I write to capture the thoughts fleeting from my memory! Heck, at times, yesterday's events seem to transpire as quickly as a camera flash. Our lives are speeding by and important times are dashing by uncaptured. As a result, I am trying to recapture and capture some of my past and present so it doesn't slip away to the archive of my mind never to resurface. Moreover, I have spent countless hours studying history: mine, your's, and the world's. I look for interesting stories and some times I head off in obscure directions. I often wonder about my ancestors, grandparents, and parents. What they know and remember? What they did while they were here on Earth? For instance, my Dad has often mentioned his Father, my Grandfather, who climbed Pico de Orizaba near Vera Cruz, Mexico three times; and Mt. Iztaccihuatl and Mt. Popocatepetl, 65 and 85 times, respectively. He once slept inside the Volcanic Mount Popocatepetl in sub-zero temperatures! All these peaks are in excess of 17,000 feet with Orizaba the tallest at 18,490:
Here's a little history of the Mountain direct from Wikipedia:
"A regionally dominant peak, and in fact the highest peak between Columbia and the Yukon, the Pico de Orizaba is ranked 7th in the world in topographic prominence. It is the second most prominent volcanic peak in the world after Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Although it is about 110 km (75 miles) inland, to the west of the port of Veracruz, its peak is visible to ships approaching the port in the Gulf of Mexico, and at dawn rays of sunlight strike the Pico while Veracruz still lies in shadow. The Pico is ranked 16th in the world for topographic isolation.
The peak is one of three volcanoes that contain permanent snow and glaciers in Mexico. The others are Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl."
So, to me, it's fascinating to discover my Grandfather's alpinist adventures. I wonder about his motivation and his physical attributes; pulling these stunts off nearly every couple of weeks. I can only imagine what kind of shape he must have been in to endure what must have been extreme hardships. Yet, it must have been his passion!
I can only imagine what it would be like to strike the same footsteps as my Grandfather. Gazing before me the prodigious Pico de Orizaba would send a sense of awe and appreciation for his accomplishments that undoubtedly I would never forget.
Or even the chance to observe "La Mujer Dormida," the sleeping lady (Mt. Iztaccihuatl) so named for it's likeness to a sleeping woman. Trekking through the unknown, and the challenge of finding myself on a trail somewhere in the world. Wondering where my Grandfather might have set camp; his conversations, and his trail companions. See, to me, these are stories worthy of capture and are full of intrigue! I yearn to learn more and thankfully he saved his story for me (us) through photographs and memorabilia. This treasure trove remains secure with the present owner, my Dad, but I've already put in my request. I've already made sure that I capture this story so it doesn't slip deeply into the archive of my mind never to resurface again!
