My following has just crested 50,000, spans 26 countries, and is populated by amazing people. I am so thankful for a cyber-family whose adventures sometimes exceed my own.

One among this tribe is on a grand journey. She’s kayaking the Amazon River from a newly discovered source near the peak of Mount Mismi in Peru. From there, she’ll paddle down the Apuimac River on a 4,225-mile journey that includes Class III, IV, and V rapids, and 3,800 miles of downriver sea kayaking. I cruised the Amazon in March (which some of you might remember) and will highlight that country next year as I complete the third manuscript in my series.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear now, though: I would NEVER kayak the Amazon.

My Amazon sunset photo.

Anacondas (“Miss Annie,” according to our guides). Tarantulas. Poison Dart Frogs as colorful as precious stones. Caimans. Piranhas. Do I need more reasons to avoid these waters in anything smaller than the Queen Mary 2? I think not. But she’s out there, paddling away as I respect her spirit, courage, and resilience from the comfort of my office chair, perched safely in my hermitage atop America’s Rocky Mountains.

I highly recommend you share this journey investigating one of few remaining unexplored parts of our planet. Her blog link is below.

http://bit.ly/1bfKgww (Kayak the Amazon blog)