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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Sleeping in a bed again is pretty good, we decided. Even so, we didn’t sleep late this morning. We got driving west by 8 AM, excited to be on Safari. We made a brief stop on the edge of Arusha for provisions and then pushed farther west in our two Land Cruisers.
Our guides, Jacob and Emmanuel, explained that the arid zone we were traversing was Maasai country. We began seeing herds of cattle being marched to and from dusty waterholes by men and boys. We passed many “bomas” which were clusters of huts around a central animal corral.
Finally, we came to lush vegetation again on the shores of Lake Manyara and entered the National Park of the same name. Our first animal sightings were of waterbucks in the dense forests. Then bushbucks. Before long we were adding elephants and Cape buffalo to our rapidly growing list. Naturally there were plenty of monkeys and baboons. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the shore of the vast lake and then got back on the dusty roads in search of more. Eventually we saw zebras and impala and warthogs. One shy giraffe appeared momentarily. There were egrets and eagles and hornbills.
As the afternoon stretched on, we headed for the park gate and drove up the steep escarpment to the Ngorogoro Highlands… out of the great rift valley. In Karatu our drivers took a side road through fields full of crops out to the Plantation Lodge. We enjoyed a very civilized evening sipping cocktails in a splendid bar in a splendid garden. Dinner was delicious… but we admitted to missing Tosha’s miraculous mountain cooking. You can take the climber out of the mountains, but…
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Ngorongoro Crater was worth getting up early for. We were on the road by 6:30 AM. It was cloudy and as we climbed up to the rim of the old collapsed volcano, we were in thick fog. This did not prevent us from seeing a handful of elephants in the forest up there though.
Our first hours in the “crater” were actually a little cool and drizzly, but we were seeing abundant wildlife and so we didn’t really care. We saw everything from Cape Buffalo to Jackals. The giant herds of Zebra and Wildebeest were a big hit. During the course of the day, we crisscrossed the valley floor and saw eight lions (beating yesterday’s total). We got to see a number of happy hippopotamus pile-ups in the mud and shallow waters.
By mid-afternoon we were climbing out of the bowl to visit a Maasai village on the crater rim. We danced with the villagers, and they showed us some of their traditional methods for building fires and living in the wild. The team got back to the Plantation Lodge in time for a sunset swim in the pool before dinner.
Tarangire tomorrow!
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Grayson Swingle, Cody Mack
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 13,400'
Mother nature was not in your favor today. There’s always another day. Grateful that you are safely back at Muir. Take it easy on the decent. Josh and Lisa, you inspire me to get back in the saddle, after many years of being away from the mountain. She always takes my breath away! Love and (((hugs)))... See you soon
Posted by: Cynthia Drake on 7/15/2019 at 8:23 am
Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Jess Matthews, Jenny Konway
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000
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On The Map
Hi Raghu..
Mauna is doing good :) we all hoping that weather turns in your favor.. so that you guys can keep going…
Lots of love from home in Omaha :)
Posted by: Lakshmi on 5/26/2017 at 11:52 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, Nick Hunt
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Hello to the Hopkins party from Jim & Linda Hopkns!!
So glad to hear you’re on the final leg. Can’t wait to hear about it!!
Posted by: Jim & Linda Hopkins on 6/7/2016 at 6:07 pm
On The Map
Hi Larry, really enjoyed the photos of you and the team. Great accomplishments already in your journey, be safe. from Sabrina Tanner
Posted by: Sabrina Tanner on 4/7/2015 at 6:25 am
Larry,
Enjoying following along on the blog with your adventure. Glad to hear the Easter Bunny gets around.
Love,
Debbie Sue
Posted by: Debbie Worden on 4/6/2015 at 2:52 pm
Posted by: Seth Waterfall
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Prayers for a safe and fantastic trip for the team!
Posted by: dotti cummins on 8/19/2014 at 7:38 am
So excited to hear about the first day of the climb!! Good luck to everyone! Liz, thomas, kit and Mary
Posted by: Liz Blaney on 8/19/2014 at 4:58 am
On The Map
Looks like a wonderful day! Have a great climb tomorrow and stay safe.
Posted by: Gayle on 6/30/2014 at 8:10 pm
Posted by: Eric Frank, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
On The Map
Eric——-I read your guide BIO , and saw that your were raised in Ohio. Being a Buckeye myself, I was wondering where you grew up? ( this is from John’s Mom)
Posted by: Patty Stenderup on 6/15/2014 at 9:23 pm
John- Your grandfather and Uncle Bruce send greetings your way, knowing that your 3P’s (preparation, patience and perseverance) will eventually pay off. We are all following these postings, so a big thank you to your fellow team members for keeping us informed.
Posted by: Rita and BruceWightman on 6/15/2014 at 3:34 pm
WhooHoo! This seems like the R&R part of your journey! #geauxcindeeandamanda
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on 9/2/2023 at 2:58 pm
What an an amazing adventure for the 2 of you, Dan & Debi! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Oh, & by the way….love the unshaven look, Dan!
Posted by: Beverly on 8/30/2023 at 10:29 am
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