Another year!

Wow! It is finally spring, and this weekend we rode our bikes for the first time in six months! I figured I'd forget everything I learned last year, but I was able to let out the clutch and go! Unfortunately, while the shop tuned the engine, put in a new battery, and got it running extremely well, they also adjusted the clutch release back to full extension! My fingers aren't long enough! First gear KILLS me! And I have a big blister between my thumb and forefinger to prove it! So back to the shop for that fix...Otherwise, the riding was great! We trailered to St.George, then rode to Las Vegas to see Tiffany and Chris (Chris was performing at the Sun Coast). And of course, the weather in Las Vegas was predicted to be in the 90's--finally we were able to get out of the rain and snow!! YEAH! And it delivered! We spent Sunday cruising around west of Las Vegas. Went through Red Rock National Park (gorgeous!), took a picnic lunch and had a nice rest. Continued to Bonnie Springs Ranch and further down the road. I actually rode in a tank top and cutoffs!! Of course, a helmet--Nevada law! Yes, we got red--just couldn't resist exposing our skin to the warm air! Monday was cooler, but still comfortable for our return to St.George. Put 'em back in the trailer to head home--to more rain and COOL temps. DARN! But stay with me-there's more to come! Have the Utah State HOG Rally in May, and we are planning a trip to New Mexico in July, and a return to Sturgis in August! Not to mention daily rides around here once the weather finally warms up!! See you soon!

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!

As you have probably already determined, we've had difficulty getting on a computer. We never did get a router at the hunting camp, and these past three days in Kruger National Park, we've had no opportunities at all. So here I am trying to catch you up. First, the hunters each had one more kill: Gene, an Impala, and Duane, a Kudu. Gene is taking home four trophies, Duane three. After breaking his rifle, Duane's bad luck continued another day with a miss at an Impala and no luck sighting a Gemsbuck. However, after he decided to not pursue a Zebra (they never did see any on the hunting ranches) and instead put his $$ on a Kudu (sometimes called the African elk—see picture). He shot a nice one which certainly improved his mood! And we were even able to eat filets from his specific animal (the meats served in camp are from previous hunts, since they really prefer to cure it first).

We had a delightful stay at the hunting camp, and were very spoiled, especially since we were the only clients! The night before we left, 10 people arrived: a large family with four kids, parents, and grandparents, and another couple. Gone was the peace and quiet! Early Monday morning we left the hunting camp with our guide, an extremely personable, likeable, and knowledgeable guy. He drove us to and through Kruger Park, narrating on history, culture, plants and animals along the way. I don't think there was one bird or plant or animal that he didn't know about. Evidently, the travel and tour guides have to be educated and certified in South Africa, and he was incredible! Of course, he was also just a really great guy! The Park is over 7,500 square miles (40,000 acres?) of open range where the animals just roam about, so the gates are locked at the entrances and then also at each camp at 5:30 pm everyday. Of course, you're not allowed out of your vehicle until you reach a camp. We had beautiful sightings of all of the Big Five, except, unfortunately, the elusive leopard. The Big Five are elephant, rhinoceros, cape buffalo, lion and leopard—the five most dangerous animals to hunt. Elephants (different from the Indian elephants we see in circuses) wandered across the road in front of us several different times, as well as giraffe, zebra, and at one point, a very large herd of Cape Buffalo (300 or so) crossed the road, both in front of and behind our car! I felt a little nervous whenever a big bull turned to look at us. These road crossings were very lucky—most of the animals are sighted grazing, sleeping, whatever, in the distance. We did have three separate lion sightings, one on a night tour from one of the camps, where a huge lion was lying in the middle of the road! He stood up in front of our vehicle and simply sauntered off the road. His mane, markings, etc. were just gorgeous! We were able to see him with the spotlights—what a great sight! (but too dark to photograph). And the first night in camp, we heard a lion roaring—could not have been too far away! The two camps we stayed in (again, individual thatched-roof chalets with own baths) each overlooked a river, and we could watch for animals to come to drink in both the evenings and the mornings. Always impala, other buck, and sometimes buffalo, elephant, zebra were seen at the rivers. The animals are not fed or taken care of by the Park; the predators and other natural rules of selection maintain the balance. That is, except the elephants, which occasionally are reduced by destroying a small herd. Evidently, because of their memory, an entire group must be destroyed rather than selecting the old ones or whatever. Kruger animal reserve is incredible, and it is a must-do if you ever go to South Africa. Of course, to fully appreciate the Park, you must hire our guide to not only give you information along the way but to also help spot the animals which are in the bush.Today, Wednesday, we took a flight from near the Park to Cape Town, where we will spend our last three nights before returning home. So we have left the bush to head to the city...

Gun Gone!

Today Dee and I visited a neighborhood spa for our choice of treatments. The most attractive-sounding one was the age-defying facial (I need it everyday!!) to which we added pedis and manis. The kill of the day was Gene's gemsbuck. But the loss of the day was Duane's rifle. After looking at Gene's trophy gemsbuck, Duane got so frustrated that he threw his gun in the bush and broke it! Guess he's done hunting for the rest of the trip...truthfully, the stock on his gun had a hairline crack in it, but when he leaned it against the truck and it was run over, he really did have a gun in pieces! So now he'll have to borrow one in order to bag any more trophies. After all the time, paperwork and money getting that rifle here, it really is a sad, sad story!
Hunting here is not quite as I expected. It seems that most of the Province (and maybe several provinces) are divided into hunting farms which are surrounded by 8-foot tall fences. Of course the fences don't keep all the animals in--certainly not the cats, the warthogs and other small animals that can go between the rows of wire--but even the giraffe and kudo don't usually jump over. Each farm has its own animals and keeps track of the stock, buying and selling, breeding as needed. If the outfitter doesn't have the animals the hunter wants, they have arrangements with other farms to hunt their land (in return for fees for any animal shot, of course). Don't get me wrong, farms are huge, many with thousands and thousands of acres. However, driving down the main road, you pass gate after gate of different hunting farms. So this is almost a "hunting Disneyland." I might be naive, but I guess I expected a totally open range. Anyway, hunting seems to be the economic lifeblood here, at least in this part of South Africa. As one of our fellow airplane passengers said, "and S.Africans love Americans."

Warthogs!

Yesterday Dee and I visited the Mogalakwena Craft Center. Here women from the Pedi tribe embroider their history on pillows, cloths, etc. and make other crafts. It is also a retreat for artists to stay and study. We then had lunch at the main lodge which is for photographic safaris with luxurious chalets and main buildings on a river. Quite lovely! They have no guests now (winter) but we had a fabulous lunch on the upper deck overlooking the river. And while we did this the boys were searching for the ugliest warthogs they could find. Those creatures are very fast and quick to hide in the bush, but the men were quite thrilled with their find (and so was Dee, as she already has a spot in her house picked out for the head!). Oh--and we had impala for dinner which I must say was very, very good. And the local wine, bourbon and beer are all quite delicious. The days have been very comfortable but as soon as the sun sets, it gets very chilly. So we gather around the big fire pit, and the dogs fight over whose lap to sit on!

First Blood

Here we are--the hunting camp is very, very nice, and as the four (Gene and Dee Terland and Duane and me)of us are the only visitors, we are truly being spoiled. The men are on their second day of hunting today, and they have already drawn first blood. They each shot a steenbuck yesterday, and today they're looking for gemsbuck or impala or zebra (I know, I know, but what a gorgeous rug!). Dee and I have been sleeping in, getting to know the camp, and yesterday we were there for the kill. Tomorrow we'll probably go to a spa and/or local shopping. The scenery is just like the pictures of Africa that we've seen. The sunset from the safari truck was beautiful.
There are several dogs and one cat here at camp. Three of the dogs (Jack Russells and Terrier) are trained or being trained for hunting. The youngest is getting spoiled on our laps, however. Warthogs come right to camp to eat dog biscuits. There are also bunches of gray monkeys hanging from the trees, but they don't venture inside camp. We've seen Steenbuck, Impala, Kudu (WOW!), Warthogs, Gemsbuck, and COWS! No cats, yet, but they are baiting a leopard for the next hunter (maybe I should scare it away....). Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Sleepless to Africa

So there must be something about Harleys 'n Huntin'! Our flight out of Dulles to Johannesburg was full of hunters, and several around us also ride. Must be the redneck mentality--ha! 'Course I almost got lynched when I voiced my Democrat learnings! Our flight seemed endless. After 7 hours, we stopped in Dakar, Senegal to refuel. From Dakar to Jo-burg was another 8. I thought I was being so smart to "borrow" several ebooks to put on my mini computer, but I ran out of juice after 2 hours, so now I'm desperate for reading materials. Have to buy a couple of paperbacks somewhere!
It's probably Murphy's Law that worrying about something will surely cause it. So as I was the only one concerned about checking my bag, of course it was my bag that didn't show up in Jo-burg. After waiting for an eternity I headed for the baggage question desk. While waiting for my turn to give a local address I noticed a pile of bags nearby. I continued to stare at the pile until it dawned on me that my bag was in that pile. So I left the line and wandered over there. Sure enough, my bag was there--in the pile of unclaimed baggage!
We got through customs check, gun pick-up, and money exchange very quickly and loaded into a van for a LONG 4 hour drive up to camp. It is in Limpopo Province, between the towns of Baltimore (!!) and Tolwe, near the Botswana border. More about camp tomorrow....

P.S. Now I've come full circle!

Don't forget--I left my Harley in St.George. So Saturday, July 3, we rode down with another couple, Sherrie and Casey. We rode over the Nebo Loop which was gorgeous and co-0-0-ld! We warmed up fast when we hit St.George--100 degrees! Checked into our motel, picked up my bike, and met up with the other couple, Heidi and Travis. We all went to dinner and then to the performance of CATS! at Tuacahn, the most incredible outdoor theatre! The redrock background is absolutely fabulous, and the entire venue is exquisite! CATS! was very, very well done, and our friends want to go back in October to see THRILLER! On Sunday we took a leisurely ride up past Snow Canyon to the little volcanic community of Pine Valley. Pretty sights! Enjoyed some time at the pool and got up early to return home via ZION Park. Monday turned out to be another challenging ride for me. The road through ZION was torn up and graveled---lots of switchbacks all the way up the mountain with tourist traffic in both directions. What a mess! All I could do was gut it out and keep going! Finally hit good pavement at the famous mile-plus long tunnel. The extreme darkness scared me until I took off my sunglasses! OK--so now I've lots of experience on gravel--and climbing, turning in gravel at that! The trip from Zion to Panguitch was very good, and we stayed on Highway 89 until Nephi. I managed the interestate construction through Lindon well--I cursed the sun, however, cuz it almost blinded me at times. Never have I been so anxious to have the sun hide behind the mountain--it got pretty difficult to see the shifting lanes through that construction with the sun setting directly in my eyes! But, yes, I made it full circle without an accident and without even laying the bike down! Am I ready for more?? Yes, but with some parking lot practice. I need to work on U-turns, backing the monster up to park, and all other small area maneuvers. However, some 1200 miles later, I'm pretty proud of making it out of the parking lot!! Enjoy the pictures! And stay tuned for hunting in South Africa; we leave July 17.