Ralph's Itch to Span Horizons

Daring to Cross a Red Line

Andrei Metelev photo

It was a narrow, wooden bridge, just broad enough for one vehicle to cross the Zambezi River between Zambia and Rhodesia.

Ralph gingerly placed each foot and each crutch on one plank at a time, trying to avoid the one-inch gaps between them. In the oppressive humidity of the rainforest, the rubber handle grips on his crutches became g…