NumBum - Last Page

Last Page

I have seen so many things in twenty years of wandering the world. Tolkiens' words are true, "all that glitters is not gold, and all those who wander are not lost." There are so many places. I have made so many wonderful friends. I am lucky to be so amazed by it all. Much of what once was has now changed, but to each on our first view the thrill is unchanged. Change is inevitable, but the pace of change has reached desperate levels. Each year upon my return I am continuously amazed at the change of places, even remote ones like Machu Pichu. What was once a difficult adventure is now more like a day at the Epcot Center. Yet the wonder of it all is still there. I see it on the faces of those I go there with. The crowds grow larger and the stories from competing vendors grow more fantastic, but in the end the ancient city still stands. Is it laughing? Is all this rushing and crushing good for us and our destination? The wonder of the worlds attractions remain but the overall experience can shrink, but then each of us travels and adventures for different reasons. One person may get all they need from a flightseeing morning to Everest. Through that airplane window they obtain their Everest. Another may need to trek miles to Everest and then touch her. Feel and experience all that Chomolhungma has to offer. That physical connection completing their experience of their Everest. None is right. None is wrong. Each has their need. All competing for a moment of wonder. Yet in life there is no competition, not even with your self, only survival. The wonder and its pieces change, evolve and modernize seemingly before our very eyes. Is this madness? Is this civilization? A famous Seattle mountaineer once stated, "we all have our Everest". We still do. We always will. We change. Attractions change. What does not change is the wonder. I shall never lose this passion, this wonder and I enjoy sharing the moments. My goal and the goal of those who work with me attempt to create an opportunity for life long friendship with each person who participates in our adventures. In looking back I am so fortunate to have made so many life long friends. Through friendship and sharing that initial wonder of a moment lives forever. We strongly encourage each participant to create new friendships on each adventure and covet them. Through life long friendship one adventure can continue for a lifetime. Through time those moments of wonder and sharing become priceless. By interpretation Tolkiens words take on a timeless meaning. I hope you will come and adventure with us.