Serengeti Plains of Africa, Tanzania / April 2011 –

In 1987, about 24 years earlier from when this photo was taken, I went to Kenya and Tanzania to join a trek adventure. It was a tent safari and it was quite the experience camping out in the wilderness with all the animals. It may have been called the Serengeti National Park, but the animals are wild and free to roam as they pleased. Even on our first night, we had a herd of elephants walk through our campsite. How can I forget the way the earth shuddered when they strode right alongside our tent? And then not more than 15 feet away, I heard the pounding noise of a full bladder of urine bouncing off the dry earth like it was a pressure hose on cement. That’s the closest I’ve come to becoming toe jam to one of the second largest mammals on earth.

At one point, we were asked if we would like to go on a balloon ride at 4am. I said of course I’d go but wouldn’t commit to the balloon ride until I got to the launch area. The request to do this came from a couple within our group. There was a young woman and her older boyfriend who had been a past band member in the group (ironically called) – The Safaris. They had a big hit in the early 60’s, with a song called ‘Image of a Girl’ and another one that I could actually remember called ‘Wipe Out’. Anyway, they seemed so in love that I felt a bit envious. As I watched their loving interactions, I knew that what they were about to do was something I’d like to do as well. It just seemed like it was an incredibly romantic adventure. What could beat having a champagne and orange juice breakfast, then a balloon ride over the famed Serengeti? What a unique, daring and romantic experience to share with the one you loved. I so wanted to have that moment too.

In a flash of clarity, I knew that I could never have that moment with someone I truly loved, if I went on thr balloon ride, that day. So I didn’t. I wanted to return when I was with that special woman and experience this adventure for the first time, with her. To take this incredible ride by myself would eliminate that opportunity forever. So I made a pact with myself to return another day, another year, risking if fate would afford me that chance, before I died.

Well, that day came after three marriages and two children later, but it was indeed with the woman I knew was my soul mate. I was determined to have this long awaited experience with her. I even planned to do this as soon as we started talking about going to Africa together. But then I had a sudden glitch to the plan.

About 48 hours before we were scheduled to go up, I came down with what I thought might have been malaria. I was the sickest I’d ever felt in my life… so weak, and burning up inside. It was an absolute struggle, with all my strength, to even make it to the bathroom. I thought I might even die in the desert without ever seeing my friends or sons again. However, these kind of lifelong pacts come with immense determination. I also believe I willed myself to get better because my fever broke about eight hours before the early dawn jeep ride to the launch.

It was everything that I had anticipated and more. We travelled in the jeep in the dark and then there were three balloons that were tethered to the ground. They were beginning to fill them with hot air. Within thirty minutes we were floating on air and sailing at various levels over herds of wild animals. It was truly breath-taking and very romantic.

In this photo, its water buffalo below. And yes, there were elephants and zebras and giraffes too. I wanted to capture the shadow of our balloon with the sun directly behind us. I deliberately included the woman in front to give perspective. It’s a cherished memory and an elaborate and deep-rooted intention. But it finally happened!

It all goes to show that it’s never too late to realize an intention. Never give up on believing.