Climbing the Mountain

For several years now, I’ve had this dream of taking my older children to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

It’s the highest peak in Africa, and the climb takes you through multiple climate zones, from the savannah to the glacial plateau.  I think the picture below is a beautiful representation of the the mountain and the amazing scenery surrounding it.

No, the journey up the mountain is not easy.  (And it certainly isn’t cheap.)  I am 100% certain that it will be the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives.  But that is one of the biggest reasons for my dream.  I want to know that I did it, but more importantly, I want my teenagers to know that they conquered something that most people will never come close to doing.  I want them to know as they go through those rough teenage years that they can literally do anything they set their mind to.  I want them to know that they are strong and able, and that nothing can hold them back from achieving their dreams.  I can obviously tell them that everyday, but experiencing something as amazing as climbing one of the highest peaks in the world will stick with them for their whole lives.

Many of my friends have scoffed at the idea, and even laughed and told me how absurd it is.  It was disheartening at first, but it hasn’t changed my mind one bit.  In fact, it’s been a real motivator to get in better physical shape so that I can show them it’s not a joke, and that I am serious.  It can still be frustrating though, when those close to you don’t understand your dreams or goals.

I follow many families online that travel with their children around the world.  Not on a plane, staying in a hotel, visiting a foreign country for a week either.  These are families that travel 10,000+ miles by bike or by car, camping along the way, giving their children the ability to truly see the world.  Two of my favorites are Family on Bikes and Discover. Share. Inspire. While my family is not able at this point to do something of that magnitude, it’s something I would love to do in the future.  I’d like to take my children to SE Asia for several months, to live, travel, and experience other cultures.  I want to travel through South America and teach them all about the different people and cultures.  I want them to know that while America is a wonderful place to live, things are so completely different in other countries.  I want them to know that there is so much more to life than taking a trip to Disney or getting a new toy.  I want them to really have amazing experiences that will have a lasting impact on their futures.

Starting with the big one of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

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