Dreaming about Kili in 2004

I was searching online for an image of myself playing soccer for St.Bonaventure for one of my courses when I came across this article written about me back in 2004. So why share it on the blog? Check out the third paragraph from the bottom-- I was dreaming about Kili even then! Oh yes, and hadn't met Rich yet :-)

http://www.fansonly.com/schools/stbo/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/091504aad.html

"Bennett is clear about her goals for the year ahead: be a positive and dominant leader from the back line, help her team win at least one Atlantic 10 game on the road and qualify for the Atlantic 10 Championship.


Bennett said she hopes to go to Africa on a year-long service trip after she graduates and work with people afflicted with AIDS. While there, she also hopes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her dad, a dream born out of watching a movie with him when she was seven. "He's my hero. He's given me everything I've ever asked for without spoiling me," Bennett said of her father, Paul."

A "Taste" of Kilimanjaro...literally

Even in Japan Rich can't get away from the fact that we're climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in less than 8 months! This is a can of iced coffee he got in a vending machine while touring the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. As you can see, it says his refreshment was made with beans from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Very cool! 

Do You Think My Base Camp Bag is Big Enough?

Rich and I received our base camp bags from our Arbogast parents for Christmas. They are awesome, waterproof, spacious, durable bags...my only question is, do you think it's big enough? ;-)

Our Itinerary Has Arrived

Today was an exciting day-- our official itinerary outlining our entire trip arrived in the mail! As I mentioned before, we are using Civilized Adventures for our entire vacation. My Dad had hear great things about the company from his friends and they had a terrific online reputation, so we signed on the dotted line with them. So far, I've been impressed with the guidance we've received from them in terms of what to pack and what to expect. What I'm looking for now, and perhaps this is more on me than it is on the expedition company, is a solid training plan. I'm going to be training almost entirely by myself during the summer months while Rich and Paul train on their own in each of their respective locations. With that said, I'm hoping to get some girlfriends together to possibly climb Mount Whitney in June or July.

Anyways, just wanted to share my excitement about getting the official itinerary and reading into not only our climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, but also the safari afterwards...the countdown is on!