As people moved out on the North Rim the deer moved in. One morning I saw a group of does outside my window browsing under the pines. They’re fattening up for the winter ahead. When I return in the spring they will all be skinny.
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Every day at Kruger began with a beautiful sunrise.
After breakfast, and no we didn’t have guinea fowl although we threatened to every morning,
Joan and I headed out into the wilds to see who we could see looking at us.
These banded mongoose were just waking up and playing in the sun.
Stopped for more coffee at the Muzandzeni Picnic Site. You can only get out of your vehicle in designated and fenced areas. Right Joan? ;)
This is to protect you from animals like the baboons, whom I believe Joan described as the nastiest critters around.
Back out cruising the road we saw this black-backed jackal stroll out of the bush.
And watched this tailless elephant take a dust bath,
while the ladies took a proper bath nearby.
And this saddle-billed stork fished for lunch.
An elusive cliff springer watched us from on high.
Lower Sabie Rest Camp, where we hoped to stay, was full so instead we hung out at the swimming pool for a while.
Which we didn’t have to share with the hippos.
On the way back to Sukuza Rest Camp for the night we saw several warthogs.
And a buffalo crossed the road. Another amazing day at Kruger National Park with two more to go.
Mike watching the sky while on yesterday’s hike into the Weaver Mountains. More about that in previous post.
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I went for a walk in the Weaver Mountains yesterday
with my true love.
This would make for a prickly valentine.
As did the luscious fruit
when I ate a small piece and got a tiny hair-fine spine in my tongue.
So nice to have this remote high desert place with a rarely used gravel two track within a mile of home.
We didn’t walk alone.
I’ve posted these dynamically carved ridges before (here and here).
Made up of granitic plutons exposed to the surface by the power of erosion over time.
There are 4-9 acre lots for sale here that are priced sky high.
But ya’ gotta’ have a dream.
We walked up to a different lot than last time.
What a grand view of Congress in the valley about 2000 feet (609.6 m) below,
and beyond perhaps 60 miles (96.5 km).
It may not be like looking into the Grand Canyon but from this vantage will do for a while.
Our return walk followed a dry wash where the old yet recent flows of water revealed its erosive power.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon for a walk in the high desert Weaver Mountains yet the bright ornament-like galls on this oak reminded me of Christmas coming.
OK, now that I have six months off work I might have time to post more about the adventure of my life. Well, other than the current adventure of life.
If you’ll remember, Joan and I saw ALL the BIG 5 on our first day in Kruger National Park. You might think that would be hard to beat. No way. Joan had me up before sunrise every day. Of course she also had the coffee made, such a sweet woman.
We would be out the gate at sunrise, the best time to catch some animals like this waterbuck in the golden light.
wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, marabou storks, kudus
Then spend the morning slowing cruising the roads, scanning back and forth. By noon we’d seen over a dozen species.
Joan let me practice driving on the right side, seemingly wrong to me, of the vehicle and left side of the road.
And we had lunch at Oliphants Rest camp plus saw some Bug Lady wildlife.
Continuing on safari we were attacked by these turtles…
…as this crocodile lay idly by…
…and this snake tried to ignore our plight.
But we were able to seek shelter, first under this ancient Baobab Tree,
and then at Letaba Rest Camp where we hid in visited the Elephant Museum. (See what happens when the turtles get to you.)
Back to camp for dinner and then a guided “Night Ride” with a very unfunny thought he was a comedian driver/guide.
We did get to see a few animals.
But the best part of the night ride was the sunset. More to come.
Mike and I spent yesterday cleaning and rearranging the little house. This time we’re moving in together. And we both have too much stuff for such a small place.
That meant I wanted the computer desk by the only window you can see out when sitting down. The view is great once the slide in camper is back on the truck and not in front of the window.
So we had to adjust things a little by moving the furniture in this one room house (OK, there’s a bathroom).
Plus Mike got the 5th-wheel parked, leveled and hooked up. A real treat for me not having to do that alone. I sure love the way he spoils me.
We’ve been slowly moving some things out of the 5th-wheel/closet.
Mike made a coat rack
It won’t ALL fit in the little house, but I’ll be working some more things in here and there.
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