A month later (the beginning of August 1996) we traveled in the Republic of Tuva in Central Southern Siberia when we got REALLY stuck in a bog going over an isolated pass. We somehow had to turn around but with the support trailer in tow, it was extremely difficult. A short while later, three young “yakboys” (cowboys) showed up on horseback. They indicated that no other vehicle will come either direction until next Spring!! Swell. So much for getting a tow! It had started to snow and it was getting dark. After several hours of joint efforts hauling rocks and using two HiLift Jacks, we finally managed to turn the truck and trailer around. It was pitch black. All Gary could see in his rear view mirrors was Monika frantically waiving her flashlight in an effort to guide The Turtle IV around deep lurking holes.

This was only the beginning of the nightmare.......

We finally made it. What a relief! This was the worst stuck we’ve ever encountered. Later, we all sat in the cozy warm camper eating hot soup Monika had quickly concocted. We had lot’s of fun communicating with pictures and an English-Russian dictionary. Tuvans are famous for their throat singing. Gary put on some local music. The yakboys shook their heads in unison. Oh no, they didn’t want to hear THAT music, they wanted to hear American Music. We listened to non other than Whitney Houston! Great memories.

This Tuvan Cowboy, or as we called them "Yakboy" since they were herding yaks (high altitude cows), and his friends were a great help!

On our next expedition, The TransEurasian Odyssey, Whitney’s Star-Spangled Banner will certainly travel with us again, this time on an iPod. Whitney may be gone but her songs will live on forever!

Whitney Houston holds a very special place in our hearts.

It was Super Bowl 1991. To our utter dismay the Gulf War had started. We were excited to have been invited by Dave Ohlhausen, then V.P. of Rain-X, to attend a huge Super Bowl Party at the Hilton Convention Center in Las Vegas where we were sitting at the table with Dave’s friend, David Hasselhoff and his wife. When Whitney Houston started singing the National Anthem (Star-Spangled Banner), everyone jumped to their feet. We were all awestruck at the exquisite and emotional rendition of the song knowing that the troupes were watching overseas. Tears were running down on many of our cheeks. It was a moment, we’ll never forget!

Later, Gary purchased a tape (yes, no CDs yet) and we carried Whitney’s National Anthem  with us on our 1996 Trans-Siberian Expedition. On July 4, (the US Independence Day) we sat on a lonely beach at beautiful Lake Baikal’s East Shore. It was a glorious afternoon, the water was calm and crystal clear. Russians believe that if you swim in Lake Baikal, you’ll live 25 years longer! We couldn’t pass up this opportunity and took a quick dip in the icy water. Gary later stuck Whitney’s tape into the cassette player and turned up the volume full blast. We toasted with a shot of vodka, eat the quintessential American buttered popcorn and were extremely grateful for the freedom we sometimes take for granted and for Russia and its wonderful people to be moving forward into a brighter future.

July 4, 1996: We celebrate the US Independence Day on beautiful Lake Baikal, Russia.

Soon, an old lady came investigating the music with a gift of fresh Omul in hand. We shared our popcorn which she ate in amazement. It was not the only time Russians were surprised that you could pop corn and it tasted so delicious!

This old lady brought us a gift, a freshly caught Omul which is a whitefish species of the salmon family endemic to Lake Baikal.