Photo taken with Nikon SLR by John Abrams, Nov 2018.

Kala Patthar, Nepal at some 18,500 feet above sea level.

Artist’s Note: Though my roots don’t stray far from the coast, I am drawn to the mountains like a fly to light. At my core, I yearn to explore the pristine, though unforgiving, world that most only see through modern-day portals. This photo both warms my heart and sends psychosomatic piercing chills through my toes and fingers. In the present moment, it’s far too easy to forget the pain and struggle. I spent night after night unable to enter REM sleep because I would abruptly wake due to a shortage of oxygen to the brain as my breathing relaxed. Instead, I spent countless hours fantasizing about all things, apples and peanut butter, and yes, together! The breathtaking immensity of the high Himalaya would humble even Chuck Norris. Travel, in general, serves to further calibrate my perspectives and evoke an appreciation for diversity. While glaciers on Everest continue to melt, exposing the deceased claimed by the elements, we consume our days attached to our phones and tuning into the words of Elon Musk as if we are marionettes under his control. In July, I reached out to a friend in Nepal who replied, “we are not so worried about the covid but all Nepali are worried about food.” This is a reminder to lead with compassion and love. Human beings are 99.9% identical in their genetic makeup, no matter their origin, skin color, etc. We are in this together! We share the responsibility to do our part to ensure a harmonic life for future generations and all living things with whom we inhabit this planet. The wonderful nature of travel is what inspires these words of humility, get after it people!