October 24, 2016
This post is from his daughter Lisa.
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He missed his flight by exactly 12 hours, but he is off! After a year of meticulous planning for this trip, we received this email last night:
“9:30” departure means 9:30 am, not 9:30 pm. My flight left this morning.
This absurd error cost me $200. Now,I arrive in KTM 1 day later.
The good news:
-it only cost me $200
-I will have a whole day in HK, like last year. So, I’ll take the train into the city and tour the city again.
-I had a great bike ride with Ollie today. We both enjoyed it. Priceless!
I had a great afternoon with my family. Priceless.
My flight leaves at 1 am tomorrow.
Making lemonade out of lemons.
Dad/Papa
For those of you who know my dad well, this may not come as a total surprise. Over the years he has earned the nicknames of Clark Griswold or Mr Magoo by getting through little predicaments with a smile on his face. Just last night as he was about to leave, I had to point out that he had a big hole in the front of his pants, so he changed clothes at the last minute. About the same time, my sister Lori was advising him to tell his Sherpa’s he doesn’t hear well out of his left ear so they know sometimes he can’t hear them. I am pretty sure he couldn’t hear what she said, yet he smiled and nodded. As brilliant as he is, he sometimes muddles through daily life situations and certainly does things his own way.
His mother, my dear late Grandma Burke, did not have a lot of gray hair, but I guarantee you every one of them can be attributed to my dad. Raising him he was a combination of smart, mischievous, and stubborn, and his parents were either proud or worried. That is how I feel now, proud and worried. He knows I am not happy about this trip, and every trip I hope for his safe return and that it will be his last. Being in such great health both mentally and physically, I don’t understand why he would risk any of his golden years. As a teenager you think you are invincible, but good grief, he’s 74! I keep telling him to write a book. I have to admit that last New Year’s Eve when his shoe got caught in a grate and he tore his achilles, I wasn’t all that upset (sorry dad). I secretly thanked my grandma in heaven for any strings she pulled on that one. In the scheme of life, not a huge injury, but just enough to maybe hang up those crampons. But he is stubborn and determined so here we go again. Following your dreams, keeping him young, yada yada,yada, I don’t like it. He is a wonderful patriarch to our family and loved dearly by all of us, so I want him around for a lot longer.
Thank you for keeping him in your prayers over the next weeks.
Lisa
Family Send-off BBQ
Family Send-off BBQ
Papa saying thanks & goodbye to his Training Partner after the bike ride (little did he know his flight was in the air)
Papa and Grammy
Saying goodbye to Grammy
About to leave
He’s off!
OK, so the flight got messed up. It happens; I did the same exact thing years ago.
Just don’t go climbing Everest again!
P.
Life is a succession of moments, and Bill is living each moment–enough so that we enjoy the ride with him (laughing with him and the family over the 9:30 flight departure). Double send off blessings.
Rockman
Well that was a great laugh but now down to business and on with the trip and anxious for messages to start coming in . He is so ready for this mentally and physically fit to achieve his dream
I understand your concerns. I sometimes wonder why Bud doesn’t enjoy sitting on a porch swing with a good book as much as i do! It is with mixed feelings that we watch them spread out their gear, checking things off their list as they excitedly prepare for a climb. Prayers for a successful and safe climb. Prayers for peace of mind for the friends and family at home.
Lisa, great story about your dad. Sorry to hear Clark Griswald missed his flight, but glad to hear he is finally up, up and away
Bill, time to start using the 24 hour time format! Wishing you the best and will be following every day.
Lisa. Your a wonderful journalist. Just like your dad. Enjoy the stories! Thanks for sharing the adventures with us👍👍
The story and the pictures made me cry. In Karol Bakers mother’s friend, who had been reading these stories for a few years. May he have a safe trip, and return to y’all waiting arms. God Bless him.
Lisa…your dad reminds me of my husband… constantly tempting fate, ……..and if even if he doesnt make it , he did what he wanted ro do….and nothing you do can change it.. We pray for his dreams becoming a reality and rejoice i n his efforts whether they are successful or not.
Bob is 101…..Bill has a lot more years to attain his dreams..
Lee
Love following your adventure blog Bill.
I’m praying you enjoy this next adventure and that you return safely to your loved ones.
Looking forward to reading your updates.
Warm regards,
Miki
Your dear father is bigger than life. Not the ordinary role model but role model he surely is. What he expresses is the true meaning of life…LIVE. His family are proof of his success at doing just that. Beautiful, loving, bright and caring people for each other and those lucky enough to be included in their lives. Good job all around. God protect our friend and send him home to us again to continue to teach.
Thank you for your sweet note Joyce. 🙂 Lisa
What a start to his newest adventure! The photos of him hugging everyone with the caption “as his flight is in the air” made me laugh out loud. I wish your dad a safe and fulfilling trip to his mountain. I will also have him and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers until his safe return home. Xo