2012

From the Same Family Tree – Chimpanzees

Did you know that chimpanzees are about 96% genetically the same as we are?  On Earth Day Walt Disney Films released the documentary film Chimpanzee.  I have not had the time to see it yet, but I am eager to experience the story of Oscar, a young chimp who is orphaned, but is taken in […]

An Old Friend Of Mine Is Expiring

An old friend of mine is expiring and I am very sad about it.  I am frustrated because there is nothing I can do to prevent it.  I have known this friend for almost 10 years.  This friend has been with me on every one of my adventures and has helped me each step of […]

The Fowler Museum of Cultural History

The Fowler Museum of Cultural History is one of my favorite places to visit in Los Angeles. First I am a UCLA grad. It’s nice to get a chance to see what’s up at the old campus. Second, as a member of the Los Angeles Adventurers Club and as Southern California chapter chair for the […]

It Takes a Maasai Village to be Happy

While Maasai are historically polygamous, Patrick has one wife and 3 amazing children.  Patrick has a son Leyian, a daughter Sein and a baby boy Soipei.  His wife Agnes is a beautiful talented woman who is an incredible bead artist.  In fact Agnes and Patrick have been to New Mexico to display her artistry at […]

A Goat Served in a Maasai Village In My Honor

When I arrived in Patrick’s village I had no idea what I would eat.  Would I drink blood and milk as is traditional of the Maasai?  Would I eat corn? Would I eat something that was hunted? It turns out that I would be honored by the butchering of one of their goats that would […]

Meet my Maasai Rafiki of Kenya – Patrick Olepapatiti

In 2000 my wife Diane and I made our first trip to Africa.  We are an example of what happens to people who go to Africa – it gets under your skin. While the African wildlife and wilderness is magical, it is your bond with the people you meet that will last a lifetime.  There […]

A Safari Adventure in Ruaha, Tanzania

The old phrase “The best laid plans of mice & men often go askew” is from a Robert Burns poem and became the title of John Steinbeck’s book “Of Mice & Men.” Well our last day in Tanzania certainly fit the bill! Every day during my time in Tanzania the skies were filled with beautiful […]

Crickets and Python and Grubs -Yum Yum

I am a member of the Explorers Club (www.explorersclub.org) I am proud to be a member as we have an illustrious history. Explorer Club expeditions have taken place on both poles, Mt. Everest, the moon and just recently our Academy Award-winning member Jim Cameron arrived at the deepest part of the ocean. Every year an […]