The Winning Ticket and Unexpected Surprise

We have returned! As many of you know, we won an incredible trip to the Galapagos Islands at The White Memorial Conservation Center’s 43^rd Annual Family Nature Day event.

Every year, we purchase raffle tickets to support WMCC for $10 each. We never expected to actually win; supporting the Center was our only intention. To our astonishment, my ticket was selected out of 3,000 entries. It felt unreal—no way! Yes, it truly happened.

The Prize and Opportunity

This once-in-a-lifetime trip was generously donated by Stewart McPherson of Redfern Tours. If you ever have the opportunity to join Stewart on one of his expeditions, I highly recommend you do so. In fact, this year’s first prize is a trip to Greenland! Tickets are available for $10 at White Memorial Conservation Center. Only 3,000 tickets are sold, so don’t miss your chance.

About the Galapagos Islands

According to Wikipedia:

The Galápagos Islands (Spanish: Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Eastern Pacific, located around the equator, 485 nautical miles (898 km; 558 mi) west of the mainland of South America. They form the Galápagos Province of the Republic of Ecuador, with a population of slightly over 33,000 in 2020. The province is divided into the cantons of San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, which are the three most populated islands in the chain. The Galápagos are renowned for their large number of endemic species, famously studied by Charles Darwin in the 1830s and which inspired his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. All of these islands are protected as part of Ecuador's Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve.

Fulfilling a Dream

Pete and I often joked about traveling to the Galapagos Islands one day to see the iguanas and blue footed boobies. Experiencing this trip was the fulfillment of a cherished fantasy.

Physical and Emotional Challenges

This adventure was truly life-changing. The past year has been extremely difficult, with the loss of Pete and then my soul dog, Oliver, in March.  While Sarah is still young and energetic, I have felt every bit of my age. I was challenged both physically and emotionally at every step. We trekked through volcanic formations, with the Sierra Negra volcano and the sulfur mines walking tour on Isabela Island leaving a lasting impression. The distinct smell of sulfur intensified as we approached the yellow-streaked fumaroles and vents, where geothermal activity created a surreal atmosphere. We walked through a lava tunnel and saw collapsed tunnels that have since become a beautiful rainforest inhabited by diverse plants and creatures.  While Sarah enjoyed snorkeling with a plethora of unreal marine life, I watched from the boat.  This trip did not teach me how to swim, and I'm ok with that.   

Unique Wildlife and Conservation Efforts

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife. The entire region is devoted to conserving and protecting its incredible species. All three major islands—Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal—feature their own Tortoise Breeding Centers. The diversity of birds, including Darwin finches, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and pelicans, is remarkable. In San Cristobal, sea lions roam freely, often lounging on benches and strolling along sidewalks.

Reflections and Recommendations

This journey brought me out into the world, introducing me to new people and experiences that opened my eyes to the beauty of our planet.

While I could go on endlessly about how amazing this adventure was for both of us, I will let some of our photos speak for themselves. (once I  figure out how to download them from Dropbox)  I highly recommend adding the Galapagos Islands to your bucket list.