You are cordially invited to a
Condor Party
Sunday, August 21 at 7:30pm
The Winter Park Country Club
761 Old England Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Featuring images from The Festival of San Fermin, Pamplona Spain
door prizes, light refreshments
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
New Adventure; Running of the Bulls 2012
Photo by Rich Johnson, 2010
Rooted in the tradition of Old Spain, The Festival of San Fermin draws celebrants from all over the world to the ancient city of Pamplona for parades, processions, performances and the Running of the Bulls.
Rooted in the tradition of Old Spain, The Festival of San Fermin draws celebrants from all over the world to the ancient city of Pamplona for parades, processions, performances and the Running of the Bulls.
Monday, July 25, 2011
“Dip Her Again!”
When we arrived in Dubois, Wyoming (pop: 983), the local newspaper showed sandbags lining the banks of the Wind River. A record snow had left thirty-foot drifts and four-foot flats in the high country where we planned to ride. Warm summer days had caused the melt to turn meadows into lakes. Dustin, our outfitter/guide/wrangler, is, deservedly, a local hero. His prudent decision was to postpone the trail ride a day. We “camped” at his ranch, sleeping on the carpet of the A-frame house I had designed for his father, Larry, about forty years ago. Dustin lectures us about Grizzly bears. All food, along with chewing gum, breath mints and toothpaste must be locked in an airtight steel bearbox at sunset. (While we are out a Japanese tourist will be “shredded” in Yellowstone.)
Don Van Osdol and his wife, Marie Gaudard, had watched tango dancers and ridden with gauchos with us in Argentina. Don had told of giving Marie a used hedge trimmer for a twenty-fifth anniversary present. Leon Simpkins has been on twenty-two Condor adventures. He tells tales of the Inca Trail, the Usumacinta River, and of our going way off-road on the Sinai desert to buy a hand-woven camel blanket from an isolated Bedouin family for the Bazaar. Beverly Simpkins has an exceptionally pleasant disposition that we all enjoy. Marjorie Myers was referred to us by Mike Mahoney, who had been here with us and his sisters, Martha and Molly Mahoney, and his niece, Kara. Kara did not want to leave. One night, she and Martha slept outside under a sky awash with brilliant stars undimmed by pollution. Marjorie is a low-maintenance, self-starter who does not expect to be pampered: a guide’s dream. The daughter of an Air Force pilot, she grew up in the Philippines, Spain and Montana, where she owned horses and competed in rodeo barrel races.
Dustin, wearing a high-crowned 10-gallon hat and a rodeo trophy belt buckle, hitches his pick-up to a stock trailer that (loaded with nine saddle horses, pack mules, food, feed, tack and our camp gear) weighs about 18,000 pounds. Mandy, is our camp cook. Her father owns a guest ranch near Gannett Peak (13,809 ft), the highest mountain in Wyoming. Some years ago, Bob Austin, Jim Piercy, Bob Goldie, Michele Macfatridge, Mark Degomine and I climbed it. After coming down we, and most of the townspeople, watched Gio, a traveling stripper, perform at the Ramshorn Inn. The next morning, the historic establishment was shut down for good. Mandy’s daughter, Abby, comes with us as far as the trailhead. She is a beautiful precocious child with flaxen hair in braids and clear turquoise eyes. She matter-of-factly states that she was the smartest in her kindergarten. When a horse prances dangerously close she runs to where I sit, hugs my shoulder, and confides, “My Grandpa taught me to do that.” Whose heart would not melt?
Photo: Marjorie Myers
We ride to our campsite by a rushing creek overlooking a grass meadow defined by deep forests with snow-capped cliffs rising above—the Absaroka Range. We will not see another human being for five days. The silence and solitude soothe the soul. Our other wrangler, Steven, is in high school, but is more mature and self-reliant than most adults, possibly the result of summers of hard work and vigilance upon which others’ comfort and safety depend. He does not have a girlfriend because “they are too much trouble.”
We fish a nearby lake and catch thirteen brook trout. Mandy broils the four largest as delicate rich hors d'oeuvres. The main courses are chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and as a finale, huge T-bones custom-cut by Wind River Meat. All are grilled over a wood fire. Marie says she is obsessive-compulsive. We watch her cast off petty anxieties and embrace the simple rigors of camping. Don is articulate and profound. His wit-laced conversation is entertaining. Over the next few days two moose and countless deer pass near our camp. A herd of elk grazes on the slopes above.
Photo: Marjorie Myers
We ride to a pass overlooking where the Mahoney’s camped. The dramatic beauty overwhelms Bev, and she breaks into tears. One afternoon the big paint horse shows symptoms of colic (which is often fatal). Dustin injects it with a muscle relaxant, and he and Steve take turns keeping the animal walking until two in the morning.
Photo: Marjorie Myers
The days are clear and warm, the nights chilly. We ride out fatigued, relaxed and happy. After hot showers and clean clothes we attend the weekly rodeo. The most fascinating event is the “Mutton Busters”; children (under the age of six!) attempt to stay on the backs of bucking sheep. Then it is on to the Rustic Pine Tavern, the social and cultural center of Dubois. Ranchers, oil-riggers and others come over to introduce themselves and welcome us to their town. Music by the talented Roaring Fork Band pulses across the dancehall. The lead singer is a tall brunette in halter-top, pink skirt and high cowgirl boots. She plays the mandolin, ukulele and guitar. Don and Marie are showstoppers with their ballroom style. The crowd applauds. Cowboys hoot, “Dip her again! Dip her!”
We have our last breakfast at the Cowboy Café. Marie is reluctant to leave.
It has been a strong experience.
* * * * * *
We will return next year for a shorter trail ride, a tour of Yellowstone and a stay at a bed and breakfast on a friend’s working ranch.
Buz Donahoo
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wyoming Featured in Washington Post
A city slicker finds the perfect vacation at, yes, a dude ranch
By Dana Priest
After 10 slow miles on a bumpy dirt road with no other person or dwelling in sight, it crossed my mind that maybe the owners of Bitterroot Ranch didn’t really want to be found. There were no signs anywhere, no encouragement that we were getting any closer, or had even made the correct turn off the one-lane road just past the blink-of-an-eye cowboy town of Dubois, in Wyoming’s less-traveled Wind River Valley.
Thank you Marjorie for sending this!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Lives That Touch Ours
Some knew his cousin, Pemba the second (by minutes) Nepali woman to ascend Mount Everest. She presented me with the traditional white scarf each time I came down from the mountains.
These two lives and their deaths on the high slopes are noted in Dan Linden's latest book Journeys. Although it is a novel about the martial art Aikido, a major part is accurately based on out treks and climbs in the Himalaya; including gritty day to day details that are essential to such challenges and are not available on-line. Good Job Dan!
-Buz Donahoo
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Sign up and pay your deposit in May and receive a $200.00 discount for The Treasures of Mexico adventure!
Monday, May 2, 2011
New Adventure: Alaska 2011
Cruise Prince William Sound and explore Denali National park. After being helicoptered to Godwin Glacier, sled with the huskies. See Alaska by train and soak up the splendor of this beautiful region.
June 17-June 30
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
The King of Rapa Nui
Thank you-Charissa Kane for sending in this photo.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Adventure Highlight: “Beyond Machu Picchu” VILCABAMBA EXPEDITION PERU 2011
This was immortal Vilcabamba –
that legendary city of a thousand history books.
If ever I succeeded in finding another city it would not matter.
Legend had been turned into history.”
Gene Savoy
Antisuyo: The Search for the Lost Cities of the Amazon, 1970
For over one hundred years, explorers were drawn by legends and rumors to search for a vast city hidden in a remote area between the high walls of the Andes and the jungles of the Amazon Basin.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patrick's Day
SOUTHERN IRELAND 2011
Dublin, Wexford, Cashel, Ring of Kerry and Limerick
Sat. July 16 – July 26
$200 discount if deposit is paid in March
Total cost of $2600 per person, double occupancy includes all hotels
accommodations, including a full Irish breakfast at each hotel; entrance fees
and guides for Knowth and Newgrange, entrance fees for Dunbrody Famine
Ship and transfers all town-to-town overland
transport by private minivans and the welcome dinner!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
St. Patrick's Day Special -Ireland 2011
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day we are offering $200. per person discount on the final payment for those who sign up and send deposit for our Ireland Adventure during the month of March!
Sláinte!
for more details:
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wyoming Adventure for Albany Academy Students
An article written by Erik Rayno, a student who traveled to Wyoming with us last year.
https://www.albanyacademies.org/ftpimages/499/misc/misc_93583.pdf
https://www.albanyacademies.org/ftpimages/499/misc/misc_93583.pdf
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
To our snow and ice bound friends
Need a break from the snow? Why not take a trip to sunny Greece! That will give you something warm and pleasant to look forward to these remaining winter days!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Images of Egypt
Barbara Diaz took some beautiful photographs in Egypt. Check them out on our Facebook album.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Condor-Adventures-Inc/186046551422943?v=photos
Thank you Barbara!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Condor-Adventures-Inc/186046551422943?v=photos
Thank you Barbara!
Friday, January 21, 2011
On Condor Wings
On Condor Wings
On Condor wings the seven travelers and the one would fly to the land of pharaohs and one boy king. From around the globe others would converge to glimpse the writing on the wall – of limestone and granite -- all speaking a different language -- all easily understood -- all in wonder of the beauty possible from granite rock. The ancients would carve their history – how they lived – they way they played – how they died. – Reverence for their gods and reverence for their dead -- as if to say to all who care to listen, “we were here and we matter, remember us“.
The artist’s signature, indeed.
Of Tut Ankh Amon and Ramses – Of Isis, Osiris and Ra – Of Pyramids and Sphinks. Donkey-drawn taxis. Shells on the Sahara lying quietly for millions of years, held for the first time by human hands. -- sailing the River Nile to the sound of 1000 clicks of camera shutters. Surely one more photo of that Felucca – just one more.
And the Vendors – oh the vendors. From all sides they would approach – Why pay 1 pound for 10 plastics statues when we could pay 10 pounds for one.
By bus, boat and plane seven travelers and the one would fly. Such were 14 days during the 11th year of the second millennium as these seven strangers became friends–
such things tend to happen when flying on Condor wings.
By: Manuel Diaz
One of the "Buzlings"... following the "Adventure God."
One of the "Buzlings"... following the "Adventure God."
Egypt 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Dropping from Egypt
Our historic hotel is right on the banks of the Nile. Sir Richard Burton wrote, in the 1850s, of how much he enjoyed staying here upon returning from his explorations of Equatorial Africa. Among our adventurers is Sarah Whitaker, who has been with us for the Fiesta in Pamplona, to trek through Patagonia, dog sledding above the Artic Circle, exploring Iceland, and other destinations. Traveling with her are Betty Thomas and Sara Van Arsdal (an archaeologist who is ecstatic about being here). Manny & Barbara Diaz, who became engaged on our Grecian Isles Odyssey are with us; along with Larry Pisto & Wendy Bradley who have been with us to Easter Island, Guatemala, Nepal, Patagonia, The Galapagos and other destinations. Tomorrow we fly up the Nile for a 5-day cruise aboard a 5-star deluxe boat, to visit ancient ruins. What sets this adventure apart is our exploration of Siwa Oasis, hundreds of square miles of date groves, olive trees and freshwater lakes in the heart of the desert. Its culture is unique.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Upcoming Adventures
2011
Nile Cruise, The Siwa Oasis & Ancient Egypt
January 8 – January 22, $2,940.00
“Return to Paradise,” Tapati! Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Polynesia
February 6 – February 13, $2,500.00 * rescheduled
Wild & Civilized: New Zealand South Island
February 25- March 11 $3200.00
“Return of the Temple Dogs” Guatemala
May 20-May30 $2400.00
Grecian Isles Odyssey
June 8- June 18 $2,980.00
The Heart of Portugal
June 19 - June 26 $2,800.00
Southern Ireland
July 16-July 26 $2600.00
Camera Safari Tanzania
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