• 60% of Belize is pristine and untouched.
• English is the official language in Belize.
• The US dollar is officially accepted at a flat 2 Belizian Dollars equals 1 US dollar.
• Belizians consider themselves a Caribbean Nation in Central America.
• Our hosts (Belize Lodge & Excursions Ltd.) are directly responsible for setting aside 60,000 acres as a natural preserve.
• The  country is the size of New Hampshire or Massachusetts and currently has a population of just over 300,000 people.
• 750,000 Mayans lived in Belize in approximately 700 AD. A prolonged drought created famine and political disunion and so the Mayan people headed back into the mountainous jungles of the Yucatan.
• In 1866 Steamship service ran every other week between New Orleans and Belize.
• In the US in 1865, Lee surrendered to Grant and some 7000 Confederate soldiers headed south to recreate. 1500 tried their plan in Belize and in 1872 the soldiers went to battle with the Mayan Icaiche Indians near the Belizean town of Orange Walk Town. The Confederates, with their modern weapons, held off the Mayans.

Last nights dinner was fabulous. Our hosts at Ballum Na are wonderful. Led by Nathaniel, our lead guide and Virginia, our lead hostess at the lodge. All of direct Mayan descent, they are warm and gracious. I really can’t all a nicer property in all my travels. There must be 3 staff for each guest (there are only 4 of us).

Dinner last night was as good as it gets. All done with local produce and meats. Fresh baked bread, coconut/cauliflower soup and fresh shrimp cooked as the Mayans did 800 years ago. Fresh Cocoa ice cream topped it off.

Kent, the owner/manager of the lodge shared the history of Belize, including wild tails of the pirate Captain Morgan who hid out in the protected Cays nearby.

This AM we awoke to the guttural growls of the two resident Jaguars, just outside our windows (a secure but natural habitat adjoins the lodge). One goal for the lodge is to participate and support wildlife re-introduction and rehabilitation. Sheba, a resident howler monkey, has really taken a shine to Sandy.

After a great breakfast, we loaded up for a short drive through small and pleasant villages to the ancient Mayan ruins of Lubaantun (Place of Falling Stones) We hiked around the ruins, as Nathaniel shared what the various arenas were for, ball field and court here, market over there…fascinating.

After our visit back in time, we headed to Blue Creek. We had a delicious lunch of chicken or shrimp wrapped in fresh tortillas (steamed in banana leaves) before we made our way up the creek to the falls.

When we arrived at the falls, we grabbed life-jackets and flashlights and made our way up-river in and along a massive cave structure aptly named Blue Creek Cave. Carol needed some convincing, but once we were deep in the cave, she loved it. At one point we turned off the flashlights and it was so dark sd couldn’t see our fingers in front of our faces!

After swimming deep into the cave, the falls provided a great hydro therapy massage.

We headed back to the van early this afternoon to relax and enjoy the spectacular serene setting of the lodge and to sit down to yet another 5 course Mayan meal.

A great day filled with good friends, fun and engaging activities and great food. This trip is shaping up to be a dandy.

In the days and weeks leading up to the commencement of the 2010 Winter Olympics, a flurry of activity will begin to take place in one of the most beautiful cities in North America – Vancouver, British Columbia. Fans, vendors and athletes alike will flood the city in preparation of the games, culminating with the lighting of the Olympic Torch as part of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 12th.

Although, most of what you’ll hear about Vancouver, British Columbia in early 2010 will be about this year’s Winter Olympic Games, remember that the Olympics aren’t the only adventure happening in, and around Vancouver in 2010. Austin-Lehman Adventures offers two remarkable British Columbia Tours, with departures in July and August of this year.

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Dan Austin on how adventure vacations offer the perfect motivation to get in shape.

When Dan Austin signed up to climb Grand Teton, the highest mountain in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, he committed to reaching two of his New Year’s goals: 1) to make it the daunting 13,775 feet to the top, and 2) to get in shape, and to stay in shape in order to make the climb as easy (and fun!) as possible.

Running an adventure travel company, I get asked all the time: “How fit do I need to be to take one of your trips?” For over 20 years my answer has been the same: “It’s really up to you – ALA vacations are as active as you want them to be. That said, the better prepared or in shape you are, the more enjoyable the trip will be.”

It’s true –Austin-Lehman adventure tours are designed for everyone. That’s one of the top benefits of small group travel. Our guides are experts at tweaking the experience to everyone’s desires. Feeling energetic? Opt for a more rigorous hike. Craving a day at the spa? No problem. Your level of activity is yours to decide.

Now all that said…putting in a little extra effort to get in shape in the months before your departure can make a difference. Jogging just a few extra laps around the neighborhood, believe it or not, will make pedaling that hill in Italy or hiking that trail in the Rocky Mountains a lot more pleasant (think about it – what would you rather spend your time thinking about on your vacation – the burn in your quads…or the beautiful scenery?).

I’ve signed up to climb Grand Teton next Summer with my daughter, Kasey. We are going with an outfitter called Exum Mountain Guides. Based in Jackson Hole, they are the experts when it comes to rock climbing instruction and guided mountaineering. As it turns out, our guide, Bill, guided for me when I first got into the industry with Backcountry Tours, too many years ago to count!

I couldn’t be more excited about this trip, and I’ve already begun working hard to make sure my 53-year-old legs are as ready as they can be to take me the 13,775 feet to the summit. I ride my bike to work every day and I try and get on the treadmill 2-3 times a week at the steepest setting (we ascend 7 miles and 5,000 feet on day ONE!). I’ve also incorporated some yoga into my workouts and already I feel great. If I can just stay on this schedule (it’s really quite easy), I will be ready and Kasey and Bill won’t leave me at the side of the trail.

The moral of the story: if you’re thinking about how to get in shape this year – about what it will take to get you out there biking, walking, jogging, stretching – how about signing up for an adventure vacation? It might just give you the extra motivation you need. It’s worked for me!

I’ll be documenting our Grand Teton ascent, so stay tuned for more details. Oh, and Ryan – I haven’t forgotten – you owe me a cold beverage upon our return to the valley floor!!

A recent posting in my Facebook news-feed inspired me to research the plight of the wolf. This species is certainly the most misunderstood mammal in North America. The Callahan family crest includes a wolf tracking thru a forest. I feel a special connection with this animal.

I encourage everyone to take a closer look at The Wolf.  Now, let’s take a quick look at The Wisdom of Wolves: Nature’s Way to Organizational Success by Twyman L. Towery.

My Review:

This book can fit on either the self help shelf or the nature shelf of your library. Towery takes a unique look at the animal. It is the best and simplistic explanation of Wolf culture that I have found. Lowery explores the wolf pack examining:

• Loyalty
• Patience
• Personality
• Unity
• Teamwork
• Play
• Failure

It is a fun read. Thought provoking and entertaining, you will read it in one sitting! I promise that you will have a different opinion of the wolf when you are through.

I give this book a 4 out of 5!

Details:

Title: The Wisdom of Wolves: Nature’s Way to Organizational Success
Author: Twyman L. Towery
Publisher: Wessex House Publishing
Version: Hardcover
Pages: 159

Safe Reading, My Friends!
Bill C