As the Sun Sets on the Zambezi

       Suzanne Zorbas Marquis R.I.P. 3/19/2010

the end of my journey in Africa... sunset over the glorious Zambezi...my eyes were open wide and i had begun a new phase of my life - a life without you.  


i could no longer pick up the phone and share the details of what i had learned -  what i had seen - with YOU.  Couldn't tell you how it compared to what we thought it would be...our 
Out of Africa.  


the rainbow on that blustery day at the Cape of Good Hope when i reached the top of the lighthouse - that first glimpse at Vic Falls Cats Cataract exposing a glorious rainbow was all i needed to know you were there - with me - as you have been every day since you left... to where ever it is you are... 


i trust it is someplace where you are dancing free of your burdens. the ones you carried so quietly on your shoulders for all of us and in the end the one you were given to carry so painfully with you daily.  


i imagine it was the most magnificent, glorious moment  - the moment when it was all clear that you were moving on and the pain no longer mattered- that you were being released from it all...on your journey to dance with the angels that you dreamed of and loved for so long.  


i know you believed that Dad and John were there with their arms open wide waiting to embrace you...and there was Me Mere, Anthony and Robert...so many - waiting.  When my time is at hand i know you will be there - as you are now...the gifts you left behind are the treasures i live with daily.


thank you my dear sweet sis you are loved

Gang-line Gals - or - Going to the Dogs

Ely, MN : gateway to the Canadian Boundary Waters (BWCAW)

outfitter: Wintergreen (Paul Schurke- Arctic Explorer :owner)

Guilds: Max Pittman and girlfriend Kate

Gals: Mary Jo, Beverly and Me

Trip: dogsledding three days and two nights, camping under the stars in the Boundary Waters...

as recorded to my family via iPhone:


Monday 2/14/2011 : Fell asleep in camp under a beautiful moon in the Canadian Boundary Waters to an orchestra of wolves...cries answered by our tethered line of Inuit Canadian dogs.  Tucked into to our -40 bags with bivy covers we managed to stay pretty cozy (key - hot water Nalgene bottle in sleeping bag about 20 min before you crawl in...).

Tuesday 2/15/2011: two skiers , one camping sled with 6 dogs , one light weight sled with four, gang line in order - we ventured out to explore. Vistas exposed many tracks -  otter, moose, the elusive wolf... from the nights frolic.  Waterfall lunch, hanging with the dogs ( who love people- but not always each other ).  Sledding is WORK!!! Often you are on big exposed lakes but also through the woods on tight trails... Pushing up hill, " ready hike ", "haw" , "gee" " hike, hike, hike", "on by", "whoa" screaming down hills riding the break...trying to keep the sled from tipping and crashing into trees, breaking up dog fights ( you know how I love that).    I have never worked so hard...another night on the tethered line for the dogs, another night of shared cries from primal comrades and sleeping under the approaching full moon .

Wed 2/16/2011: woke to a bald eagle soaring over the lake and a crystal clear blue sky. A final song from our neighboring wild pack and  our tethered line sings their response.  Packed our camp, sleds ready we set out into the "hottest weather in MN" ( Ely was 60 ...their motto: "Ely the Coolest Town in America")...  these dogs run best at about 15 and below.  We had a good 12 miles to look forward to... missing a turn off we added another three miles...  slush, ice, deep snow we moved along through beautiful country half dressed, heaving the huge camp sled ....up and over, through and around.  Glorious sun drenched day glowed on the lakes, dwarf forrest of Aspen and Balsam provide relief... sorta.  Wolf kill in the middle of lake leaves a story in tracts- more than likely a moose - we study while a bald eagle studies us from his perch above...  the day moves to early evening the " we are on the home stretch " never seems true- yet the approaching full moon sheds a glorious glow to light the way ... fear of falling through the ice on lake abates- a bit...

Suddenly the deafening sound of the home dogs cry fills the air ( we are still at least a couple of miles away...) they know their companions are returning (how is beyond me) but the excitement fills the air for all.  I have never been so exhausted ...up the hill from the lake the sight of the home dogs was exhilarating.  

What a ride

Well that's all from Ely.

http://www.dogsledding.com/