Mexican standoff at Lower Slaughter

September 1, 2009
Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds - photo by Rob McFarland

Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds - photo by Rob McFarland

Winner, 2010 ASTW Best International Story (under 1000 words)

It is the driving equivalent of a Mexican standoff. Two of us are travelling in opposite directions on a narrow, single track road. One of us will have to back up. It’s a battle of wills. I’ve already lost two of these this morning. I need a win.

With narrowed eyes I attempt to stare down my adversary. He seems unfazed. Five seconds pass. It feels like a lifetime. 

Finally, my female passenger says to me: “Aren’t you going to back up?” 

“No,” I reply. “Why can’t he?” 

She sighs. “Because he’s on a horse.” 

Read the rest of this story here.

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White Water Rafting in the Grand Canyon

August 31, 2008
Rafting the Grand Canyon - photo by Rob McFarland

Rafting the Grand Canyon - photo by Rob McFarland

Winner, 2009 US Travel Association Best US Destination Story

Scotty’s words are still echoing in my head: “Whatever happens, don’t go in the hole.”

It is too late. We are in the hole. A towering wall of water engulfs the kayak and flips it around. Suddenly, we are pointing upstream and being sucked backwards. I glance around to discover my brother is no longer behind me. He has been washed out but has managed to grab the rope at the back. Somehow he hauls himself back in and we paddle like madmen, crashing through a series of huge waves to make it to calmer water.

Scotty is waiting there, smiling and shaking his head. “I told you not to go in the hole.”

Read the rest of this story here.

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Posted by robmcfarland

Climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, Peru

May 6, 2007
Climbing to the top of Wayna Picchu - photo by Rob McFarland

Climbing to the top of Wayna Picchu - photo by Rob McFarland

Winner, 2007 ASTW Travel Writer of the Year
Winner, 2007 ASTW Best International Story (over 1000 words)

I’m having second thoughts. The steep stone path we’ve been slowly climbing up for the last half an hour has disappeared and we’re standing on a small section of terracing with terrifying thousand-metre drops on three sides. Maybe this really wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe we should have heeded the advice of the security guard who told us not to carry on.

Suddenly, Rob (the only other person on the tour foolish enough to attempt this with me) spots a small sign pointing into what appears to be a sheer rock face. Further investigation reveals a hole and, after using our camera flashes to illuminate the entrance, we discover a tunnel. We exchange a “what the hell, we’ve come this far” look and I follow him in. On the other side is another flight of breath-sapping steps but the end is finally in sight. We edge around a large boulder, climb a small wooden ladder and join a handful of other elated climbers on what feels like the top of the world.

Read the rest of this article here.

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Posted by robmcfarland

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