The document describes the author's trip to Mongolia in the summer of 2009. It discusses the history of the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan and the current country. The author traveled around Mongolia, visiting research sites, the Gobi Desert, and national parks. Activities included observing Pallas cat research, seeing wild takhi horses, and attending the Naadam festival. The trip was an opportunity for research, travel, and spending time with friends in Mongolia learning about the country, people, and culture.

1. My Trip to Mongolia Summer 2009

2. Mongolian Empire Temujin, who later became Genghis Khan (Ultimate General) and his grandsons, expanded the boundaries of Mongolia and from 1206-1369 the Mongolia Empire stretched from China to Greece and from the Himalayas to southern Russia. It was the largest land empire the world has ever known.

3. Mongolia Today Mongolia is a land locked country bordering Russia, China and Kazakhstan. Mongolia consists of steppe, desert and mountain ecosystems.

4. Why go to such a remote place? Research Travel Friends

5. Travel through the Mongolian Countryside Shermans Tight Squeeze! Traffic!

6. Pallas Cat Research Center click to start

7. Accommodations Ger

8. Our classroom/research site

9. Journal Entries

10. Pallas Kittens Sherman traps

11. Catching a Wild Pallas CatDon’t Try this at home! Pallas Cat Narka with bootlace noose

13. Wild female in her den

14. Her View

16. Moilt Research Camp

17. Wild Takhi Click to start

20. more journal entries…

21. Independent Trip to the Gobi Desert

22. KhamarynKhiidand Shambala

23. Terelj National Park

24. hand drawn map of Terelj

25. Ecotourism Ger Camp

26. Naadam Festival The Three Manly Sports: Horse Racing, Wrestling and Archery

27. Friends and Family Baagii and Priscilla Baagii’s Whole Family Baagii and me Me and Belguun Ghengis, me, Baagii and Priscilla

28. Mongolian Night Horses galloping Almost too dark to see Jumping foals delight Quick lightning flashes Bright clouds beyond mountain ridge Thunder drawing close Fire in the ger stove Candlelight glows, cozy, warm Rain outside? Who cares? Too cozy with fire? Shedding another layer! Who needs clothes in ger? Step outside for air Glowing half moon through clouds peaks River lullaby Mountain River Steppe Mongolian dreams are real Sleeping in a ger