I hope not everyone is having trouble adjusting to the real world as much as I am. Out in the wilderness problems in the world seemed petty. When your faced with the grandeur and the timelessness so evident in nature, nothing else seems important. Now that I'm home, everything seems important. But there have been some good things that happened. I was invited to speak on a "live" morning talk show in my city. They obtained video from Wayne Clague at the National Geographic Society, so as I was speaking, scenes of The Wave appeared on the monitors. The segment was very well done and was also broadcast live on the radio. Now everywhere I go people tell me they heard me or saw me on television. Today I had a student from a local university observe my classroom at school. The first question he asked me was, "Are you the Dr. Gandy who was chosen by National Geographic to go on that journey?"
I did want everyone to know that I gave my tent away to one of my students. I came in full gear the first day of class, set up my tent, and talked about the journey with my students. I had them write an essay of why I should give them my tent. The winner wrote, I will keep this tent until I am an old man, and even older. And when I grow up I will be a Boy Scout leader and I will take my Scouts camping. And I will set up the tent and tell my Scouts, my fifth grade teacher gave me this tent.
I had an opportunity to present the American Frontiers Journey at a national conference in Philadelphia. Teachers from all over the U.S. came to the National Council for Geographic Education conference. I joined with Nancee Hunter to tell about the Geography Action Program. Everyone loved the PowerPoint pictures of the journey of the Southern Team, and I believe they were all envious. Mike, Bob, Cathy and I are busy now developing lessons on public lands to be posted soon on the American Frontiers website.
I miss all my team members, particularly our early morning coffee club. I look forward to meeting them again next year at our reunion.