"Over the Top & Back Again"

Hiking the Alps
by Brandon Wilson

Brandon and I are very good friends but we've never met in person. We're both travelers so I hope some day our paths will cross. In the meantime I have thoroughly enjoyed his books Yak Butter Blues, Dead Men Don't Leave Tips and Along the Templar Trail. But his new book Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps is simple amazing.



Product Description

After hiking some of the world’s great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, new paths running across eight countries along the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it’d be the ultimate adventure. It meant climbing 3000 feet from valley to mountain hut every day—1200 miles—for months. Optimistically, Wilson envisioned it as a European Appalachian Trail, only with better food and wine.

Faster than you can say “schnitzel,” he coaxed his desk-jockey wife into joining him. Unlike their trek across Tibet, the couple wouldn’t dodge bullets. But who knew ice fields, relentless rain, Föhn winds, lethal ticks and cow patties could be more dangerous. Then again, the beauty, weird situations and bizarre characters they’d meet would help put peril into perspective.

It’s all here, the daily triumphs and agony of de feet, captured in Wilson’s witty, gritty, award-winning style. Over the Top & Back Again sweeps you along for an inspiring, yet slightly crazed look at the peerless Alps—and at an everyday couple who dare to follow their most gonzo dream.

Written by Brandon Wilson, the Lowell Thomas Award-winning author of Along the Templar Trail, which was named 2009 Best Travel Book by the Society of American Travel Writers. It is fourth in his series of true travel adventures.

Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps is the first Via Alpina travelog published in English. It includes 53 photos, maps and exclusive illustrations by Ken Plumb for the adventurer in all of us.

Reviews:

“This is my favorite kind of adventure tale: Against all odds, in the face of health, weather, interpersonal, navigational and culinary issues, Brandon Wilson and his somewhat reluctant wife hike it because it’s there – or, it’s supposed to be. I laughed, I winced, and then I started checking to see when I was next scheduled to be anywhere near the Via Alpina.” ~ Kyle Wagner, travel editor, The Denver Post

"Wilson brings his considerable intellect and wry sense of humor to this epic adventure, and the result is brilliantly accessible and wonderfully subversive.” ~ Richard Bangs, author of Quest for the Sublime, PEAKS and other books that celebrate travel and adventure

“Marvelous account of a long hike…told with a fine eye for detail and a keen sense of humor.” ~ Royal Robbins, legendary mountaineer/pioneer of American rock climbing

“Informative, entertaining, and original. Award-winning author Brandon Wilson is a pioneer in a groundbreaking genre of travel writing.” ~ Richard R. Blake, Midwest Book Review

“It's great fun trekking through the Alps with the Wilsons…They do all the hard work – and we get all the pleasures – all rendered with warmth, insight and humor in Brandon’s inimitable style.” ~ Rick Chatenever, Entertainment & Features Editor, The Maui News

“Wilson walks the way Forrest Gump runs. He's driven to it…As for the connection between the outer journey and the inner journey, Wilson never pushes it. You get it in small bits, as he does, because that's the way it comes. It has a lot to do with savoring the simple pleasures of life that surround us every day. Wilson's books point the way toward this happy state of mind: just be bold and endure a few vicissitudes.” ~ Stephen Hartshorne, GoNOMAD.com

“Loved Brandon’s humor, gutsiness and joie de vivre.” ~ Ron Strickland, founder of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and author of Leave A Trail

“Fascinating and harrowing tale. …A MUST READ for hikers, travelers, outdoors people and adventurers.” ~ Bonnie Neely, RealTravelAdventures.com

My review:

I think Brandon Wilson has reached a pinnacle of achievement, both in this wonderfully written story and the adventure he took with his wife Cheryl crossing the Alps on the Via Alpina. I have enjoyed all his 'mis-adventures' since his first book, Yak Butter Blues, but Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps is by far his best work.

On one hand, today we live in an age of digitized adventures captured in every angle possible, replayed in slow-motion and analyzed to death. And on the other, computer-generated graphics capture a 'wild' that doesn't really exist but is all too real to our youth. Brandon reminds me of a time when, over a beer in a pub or cafe, a guy could weave a tale both grand and simple, both exciting and humorous, both real and spectacular. Stories like this take hold of you like technology can't and before you know it, you're surrounded three deep with everyone in the pub holding their breath so as to not miss the next sentence in the tale.

Over the Top & Back Again is one of those stories. Do yourself a favor, get a copy, pull up a nice cozy chair, kick your feet up and be transported to a real place, with real people, doing real adventure. It will be difficult to write better story or even find a more superb adventure than this. But I'm sure Brandon is already working on that, so we needn't worry.

So, if you want a copy you can order one from Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com. Or ask your local bookseller to get a copy before they're all gone. [smile]

Richard Gere vs iPod Touch

Had an amazing day yesterday. I got to have a chat with Richard Gere. Yes, that Richard Gere. He was taller than I expected, but looked and sounded just like in the movies. He's in Ulaanbaatar for a Buddhist conference and stopped by our dharma center. He mistook me for someone he knew but recovered quickly enough to ask about my teaching English. Nice guy. He said he'd be back to the center. I hope he gets a chance to talk to my students. Now, that would be cool. And later last night, Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrived. He's also here for the Buddhist conference but has decided to stay longer, a whole month.

But with Lama Zopa was Ani Gyalmo who so kindly agreed to carry a few packages back from America for me, namely a brand new iPod Touch and an iPod Nano. It was like Christmas. Whoopie for me!!! [smile]

The iPod Touch is an amazing piece of technology, simply amazing. It's like a mini-computer. I mean a really really small powerful computer. I can play music, watch videos and view a slideshow; with Wifi I can check my email, surf the internet, find out the weather; there's a calandar, calculator, picture camera, video camera, and voice recorder. All in a wafer the size of less than half a deck of cards. And just for starters, I downloaded more FREE apps (programs) today. Here's what I added so far:

Facebook: So I can both keep up with and post what I'm doing where ever I am without needed to lug around a computer.

Yahoo Messenger: We're going to try and use YM as a kind of personal pager so the staff can find me. My iPod will beep me when I get a message. Much easier than chasing all over the building looking for me.

SketchBook Express: is an actual finger drawing program that is really a whole artist studio. My finger will draw like a pencil, paint brush or air brush where I can change thickness and color, I can create in layers and even erase, simply zoom in to work on the details.

iBooks: While the screen on the Touch is smaller than a page in a paperback book, I can zoom in on the text so its actually easier to read than a book, especially at my age and poor eyesight. And you can flip to the next page with just a flick of your finger.

Dragon Dictation: With the built-in microphone, I can record voice memos or anything really. Might come in handy with my Mongolian lessons.

Folk Alley: While I could listen to Folk Alley using streaming media from the web, this app is dedicated to just one station and all it has to offer. Sweet!

FeedlerRSS: This program lets me keep up with the headlines of all the blogs and websites I'm following. And with just a click, I can be reading the complete post.

USA Today: Always good to check up on the news, even its only the headlines. Also added the New York Times and the BBC.

WXPN 88.5: WXPN is a well-known NPR station in Boston that plays an eclectic array of music you probably won't find anywhere else. My favorites are folk and world music.

Uillitina: Here is a musical instrument using the fingering of concertina to play a Uilleann pipes sound. Cool, huh. Along with this I also got Drum Meister, a full set of drums and cymbals.

Equanimity: Here is a simple meditation timer that starts and stops with a gentle gong sound. And also Dalai Lama Quotes by my friend Travis.

And that's just the free apps, the literal tip of the iceberg.

So it's no surprise that there are a few other apps I'd like and the price is right, usually between $0.99 and $4.99. Can't beat those prices. I'm thinking of adding WordBook Dictionary ($1.99), Daily Buddhist Prayers ($1.99), and a flashcard program called Anki ($19.99). But I might also get some games like N.O.V.A ($4.99), Archetype ($2.99), Ace Combat Xi ($4.99), or Need for Speed Shift ($6.99).

And with over a quarter of a million apps and growing, I'm sure I'll find stuff I never knew I needed. How cool is that?! I am a geek in heaven. [laugh]

Goal Setting Worksheet

When you buy a Nike+ Sports kit, you are encouraged to sign up at Nike.com where you're running information will be uploaded, stored and shared if you like. But, since my iPod was stolen, that plan was put on hold for obvious reasons. But until I get my new iPod (ordered a new Nano 6), I still stop by the Nike website to see if there is anything new or interesting.

Recently, they added a feature called "Nike Run Reporters" where they gathered five young people with a wide-range of running background, from beginner to competitive runner, to write blog entries. Today I was reading Jena Winger's post. Her new coach gave her a Goal Setting Worksheet and I asked if she could send me a copy. Her reply was nice and she was kind enough to send me a copy.

I posted it below, not just for runners but for anyone, for whatever is your passion. Just replace the words to reflect your life and goals.

Name:                                                           Age: What is a goal? Simply stated, goals are the results that you set out to achieve. Why are they important? Goals are important because they help set a direction in which to focus your efforts and work. Your training plan is the road map that will get you to the goals you want to accomplish. Without goals you have no direction. Without direction it is difficult to achieve anything. Are there different kinds of goals? Yes. You will set goals that are for the season, for the month, for a particular race, and for each training session. Thus you have Long Term Goals for the upcoming season, Intermediate Goals for the next month and Short Term Goals for the next weeks. It is also good to look at “Blue Sky Goals” or goals that you dream about happening some day. Please set the following goals. But always remember goals can and should be changed as you evolve as a runner. What you thought impossible a year ago may now be within your reach. We will come back to these sheets again and again to reevaluate your goals. First look at the following types of goals and set some general statements about where you want to go with them. Some can have more than one statement or you might feel one is not so important. Think about what is holding you back from achieving your goals and how you might go about accomplishing them. For each category you have to write a goal statement, the obstacles you might face on your way to achieving that goal, and your plan to reach it. Training Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Racing Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Work Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Health Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Mental Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Social Goals Goal Statement: Obstacles: Plan to get there: Below please state your training and racing goals for the upcoming season. These will be Long Term, Intermediate, and Short Term. Be Specific! Long Term Goals for the Upcoming Season Training and Racing 1. 2. 3. Intermediate Goals for the next month 1. 2. 3. Short term goals for the next few weeks. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Please write an imagined scenario for July 2011. You have finished your year of training and racing, What would you write about your accomplishments and how you got there? Be specific!

Maybe I'll post some of my goals soon.

Classroom makeover

Well the universe has been conspiring against getting our classrooms painted before classes begin on Monday. I had wanted the 'makeover' to be in early August but so much interfered that it didn't start till last week. First we did Tsetsgee's classroom and we finally got started on my three days ago. We might have finished yesterday but electric power was out so we had to finish today. Tsetsgee's color scheme is a light yellow with a slightly darker wall at the front of the classroom. And her woodwork is painted bright yellow. Which just so happens to be the color of my classroom now. Not sure why I didn't get the same as Tsetsgee's. Still using enamel paint here and the center smells pretty bad. So, here's a few pictures.

Otgonbayar prepping the walls and ceiling

Handmade painter hat out of a newspaper

A very 'yellow' classroom with 'baby blue' window trim