I just talked to Matt Flanigan, an American Cancer Society leader who is making the climb, and everything continues to be going great on the mountain! He said that his group hiked up to 12,500 feet today, which is high enough that they were looking down at both clouds and airplanes! He said spirits and excitement continue to be very high. Everything is on pace to reach the spectacular summit at sunrise on Sunday!
He also reported that his group was awakened yesterday in the middle of the night by the sounds of monkeys screeching at each other. You can't get that in Rochester, NY!!
Matt did comment that there are some problems getting e-mails to them, so if you've been sending e-mails they may not be getting through. Otherwise, everything is great!
Hi, Lin,
How's the weather up at 12,500 ft.? We had some snow yesterday and last night, but not as much as they predicted - only about 6 inches. We just keep on thinking about you and everyone up there and sure hope you are having fun! Keep up the good work! Love, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Ralph
Hi Lynette,
We can't stop thinking about you! I hope you are doing well and enjoying all the beauty of the mountain!
We certainly miss you, but are cheering for you several times throughout our shifts! You would not believe how many staff members are asking about your progress and the status of the climb!
Sharon is here with me today, but I hesitate to let her type anything in this message as you know how she can be......!!!!! We do want to keep it "clean"!
Some things never change!!!! She's asking questions about "the mile high club" and "are you using mosquito netting?" Why didn't you take her with you and leave her there???!!!
Annette Weidmann is here also and says to say "Hello"! Blaise is growing nicely, but needs to make better choices! Annette is hoping for Monday - let's hope Blaise agrees!
Georgia is here today, so of course the board has 7 patients! Her message to you is "GO TEAM!"
We love you and are so proud of you! You never cease to amaze us!
Love, Mary Ellen
Hi Bonnie,
After much muddling around in my usual fashion I have actually managed to send an e-mail. I think of you often...wearing my bracelet. When i put it on this AM after climbing out of bed at 6:15, I wondered where you were and what you were seeing as you put one foot after the other climing the "hill" (as you called it.)
I was panting and sweating after my half hour snowshoe hike with the dogs this AM and I thought of the chuckle you and the gang would get from that...after all, if I remember correctly you are doing 3 hours a day!
So you heard monkeys screeching. Is that similar to the sounds grandchildren make when feeling frustrated with life?!
Steve sends his love. Hi to Jim and the rest of the gang. Go for it!!!
Love, Marge
Hi Bonnie,
It's snowing in Bloomfield, but roads are fairly clear. Went to the Regional Retreat the last two evenings. Last evening Fr. John Hurley reflected on the Transfiguration and the mountain top event. I thought of you and the climbers throughout the evening. Three thoughts: The words spoken at the top: "It is good to be here". and the words from the cloud, "Listen...." We also reflected on the journey up and down by thinking of the song, Be not Afraid. You were so present to me throughout this retreat. Several from SB have attended. Hope all is well.
Love, deanna
hi lori and rick.we are so proud of tou guys, and so jealous too. it must be so beautiful up there on the mountain. keep on climbing for all those people young and old who were and are so courageous. see you when you get home. lori, your voice sounded like you were right next door. love and prayers for a safe trip. ken and sue.
sending lot's of positive energy your way - wonder if you can feel it??? It's great getting these audio's and notes....feel like we're on the climb right here from the living room!!!
Todd, We all are praying that everyone is safe and having a good time. We can hardly wait to hear all about it. Take care on your adventureous journey. MAC
Hey everyone, hope you guys are doing well. Mom and I are following you as best we can. Mom talked to Carol last night, so they are keeping up to date also. Oh, and Matt , are you still "monkeying around" up there?
Love ya , She
I have a theory how the porters are beating you to the next plateau. After you leave they have a helicopter that carries them there. You can't hear it or see it due to the altitude sickness you must be experiencing. So don’t feel bad.
Love
Uncle Jimmy
Hi Lori and Rick, I just heard your audio update and it is so good to hear your voice! I am glad you are doing so well and hope that you and the whole group are having an amazing experience. I think you are close to reaching the summit
from what I can tell and so I pray that you enjoy every second of being at the top of the world! We love you both! Bonnie, Brian, David and Sara
Hi,
Had dinner with Burns' and Gillard's last evening and found out that Todd is married to Carrie and so we went on line to check up on everyone....talk about getting emotional, may tears were shed as we followed your trek and traded stories of the past. I'm sure Nonny & Poppa are providing some of the "wind beneath your wings" during your climb. We are all hoping we can find a date to all get together to hear all about your adventures...what a small world, huh? Be safe and know that everyone is praying for your safe return....love ya....Aunt Jo
Dear Aunt Jo and Uncle Jack,
We are home now, and happy to have had such an awesome experience. Your e-mail was such an uplifting surprise on the mt. We both made summit - it was the hardest thing we've ever done. It was an honor to carry Nonnie and Pappa's names to the top. They were with us in spirit! We were fortunate to see some of Africa - both beautiful and sad. We are lucky beyond belief and we don't even know it. A hot shower and warm bed never felt sooo good! The girls are a sight for sore eyes - but they had lots of fun with mom and dad. Teagan is the newest card shark thanks to dad's tutalidge - poker anyone??? Love to all!! Char and Matt
Messages
Good News Update from the Kilimanjaro hikers!!
markscronin — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 15:15I just talked to Matt Flanigan, an American Cancer Society leader who is making the climb, and everything continues to be going great on the mountain! He said that his group hiked up to 12,500 feet today, which is high enough that they were looking down at both clouds and airplanes! He said spirits and excitement continue to be very high. Everything is on pace to reach the spectacular summit at sunrise on Sunday!
He also reported that his group was awakened yesterday in the middle of the night by the sounds of monkeys screeching at each other. You can't get that in Rochester, NY!!
Matt did comment that there are some problems getting e-mails to them, so if you've been sending e-mails they may not be getting through. Otherwise, everything is great!
Linda Johnstone
szecchino — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 16:06Hi, Lin,
How's the weather up at 12,500 ft.? We had some snow yesterday and last night, but not as much as they predicted - only about 6 inches. We just keep on thinking about you and everyone up there and sure hope you are having fun! Keep up the good work! Love, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Ralph
we're so proud of Lynette!
mschumacher — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 16:21Hi Lynette,
We can't stop thinking about you! I hope you are doing well and enjoying all the beauty of the mountain!
We certainly miss you, but are cheering for you several times throughout our shifts! You would not believe how many staff members are asking about your progress and the status of the climb!
Sharon is here with me today, but I hesitate to let her type anything in this message as you know how she can be......!!!!! We do want to keep it "clean"!
Some things never change!!!! She's asking questions about "the mile high club" and "are you using mosquito netting?" Why didn't you take her with you and leave her there???!!!
Annette Weidmann is here also and says to say "Hello"! Blaise is growing nicely, but needs to make better choices! Annette is hoping for Monday - let's hope Blaise agrees!
Georgia is here today, so of course the board has 7 patients! Her message to you is "GO TEAM!"
We love you and are so proud of you! You never cease to amaze us!
Love, Mary Ellen
Bonnie Zechmann
Marge Elder — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 16:43Hi Bonnie,
After much muddling around in my usual fashion I have actually managed to send an e-mail. I think of you often...wearing my bracelet. When i put it on this AM after climbing out of bed at 6:15, I wondered where you were and what you were seeing as you put one foot after the other climing the "hill" (as you called it.)
I was panting and sweating after my half hour snowshoe hike with the dogs this AM and I thought of the chuckle you and the gang would get from that...after all, if I remember correctly you are doing 3 hours a day!
So you heard monkeys screeching. Is that similar to the sounds grandchildren make when feeling frustrated with life?!
Steve sends his love. Hi to Jim and the rest of the gang. Go for it!!!
Love, Marge
To Bonnie from deanna
Visitor — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 18:02Hi Bonnie,
It's snowing in Bloomfield, but roads are fairly clear. Went to the Regional Retreat the last two evenings. Last evening Fr. John Hurley reflected on the Transfiguration and the mountain top event. I thought of you and the climbers throughout the evening. Three thoughts: The words spoken at the top: "It is good to be here". and the words from the cloud, "Listen...." We also reflected on the journey up and down by thinking of the song, Be not Afraid. You were so present to me throughout this retreat. Several from SB have attended. Hope all is well.
Love, deanna
Grammee/Mom/Bonnie and Jim
Visitor — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 19:18Hope you all had a great day today! We are thinking of you lots and you are in our prayers!
Love,
Beth, Michelle and Katie
hi lori and rick.we are so
Visitor — Wed, 02/27/2008 - 23:17hi lori and rick.we are so proud of tou guys, and so jealous too. it must be so beautiful up there on the mountain. keep on climbing for all those people young and old who were and are so courageous. see you when you get home. lori, your voice sounded like you were right next door. love and prayers for a safe trip. ken and sue.
Kathi, Laurel and all
canoelite — Thu, 02/28/2008 - 00:49sending lot's of positive energy your way - wonder if you can feel it??? It's great getting these audio's and notes....feel like we're on the climb right here from the living room!!!
How neat is this
Visitor — Thu, 02/28/2008 - 02:14Kath,Laurel and all,
It's wonderful to hear from you via the universe.....
You all are the talk of the town and then some.
hugs kate
Todd, We all are praying
mac — Thu, 02/28/2008 - 04:11Todd, We all are praying that everyone is safe and having a good time. We can hardly wait to hear all about it. Take care on your adventureous journey. MAC
Matt, Char, Patrick,and Robin
Sheila z — Thu, 02/28/2008 - 20:16Hey everyone, hope you guys are doing well. Mom and I are following you as best we can. Mom talked to Carol last night, so they are keeping up to date also. Oh, and Matt , are you still "monkeying around" up there?
Love ya , She
Porters
roadkingjim — Thu, 02/28/2008 - 22:58I have a theory how the porters are beating you to the next plateau. After you leave they have a helicopter that carries them there. You can't hear it or see it due to the altitude sickness you must be experiencing. So don’t feel bad.
Love
Uncle Jimmy
Hi Lori and Rick
Visitor — Fri, 02/29/2008 - 22:08Hi Lori and Rick, I just heard your audio update and it is so good to hear your voice! I am glad you are doing so well and hope that you and the whole group are having an amazing experience. I think you are close to reaching the summit
from what I can tell and so I pray that you enjoy every second of being at the top of the world! We love you both! Bonnie, Brian, David and Sara
Matt, Char, Patrick
Mary Jo — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 13:38Hi,
Had dinner with Burns' and Gillard's last evening and found out that Todd is married to Carrie and so we went on line to check up on everyone....talk about getting emotional, may tears were shed as we followed your trek and traded stories of the past. I'm sure Nonny & Poppa are providing some of the "wind beneath your wings" during your climb. We are all hoping we can find a date to all get together to hear all about your adventures...what a small world, huh? Be safe and know that everyone is praying for your safe return....love ya....Aunt Jo
kili
Visitor — Sat, 03/08/2008 - 17:09Dear Aunt Jo and Uncle Jack,
We are home now, and happy to have had such an awesome experience. Your e-mail was such an uplifting surprise on the mt. We both made summit - it was the hardest thing we've ever done. It was an honor to carry Nonnie and Pappa's names to the top. They were with us in spirit! We were fortunate to see some of Africa - both beautiful and sad. We are lucky beyond belief and we don't even know it. A hot shower and warm bed never felt sooo good! The girls are a sight for sore eyes - but they had lots of fun with mom and dad. Teagan is the newest card shark thanks to dad's tutalidge - poker anyone??? Love to all!! Char and Matt