What’s Africa 2020?
It started a few weeks ago actually. I was watching the news, and there was a news story regarding a young lady climbing both the incline and Pike’s Peak with no legs. You can read about her here. In a news interview she stated her next goal was to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. It peaked my interest, because I can’t really run anymore, I wanted to find new goals to achieve. So I started searching the internet, and I found this article on a cancer survivor, who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with his doctor. And then I got really interested. I googled a bunch on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and about what it would take to climb such a mountain. My dream has always been to go to Africa with my camera, and take pictures of my favorite animals in the wild. This put a new dimension to my dream of going on an African Photographic Safari (I would never go on a hunting safari, as I do not believe in shooting guns). I am going to climb Kilimanjaro in 2020.
Why Africa Though? And Why 2020?
I share a lot on social media, but not really a lot. I always have had some odd connection to Africa. I don’t even know how to explain it. The first book I read was, “Born Free.” I have a vast collection of things made in Kenya, if I see jewelry made in Africa I buy it. My favorite rides, parks, restaurants, and resorts at Disney World are at the Animal Kingdom. I love the culture, the food, the people, and the animals in Africa. And before the Animal Kingdom in Disney opened, I loved the African stores at Busch Gardens in Tampa. I have wanted to visit the real thing since I was eight.
My favorite animal has always been a lion. My favorite Disney movie is “The Lion King,” my favorite musical the same. When I was 21, I had my first, and only, close-encounter with a lion, I got to pet and hold lion cubs in a Mexican Zoo that had not yet opened. The lion was just like a cat, it snuggled in my arms, and purred. I will never forget it. I have always had a hunger to see the Lions in their natural habitat. I see myself as a Lion has I battle cancer.
I chose June-July 2020, because this will give me enough time to heal my body, mind, and spirit. As of right now, my cancer is on the decline. I am receiving an experimental treatment that has made me feel better than I have in a LONG time. This will give me the time to train, to do other climbs. There are 14 peaks in Colorado that are above 14,000 feet. My intention is to do a few of those before attempting my big climb.
Besides healing my mind, I have a LOT of work to do on my body. I have been given steroids for most of the last two years. I gained weight, a lot of weight. I am trying to get down to a reasonable weight. I also have start eating healthier and I have to train. The training alone will help me get down to a fit weight. I plan on starting to run again, just not marathons.
I look forward to showing everyone my progress, and pictures as I make my dream of going to Africa, seeing her people, cultures, and animals a reality.
Jodi's Going 180 