Summer Pictures

Franklin Basin. I have such cute girls!!

Last day in Africa

We had a lazy day today. Toasted peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast here at the Ultimate Lodge. They had a hard time getting peanut butter. There are some serious differences in a third world country. For example, the power goes out randomly, toilet paper, (when you can find it) is made of recycled something, there is no milk here, and their roads have slashed yellow lines on the sides of the roads, if it is a paved road, which also is rare, and solid white lines down the middle. Also, I am still having a hard time with them driving on the other side of the road. I have learned just not to watch too closely. After breakfast, we went with Zway to walk the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. He told us not to buy anything from the Zambia side, they would be very aggressive if you start buying. We stopped for pictures, then walked to the Zambia side of the bridge and around to the bungee jumping area. There was about a two hour wait to jump, so Bret was discouraged. Also, since Rocky and Angie make bungee cords they confirmed that it was not a good cord and would highly recommend that we don't jump. We watched a few people jump and we even saw a piece of the cord come off and fall to the river. For lunch we had wart hog sandwiches, then Zway brought us back to the lodge for a few hours to start organizing our luggage. At 4:00, Zway picked us back up and took us to the Safari Lodge where we watched elephants, buffalo and a big kudu at the water hole. We are back to our lodge now for dinner of hamburgers, but a surprise meat, not beef. We will see! Just as a side note, Bret tried to take pictures of an Zambian police man with a weird looking weapon. But Zway quickly warned him not too. Thank you, Zway! We will start for home tomorrow at 11:00 am Zimbabwe time. We fly from Zimbabwe to South Africa, South Africa to Atlanta, Georgia (18 hours :)), Atlanta, to Salt Lake, then home!! Love you all, see you in a few days!!

Zambeze River Cruise

The big croc we saw on the Zambeze.

Zambeze River

This was on our sunset cruise up the Zambeze River. You can see hippos in the fore ground.

The Open Market

Here are Angie and I at the open market with Zway (the really big guy). He has been our security wherever we have gone. Everyone needs a Zway here.

Victoria Falls

We walked around the edge of Victoria Falls, and got soaking wet. What an incredible site. The Zambeze River is this wide, lazy river and then it just comes to the edge of the cliff and dumps. It is amazing. The falls is about 1 mile long.

Outside our room at camp.

Victoria Falls

Just a little information, Victoria Falls City is in a National Park, which means that they have city elephants, like we have city deer. The people at dinner last night were saying that the elephants break down all fences to get to their trees and gardens. They are a real problem here. The only thing that kind-of works to scare them away is a potato cannon, or a paint gun with pepper balls, but you have to hit them just below the eye. Another interesting side note, toilet paper is a luxury item in Africa ( just something to think about). Today we started out with a very large guy being our security at the open markets. His name is Zway. He told us not to purchase anything and expect change without him being there. He also told us that the people would get very pushy, but he was there as a visible reminder for our protection. At first, I was nervous, but Zway was always within arms distance, and he took excellent care of us. I would never take my kids there, but we were okay and it was an experience to remember. After shopping, we went to Victoria Falls Hotel for lunch. It was very swanky!! We had crocodile salad. It tasted like chicken, but rubbery. By the way, Zway was continually watching us from a distance wherever we were. After lunch, we went for a walk along the falls. It was so amazingly breathtaking, truly unbelievable. I will post pictures later. Just walking along the paths, we got completely drenched. Wherever our rented raincoats didn't cover, we were soaking. Also, the fences around the rim of the waterfall overlook was unreal. They were just sticks about 18 inches tall lined up here and there. So much for safety. Before dinner we went on a Sunset river cruise. We did see a big croc and a little croc. We saw one elephant and a bunch of hippos. We even saw a baby hippo riding on the back of its mom. And the sunset was awesome. We are back to our lodge for a dinner of fish from the Zambeze River. Last night we had eland steaks, sable sausage, and kudu. We have also been served chicken liver patae. And Bret was served kudu liver back at camp. All in all, every day is a new adventure. We hope everything is great at home! Love you all!

Victoria Falls National Park

We woke up yesterday to rain. We didn't know for awhile if we would be able to leave on schedule due to the weather. We finally left about 2hours late. The flight was cold, bumpy and awesome! Our pilot gave us a complete circle tour of Victoria Falls before landing. Our lodge here is very different from camp. It is kind-of crazy, but I felt a lot better being there than here. The city is very different. We went to another lodge last night over a water hole and saw a ton of elephants, little ones too. There were also impala, baboons, cape buffalo and ginny fowl. We are headed today for a walk along the falls, and the open market. Tonight we are going on a dinner cruise up the Zambieze River with the crocs, elephants and hippos. It should be an adventure. I'll try to post more pictures later. Love you all!!

Victoria Falls

New Scenery

Our way out of the bush.

Children of the compound

I got interrupted as I was typing the last post, by Newman. He was ready to escort me to the compound to take the remaining supplies that I brought. I am always escorted by someone, due to the animals around. We drove to the compound, it is where the staff that work here live with their families. The conditions there are better than on the Mahenya, where the Shangaan tribe lives, but still, very different from home. The children have learned to recognize Bret as he pulls in there with his trophies, and they will come running for the 15 pounds of candy that I brought for him to give out. Newman called the women and the children together and handed out the candy for me. I am not allowed to touch the children at all, they are very scared of me. Newman handed out the candy, one piece at a time and then again, and again, and even to the mothers. Then I asked if I could blow bubbles for them to pop, and asked Newman to translate what I was doing so they wouldn't be scared. They still were very frightened and hid behind their mothers. After a couple of times and Newman showing them what to do, they caught on. They giggled and ran for the bubbles, but not trying to pop them with their hands, trying to blow them like I was doing. I was only there for a few minutes. I left the supplies there for Martin, one of our waiters, to inventory and then use for a little school that he has started for the children. I have discovered that the parents are as excited for the supplies as the children are. I have seen grown men, laugh with tears in their eyes over the seeds that Mindy sent with me. I have seen men and women giggle at toothbrushes and the newborn kits that were donated. I have seen the look of pure joy on a child's face when they hear that they will finally have a pencil to use. Oh to be that grateful for the small and simple things that we have. I must run, time for lunch and then the afternoon hunt with Bret. Love you all!!!

Africa

I am having a hard time posting pictures. Bret is out hunting, so he can help me later. Our days go like this. We get a wake up knock at the door just as morning is approaching. Bret gets up, gets ready, eats breakfast (he has caused quite a stir with his peanut butter addiction). He then heads out with his PH (professional hunter), Jim, three trackers, and Jason a 17 year old PH in training. They go all morning and come back around lunch time. He has usually shot something every morning. My mornings are a little different. This first day here, I got up and went with him, but I soon discovered that I is way more physically demanding on a body to travel to the other side of the earth than I originally thought. So I have been having very leisurely mornings since then. I get up, when I wake up. I get ready and go to find Claytus, he is the best. Although we have a extreme language barrier, we can communicate fairly well. I did get a roll however when I asked for hash browns.:)

Africa update

We have internet at our chateau. Yeah! Some fast highlights. It took us two and 1/2 days to get to camp. I felt safe the whole way. There were some weird things, like the cars driving on the wrong side of the road and the steering wheels on the wrong side of the vehicles, starting in Joburg, South Africa. But we made it here with only a few minor incidences. Camp is incredible. I could get used to someone taking my order for anything, and someone doing my laundry. The food is awesome, they have not served me wild game yet, Bret warned them ahead of time. Dining is very formal, not the dress, just the order in which we are served and the way that we are served. Our chateau is open at the end, so when we wake in the morning we are right in the African bush. There is a water hole, they call it a pan, outside of our room. I have seen zebra, wart hog, wildebeest, and baboon, right from my room. I have now seen all the animals on my wish list except for a rino, and the big cats. However, I don't think I will get to see them. We are guarded all of the time for our protection and they tell us that the cats have seen us, but we have not seen them. The people here are wonderful. However, it is very strange to have servant kind of people. The servants are treated well by the owners, but certainly not as equals. I will post more later.

To me, this is Africa

Africa

I only have 5 minutes of internet time. It is incredible here. I'm hoping to post pictures in a few days when we are near Victoria Falls. I delivered humanitarian supplies yesterday to the Shangaan tribe. It was very formal. I had to first meet with the chief and get his approval. I went to the Primary school, the Secondary school, and medical clinic. I'm amazed at how these people survive, but they do. They are creative, hard-working and friendly. They figure out how to live with nothing but the land. They are so beautiful. The children are priceless. I fell in love with them. Bret has shot a ton of animals. He got a sable this morning, it was the one animal that he wanted more than any others. He is like a little boy at Christmas. I will check in as soon as I can. They want me to shoot an impala today for tribal meat. We will see. They tease me all the time, because I only am here for the people and not the hunting. Love you all!!

Africa or Bust

After years of waiting, planning and getting ready, Bret is finally on his way. Zimbabwe, here he comes!

Fireworks

Cousins

There is something just so cute about children walking in a field. Love that!

Grandpa Terry's Birthday

The best dad a girl could ever ask for. I'm so glad that he is my dad!!

Shane found this wagon wheel years ago. With help from his friend to turn it into a light and help from Bret with all of the metal work, now it is an awesome light to hang at the cabin.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Kittens

The Day boys (mostly Craig) decided to help our kittens learn to become mousers. Craig and Joe went and caught mice and tied string to one mouse's back legs, while it was alive. Then they brought the mouse over to the kittens. Here is what followed:

Kittens

Road Trip

This is our second annual road trip with Shane's family, Mom and Dad and our family. We went to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower, plus a few stops here and there.

Road Trip

Independence Rock

The wind was blowing a million miles an hour when we were at Independence Rock. Aubre said that she had something in her mouth so she spit it out and the wind blew it back into her eye.

Independence Rock

Custer State Park

This is what happens when Jace asks Bret, "Am I a filly or a stallion?"

Custer State Park

J.T, Jaden and Shane treasure hunting for gold.

Custer State Park

Another favorite, the "wild" burros. Are they really wild?

Custer State Park

Each morning, we got up early and drove the wild life loop at the park. It paid off to be up at the crack of dawn. We saw a ton of animals. This is one of my favorites, a mom and baby big horn sheep.

Custer State Park

I have always felt that every little girl needs a big brother because of this guy, my awesome brother.

Custer State Park

Now for the whole scene, or at least as much as I could get.

Custer State Park

Shane's kids and our kids have always been like mountain goats; they can climb anything. (Even our walls. That is for another post). See the head at the top?

Custer State Park

Last year we drove through a tree, this year a hole in the rock.

Custer State Park

We went on a hike in the park to the granite towers called the cathedral. Once we were on top, we saw this amazing view.

Mt. Rushmore

Mom and Dad at Mt. Rushmore.

The Badlands

Deadwood, South Dakota

Annual Road Trip

We made a stop at Devil's Tower. Shane, Chalisa, J.T. and Jaden ran the 1.3 miles around the base of the tower. It is an awe inspiring sight.

This is what happens when you put six kids in a pool after sitting in the car for twelve hours.

A day at the Beav.

Trying to figure out the blogging thing. Wiped out after a day at the Beav.