we'd live forever.

Katie

About a year or so ago I watched a total solar eclipse. Interesting, but brief. Not nearly as impressive as the "Northern Lights" especially when they're associated with the "Call of the Loon"

Best

LJ

I was very glad to read the bits about Bigfoot, as in spite of all the "documentary" programs I've seen on it, this is the first documentation I've seen of the Professional's opinion, and, of course, it's extremely negative. I don't get that from all the programs on it I've seen.

Perhaps a little less successful is Cahill's interview with Bigfoot: he really thinks he's clever, I think, and he DOES have some good bits, but this wasn't (except for the remark about bring a basketball so you'll be less conspicuous) one of them.

Found the ice fishing most interesting, am still reading it, never really understood the "sport," never saw a gar, find it informative. Is there NOTHING this man hasn't done or will not try? Still reading about the pikes,

Ginny

You never saw a GAR ????? They come in both salt and fresh water varieties. Very "Primitive" fish with long snouts, often considered "Trash fish" ususlly bottom feeders. Fresh caught "Needle-nose Gar" are small and delicious as a breakfast fish (Pronounced GEEYahr in the islands)

Best

LJ

I agree with you, Ginny. The Bigfoot essay is just about my least favorite of Cahill's stuff, but he's such favorite of mine, that I can forgive some cuteness. Wait till you get to the one about Death Valley - a zillion puns per page.

But what I really like about this author is his depth of knowledge, his research, and his obvious care for both people and the land. He's a good 'ol Montana boy but with excellent values, good instincts, a lively intelligence and the confidence that goes with all of that.

And LJ! - regarding the Northern Lights... I grew up in northern Illinois, and remember my father waking up my brother, sisters and me at midnight to come outside and see a rare sighting of the lights. I must have been only seven or eight, but I'll never forget the sky that night. An eclipse can't even begin to compare.

Thought the Death Valley stuff very very fine, know exactly how he feels: heat, feet, my experience in England!! last summer, I bet that room was 120 degreees, easily. And blisters and bleeding caluses and, o, I can relate.

Also loved the decision about the stash: whether to proceed or not: had a similar decision on "Hell Walk" in Cornwall once, to turn back, to go forward, or to throw self off cliff: yes, I can relate here.

Also, the stuff about the bloody sunrise was just poetical. Loved this section.

Ginny : LJ: Nope, no gar. Told my husband a gar was a pike with teeth, he said that was news to him, so we've both learned something.

No, Katie, we really need to publicize the Into Thin Air book: can we give a little breather in between so we can get out the word? Do you want to open a discussion for it so we can get up a banner??

GAGS

Ginny,

I've been lazy, as usual. I'll set up discussion today. Thanks for the prod.

Katie

We are interrupting this discussion for a brief message:

KATHARINE GRAHAM'S FASCINATING BOOK "PERSONAL HISTORY" will be discussed starting April 20th. Get your book soon, reserve it at Library, or buy it. Best Buy has the paperback discounted at 35%. IT'S THE BEST BOOK YOU WILL EVER READ ON WATERGATE AND ONE WOMAN'S PLACE IN HISTORY!!

We will now resume our regularly scheduled program. Thank you.

Re: "INTO THIN AIR" I'm ready whenever youall are up to it. I thought it was an exceptional book. Just got it back today and am ready to review as we go.

The Graham book is VERY impressive and Undaunted Courage is another real winner.

I may be a bit behind. I just ordered "Making the Mummies Dance" When do we start that one?

Best

LJ

LJ: On Mummies,we've not actually voted to read that one, tho that's my strong suggestion!! Let's go see if we can get everyone to vote on it in the Confessors!

Ginny: Whenever you want to start this one is fine with me, just wanted to drum up some interest!

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Okay, all you people who like to plan ahead: Into Thin Air will start April 15. So get those returns in the mail, then join us here. It's out in paperback now, and worth every penny, so go buy it. You won't regret it.

Now back to Cahill - I really enjoyed the chapter on caving. It's something I never will do, so it was interesting to read about how it's done, what the dangers are, and what it's like. I remember seeing a show quite awhile ago about a woman who broke her leg, or perhaps both legs, deep under the surface while caving. The rescue effort was laborious and almost impossible. They had to get a litter miles underground, through narrow passages, and up and down deep caverns. At one point, I was certain that a doctor would have to set her legs and she'd have to spend her entire recuperation underground until she could get out under her own steam. Lots of morphine was used, as I remember.

Katie

Living in "Cave Country", I've been reading stories in the papers about Speelunkers trapped underground and, of course kids and dogs trapped in old wells, off and on ever since I learned to read.

The classic case was the FLOYD COLLINS story about which there are several books written.

I had an Appendectomy three days after my first trip to Mammoth Cave (About 60 years ago)(Don't think it had anything to do with that box lunch in the "Snowball Dining Room"), and my six year old saw the "Frozen Niagra" for the first time just last week.

I've seen Carlsbad Caverns which are much different as caves go (And a lot shorter lengthwise but taller in height of the main chambers)

One thing I've not done but find both beautiful and fascinating, is underwater cave exploration. The most unusual cave location I've ever seen is the one on the island of Barbados.

Cave exploration is a big Hobby, but I'll save it (Like golf and skiing) for my next incarnation.

Best

LJ