Dave Ford Does Earth

Posted by Dave Ford

When I was in Canada a few weeks back my Australian friends Benny, Billy, and I started talking about all of the things that we had seen through our travels in 2007. After reminiscing, we each made a list. I decided to include my list here in the blog. It seems like a good way to recap my experiences.When compiling the list so many memories came rushing back. There is no doubt in my mind that 2007 has been the best year of my life. I have made so many new friends and been a part of so many life changing experiences. I literally had to take a minute to reflect and just say ” Wow”!

My Top 10 Experiences of 2007

Tied at 10. The Salt Flats, in southern Bolivia is simply the weirdest place I have ever been: Miles and miles of salt that you can see from space, red lagoons, and rock formations that look like they were dropped by aliens litter the surrounding desert. Plus, when in the salt you are able to shrink down to the size of a “tiny person” as seen in the picture here with me standing in Benny’s hand.

Tied at 10. The Canadian Rockies, Canada-I had a reunion with my old friend Billy and skied some of the best resorts (Fernie, Lake Louise) in North America. I have been skiing in the U.S rockies a few different times. It was freezing in Canada but the landscape was worth the potential frostbite. We had encounters with one big horn sheep and two moose. I also got a chance to live the life of a real “ski bum” for 10 days.
9. Havana, Cuba- Cars from the 1950’s, a city full of Hemmingway’s old drinking establishments, and an oppressive anti-American government… What more could you want? I learned many lessons walking the streets of Havana and buying drinks for friendly, thirsty Cubans. Surprisingly, I found that the people of Cuba really love Americans. My only problem in Cuba was that I ran out of money on day 4 with no means to get more as ATM machines do not work for US citizens.

8. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - Although it was expensive, the Galapagos provided some unbelievable scenery and allowed up close interaction with wildlife including blue footed boobies, Albatross, and sea lions. Our only regret on the trip was that we did not get to dive with the Hammerhead sharks. The highlight for me was when we sailed through a dolphin colony. There must have been 500 dolphins in total and they put on a show flipping in and out of the water.

7. The Lost City Trek (Ciudad Perdida), Colombia- My friend Jess and I did this 6 day trek through the Colombian rain forest and cocaine plantations with an fantastic group of people from all over the world. I think we had to cross something like 8 different rivers. We also were able to see how real life cocaine is produced through a demonstration from a local campesino. On the morning after we finally reached the Lost City, I was stung by a scorpion. No Bueno!

6. Torres Del Paine, Patagonian Chile- This 5 day trek kicked my “out of shape” ass into gear. I trekked with an Englishman and 2 Israeli soldiers through the extreme terrain. I think I almost died on this trek and in turn got the motivational speech of my life from Ilad, one of my new Israeli friends. I was not at all ready for the physical demands that were presented to me by the landscape. However, the underlying beauty of Torres Del Paine was worth every leg cramp, knee grind, and moment of exhaustion. It also jump started my trekking efforts. You will notice this list is littered with treks. Torres was my second ever backpacking trek.

5. The Grand Canyon, USA- The highlight of my month long cross country road trip, the Canyon exceeded every expectation that I had. Our cross country crew found the canyon to be the pinnacle of our month long trip from Baltimore to L.A. The 10 mile hike out kicked my ass a good bit. We stayed in the base of the canyon at the Phantom Ranch for two days. I highly recommend it.

4.The Inca trail and Machu Picchu, Peru- Two of my best friends, Chris and Don, came to visit South America with me by way of one of the “new 7 wonders of the world”. The four day trek was taxing, yet stunning, and we entered and exited 5 different geographic climate zones. We also were stunned at the speed and intensity of our porters. Each year they have a porter race and the fastest guy did the entire Inca trail in just over 3 hours. When we finally got to the ancient Incan city, we hiked to the top of Waynapicchu –the mountain in the background– where ironically Don and I met some new friends that lived about 5 minutes from where the two of us grew up.

3. Rurrenabaque, Bolivia (and la Pampas Tour)- This hidden treasure in the Amazon Basin is where I rented a four wheeler for a week, we climbed waterfalls, repelled off of rocks, and spent three days in the Jungle hacking through bush with machetes. They also have a sweet pool. I liked Rurrenabaque so much that I went back f0r a second time. While on La Pampas tour we swam with pink dolphins, tracked jaguar, encountered the”ever so speedy” three toed sloth, and saw more birds and monkeys that I knew existed.

2. My experience with Ayahuasca in the Amazon and the Andes (Bolivia) was a profoundly spiritual experience. It started in the Amazon in Bolivia and ended in Andes mountain at a retreat center. I made friends for life through this experience. I also got to confront my hopes, fears, and dreams. It was in these ceremonies where I decided that I was going to find a way to travel for a living.

1. Antarctica- After waiting for almost a full week at the southern most city in the world of Ushuaia, Argentina, I secured passage on the Orlova. The Russian boat operated by Quark expeditions had an extra space and I grabbed it up. The trip in the end cost me $4800 bucks. It was the best money I have ever spent and worth every penny. We got to chill with penguins and seals, navigate below the Antarctic circle through fields of free floating icebergs, and tour a “time capsule” in the way of an abandoned British naval base from 1953. On top of this, I made many international friends that I still keep in contact with today.

I am pretty pumped about 2008.

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