Now watch me ZIP, now watch me nana

Jan 3, was hot really hot it was uncomfortably hot even by 8:30 AM.  We had planned a high note finish.  Zip lining and a safari drive through Addo National Elephant Park.  Our driver, Walter picked us up at 9 AM.  A bumpy 1.5 hour ride over the oldest highway in South Africa and still dirt on the section we drove.  It was almost as bumpy as an elephant ride.  The kids mostly chilled out while Walter entertained us with stories from the bush.  He discussed the longest bus drive ever from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town.  It involved chanting, no talking to the passengers and no air conditioning.

We arrived at our zip lining destination relaxed and ready.

Let's go team

After a brief check-in and the obligatory waiver signing we began the hike to our zip line.  It involved a rope raft and a 15 minute hike.

Kids on the raft.  Where is Josey Whales when you need him??

The hike up.  I am the anchor.

View on the hike. Zips faintly visible upper right.

Launch #1: Cougar twin powers activate 

Grace vs.

Abby.

Sophie and Ashley: because the people wanted it.

After that we discovered the lines were both not up to big boy code so

Katie vs Dad.

Troy and Elle went last.  The guide took some video but no photo of the jump.

Great Place - single, long, fast dual zip.  Everyone survived.

After that it was a snack, water and back in the car with Walter. On to Addo National Elephant Park.  We did an open air tour from 12:15 to 14:15.  Covered Range Rover, I rode shotgun again.

#selfienation: the start of dehydration 

It was hot with a hot wind, had to be 100+ degree F.  The troops preserved well.  We were able to see Warthogs, Cape Buffalo, Elephants and a Lion.

No leopard and no Black Rhino.  Overall not too bad, all things considered.  At the lodge we ate lunch and MILKSHAKES!!!!!

A little time in the gift shop and it was home to our lodge for rest. 

Game drive photos 

Everybody needs a cold drink

Warthog 

One of the oldest Bull Elephants in Addo

Female and calf

Pensive zebra?

Ellies on the move 

This baby elephant is a show boat

This lion looks like I felt

#gottogetanap

Cape Buffalo 

Baby warthog at play 

Mom and baby 

In the heat of the afternoon everyone isn't always perfect.

We returned over the oldest highway in SA, again. It is over 200 years old.  We saw the drywall construction where the toll used to be.  We saw the corner where the engineer who built the road fell to his death in a RHWI accident. (Riding Horse while Intoxicated). Apparently, they stopped upgrading the road after his death.  He died around 1816.

We eventually returned to the lodge.  I stiffed TB with the bill for the daily activities and grabbed a shower before our steak fry dinner.  

At dinner we talked about our families and how they make us who we are.  I hope Elle, Ashley and Sophie especially learned a thing or two.  Just like back in the days when I would sit by Dad, Donny, Les, Shorty, Becky and Eleanor and listen to their adventures.  We turned off the light in the bar and everyone's phone and sat under the light of a thousand stars.  We saw Orion's Belt and the Southern Cross.  The kids were tucked in and I was left to ponder where we have been and where we are going.  All I know is this, I will go anywhere with the big and small family I have been blessed with.  They make the journey the best part of the adventure.

South African Safari time.

Jan. 2, was off to a cool start, cloudy with a little mist.  This was a nice change of pace given the sun and heat the last 3 days.  Some had a restful night, others had velvet monkeys dancing on their roof.  All arrived at the lodge for our Elephant Safari Experience.  Our experience was scheduled  at 8.  The Swiss half of our team hoped for Swiss like execution of the plan.  Around 8:30-8:40, we sauntered down to the platform. 

The 3 elephants were then brought in were:

Duma: the dominate male

Tabas: the nervous one

Mukwa: the misunderstood one.

We went as families for a 20 minute ride. The Butners went first.  TB in the lead rode Duma, Elle and Sophie in the middle and Lara and Abby on Mukwa, the misunderstood one.  It looked like a great time and everyone was smiling on the return.  TB seemed to have a great time cause he was really smiling when he got off.

TB and Duma: dominate Bulls!!!!!!

Butners on elephant backs

Sophie and Elle

Lara and Abby.

The Anseth crew went next.  Now riding on the back of an elephant is exciting for 3-4 minutes.  The next 17-20 aren't terrible if you have been sitting on 55 gallon drums for a week in preparation.

We did have a great time.  The guides were great, the elephants "gentle" and the trail was relatively smooth.

Ashley and Katie

Kari and Grace.  Grace is on there somewhere 

Duma, Donald the guide and me.

What?!?!?

This what happens if you leave your phone lying around in the bush

After our ride I knew why TB was so happy to get off.  After the last family went it was picture time.  

Ashley

Elle

Sophie

Katie

Anseths

Everyone

 

After that we had the opportunity to feed the elephants:

Abby

Ashley

Lara

Sophie

 After feeding the elephants we enjoyed breakfast.  It seemed to come in waves without any warning.  Half the table filled up on oats and cereal, then bread appeared and only after the other half had filled up on toast did the sausage, eggs, beans and bacon show up.  You know the feeling they had on the titanic when the passengers were watching the crew arrange the deck chairs.  That is the feeling we had.

At 11, we schedule a game walk.  We began walking at 11:30.  Our guide was nice and fairly knowledgeable.  We did see a few things on the drive after we finally got everybody to buy into the idea of a walk.  Resistance is futile, especially if I am your father!!!.

Blesbuck.  Check you Wikipedia for spelling.

Springbok 

Common zebra calf like 2 weeks old

When we returned we were treated monkeys and some elephants mud wrestling.  TB thought it might me a Wisconsin badger couple on a date but after further review it was two bull elephants 

Elephant Battle

Velvet Monkeys 

After lunch we retired for a rest.  At 3 we showed up at the lodge for our game drive. At 3:30 no one from the lodge knew anything about anything.  When was the game drive? what drinks do you have for kids? two notorious beer drinkers were not even asked if they were thirsty. At 4:30 the Australian family went on a game drive.  Brownian motion is movement that accomplishes nothing, Addo didn't even have that.  A brief discussion with management at least lead to a few free drinks.  A troupe of monkey with dynamite would get more accomplished. Finally our game drive started at 5:15.  It was a pretty weak game drive.  We did see a leopard turtle and a black heron, but it was mostly driving the same route we walked earlier.  The most exciting part was watching our driver, Mostaff, try and keep this rickety old jeep running.  He was working the clutch and the gas like Fred Astaire.

Dinner was ham and beets.  We all put away are phones and had a great time talking as a family.  Crazy day which ended brilliantly.

Giraffe on the game drive

Leopard turtle butt

Zebra calf again 

Springbok grazing

Blesbuck grazing

Black Heron and Impala does

#selfienation:  In the Jeep of Doom