Finally in full force, I think about the rally daily, dream about it and visualize it when going through the paces at the gym.  The general course is posted online and as I pulled up Google Earth, looked back at old maps and tried to remember the names of my favorite areas, I couldn’t help but wax

Erg Chebbi

poetic in my own thoughts.

I immediately glanced back to the village of Rassani.  On the outskirts of the main part of town, all the women wore black from head to toe, completely covering themselves except for a tiny opening for their eyes.  The green fields, mud walls and glow of a setting sun added to the sight.  If only I could take a decent picture at speed.  We were moving quickly to the last checkpoint, a hidden little spot on the edges of the great Erg Chebbi Dunes.  Wendy’s first day in sand dunes, it was quite an introduction of what was to come - floating across the ridges of tight little wind blown hills as the sand was giving way beneath our tires.

The air is magical in Morocco, the people are beautiful, the colors, textures, tastes, smells and sounds are exotic.  It’s so special that a part of me screams to not share it with the rest of the world.  To preserve it, just like locals in the towns I live in want to preserve their surf spot or favorite powder run.  But I also want to share it with those who I know will respect it, experience it, and leave it as they found it….