Lion at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 3-19-14
Sorry, I just had to do it. What with traveling, having fun and sometimes limited internet access the last three months I just haven’t had time. I’ve really missed reading your every blog post and tried to catch up. But it just won’t work. There aren’t enough hours in a day, or my life. 978 unread posts put my blog reader on overload. And my brain. So I hit the button “mark all as read” and am starting over.
Rhinos at Pilanesberg Game Reserve 3-30-14
After 10 days at Pilanesberg Game Reserve Joan and I left Sunday morning and headed towards Johannesburg. We’ll be camping not far out of town at Roodeplaat Dam for two nights. We’ve come full circle as this is where we spent our first night upon my arrival in South Africa. We traveled about 5,000 miles and visited 10 South African National Parks.
Giraffe at Kruger National Park 2-14-14
I fly out Tuesday night at 8:25 pm South African time. Then land at JFK at 6:40am Wednesday Eastern time and have a four hour layover. Finally back in Phoenix at 12:49 pm Mountain time (in Arizona that’s without daylight savings) then have a two hour shuttle ride to Prescott where my dear friend Berta picks me up and a one hour drive home. I’m sure to be hyped up and totally exhausted at the same time.
Leopard at Pilanesberg Game Reserve 3-30-14
I’m sorry to be leaving but am anxiously awaiting my own bed, toilet, shower, espresso maker and more. Three months of tent camping is wearing on me. It’s been an amazing journey and Joan and I have had a wonderful time. And we didn’t even kill each other. In fact we are already making plans for next year’s visit. I know we’ll miss each other even as we look forward to having our personal spaces back.
Elephants at Addo National Park 3-8-14
Then I have a ‘to do’ list a mile long. Replenish groceries, eye glasses readjusted as they won’t fold anymore, truck needs an oil change, cameras must be cleaned professionally, try to recover photos from SD cards without paying a fortune, file an insurance claim on the stolen computer as they wouldn’t do it by email, and buy yet another computer but this time thinking a desk top with a nice big screen. (I’m open to suggestions on the last one.)
And in two weeks from my return I head back to the North Rim of Grand Canyon to prepare for the May 15th opening for 2014. But I still have a lot of posts to write about this amazing journey of a South African diversity Eco Tour.
I too get bogged down while in places where the Internet is not very good and/or just too darn busy. I hate to do it but it is just too much to go back and read every one. The “mark all as read” sure comes in handy.
I guess I just like to keep up with everybody I follow, but you’re right, it’s just not always possible.
It will be nice to have you back again:) You’ve been busy. There is no way I read blog posts while out in the field. You gotta live life!
I’m ready to be home and back to some old routines.
PS. I’ve been loving all the landscapes etc. on your Facebook.
Thanks Chris. You’ve been posting some great shots also. I’ll share some more birds soon.
Not to worry at all if you miss posts! I am so enjoying yours. Bon retour to the US soon.
It’s just that I miss keeping up with you all.
I don’t have a blog reader so no mark as read. They are on my side bar and I read as they come and if I don’t get there, except in certain circumstances, they go. Starting fresh is always invigorating. These 5 photos are just so wonderful a summary of your time there. Clearly it was worth 3 months in a tent and 5000 miles. Perhaps you two should do as some friends I know and buy a used RV to keep in a country they return and return to. And what another amazing place you return to. This life you have created for yourself is a wonder. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.
We’ve talked about the RV idea, maybe someday.
That leopard looks quite comfy!
Sure wish I could lay like that on a tree.
Great photos! Protective mama elephant and baby is my favorite one.
Don’t blame you for starting over on the blog reader. When off on a grand adventure, your job is to have fun, and maybe share a little when you have time.
All the baby animals, and big ones too, are marvelous.
978?? Oh my. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m reluctant to have too many notifications and such show up in my inbox. Just seems like something that needs constant attention. And there’s nothing at this point in the game that I want to have take up that much of my attention.
Thank goodness I don’t subscribe via email. Feedly reader is much easier to ignore. 🙂
I’m quite sure we’ve all done that delete button on our readers before. I know I have had to, ( and I didn’t have almost 1000 posts there either)…there’s just no way you could have read each one of those as more and more pile up. No need to apologize. Start fresh.
I am just so glad you were able to blog most of the time as you traveled and again today your pictures are just plain heart-stopping. So wonderful.
Travel safe and take some time to relax and unwind when you get back to your own bed etc. Thanks for taking us along on this wonderful journey.
I too am glad I could share this journey along the way. Also hope to get a few down days when I return. I’ll be back to reading blogs again soon as I’ve really missed keeping up with everybody.
For your desk top you might consider a tower plus separate screen/monitor (as big as you want), wireless keyboard and mouse. Perhaps with a Linux (cheaper) or Mac (more expensive) operating system to avoid all the complications of Windows 8.1 which all the new towers are now coming with pre-installled.
That’s exactly the set up I’d like but I’m not a Mac gal. Will check into the Linux because I HATE Windows 8 which is on the laptop I bought in South Africa.
Hi Gaelyn,
These last photos are really your best. I would print up the Leopard and put somewhere in your trailer. I know you have no
wall space. How about a cover to one of your cabinets or closet. 🙂
Move around on that plane when you can. It will be a long 48 hours, but I know that you have enjoyed it all.
Thanks. I might have to put up a few small prints from this trip.
I do try to walk and stretch on the plane plus wear those support stockings as well. Feet swell was minimal from the trip over. The long flight is the worst part of the journey.
Safe travels back to the states, Gaelyn. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and looking at all of your wonderful wildlife photography. South Africa is not on my travel radar, so it’s given me all the more reason to admire your photos.
Thanks Patti. Maybe you should think about putting South Africa on your travel radar.
I’ve really enjoyed your trip and I can’t imagine how you tent camped so long. Two nights is my strict limit.
Safe Travels!!
Without the comfortable airbed I couldn’t have done it.
Hi Gaelyn, no worries. I have learnt too that I need to be “practical” and delete mails else my computer just overloads here in Tz as well. We know you’ll be back online again soon. I just LOVE the lions of Kgalagadi. Do they still have notices up about “Ounooi die Leeu” ? All your wildlife pics are superb: the leopard is the best but the others are brilliant too. Have a wonderful trip and landing back home. Blessings Jo
No mention of “Ounooi die Leeu.” Seeing the leopards so many times over this journey was amazing.
LOVE all the pictures in this post Gaelyn!! Somehow, the leopard stands out a bit more.
My first thought was that you just had to delete the whole lot and start new. That’s the only way as you would never catch up.
I glad you had a wonderful holiday and trip. Already planning to return? Got to start looking for places you haven’t been to. I’m looking forward to your return to Grand Canyon. I’ve missed your canyon pics.
Thinking of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe & Zambia for next year.
I’ve missed the canyon too.
Oh wow, blog reader on overload, it shows how popular you are. Namibia is one I also would like to do. We have been looking at other means of transport, maybe by boat, but that also is not very cheap. It seems most people fly there then boat back. I am also not happy about air conditioning for a long period of time on a ship. Maybe we should cycle 🙂 We also can not really make plans while Nigel’s Dad lives alone in the UK, he is 94 next month. We will get there though eventually if at all possible. Take care and don’t overdo it running around now you are back home. Diane
It really shows how many blogs I follow.
I know you two will figure something out for a journey to SA. Cycle would be interesting 😉
Made it home Wed 6pm AZ time. Am totally exhausted and hyped up at the same time.
Gaelyn, wow! that’s a lot of blogposts to read! I’m glad you are starting over! Just get home safely and get some rest. You’ve had quite a trip. We will all still be here for you! From what I’ve seen, you got some amazing shots!
After just two weeks I am so far behind in reading and trying to get my own blog posts for the trip done. Loved the photos in this post.
I tend to want to read blogs first and procrastinate writing.