< more recent | 16-30 November 2017 | older >
2 DECEMBER 2017: A great day celebrating the music, poetry and culture of the Touaregs in Paris, as part of the annual “Grande Fête Touarègue,” sponsored by the Association Telilt. Though far from the desert, the ambiance was warm and brought folks together from all over the world. The unique sound of the desert blues echoed the soul of the Sahara well into the evening…
24 NOVEMBER 2017: Great evening at UNESCO HQ in Paris for the premier screening of the film “The Gazelles: l’esprit pionnier” in the presence of the filmmaker, the Gazelle rally founder, representatives of Morocco and UNESCO and lots and lots of Gazelles. Many years of participation were represented at the event, and when Dominique Serra, founder of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc invited Gazelles up to the stage it was quite an impressive group…
20 NOVEMBER 2017: Here in Paris for the next few weeks, and always good to be in a favorite and familiar neighborhood. Lots to get done while here: looking back, looking ahead, and enjoying the moment…
12 NOVEMBER 2017: Returned to NY for a very short stop, but it was great to be back “home” and have a chance to appreciate the city in autumn. Was even able to connect with a few friends and get some important things accomplished…
11 NOVEMBER 2017: Made a quick stop for a special Veteran’s Day presentation at the Museum of American Armor for a unique opportunity to see historical tanks, including one from the first World War, rolling out in action. Was an impressive display of operational armor rarely seen together…
THIS MONTH:
Heading back to the city of light, for old neighborhoods, good friends and some background work for the next Sahara segment…
COMING UP SOON:
Paris premier of the documentary “The Gazelles: l’esprit pionnier” at UNESCO headquarters, on Friday 24 November, with Audrey Azoulay, Director of UNESCO, Zohour Alaoui, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of Morocco to UNESCO, Dominique Serra, founder of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc, and Paul Belmondo, director of the film…
The annual Grande Fête Touarègue in Paris on Saturday 2 December, sponsored by the Association Telilt, brings together members of the Tuareg community in France in a celebration of their culture that is open to all. The event is a mix of art exhibits, poetry, workshops and presentations, with music by Tende Disswat, a tuareg group featuring women playing a traditional instrument known as the tindé, Sanou de Terakaft, and others…
Holiday road trip time. Loading up the Jeep and heading south for warmer climates and fun times on- and off-road (and maybe picking up some new skills too)…
ABOUT THE GAZELLE RALLY
The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, a grueling nine-day off-road race across the Moroccan sahara, is one of the toughest motorsport events in the world. Using only a map and compass to navigate (GPS or electronic navigational aids are NOT allowed), the two-women teams must reach a series of checkpoints spread over the harshest desert terrain. The competition is a challenge of endurance and strategy, as teams must decide whether to go over obstacles or around them in an effort to complete the course with the least possible mileage. The winners are the team that reaches all the checkpoints via the shortest total distance. Learn more about the race…
ABOUT THE ARMOUR MUSEUM
The Museum of American Armor is home to a collection of operational vehicles on public display including an iconic Sherman tank, a Stuart light tank used extensively by the Marines during their Pacific campaigns, a potent 155 mm howitzer, reconnaissance vehicles that acted as armored scouts for American forces, anti aircraft guns and similar weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers during World War II. There are also jeeps, weapons carriers and half tracks. Multimedia displays augment the vehicle collection and visitors are able to experience a military armored column maneuvering in a recreation that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II…
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
1-15 November – Florida
October – Rausch Creek
18-30 September – Kyrgyzstan
1-17 September – Rebelle U
15-31 August – Arizona
8-14 August – TFT9
1-7 August – Serbia
July – NY and Serbia
June – NY and Paris
May – Wheelers Overland
22-30 April – Algeria
15-21 April – Algeria
8-14 April – Algeria
1-7 April – AOAA
March – Long Island
February – Sand dunes and Paris
January – El Camino del Diablo and more
December – Roadtrip
November – Paris
October – Rebelle wrap up
1-7 Oct – NY to Reno
Archive
SPECIAL REPORT
A look into south-eastern Algeria on the border with Libya and Niger: overlanding with the Tuareg in one of the most remote corners of the Sahara … [read]
SPECIAL REPORT
Detailed series on a solo scouting journey into some of the remotest backcountry around Moab. The six day 450-mile off-pavement trip into the Maze district of the Canyonlands National Park offers insight into the challenges of expedition planning… [read]
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