All about Dale, our guide

Let me introduce Dale Berry, our inspiration for this trip, our guide, our travel consultant, our contact for the sites we will visit, and our friend for over 30 years and for travels to three countries.

Dale came to Richmond with this wife, Mary Beth, and three children in about 1985. He was here to earn his PhD--which he did get--in counseling. I don't know if he is any good at that or not.

He does like to hike, and of that he is pretty good.

Dale used to take moms and kids and dads and kids for weekend hike in the Appalachian Trail. One time on a hike with me and Channing, we needed water. We were on Old Rag and needed water. Our map showed a tiny little squiggle that indicated a spring near the summit. Sure enough, Dale triangulated, walked over to the spot, and found water. Not bad.

More stories about Dale. He went with me to Nepal one time to meet some missionaries. On our way back we swung by Thailand. Dale, who went to the caving capital of the East, Sewanee, wanted to go into some caves. I went along. We were not permitted to the king of all caves. No persuasion, no bribes, no running past the guards--no admittance. Finally they told us why: Cobras. Dens of cobras.

So, spotting a waterfall Dale said that we could climb that. No problem. Up we went, crawling, sludging, hand over hand, through the waterfall and around it. When it came time to descend, Dale looked very severe and said to me, "Tad, I cannot go on with you in those filthy pants you are wearing!" Such fastidiousness shocked me, especially in the circumstance. Nothing would do but for me to get into and under the waterfall and get my Royal Robbins shorts so the blue would show through.

Dale and family have moved to Knoxville where he has a counseling center. In the past couple of years he has become an advocate for Bridges, a network of Christian workers in Europe who assist refugees. This assistance covers food, welcome, and shelter when they get off the boats; making contacts for papers; finding transport to cities further inside Europe; prayer and Bible studies; discipleship times; and even for some, baptism.

It is to give counsel, encouragement, and prayer for the workers.

Next--itinerary and schedule.