Let’s explore how to live a more meaningful and joyful life. I’m Scott Stoll, Author, Artist, Adventurer and a work-in-progress. My claim to fame is that I rode a bicycle around the world. For 25 years, I’ve been posting monthly stories, life experiments, worksheets, and more. Join me, and let’s live the best lives possible.
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Let's Go Exploring! The pirates of Zanzibar
Published about 5 hours ago • 4 min read
Dear Reader,
Wow, it's been too long since I sent out some news, especially according to the marketing gurus who say you've probably already forgotten who I am.
Does anyone else feel like the days keep getting shorter?
Today, I have another story from Cat & Pat about a real-life adventure with pirates.
And, a highlight from my adventure in a driverless car!
I actually have a lot more life updates. But I'm wondering if I should save them for the next book. What do you think? Would you like a sneak preview of chapters, or would you be less inclined to buy a book that has a lot of the same material?
Until next time, Scott
The pirates of Zanzibar
Scott’s note: I’m honored to share another truly amazing story from Cat & Pat Patterson, a couple famous for cycling the world long before it became popular.
In this story, Cat & Pat accept a half-joking offer: a pirate boat to Zanzibar. With no ferry running, little money and no stamps in their passports, they accept. They depart at 4 AM as “illegal cargo” on a dhow (a traditional sailing vessel with a design that dates back thousands of years) with no safety gear, no radio and no engine.
By the way, don’t miss this rare video of the smugglers. This story, though written recently, took place in 2004, and Pat says the pirates/smugglers would have loved it, though most would avoid social media these days.
And, Pat says you can look forward to more stories in the future. Much like me, Pat wants to leave a legacy of his life lessons.
Waymo, an automated driverless car, just came to my city in the Bay Area. So, Dennis and I had to give it a try. Yes! This is the Dennis that I shared half my trip around the world with, that you may remember from my book Falling Uphill. We have certainly shared a lot of forms of transportation, even including a parachute!
When I was young, I loved Star Trek. I had always thought I was born too early. But now look. We have a lot of the same gadgets and now self-driving cars. The weirdest part was that it was such a normal feeling.
You can see a 16-second video of what it was like on the inside of the car.
By the way, I was honored that Dennis and his wife visited us. They took a vacation not to see the sights but to visit their friends and experience how they lived life. This is something I've had to add to my bucket list. In case you missed it, Dennis recently wrote an article. What happened to Dennis after cycling the world?
Into Thin Air
Jon Krakauer
You probably know this book, but what you don't know is that I met someone who was there. You can read Göran Kropp's story on my website. And you can even buy his book with an alternative POV. As for Krakauer's blockbuster book, it's a gripping, firsthand account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster that claimed multiple lives and permanently altered modern mountaineering. Reporting from the summit itself, Krakauer recounts how small decisions, commercial pressure, and an unexpected storm cascaded into tragedy. The book is part survival story, part investigation, and part personal reckoning, as Krakauer wrestles with guilt, responsibility, and the limits of human judgment in extreme environments. Clear-eyed and deeply human, Into Thin Air explores why we’re drawn to the edge—and what the mountain demands in return.
PS. These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, but it won't affect your price or the seller's earnings.
Thanks for tagging along
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Let’s Go Exploring!
Scott Stoll
Let’s explore how to live a more meaningful and joyful life. I’m Scott Stoll, Author, Artist, Adventurer and a work-in-progress. My claim to fame is that I rode a bicycle around the world. For 25 years, I’ve been posting monthly stories, life experiments, worksheets, and more. Join me, and let’s live the best lives possible.
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