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12 APRIL 2014: Took some time out this weekend and headed west to the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania where I could give the Jeep a workout at Rausch Creek. Temporarily trading in the desert sand for rocks and mud, I was re-familiarizing myself with the typical terrain back in the north-east of the U.S.A. It was a great weekend to be out in the woods exploring new trails and getting focused…
6 APRIL 2014: Finally made it home tonight, after more than a month on the road driving from Europe to Africa and back in the amazing adventure they call the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles. My head is brimming with a confused collage of the experiences of the rally. The journey of the past month has been intense, but I think the real “learning” has come through all I did to get there. In some ways after all that, the rally itself was simply the “public proof” — kind of like the “recital” at the end of dancing school. And now, as I reflect upon the whole thing, sitting under a full moon, warm and cozy in front of a fire on my terrace back home, I wonder where I’m headed next…
3 APRIL 2014: Arrived in Paris late last night after a fourteen hour drive from Barcelona with minimal stops en route. The road home seems a lot longer than the road to the rally — though I imagine it just feels that way.
It’s been an amazing journey and I have the impression we have been gone for a lot longer than two weeks. The desert has worked its magic, leaving a lasting impression. It will take a while to make sense of all the “lessons” learned during this intense immersion, but I think that we have made some important “discoveries” both on the practical and the more metaphysical level.
Now it is time to begin thinking about “next steps.”
COMING UP SOON:
USnomads is going to Overland Expo, an international event that educates and inspires people to get out and explore the world. The three-day event brings thousands of overlanders to Flagstaff, AZ for a chance to connect and exchange information.
SUPPORTING MOTHERS
Team USnomads is proud to support the work of MothersToMothers, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that recognizes the ability of mothers to change their destiny. MothersToMothers, founded by Pamela Parlapiano, partners with local women to create community supported day care and learning centers that change lives. Their model project in Amacho Wato Kebele, Ethiopia, has shown how with just a little help, the mothers in the community can improve the lives of a whole village. Please join us in supporting their efforts to take this successful model to more villages: Donate to MothersToMothers here. (Note that all donations go 100% directly to MothersToMothers).
TEAM 171 PRESENTATION
USnomads, c’est l’histoire d’une amitié de plus de 20 ans, qui s’est construite à travers le temps, les cultures, les expériences de la vie et des voyages. Seule l’union de deux caractères forts et respectueux l’un de l’autre explique que nous soyons arrivées à nos fins dans chacun de nos défis.
Ceci est notre première participation au Rallye des gazelles et nous ne sommes pas des professionels, mais JoMarie a une certaine expérience de l’Afrique et des situations d’urgence. D’autre part, elle s’est totalement investie dans la préparation de cette course et Isabelle s’est récemment mise à la navigation.
Le Rallye des gazelles dans le désert marocain sera le théâtre d’une nouvelle épreuve pour nous : une Jeep, une boussole, une carte et tout le pouvoir de notre volonté d’y parvenir fera le reste.
Ce défi sportif s’inscrit dans un projet humain plus large, celui de traverser le désert du Sahara d’Ouest en Est dans l’espoir d’accompagner les équipes d’ONG dans leurs micro-projets d’aide aux peuplades nomades locales. JoMarie en produira un film documentaire qui donnera à mieux connaitre les hommes de cette partie du monde.
L’équipe 171 prendra fièrement son envol le 15 mars 2014 avec toutes les autres participantes ! Et que les meilleures gagnent !
Mais quelle valeur et quelle portée aurait cette leçon de vie, si nous n’étions pas soutenues par l’amour de nos proches, de nos amis et de tous ceux qui nous entourent. Merci !
CURRENT WEATHER
Nesconset | Paris | Rausch Creek
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
29 March – The Finish Line
28 March – To Essaouira
27 March – Leg 6: Foum Zguid South
26 March – Leg 5: 2nd Marathon Day 2
25 March – Leg 5: 2nd Marathon Day 1
24 March – Leg 4: 1st Marathon Day 2
23 March – Leg 4: 1st Marathon Day 1
22 March – Leg 3: Merzouga
21 March – Leg 2: Nejakh North
20 March – Leg 1: Nejakh South
19 March – Prologue
18 March – To Erfoud
17 March – Ferry to Tangiers
16 March – To Barcelona
15 March – Paris Presentation
14 March – Technical Verification day
8 to 13 Mar 2014 – Paris: Preparations
Archive
A true test of endurance, the Gazelle rally pushes teams to their limits in a struggle to overcome the harshest terrain in the Moroccan Sahara. The key to success is a seamless combination of off-road driving abiility, land navigation skills and strategic thinking. Find out how the rally works…
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