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Web Admin Terry Kaylin (Smith)
Judd...I totally hear you and am with you about the cold thing!
Gary and Wayne...as much as I would love to take that trip to Antartica, it's a cold issue, not a lack of adventure that holds me back. I developed Primary Raynaud's Disease about six or seven years ago, which precludes going to any super cold destinations. Raynaud's is a disorder that affects blood vessels and arteries to your fingers and toes when you are cold. They go into vasospasm, which means the vessels narrow, and blood flow is temporarily limited. It's more of an inconvenience at this point, as I've learned a lot of techniques to avoid setting off an attack. I wear an oven mitt to take things out of the freezer, wear gloves to the supermarket, use a sleeve to wrap around cold drink glasses, etc. If I do have an attack, I warm my fingers and toes slowly with gentle heat or lukewarm water, which usually takes about 15 minutes or so. I am fortunate that I have Primary rather than Secondary Raynaud's, which is way more serious and complex, as it's accompanied by other very serious health issues.
I've also been very fortunate to have traveled extensively a good portion of my life, and will continue to do so for as long as possible. I was lucky to have been to China three times in eight years (including once in winter before I came down with Raynaud's). Climbing the Great Wall once in winter and once in summer was beyond a study in contrast!
Tee 
 
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