Charity
The most important part of the Mongol Rally is the charity. Team Shadowboat and our vast network of Awesome Folks™ raised over $2,000 USD for two separate charities, Mercy Corps Mongolia and Hope and Homes for Children.
FUNDS RAISED
Mercy Corps Mongolia: $1,705 (131% of our goal!)
Hope and Homes for Children: $860 (107% of our goal!)
HiJet donation proceeds: The battered car sold for over $1500 at auction in Ulaan Bataar!
Team Shadowboat Butt-Saving Awesome Folks Sponsors:
As You Like It Silver Shop
Duncan Cox, CEO of As You Like It taught me everything I know about silver. I can tell the difference between a Chantilly and a Baltimore Rose (that’s easy), I know a salad fork when I see one. All of this may or may not be irrelevant in Mongolia, we’ll see. Might even pick a few interesting pieces up, you never know.
Duncan and As You Like It really came out for our charity, making the largest donation yet . . . nothing new to Duncan; he’s been very generous over the years. If you’re ever looking for sterling silver hollowware, sterling silver flatware, or sterling silver baby gifts, please check out As You Like It Silver Shop. They make a point to inventory both traditional and rare pieces.
Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina
Thank you to Mike Roach and everyone at Blue Cross Blue Shield for their very generous support and contribution. We’re sorry we missed you at the BCBS 3 v 3 tournament last weekend, Mike, but we’ll be sure to catch up with you again soon.
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC has a history of generosity in North Carolina: from helping to close the gap on the number of uninsured to working with non-profits to educating North Carolinians about long-term preventative health care and promoting wellness in the community. They also have the coolest building in Chapel Hill and I learned to drive in their parking lot, so really, its kind of like I’m able to do this rally because of BCBSNC in lots of different ways.
Brian and Karla
True Captain Awesomes if there ever were two. Brian is a genius programmer, poet and friendly pescetarian from Baltimore by way of California. Karla is a poet and pescy too, works with kids with disabilities. On any given day these blessings to Earth can be found organizing a Baltimore literary event or calling each other to meticulously sort out that nights stunning array of vegetarian delicacies. Livin’ the high life in the Greatest City in America.
Check out their events here: http://www.mayhemonward.com
Cederberg Kitchen and Additions
Cederberg Kitchens and Additions has been sponsoring Sara C from day one, literally, and our latest adventure is no different. Shadowboat is very grateful for their generous donations that have helped pay for some of the cost of our HiJet!
Owned and operated in Chapel Hill since 1986, Cederberg Kitchens & Additions offers home renovations of all scales, specializing in the customization of kitchens, baths, and interiors, with focused attention to functionality and aesthetic appeal. Check ‘em out for that renovation you’ve been thinkin’ about…this summer, however, I won’t be there to dig the foundations and haul the trash.
Thanks for all of your last minute help, Dad. We really appreciate it and I think the kids in Mongolia will dig the soccer balls. Thanks for looking after my car while we’re gone, too, it will feel like a luxury ride when we get back!
Congruent Media
What do they do? Well, Internet Campaign Planning, Strategy & Management, Media Research, Response Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Banner & Rich Media Advertising, Email Campaigns, Viral Campaigns, Mobile Marketing, Internet Content Creation, Website Design, Database Programming (asp/.NET, Cold Fusion, PHP, XML, CSS, etc.), Flash Development, Video & Audio Production, Consumer Generated Marketing (Blogs, Pod/Vidcasts, Message Boards, Texting, etc.), Website Hosting, Response Generation Management, eCommerce, Lead Generation & Distribution (CRM), Fulfilment (Postcards, Lettershop, CD/DVD Production, etc.), Telemarketing (Pay-per-Call Inbound, Outbound), ROI Tracking & Campaign Results, Dashboard Technology, Email Campaign Statistics & Behavior Tracking, Search Engine & Banner Ad Conversions, Return On Ad Spend Programs . . . Schwoo.
How do I know? Cuz I used to work there! Thanks for your support guys and gals!
Durham Dad
Oh my God, he’s got an animated gif!
Salutations to Durham Dad, a North Carolina Soccer enthusiast, friend of the family, and stand-in Rallier. If Sara and I get Mono or Turkey Pox or something before the Rally and can’t go, pretty sure Durham Dad is ready to jump on a plane and rev up that HiJet! Durham Dad has been deeply committed to three things as long as we’ve known him: His great family, making soccer fun and educational for the kids, and of course, Skittles.
Check it out, he’s even reposted our mission on his favorite forum, www.nc-soccer.net! “Face piles of trials with smiles – it riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave” (Moody Blues).
Linda T.
Writer, landlord, all-around excellent human being. We’ve had lots of good landlords but this one really came out for us, our first sponsor on the books supplying a whopping 15% of the goal for our first charity all by herself.
If you want to support Linda back, buy her house (the one we’re living in right now). It’s up for sale here at www.McTearRealtors.com. We love the place and are sad to see it go. Definitely good deal if you’re not spending your money on driving through Central Asia. – Whoah, the house is sold!!!
The McShanes
My sweet Uncle Frank and Aunt Holly and my cool cousins Tess and Riley really got our shadowboat off the dock. Their generous donation helped pay for a large chunk of our beloved Hijet. Aunt Holly and I had a date with Mr Ed every Thursday night when I was little and when my dad built me a tree house, I insisted it have a bridge over to her house. We wish we got to see ‘em more often, they’re out on the west coast, and we’re always happy when they come visit.
After we get back from Mongolia, we’re setting off on another road trip, this time across the US on nicely paved highways, out to see the McShanes with mom, since she’s never done that and we just can’t get enough of driving. When we get there we’re gonna rock out with Riley and cheer Tess on at whatever horse show’s that weekend. Apologies in advance for typos and syntax errors. (holly’s a stickler on those) Love you guys! Cya when we get back! THANKS!!!
Mom and Dal!!!!
Thanks Mom and Dal (and Dad and Lizzy) for all of your last minute preparation help! I hope we didn’t drive y’all too crazy! Mom and Dal picked out some pretty sweet markers and those hip new twistable crayons for our visit to Baia Mare where we will pass their gift on to the children we’ll be visiting there. They also helped to fill our costco cart with all the essentials: candy and camera memory cards.
Dallas just got back from a kick ass soccer trip to Trinidad (where he managed to score the only goal against their phenomenal competitors!), thus sparking another flash of wanderlust in the youngest of the Cederberg kids. But now he’s back and straight chillin CH summer style, with a sweet summer job and tan to match, and all the time in the world for Guitar Hero and Man vs. Wild. Ahhh, summer. Thanks for introducing us to Bear Grylls, Dal, now we won’t die.
The same cannot be said for making us watch Wordplay, Mom. 
Thank you for all your help, just the same. Especially thank you for juggling 3 pets in the house so that Meels can curl up on a bed and be a bully to Boco. Now go get your passport so that you can join your kids on all these adventures!!! Maybe you can incorporate the Mongol Rally into a geography lesson at Montessori, once school’s back in…..
We will miss you lots and lots on our adventure! xoxoxox
The Urquharts
Another of my awesome aunts and uncles, Aunt Dina and Uncle Andy and my other cool cousins Wayne and Landis, also helped launch our land yacht with a very generous donation towards the HiJet–and the incentive that there was more where that came from if we make it back safe and sound. Long time collectors and connoisseurs of sports cars, we hope that we don’t disappoint them on this rally!
Once I find a family picture in CH this weekend (I am tempted to use the picture of Peng), you may recognize Dina from her recent cameo on The Price Is Right (March 28). See where I get my sense of adventure from? We look forward to sharing stories when we get back, shooting hoops with Wayne, and playing Polly Pocket with Landis. Maybe Cory will no longer be “Ole What’s His Name” by then, too. . . 
Billy and Becky
Power couple from NYC (or there abouts). They know everybody, seen it all. Treated me to frog legs in Manhattan, lobster on the coast of Nova Scotia. Wish I could treat them to horse intestines in Almaty but who knows, maybe they could catch a flight out? Got to meet Tom Tom Club at their wedding they’re still givin’ the love. Thanks!
Stank and The Boss
One helluva couple from Bmore, these two have more common sense in their little finger than me and Cory put together. Josh literally saved our bums in Thailand with his vast pharmaceutical training. This man has the patience of Job and always humored our “what does this pill do?” queries.
You may recognize Bridget from our Team page. Bridget didn’t bat an eye when Shipei and I informed her we were leaving Baltimore in two hours for a last minute road trip to Mardi Gras and that she was coming with us. You know that means she good people. We’ll miss her on our trip, but look forward to coming back and sharing stories with these two, maybe we can go camping in our new tents?
Alex P and Julie Pop
These are our favorite donors yet. Email us to find out why!
Alex, is this your website? Alex Peterson?
Kory “Baby” Fuller
Every time I go to Athens, you come to Baltimore, every time you come to Baltimore, I go to Athens. I think it’s because we share the same first name and both cities need maximum C/Kory occupancies at all times.
Right now, Kory’s asking around Athens to see if anyone wants to travel 300 miles to Baltimore to play a show for no pay to help out Team Shadowboat. She’s the best bet we could possibly have. Classic. We owe ya one, Baby Fuller.
J. and S. Rudolf
I think they want to stay anonymous so I’ll keep it short. They’re very cool, they’re married, they’re on the move. Piece it together if you can.
Barbara Lopez
Barbara Lopez is a good friend of the team from New Orleans, Louisiana. She reads, she writes, she bought me so many drinks at the Sazerac I can’t recall much else about her . . . I think she had brown eyes maybe . . . Oh, yeah, I owe her a cookie for voting! You’re gonna get it, Barbara! You’re gonna get that cookie! You’re gettin’ the biggest box of Baltimore Berger Cookies I can find!
And what was the name of that drummer’s band from the Sazerac? It was so good. I’ve always wanted to put him in a story but I couldn’t remember the name.
Caroline Reid
Currently living the dream for real in Brooklyn, Caroline is a modern southern belle worthy of your envy. Hands down she’s always The Best Dressed and has had a vice grip on the pulse of the avant garde since at least age 12. I’m pretty sure people will be like Caroline in the future, if all goes well.
Chad Webre
Architect, Southern gentleman, toothsome cosmopolitan from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Haven’t seen him in years but here he comes out and slaps down some green for his old pals’ charity. Great guy. Thanks, Chad!
Christina Coulter
Last time I saw Chris, she was a glamorous realtor in Charm City. Another friend who comes out and donates after long time, no see. Incredible! Thanks, Chris!
Craigiest
Craig is a highschool English teacher, fiction writer, non-fiction writer, fictitious fiction writer, photo-taker, poet, potter, 3D slideshow enthusiast, cyclist, recovering vegan, futurist, neo-futurist, post-neo-futurist, and serious adventurist. We used to climb trees together, break into underground steam tunnels (and we shall again), and once drove a Geo Metro together to the most Southern point in the US from Ohio in one stretch for my 18th birthday. Craig also drove that Geo Metro solo in a circumnavigation of the US, from Maine to Washington, from California to somewhere else. He’s taught in Mexico, Southeastern Ohio, it goes on and on. He’d be perfect for this trip, wouldn’t he? Next time. For the present, he’s boating to the Southernmost tip of South America. Is that a 1.0 liter engine boat, Craig?
You can view some of Craigiest’s cell phone pictures here: http://phlog.net/user/craigiest or his portfolio here http://xrg.us.
Delphi Film Foundation
Good ole Richard Squires! He’s been keeping this boat afloat for years. Bet you he’s the only Dupont Circle resident with a dragon for a door knob and a feature film under his belt. That’s right, you heard me!
Check out the preview for the movie he wrote, directed, produced, Crazy Like a Fox starring Roger Rees and Mary McDonnell over at YouTube.com or, heck, even purchase yourself a copy of the Crazy like a Fox DVD at the website.
Dana And Khanh
Thanks for the sweet travel cooler, Dana and Khanh! It will keep our water nice and chilled in the kara kam desert. These two stayed until the bitter end of our benefit show, like the true rockstars starchitects they are. I look forward to a pool party at their pad whence we return!
Eli and Alishea
This is the REAL Eli. Don’t believe the tags in Bmore. The REAL Eli is a photographer from Pittsburgh by way of Athens, Ohio, NYC, Mizzou, and Baltimore. Photographer, dog lover. You can check out Eli Lopatin’s Portfolio . . . Word on the street is he’s got Steiner’s ear for doing some Baltimore stories. Awesome!
Thanks for getting us to 100% for Mercy Corps Mongolia! See you at Joe Squared.
Ellen Renee Elmore
Well, when we last saw her she was Ellen Renee Sims. Congratulations!
Ellen once drove a Jeep Cherokee from Portland, Oregon, to New Orleans, Louisiana, up to Ohio and probably back and then to Ohio a couple more times in less than 8 hours. And I think it was missing a steering wheel and a couple tires to boot!
Farah Stockman
Just met Farah in Thailand at Mike and Piyada’s amazing wedding. Farah is a journalist – she was just taking a leisurely pit-stop from Kabul on her way to Cambodia. We could learn a lot from this one; like maybe how to dance.
Alas, we still owe her a good 200 baht for those beers. Thanks, Farah!
Francine and Christian
Seriously, the land lords love us today! It’s because we always clean the stove on our way out – remember that, kids!
Francine and Christian are two artist parents (yep, just like in the movies) from New Orleans who kept a roof over our heads for a couple of the craziest years of our lives. Never forget drinking stormy weathers on the porch while the clouds rolled in or Christian’s answering machine message the first day I called about that apartment listing (imagine a very slow British accent): “I’m sorry, I’m in the bath and can’t seem to get to the phone right now.”
Gellin/Kleins
Thanks to a great family that’s been friends of our family for a long time. A bunch of globetrekkers themselves, I’m leaving it up to Mindy to keep my mom from freaking out too much while we’re gone. Always kind and generous, one of my first memories of Mindy and David was at a friend’s Bar Mitzvah when they were rocking out to “All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun”. ’nuff said.
Hilary Gilmore and the Gang
I’ve known Hilary since I was knee high to a grasshopper and always had fun when she would visit. Thank you for your donation, Hilary! Hope we get to see you soon and see how big the kids are now!
Matt and Jessica Hall
Jessica is my long, lost sister and Matt is her husband, making me uncle Cory to their beautiful kids, Isabelle and Caleb. They live in Ohio and are always nice enough to give my Dad his favorite thing in the whole world, some little kids to amuse.
Megan And Patrick
Another fun, adventure-loving bmore couple. Thanks for everything, guys! Megan has been my unoffical mentor from day 1 at RTKL, she’s always there when ya need here, ready with great advice and encouragement. Can’t wait to share stories when we get back!
Michele
Michele is not who says she is. A little puzzled over this one but thanks anyhow!!!
Monica and Her Mom and Step-Dad
Monica Brower, furniture builder, rockstar, hurrican wrestler, general badass. Thank you for you maps, sponges, and post-its, they will all come in handy! We’ll talk about tools soon…..
Murph
Murph is Baby Fuller’s big man. For the longest time we thought that his parents were Amish because they’re from Pennsylvania and we were always like, this guy doesn’t look so Amish. Still not sure whether or not he has ties to the Amish (he’s possibly a covert infiltrator) but I do know his Dad just happens to work at Our Daily Bread, a really important Baltimore food charity.
See ya soon, Murphy. Thanks!
Nate Barnett
Nate used to have this Honda in high school that, from the outside, looked like a pretty regular car. But I think the engine might have been a weeeeee bit more powerful than a car of that weight needed because you’d get in and – BLAM – you’re dead.
Oh, and our old men, Ray and Steve, they’re atlatl buddies.
Thanks for the donation, Mr. Barnett! Where y’at, Mister?
Nelson Lowes
Nelson is the man. In addition to make a generous donation, he’s teaching me how to, um, defend myself in the desert, ‘cus he’s ex-army and he knows how to do those sorts of things in those parts of the world. Sorry, Nelson, this is the only picture I have of you.
Panda
In addition to being the unofficial Shadowboat Photographer, Panda has always been at the ready to help us out and show her encouragement. She also supplied us with our guardian Buddha to add to our Shadowboat and watch over us on our trip. Check out her pics and video of our launch party at pandaka.multiply.com
The Paradises
A friend of the family in Chapel Hill, the Paradises generously donated to our cause, sight unseen. Thank you, thank you! We hope to see you when we return!
Pascal Chauvaux
Pascal is a lean, mean spear-throwing machine from Belgium. He’s a European atlatl master, one of my Dad’s buddies from that whole world-wide primitive sports/hunting thing I’m always talking about. Hopefully we’ll get to see Pascal en route from London to Prague so he can arm us to the teeth with spears and atlatls. I hear there are still mastodons in some parts of Mongolia.
Seriously though, Pascal, I’ll take some darts and sticks if you have any to spare – I think that would be a freaking trip to toss a few with the nomads on the side of the road in Mongolia, dontcha think? And sorry again about that email. My French is merde!
Rami Ramiro Diaz
Hardly a stranger to world travel, Ramiro kindly reminded us that they like their dissidents boiled in Uzbekistan. Good thing we’re not haters. This jet-setting, art house cinema connoisseur knows a good beat when he hears one and could more than likely teach us some valuable lessons in auto mechanics. Haven’t see him since before The Storm, but thankfully it sounds like he’s weathered well.
Rasmus Bonde Stouby
Rasmus is a badass journalist from Denmark. He’s in Texas while I’m writing but this but check it out, he just got back from Ulaan Bataar where he was shooting a television show. He’s hooking us up with all kinds of translators, strategic alliances.
We could tell you some stories about Rasmus; you’d be shocked, awed. But we’ll just let you find out about him on your own . . . keep an eye out, you might see this guy clawing Anderson Cooper’s eyes out to cover the Apocalypse from the epicenter on CNN in a couple years.
Throw the dog a bone: http://www.stouby.info.
The Rouse House!
The Rouses have been bff’s of our family since I was about 5. Say and Sir used to tear up the Oregon Trail and could successfully turn out the lights at the Rouse House from several, strategic locations (these were different from the B.A.S.E., however).
Bev taught me how to tear duct tape with my bare hands in girl scouts, so it is only fitting that they geared us up with all of the electrical and duct tape we’ll need, in addition to the all other things sticky and used to keep things together (clamps, gorilla glue, anti-Diarrhea pills), all neatly organized in what’s now our first aid box.
Oh an to answer your questions, Beverly, I believe Mongolia is green on the Montessori map….Russia’s pink, for sure.
Ryan Katz!
I had a great picture of Katz that I took for the Baltimore Business Journal but I lost it with the death of my Powerbook last week so this one will have to do. It’s a close likeness.
When Katz isn’t donating gobs of money to classy charities you can typically find him cellphone slinging and shootin the breeze in boardrooms across the Great American Frontier, handling accounts with a kid glove on one hand, an iron fist for the other. Cleanest car I’ve ever seen.
Sarah R.
See: News–THE POWER OF RADIO – Thanks, Sarah R.! This is why you should always stop and exchange insurance information in the event of a fender bender! Even if its outer Mongolia and you hit a camel.
SQUONK!
Thanks Lil Sis! My sister rocks. She’s about to move to Buenos Aires for 6 months. She’s probably going to head up Team Shadowboat next summer, if she’s not too busy saving the world in other ways. Love you Lizzy! Now we just have to figure out how to get our car to reach Argentina….
The Stace
The Staaaaaaaaaaaace! Met this Lebanese cowgirl at good ole Tulane University, the Green Wave and such. The Stace is a journalist in beautiful Wichita Falls, Texas. I have a great picture of her digging in the dirt. Fond memories of the Stace and some Led Zeppelin.
Here’s a bit of The Stace doing Kinky Friedmann some justice: Falls’ politics gets a bit Kinky
Steve Lamb
People ask Sara and I why we haven’t bought a house yet. Well, one of the top reasons is we keep having these incredibly awesome landlords.
Steve was our landlord in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. He’s got all kinds of stuff around the house from all over the world. We went atlatling together once and he told me all about launching off to Asia on a whim. He knows ex-Corps in Kyrgyzstan, he’s going to be a real resource for us for sure. We might have to kidnap and take him with us. Doubt he’d mind.
Steven Greenberg
Stevie G is the bomb diggity. And he makes the best Christmas Cookies you’ll ever eat. Words of wisdom from SG: “A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Waste”. Thank you for making RTKL funny. See ya in DC when we get back.
Taylor “Sweet T” Saleeby
Anyone who knows Taylor know what a badass she is. For those of you who don’t know her, you really wish you did. I’ve had the pleasure since we were 6, doing kid yoga at the Carrboro Art Center. If Caroline wins Best Dressed, you know Taylor clearly earns Best Hair. The most dedicated friend anyone could have, if she weren’t so dang busy running the LA Opera and dominating the Silver Lake Scene she’d totally be riding shotgun. You know you could always meet us in Ulaan Baatar for the Black Tie party on August 19th, Taylor . . . seriously.