February's Presentation

A South America Adventure

Monday, February 8, 7 pm

Presented by: Kevin and Gail Gross

The time to depart for South America was finally here.  With luggage in tow, the journey was beginning with stops that included five UNESCO World Heritage sites (Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito and the Galapagos Islands) and a few days of travel into the rainforest in Amazon River basin.

Lima, Peru, a city of many contrasts was the first stop.  There were the modern, well-kept and wealthy sections where the tourists went and the remainder with great poverty and difficult living conditions.  The visit to Lima included viewing several of the old, elaborate churches and buildings and a visit to a shanty town to get an idea of what life is like without social “safety nets”.

From Lima, it was on to the Amazon rainforest.  The first thing noticed after landing at the airport in Iquitos, Peru was the decaying passenger airplanes and helicopters abandoned alongside the runway amid the heat and humidity.  Someone muttered, “You can check-in, but you can’t check-out.”  It was then time to travel by small boat on the world’s largest river—a huge swath of muddy brown water.  The new few nights were spent in jungle lodges without electricity (and air conditioning) with mosquito netting over the beds surrounded by the jungle and its varied creatures.

Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu contrasted with the Amazon jungle—dry, high altitude, varied terrain and, most of all, remnants of civilizations from centuries past.  The highlight was an overnight visit to Machu Picchu with the first day spent on a guided tour and the second was an opportunity for self-exploration.  When sitting on a hill with Machu Picchu spread out below, it seemed like one was peering on to a stage with a historic scene being played out. 

It was then time to travel to Quito, Ecuador.  The view of the Andes when flying into Quito was stunning.  Surrounded by tall mountains and at an altitude of more than 9.200 feet were more colonial churches and buildings and relics from past civilizations.

After a short stay in Quito, it was finally time to travel to the most-anticipated destination on our trip—the Galapagos Islands.  Located more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, these islands teem with varied and unique wildlife.  The enormous Galapagos tortoises, seals and sea lions, land and marine iguanas, along with a large variety of birds live in these islands largely unafraid of man.  It was from the wildlife found here that Charles Darwin arrived at his theory of evolution. 

All too soon, it was time to return home with a lot of memories captured in pictures.  There was also an expanded view of the world around us and greater appreciation and thankfulness for all that we have.

Photos: courtesy, Kevin and Gail Gross

PWC Artisan

February's Artisan: Tom Henning

Tom Henning began wood carving years ago when his wife, Peggy, knowing his interests in both woodworking and painting, enrolled him in a decoy carving course at the local maritime museum in Norfolk, VA.  Carving shorebirds and whales, he coupled his wood carving passion with his love for the outdoors and the ocean.  The compact nature of this hobby enabled him to continue to carve while at sea on active duty in the USN.  The world's oceans are (biodgradabley) littered with wood chips blown off the catwalks of the many aircraft carriers where he has seen service.

Tom carves by hand (with a knife) using Basswood or Tupelo Gum stock, paints with acrylics, and mounts his pieces on driftwood found while paddling his kayak in local waters.  He has been featured in Pacific Northwest art galleries and at local art shows, but carves because he simply enjoys working in his workshop basement while listening to the radio.

The PWC host for February will be Maria McGuire

Are you a new member or guest? Look for the PWC Host, identified by a Host nametag, 15 minutes before the General Meeting and during the break. The Host can answer questions and point out PWC trip sponsors that share your interests.