I will be climbing with my friend Rick, we have known each other since we were kids. When I mentioned the climb to Rick he asked if he could come with me...I shocked and thrilled that he too wanted to climb for a cause. This photograph was taken in San Diego when I went out to meet tour the lab at Scripps Clinic.

I've known Rick since grammar school.  We grew up in the same neighborhood.  In fact, Rick was my first boyfriend in 5th grade!  When I told Rick about my Everest trip he told me -- get this -- that Base Camp had been on his bucket list since college!  Two old friends who haven't lived in the same town for over 35 years, who saw each other at high school reunions, who occasionally chatted on Facebook.  Our bucket list was exactly the same!  (Oh, yeah -- the handsome guy on the right is Brian, another friend from grammar school!)


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