Almost there - Mt. Kilimanjaro

I just got off the phone with Paulie. It is about 6:00AM in Amsterdam, Monday morning. The flight over was very long and exhausting. Paulie got to the hotel and because the weather was so bad decided not to check out the local museums. He had spaghetti for dinner (his favorite meal) and went to sleep. He is now on his way to Tanzania. He should land at 9:30pm on Monday evening OR around 10:30am (PST) Monday morning our time. It was so good to talk with him. He got a good night sleep and is feeling very good. Boy howdy, do I miss him. He will spend another night getting rest and will start the climb on Wednesday AM, 1/13/10, Tanzania Time.

In Flight to Amsterdam

Paulie's flight from SFO to Amsterdam was delayed 1 hour and 45 minutes due to severe weather in Amsterdam. He had to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time, instead of the usual 2 hours because of the terrorist attempt last week....they finally took off at 4:55PM (PST).

Paulie was a little stressed out the last 24 hours because Murphy's Law was rearing it's ugly head. Lola got sick yesterday and we were at the vet until 7:00PM, when we got home the heater would not work and this am the fluorescent lights went out in the bathroom, all four of them! We have not seen any sun here for over a week so our solar flood lights do not work....all things that my hubby takes care of. I reassured him I could handle it and called him before his flight left to say the heat was back on....I am just beginning to realize all the things he does for me while I am at work. We have never been a part this long before. I miss him already.

Leaving on a jet plane for Mt. Kilimanjaro

Hi All,

Paulie leaves in the morning! Today he spent his time putting all his equipment and supplies into the duffel bag. Boy howdy, there sure is a lot! He is not a camper so he had to go online to find out how to pack his sleeping bag back into its' stuff sack. Yikes!

Less then 2 Days to Go

Hi All, I just want to thank everyone for your support. Paulie has been getting lots of emails and calls wishing him well. The support is very powerful.

A few more excerpts from Paulie's journal:
"I fed the snakes today so Vikki won't have to worry about being attacked while I'm gone. As time draws near, my concern or worry about not being able to summit is increasing. Each day, several times a day, I envision taking those final steps to the top, knowing that it's going to be very, very difficult and challenging. I can think of little else."

3 Days Until Departure to Africa

Wow, what a beautiful banner! Mr Bucher's 5th grade class at Whitter Ranch Elementary School is supporting A Chance for Bliss and tracking Paulie's climb. The class visited the sanctuary and Woody introduced Mr. Bucher to Paulie.

Dear Mr. Bucher and the Brainiacs, Paulie wanted to let the class know right away that he is truly speechless at their desire to be part of his climb and the beautiful banner they made. With your support and watchful eyes he has the extra boost he needs to make it to the top. Thank you.

4 Days until Departure to Africa

Paulie started training in July for the climb. On November 9, 2009, he began keeping a journal (2 months before departure day). Here are a few excerpts from Paulie's journal.

11/09/09 "I leave for Africa in two months from today...It's something I've thought of from time to time as long as I can remember...I wouldn't even be writing this if it wasn't for the incredible support of my wonderful wife and partner Vikki.
I hope she doesn't live to regret it."

Paul Castello Climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Happy New Year Everyone,

First of all I would like to thank all of you who are supporting Paulie on his African adventure. Most importantly by doing so you are helping A Chance for Bliss continue to do the great work they do!

I thought I would start out by telling you a little bit about Paulie (for those of you who do not know him). He is 56 years old, recently retired from Santa Cruz County and loves adventure. We have been together for 24 years, married almost 20. He loves to ride his motorcycle, he ran marathons, has parachuted out of perfectly good airplanes, and loves to climb mountains.

Paulie climbed Mt Whitney in 2002. It is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Rising 14,497' it has the distinction of being the highest peak in the contiguous United States. On that climb he raised money for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, (http://www.aarbf.org) for Champ Camp which is a week long, residential, summer camp experience for young burn survivors. As a burn survivor himself, raising money for Champ Camp gave Paulie added motivation to reach the summit.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is another opportunity for Paulie to raise awareness for another great cause, A Chance for Bliss.

When we met Deanna, Woody and all of their companions we knew that what they are doing is very important for both animals and people! We have raised 8 dogs and while that has been difficult at times and definitely heart breaking at other times, the joy that Paulie and I have experienced living with and caring for our animal companions has been and is a blessing.


Paulie starts the climb on January 13th. We are hoping that I will be able to receive phone calls and text messages from him as he ascends the mountain.

Each day I will make an entry here to let folks know how he is doing.

I already have butterflies in my stomach as he is leaving in 6 days. He has been training and preparing for the climb since July, 2009. He has also been keeping a journal. I will share some of his thoughts and feelings over the next few days about his training and the making of this trek. Until then take care - Vikki