Me....ow.....

It's January 11 2011 at 1:11 p.m.  How cool is that?

And I can't resist another lion image or two, for they represent so much of the beauty that is the bush in Botswana.

In the middle of a vast, untamed savannag, a pride of lion rested. Playful and so sweet, you almost wanted to step out of the truck and pet them... Almost, but we knew better.

Interested only in observing and not becoming part of their evening meal, we watched this pride frolic with one another and have fun in the late afternoon sun.

Comprised of a four young males and three females, this pride was not in the presence of its large adult male patriarch. Male lions roam over roughly 100 square miles protecting their pride or family.  Those remaining behind here in the bush obviously felt safe as they rested and played with one another.

Taking it easy

Lions are awesome creatures.  With some adult males weighing over 500 lbs., they're incredible animals to behold.  Powerful, magestic, and very playful and social among their prides, we were utterly enthralled at the sight of them.

This adult male sat apart from a separate pride of younger male lions which had hours before taken down a cape buffalo.  They ate while keeping a wary eye him.  When he decided he had rested enough and meandered toward the feasting lions, they growled, but yielded the territory to him. Clearly, the king of the jungle had arrived.

It's hard to believe that adult lions live only on average about 10 to 14 years.  Watching them makes you believe they are invincible.  But loss of habitat, conflicts with humans, and competition for their food sources have probably all led to declining populations of lions in the last few decades. It was amazing to view them in their natural environment.

Getting the itch to travel: 5 great deals

OK my bargain travel shopper friends. I'm seeing some great deals out there. 

Of course, after my last trip which was definitely not done on a budget, I won't be going anywhere until 2025.  So I'll have to live vicariously through all of you.

If you have the itch to hit the road, check these out:

1.  6 Nights Rome, Florence, Venice Trip including Air & Hotel - $1,065 offered by European Destinations.
(I'd love to go there again, and I bet my friends Jim and Rose are due for a trip.)

2.  Caribbean & Mexico New Resort Packages with Air - $539+  offered by Cheap Caribbean.com

3.  Feel lucky?  How about 4 nights in Vegas with air and hotel for $186+ from Travelocity

4. Want to leave the snow and cold behind?  How about a 7 night cruise on the Crown Princess for $363+

AND THE KICKER

5. A Dominican All Inclusive Resort Sale - $20.11 per person per night (yes that's 20 dollars and 11 cents) from cheapcaribbean.com.  That deal ends of January 11, so you better hurry.

For these and other great travel bargains, check out one of my favorite website, http://www.shermanstravel.com/.

And make sure you show me your pictures.

Wild thing

We were quite elated to have happened upon two African wild dogs.  The dogs are extemely endangered as ranchers shoot them fearing the dogs will go after cattle.

The calmness exhibited by this dog at rest belies its hunting skiills and somewhat harsh reputation. These dogs are exceptionally skilled hunters.  Travelling in packs of about 6 to 20, their pray rarely escape.  The can run long distances, at speeds up to 35 miles an hour.  They encircle their pray, attacking, and often consume their pray while its still alive. 

This is my good side

Of the many majestic animals we saw on our trip, elephants were among the most incredible.  Every face told a story, each more interesting than the last.

We spotted this fellow as we traveled by boat along the receding waters of the Okavango Delta.

Did you know that elephants, like humans, have a dominant side?  Rather than being right handed or left handed, they are right- or left-tusked.  One tusk is always shorter than the other, the evidence that this tusk is predominantly used to perform myriad tasks like moving trees as they clear pathways or digging for roots.

Marriage Blessing

Well since it's 12:17 a.m. EST, it's official.  Today, George and I have been married for 25 years.  How blessed I am to have found such a wonderful life partner -- my friend, my soul mate, my lifelong love.

We've had ups and downs in 25 years together.  Who hasn't.  But we've stuck through them all and have grown closer every day. To be sure, there were rough patches.  I didn't think our marriage would survive after the death of our only child. But, miraculously, it did and today, we are as happy together as we have ever been. 

Although the gray hair is really showing these days, I think I'll keep him. A newer model would be far too much work and not nearly as much fun.

We had the joyous occasion of celebrating our anniversary a bit early late in October/early in November with an incredible two week adventure in the bush in Africa. Many thanks to Danielle and Pieter, camp managers at Jacana Camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the camp staff and our guide, Brooks Kamanakao for planning such a wonderful marriage blessing ceremony for us. It was an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

And thanks, too, to our friends, Angelique, Marlies, Bernhard, and Martha Camadini, who grabbed our video camera for us and started shooting. Thank you, Martha.  My editing job is not nearly as precise and lovely as yours. Maybe with practice I'll get better, but thank you for capturing the moment.

Pula Pula!

New Friends

My new friend Martha Camadini, from Switzerland, sendt us the most wonderful DVD that arrived in the mail a few days ago.  It's her beautifully produced video of our shared trip to Botswana and Zambia.  The music, the photos, the faces, takes me right back again, and was a true joy after the day I've had today.  A beautiful reminder that there's more to life than jobs, stress, and dysfunction. 

George and I have a number of cameo appearances in the video -- our Mokoro ride, campfire dinners, our marriage blessing ceremony.  Shared excitement and a common appreciation of the beauty that God has created on this earth has bound we six together for life.  Thank you Martha.  Hugs to Angelique.  Greetings Marlies and Bernhard. Merry Christmas.

More soon.