Noun – People, Places
Grasp of Reality
What is your grasp of reality?
What things in my life will I not let go? What matters so much that I cannot willingly release my grasp? What am I holding that is only a figment of my imagination; a sketch compared to reality?
I rolled these questions around in my head looking for answers. Floating in a space between prayer and concentrated thought, I made a feeble attempt to reflect on my necessary dependence on Jesus. It’s a foundational component of Christianity – one that I often fail to recognize in my day-to-day life. The Bible says…
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5:1
I like to ask myslef why I believe in this person called ‘the Messiah’, to remember what it’s all about. In among many reasons is the idea that Christ carries our burdens of sin- setting us free from the grasps we take on things distancing our relationship. As people, we are inclined to a sinful nature grasping all sorts of ‘baggage’ – be it mental, physical, or spiritual. The beauty of it, is that Christ offers freedom from sin and timely healing. He offers a grace that can only be offered through a commitment to relationship so strong, he died to secure it. In a relationship with God, we are able to cast our concerns and worries on him and know that he will sustain us (Psalms 55:22). It’s a complete reliance on God – a release of anything we’re holding onto that comes between us and God. As you look at the blend of reality and sketch in the clenched fist above, I hope you are drawn to challenge the things in your life that you are holding on to which are holding you back from God.
Blessings,
Jeff
Colorado Mountains
Hi Friends,
[From June (sorry, as you can see I'm a little behind on posting on my blog!) - a brief photo montage of an excursion up Mt. Antero in Colorado.]
“Every one of us lives only to journey further and further into the mountains.” C.S. Lewis
Although I have taken this quote out of it’s context, I love the metaphorical (and literal) idea that it holds. We are all on a journey in life with peaks and valleys, challenges and joys. Mountains often leave us with more questions than answers – Why am I climbing? Can I make it? Will it ever end? Where am I? What if…? But that’s sometimes how life is. Questions like “Where am I going” ring true everyday in my life. So I challenge you to think – Where are you going? Why are you climbing?
This specific journey up Mt. Antero was long and arduous on the way up (we choose to follow the trail-less West Ridge) and worse on the way down (tough on the knees), but somehow there’s something about the mountain that keeps me coming back for more. Maybe these pictures can explain better than my words.
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“Sim Jo Mo”
He’s my nephew, he’s 6 months old, and he’s awesome. Simeon (aka “Sim Jo Mo”) and I got to hang out with his mom for a good while in our own little photo shoot (between naps, that is). Enjoy his vivid and dynamic personality through these images that attempt to capture the cascade of energy abounding forth from this little man. I hope you find his joy as contagious as I do.
Jeff
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Exchange Visit to Korca
Exchange.
When collaboration and integration transcends the post-communistic mentality that still lingers in this progressively developing country and brings new hope to rural farmers struggling to make ends meet, its far more than merely an “exchange” visit. Beyond the years of dis-trust festering in their country, this group of farmers are looking forward to the potential that they possess to improve their lives. Exchanging ideas, techniques, and practical successes, farmers walked, talked, and shared their work with their compatriots from the south of the country, Korca. And it’s all part of the 2-day exchange visit that WV facilitated in order to stimulate thinking around the efficiency and importance of farmers working together. Enjoy the images of development unfolding in real-time.
Sincerely,
Jeff
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Month of May
Enjoy a collection of my photos from the last few weeks. I beg you to use your imagination for the lack of theme with which these photos hang together other than the simple and boring “last month.” Climbing, Hiking, Friends, and Castles – what more could you ask for?
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Austria
A weekend visit to Bratislava, Slovakia allowed for ample time to take a day trip to a mountain range just past Vienna, Austria for some Via Ferrata climbing. Via Ferrata is a style of climbing where there are fixed steel cables on a given route which you use as protection as you ascend/descend clipping into with a harness and some carabiners on runner (or “lobster claws”). It was originally used for the military, but people use it for recreation now – to access some of the more remote areas of European mountain ranges! We set out, five of us – 3 adults, 2 youth, to practice our mountaineering skills and to enjoy the wilderness of Austria. We had a fantastic time building memories and learning about some of the basics of mountaineering (for the kids).
 Generational Alpinists - Marek and his son. Austria, 2011
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 Serious Horns
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 After ascending to this overlook from our parked car below, we stopped for a quick lunch before continuing our loop to descend again. While we were eating, a large group of rams casually strolled past...
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 Our car is parked below...way below.
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 Traverse Trail
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 Austrian Valley
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 Eerie Overlook
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 Tunnel on the Descent (approx. 15 m)
I rapped down it (hence the anchor), but it also had a ladder.
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I amsterdam
Amsterdam – home of canals, tulips, and heineken beer…not to mention the BICYCLE! Woohoo – this city is great – so cool with the canals and great parks – everything is so green!
Also, Josh Oh and I went to the public library…and I have to say, it was AWESOME. Now call me a complete nerd, but this library was inspirational. Fantastic new-age art, a piano with an old man playing jazz (but open to anyone who plays piano), circular book cases, work stations everywhere, cafes, and the best part – you don’t have to whisper! I might move to Amsterdam and just live in the library. If only I could.
 cool sign for a cool library
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 Lights...camera...awesome. Public Library
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 Circular shelves - this one is all movies.
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 Kids section. Makes me want to be a kid again - just for this library.
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 Flowers - one of the signature items of the Netherlands. Vondelpark
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 Borrowed Josh's bike and found these gardens in Vondelpark.
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 Are you Amsterdam? Because I am.
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 Bikes Galore! Everyone, All the Time.
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 View from an evening canal tour.
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 Cruisin' the canals.
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 Public Library - AKA Public Cool-brary
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 Old old church. I think it was built in the 1600's - cool wooden roof.
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 Canals, Churches, and leaning buildings.
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 Josh Oh blows a huge bubble in the Nemo museum. It's an awesome interactive museum - I learned a ton about science from that place...more than I ever did studying for years in school... :( but whatever...
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 Logo Progression - More than anything, this beer's brand is impressive - and worldwide!
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 Bird's Eye View
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 For Amsterdam's traditional architectural sake.
Hooks are to move furniture and pianos to the top floors.
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Pow!
Mike blows through some fresh powder on a black run.
A long weekend was welcome not only for the rest and recuperation, but also for the foot of powder we got on the last day on the mountain! Enjoy some epic pictures from a day on the mountain in Kolasin, Montenegro.
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Street Art
A wonderful part of Tirana that is often passed unnoticed. I hope to keep this album updated as I discover more graffiti. Enjoy!
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Coffee at the Top of a Mountain
It’s quite a true fact – and one that happens rather regularly:
One can get on a mountain bike, ride for 5 hours into the mountains of Albania – seemingly in the middle of nowhere – meet a friendly man walking along the road, and be invited to a nearby house/store for a Turkish coffee. These people seem to come out of the woodwork and all happen to have coffee on hand while overlooking an incredible vista in the middle of nowheres-ville, Albania. Well, I bet you didn’t guess it, but that’s exactly how this Saturday biking trip turned out!
I poke fun at the seemingly bizarre situations like this one which I find myself in, but in reality, Albanian hospitality is quite welcoming and very friendly … and besides, who wouldn’t want to know what a few weird Americans are doing in the middle of nowhere on some bikes?
Enjoy the pics of some rural Albania villages and the people along the way.
Jeff
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Snow in Voskopoje
Two days in Voskopoje, Albania with constantly changing conditions, from fog to snow to sunny. We set out to bike, regardless of the conditions. And that’s what we did.
Some strap on skis or a snowboard, well, we stick with our bikes and hit the slopes all the same. Facing new challenges like getting clipped in properly with the snow packed on the bottom of our shoes, the bitter cold icing our toes, and even the blinding brilliance of the sun reflected off the snow all proved new challenges, adding to our repertoire of mountain biking adventures.
Once again, we explore the historic city of Voskopoje with its rich religious background and ancient churches reminding passers-by of the once thriving civilization. Second only to Istanbul in size, Voskopoje (previously called Moscopole) supposedly played host to some 40,000 residents and was regarded as a cultural and commercial center for the Aromanians of the time (mid 18th century). Enjoy the mix of biking madness and historical wealth in my photos!
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Pogradec, Albania
Fishermen on Lake Ohrid, Pogradec, Albania
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Wonder of the World, Petra
Here’s a glimpse into another of my recent trips. Aqaba, Jordan on the Red Sea bordering Israel and Saudi Arabia if I’m not mistaken. Although we spent a lot of time just chillin’, I enjoyed a blitz day at Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world (depending on which list you choose to follow). It was incredible. A whole city carved into rock in what seems like the middle of some dusty, arid mountain gorges. It’s truly magnificent. My pictures don’t do it justice and I apologize, but trust me, it is.
Of course I wouldn’t just take one picture, you should know that… View the whole lot of pictures in my Petra album. Or check them out right here:
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![Red [Orange, Yellow, Blue] Sea<br />
(**not near or in Petra**)](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NhoY3K02EgE/TSS4yXVXtXI/AAAAAAAABro/t4zn609-MO0/COL_9764.jpg?imgmax=912) |
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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that jazz…
-Jeff
Rome
Rome. What more needs to be said? It is one of the greatest cities for history in the World, not to mention the majestic architecture marvels onlookers. Here are some pictures from a quick trip there, 4.5 hours in fact, when I had a layover just long enough to run to a few of the iconic structures for which Rome is known.
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Merry Christmas,
Jeff
Wandering in the Forests of Bulgaria
I image the title of this post to be the opening line of some famous poem written by a renowned author and lost for centuries to only be discovered in a garbage dump and recovered with great glee. Instead, its exactly what it sounds like. I spent a weekend in Bulgaria with some great folks at a Navigator retreat and went wandering in the forest…so, enjoy the poetic views of this beautiful country. It was a great retreat and a welcome time of rest, recuperation, and encouragement for me.
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-Jeff
Voskopoje
Four guys, four bikes, four hour drive.
One day, one Volkswagen Golf, one mission: Ride the trails around this pristine mountain town in Southern Albania.
Fantastic terrain ranging from mud to dust, single track to dirt road, 25 degree climbs to rocky downhills…the verdict? AWESOME.
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Cheers,
Jeff
Back in Albania
I was welcomed back with an intense bike ride waiting for me – after some regrouping of the regular bikers from the scattering caused by summer traveling. It was a good wake-up call to how out of biking shape I am. Apart from the fatigue, we were rewarded with groves of untouched wild black berries at the top of the hill! Fresh and plentiful, it was a great way to reward ourselves after a long, hot climb.
The next weekend, some friends and I traveled to what we thought was an obscure beach along the coast called ‘Spille’ – little did we know this was quite a popular beach and we found huge crowds of people soaking up the summer sun and splashing in the warm, salty Med. Fortunately the crowds didn’t arrive until a bit later in the morning, so that explains why it looks devoid of people in the photo below (that photo was taken at 6:45am or something like that). Despite the disappointment, we camped out and found some space to throw the frisbee around on the beach!
It is great to be back.
Cinque Terre
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Heaven on Earth? Let’s just say that there are 5 villages connected by hiking trails along the rugged coast of the mediterranean that come pretty close. A brilliant display of color adds character to each little town precariously nestled between rocks and sea along the Northern Italian coastline south east of Genova, Italy. Of course, I’ve added a few pictures to my ‘Italy’ album to give you a taste of the beautiful location. As you escape into this world for a moment, imagine jumping into the brilliantly blue and green water on a hot summer day as you cool off from a long hike along the vineyard strewn hillsides…
View Larger Map
Torrrino, Italy!
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Ciao!
Amidst grueling-long days of microfinance courses (which are so beneficial, practical, and thorough) here at the Boulder Microfinance Training Institute, I have been able to squeeze in a bit of time to get to the Italian sea-side on the weekends. I mean, studying hour-after-hour only begs for a gelato ice cream after a pesto fettucini lunch while sitting by the beach in Northern Italy, right? I couldn’t think up a better way to spend a weekend, that’s for sure – good food, old city squares, and incredible gelato.
Before entering my second week of classes, I took a trip down to Genova, Italy (right on the mediterranean sea) and enjoyed a wonderful day with some newfound friends from the training courses. Check out the pictures under the ‘Italy’ album. During the week, I also took a trip downtown Torino and stumbled across some boxers in the park, old city streets, and statues graced with pigeons. My sister, Christina, came to visit this weekend here in Torino and joined me in all the adventures – what a fun time!
I hope this finds you all well.
-Jeff
Colorado Springs
Climber: Jeff Dokmo. Photographer: Jamie LeTourneau. Route: Crescent Corner (5.9)
As you may or may not know, I have returned to Colorado Springs, but only tentatively…. I am back to get some training, raise some funds, and prepare to head back to Albania as soon as possible (targeting end of July for departure).
In the meanwhile, I am hanging out, slacklining, climbing, eating fatty American foods, and enjoying the company of many good friends.
I have the pleasure of residing at Glen Eyrie – headquarters of The Navigators whom is my sending organization – helping me get back to the field in Albania. It is a glorious place with a legendary castle and incredible rocks similar to the one I’m climbing in the picture to the left…praise God for his wonderful creation and how it echoes his glory! And for the blessing that we have to be able to enjoy it by climbing on it… 
If you are interested in what I’m doing, or feel inspired to support me as I head back to Albania, let me know and I’d love to share more about my situation and the needs to fill before I go!
Blessings,
Jeff