CamelBak® Groove & CamelBak® All Clear

70% of the Earth is covered in water.

Less than 3% of the Earth's water it is fresh water.

More than 2/3 of the Earth's fresh water is frozen in glaciers.

 According to www.drinking-water.org groundwater provides 25-40% of the Earth's fresh drinking water. Even though it is "fresh" water it may not be safe to drink. One concern for travelers to a developing country would be having enough safe water to drink. In the United States safe drinking water comes in the form a treated water by a city or county, or in the form of bottled water. The Beverage Marketing corporation said Americans consume an average of 29.2 gallons per captia of bottled water in 2011, with an expected gain of 1.2 gallons over the next five years. Like many people in developing countries the people of Uganda may not have access to clean water. Often the source of water is shared with neighbors and animals. Bottle water is a luxury. In order to have safe water people carry a Jerrycan weighing approximately 40 lbs from the water source to their home which could be two or more miles. Once the water is home it must be boiled before it is safe to consumed or used in cooking food.

Jerrycan

At home in Minnesota know I can turn on the faucet and get water any time that is safe to drink.  In my usual travels I take a water bottle, especially when flying to keep hydrated. As I researched my trip to Uganda I found that it was not safe to drink water unless it was bottled or boiled.  I wasn't sure what the availability of bottled water would be so I started looking at various options.  My brother Matt is a designer at 3M and has worked on various water filters, I knew he would have the right product for me. Matt recommend two water bottles from CamelBak®.  The first is the CamelBak® Groove, the second was the CamelBak® All Clear. He was able to get me one of each of each of the water bottles to use on my trip.  

The CamelBak Groove has a built in water filter that will filter out bad tastes in water that is safe to drink. I started using the CamelBak Groove before my trip and did find it made a difference in the water I drink from the tap; it tastes like fresh filtered water. I have also use it at work and public drinking fountains with the same great results. The only thing I need to remember is not to fill it completely to the top because when you put the top on with the filter the water overflows.  

The bottle is BPA-Free and the top has a CamelBak patented bite top which I really like because it eliminates leaking from the top of the water bottle. The filter will last about 3 months. I was worried about remembering to change the filter, but then I found out I could register on CamelBack to get a  reminder. This water bottle is one I will continue to use daily. The cost for a CamelBak groove is $25-35 and can be purchased online at CamelBak Groove or purchased at REI.

Photo by Linda Cullen Photography
 http://cullenphoto.com/

The CamelBak All Clear was a life-saver on my trip to Uganda! I will admit the first time I used it in Uganda I was a bit nervous, but CamelBak has a reputation for quality and the All Clear would never went onto the market it it didn't work. It was simple to use, lightweight, and I had extra water all the time. 

The All Clear is a portable purification system that uses UV technology to neutralize microbiological contaminants in water and make the water safe to drink in 60 seconds. The CamelBak All Clear comes with a BPA free water bottle (.75 liter), classic cap, UV cap, USB cable for charging and carrying case for the All Clear UV cap and USB cable.  


The All Clear is simple!  

1. Fill the bottle with water 
2. Screw on the All Clear UV cap
3. Press the power button
4. Shake for 60 seconds
5. Drink!

The LCD screen on the cap has a 60 second timer and the UV light will turn off when the water is neutralized.  Once the UV light is done simply remove it and replace it with the classic cap or with other CamelBak cap. The UV light has a rechargeable lithium ion battery built into it.  According to the CamelBak website a fully charged battery can provide 80 purifications (approximately 16 gallons of water)   The UV cap stows in the protective case with the USB cable. I charged the battery before leaving on my 10 day trip and it still had a full charge when I returned home. The USB cable can be plugged into a USB wall outlet, computer, solar panel, etc., and be fully charged in about 4 hours.

Photo by Linda Cullen Photography
 http://cullenphoto.com/

Instead of worrying about having bottle water or boiling water before I could drink it I would "make water" (purify it) with my CamelBak All Clear.  Once I made my water I would pour it  into my CamelBak Groove and then make a second batch and simply replace the UV cap with the classic cap. I used the All Clear at least three times a day during my trip to Uganda. The cost for the CamelBak All Clear is about $99.00 and can be bought online at CamelBak All Clear or at stores like REI. This is a great investment for anyone who travels to areas with questionable water. 

If you want to use the All Clear in areas where there might be larger sediment in the water I would recommend also purchasing the All Clear Pre-Filter ($15). This filter fits on the top of the All Clear water bottle and allows you to filter out sediments before purifying the water with the All Clear. It is also available online or in stores.

CamelBak makes outstanding products and they stand behind what they make. Weather you are looking for a water bottle to use everyday or something to have clean water when traveling, camping, or hiking I would recommend shopping at CamelBak.   They also guarantee their products for life. "In 2011, CamelBak introduced the Got Your Bak™ Lifetime Guarantee for all reservoirs, backpacks, bottles and accessories. The Got Your Bak™ Lifetime Guarantee covers all reservoirs, backpacks, bottles and accessories from manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product." 

Photo by Linda Cullen Photography
 http://cullenphoto.com/

You cannot go wrong with CamelBak!!  

Thank You to Matt, 3M & CamelBak for the great water bottles!

Fifty Lanterns Uganda Trip

This trip has been absolutely amazing! And that's an understatement!  I am sorry I have not posted any blogs we just had wireless for about 2 minutes well we've been gone. I have so many amazing stories to tell you and pictures to show you-even some video.

A lot of people are already asking if I will come back, all I can say is I definitely want to;  the trip has just been so amazing and life changing. I am hoping to catch up on all my blogs today as we wait for our flight I have had a lot of smiles and moment that have brought tears to my eyes.

The power has been out with the exception of about 2 minutes today. I will keep communicating as we have wifi.

Exploring Outside

I have been sitting inside all morning,  it is 2:00 pm so I decided to walk outside. I have been inside for the past few months I figured it was time to warm up and unthaw from my life in Minnesota.  It is sunny and degrees with a slight breeze occasionally coming through. 

The hotel is surrounded by a wall with a gate that we entered last night.  I found they have a beautiful courtyard with chairs, tables and umbrells. I also found a small bar outside.  And who is behind the bar? Our host Sam joined by another staff member. They are watching CNN. I took a seat in the courtyard to work on some blogs but I think an African beer might be calling my name soon.

I looked on the wall and saw an orange headed lizard; he must be camera shy because he scurried away when I took his picture. If my nephew Charlie was here I am sure he would have reached up and grabbed him. The only other wild life I have seen is a lazy cat snoozing away.  

I tried a Nile Special Beer 4,000 Schilling ($5.00 US) It is a lager beer from Uganda that is 5.6 % ABV . According to it's label it is the "International award winning beer brewed at the source of the great river Nile ". The Ingredients include Water, Barley, Maize Grits, sugar, hops, and CO2. Nile Special has a simple taste that goes down smooth. Even at a cold temperature it forms a long lasting head.

Sleepless in Uganda

It's 5:33am I have been laying awake since about 2:00am. I have tried all my tricks to try to fall asleep-staring at the ceiling fan,  saying a rosary,  reading, and even playing Fun Towers and Majoung on my tablet.  Linda was up too for awhile but has been able to get back to sleep.  I am hot it has to be about 75 degrees in our room. We have a portable air conditioner, but it doesn't seem to be working unless you are standing right by it. There is a ceiling fan but unless it is turned the right way you won't feel cool air, besides the room has a high ceiling. I keep checking the hotel Wi-Fi to see if it allows me to get online, the signal says it is strong but maybe they do something to conserve energy. Time to try it again. I will give it a few minutes to see if it downloads any emails or let's me get online. No it didn't work. I will try again at 6:00am when the staff might arrived to prepare for breakfast. Linda and I were planning on waking up at 7:00am, that is one hour and ten mintues, to have breakfast, pack our stuff and be ready for our ride to arrive. I am so hot that I will take a quick shower before I get dressed. I was hoping to sleep because we have a 10 hour ride ahead of us and I don't want to spend it napping. 

***This entry was written 3/3 but I didn't have wi-fi to post it.

We Have Arrived!

We arrived in Entebbe, Uganda last night. According to my calendar it is March 3rd. was two days of travel. I saw the sunset as we left the United States and then saw it rise is we flew into Amsterdam, I saw the sunset again we headed towards the southern hemisphere to the country of Rwanda. It different flying into someplace that is almost completely dark until you taxi to the gate and see the lights of the terminal. I can now officially say I have been in the Southern Hemisphere.

When we arrive in Entebbe we stepped off the plane to a temperature of 74 degrees; I was instantly sweating, but I was happy not to see snow on the ground. We met another American from Chicago who was here working with a local Orphanage and School. He has worked with them for a number of years. He had two bins of "gifts" for the kids; he led us past customs without any questions or having them open our five bins.

Our hotel host Sam greeted us with a welcoming smile outside of customs. He is a wonderful local man born and raised in Uganda. He showed us pictures of his two daughters (6 years & 3 months old)-he was a very proud dad. Unfortunately where he parked the police didn't like and they put a boot on his wheel to prevent him from moving. He had to speak with the Policeman standing nearby to convince him to release the van; Linda even went to ask and apologize because it took us longer than Sam may have planned. It was a short trip to the Executive Airport Hotel.

Our room is simple, but the best part was laying down to sleep after only a maximum 30 minutes of sleep on the plane at a time. maybe I should say just laying down because I was showing Linda how to use my Samsung Note 10 tablet with stylus to send emails; she was having fun and I think will be purchasing a tablet upon her return. Wait until I show her the drawing apps.   We were told last night we only had our room for one night, which worried us because we didn't think we would get to rest as long. We did find out this morning we get to stay one more night at the Executive Airport hotel which will help with our sleep recovery. The staff here is wonderful and accommodating. Plus they have free WiFi which is a benefit for us bloggers.  

For some reason I cannot easily add photos and captions go I am adding them at the end . Our plane in Amsterdam. My view of Rwanda. Hotel Room

"I just show up."

What a journey so far!  Linda and I left Minneapolis,  Minnesota on March 1st.

I have to give a big shout out to my friend Emma Held for taking such great care of Linda and I.  We enjoyed a light lunch at Shoyu of Lettuce Wraps, Spring Rolls, and Spicy Noodles. Before we left Emma gave me a Moleskin travel journal and provided Linda and I each a bag with snacks and water (unfortunately we had to donate the water to the very friendly TSA staff of Terminal 5. The young gal thanked us and assured us they would be drank)

We flew Delta to Chicago with our seatmate Tamera. She was flying from Los Angeles to Chicago for her friend's 50th birthday; not only was it a surprise party,  but she was a surprise guest.  Tamera is a mother of two, her son is off to the University of Michigan to study theater; he is already an accomplished entertainer. Her daughter is a teenager. Tamera was awesome to sit by. (Linda and I wished she was sitting by us the rest of the way) We told her about our trip to take solar lights to the Ugandan Grandmothers and she was moved.    

In many conversations with strangers often the question is asked "What do you do for work?" this conversation was no different.  Tamera said,  "I just show up." My puzzled look led her to clarify she does whatever the job is she is being paid to do. I did find out she moved from Chicago to Los Angeles to do hair and make up 20 plus years ago and she is "still in the business".  We talked about the things we do that make us happy and how we thrive and become better people when we do things we love.

"I just show up." That is what I feel I have been doing since being laid off in September 2012. I am doing things that I enjoy (and sometime get paid for). I am happy!  Yes, I am still pursuing a full time job,  but until that comes I will keep showing up!

“As we work to create light for others, 

we naturally light our own way.” 

― Mary Anne Radmacher

Kristine Knutson

David & Beth Branscomb

Rick & Claudia Lund

Kristy and Marty Chromy

Mark O'Conner

Betty Pell

Tom & Lindamarie Branscomb

Kimberly Koehler

Bob and Anita Doll

Mary Lempke

Celeste Riekala

Joy Altman

Vicky Baum

Todd Mace

Thank you for your generous donation towards my trip! With these donations I have raised $2,065 towards my trip.

"Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference."~Kevin Heath CEO More4kids

Tenille Meyer

Lynn Fanene

Wendy Appel 

Bob Curtis

Jaclyn, Steve, Jonah & Sam Perez

Chelsea Anderson & Jesse Pipe

Debbie & Skip Blackmore

Carol & Brice Perkins 
Julie Rickard

Peg & Mike McAloon
Larry & Faith McCaghy
Frank Weiser
Marissa Ryan

Thank you for your generous donation towards my trip! With these donations I have raised $920 towards my trip.

Fifty Lanterns Uganda Trip

Hello Family & Friends!

When I was laid off from Supervalu in September 2012 I never realized in the short time how my life would start to change. I feel I finally am discovering my own purpose. My goal in life has always been to make small differences in people's lives; recently I was given an opportunity to change a lot of lives in a way that was larger than any I would have imagined.

Linda presenting solar light

My friend Linda Cullen Weiley is the founder of Fifty Lanterns International. Fifty Lanterns International is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that partners with established humanitarian groups to provide communities in the developing world tools that provide safety and opportunity through renewable energy sources such as solar-power lights and arrays-they bring light where there is none. The solar lantern can rid a home of toxic and expensive kerosene and the risk of a deadly fire. With the extended day that the solar light gives a family, children may do their school work, daily activities can be completed after sunset. Fifty Lanterns has completed 17 major distributions or solar installation projects since it was founded in late 2004 including homes, schools and hospitals. Each of these projects made a vital difference in the lives of widows, orphans, families, and disaster victims. Linda and other Fifty Lanterns representatives personally deliver the lights for each project.

I have been helping Linda promote and raise money to purchase lanterns. The most recent project will provide solar lights for a group of Ugandan grandmothers who take care of orphans with AIDS. Linda has asked me if I would go with her in March to deliver at least 250 lights to the grandmothers.

This is an opportunity I have been doing serious discernment about. Maybe the reason I haven't found a full time job yet is the God has a purpose for me on this trip. I know there are risks involved in traveling to a developing country and I need to be smart in my decision. However the advice I give to others keeps going through my head "You can't fly if you don't leap!" It's time for me to leap!

The cost of the trip will be approximately $2500 (I am estimating higher until airfare is confirmed) and I will be gone for 10 days. The trip dates will be confirmed in a few days, but I will be leaving the end of February. I am sending this to ask for your financial support for this trip. Any money donated above the cost of my airfare will be given to Fifty Lanterns to purchase more lights for future projects. In addition to cash and check payments I have a credit card reader to process credit card payments. I hope you will consider helping me achieve this opportunity. Please contact me by email at smserving@gmail.com and I will provide you with my address and/or phone number.

I will post on my blog www.smallserving.blogspot.com so you can keep updated on my journey. I hope you will consider helping me achieve this opportunity.

Thank you!