Well, as some of you know I saved and scrimped for years to be able to live out a dream of mine - to go on a real hunting safari in Africa last year. My wife and I don't make much money, but live very frugally (my wife calls it "cheap-ass") and so I was able to go, but due to her fear of flying she reluctantly stayed home. Now, my wife is no wuss when it comes to shooting, and although she's never shot a living creature (well, she DID come within .5 seconds of shooting a deranged family member once, but that's another story) she has been out "stalking" with me with a gun in hand, was instrumental in helping me prepare for my safari, goes out target shooting, and I know would have no problem hunting or shooting an animal, and she wants to. I even have a nice rifle picked out for her and scope (Tikka T3 Lite in 6.5x55 and a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44). Plus she LOVES wildlife and nature, and just can't get enough of Africa animal videos, pictures, shows, and anything that has to do with wilderness.

Now, just this past weekend was my 1 year anniversary of my trip, and I was oohing and aaaahing and sighing over my pics, videos, and trophies. She noticed "that look" in my eyes and said, "You'd really love to go back there again, wouldn't you?" - I tried to downplay it, but she wasn't buying. She told me I should go again next year, but I said, "Babe - next year is our 20th wedding anniversary, and you NEVER ask for anything, never complain, never demand - I want YOU to decide on something, be it a trip, a piece of jewelry, something, anything - it is YOUR turn to have something nice." She did her "aw, shucks, I've got everything I ever wanted" routine and didn't say anything more.

Well, on Sunday we were driving around in the country, just talking, listening to music, when suddenly she hits me with, "Eric, I've decided what I want for our anniversary . . . I'll probably need tranquilizers, or at least a lot of bourbon and scotch to get on the plane, but . . . . I want to go to Africa with you and hunt." I just about lost control of the car and I started crying - I've never been happier in my life.

It isn't 100% yet, and yes it will be costly, but if she is serious about this, I WILL make it happen!

So, guess what? Be prepared for (not as many) questions soon for the wife, and for me, about possible places to hunt (we want to do Namibia), animals, etc. I think she just wants an Impala, Springbok, and, believe it or not, Ostrich! I'd like to get a Red Hartebeest, maybe a Wildebeest, and of course any jackal or baboon that comes along is dead meat.

I still can't believe I'm typing this!

ooooooo you poor $$$$ poor $$$$ man the things we have to do for our aneversy wish mine would say something like that. probably have heart attack rt there. lol best wishes and let us know the updates

Lucky you! Wifezilla's idea of roughing it is if the hotel doesn't have room service after midnight.

Namibia is a great choice. It's the best bang for the buck, in my opinion.

I always say, "Budget the luxuries first!"

Took my wife and son in 2006 to RSA, they liked it so much we went to Namibia for a month in 2008. I am going to Tanzania without them and they are madd as heck so now I have to take them back in 2010 or 2011. PS, Do not take your wife in Business Class, because now whe will not ride in the back of the bus.

John

I am very happy for you! I know you guys will have a fantastic time!

It also reminds me of how lucky I am. My wife goes on every hunt with me, regardless of how rough and tough. We have been many places, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, she is South African so we have done lot's of shooting there, Mongolia, New Zealand, a few rough trips in Alaska and probably some others I forget now. She is a trooper for sure. In some cases (Alaska in particular) I might not have made it myself, but she keeps me going! She has made every step with me, trackers, PH on elephant hunts. We have hunted PAC elephants at night and it so dark that she had to hold on to my belt to keep up as one could not see beyond arm length! She has slept in the leopard blind all night! She has sit in the blind for lions. She even helped cut up elephant on one trip. From time to time she does some shooting, but not often. She has sit in the rain all day in Alaska glassing for bears! We have done a lot together and she has made every step, sometimes in front!

I am a lucky chap! We leave in September to go to Australia to cull buffalo! She will make every step I do!

Michael

Eric...Big Congrats to the both of you!!!

Happy 20th...

Wish you two all the best!

I'm happy for both of you. Shame it couldn't be September we could hook up at Joe's for some brew.

BTW, we are using our 35th as the "excuse" for our two country hunt in 2010.

What a special trip that will be! Congratulations!

Karen's idea of roughing it was always a motel without a pool until we went to Namibia in '07 and stayed in a tent camp. She loved it and loved the great old impala she shot. I nearly lost her in '09 and thank God every day for the time we have had together. Sometimes we forget why we married them, but then they remind us.
kh

I somewhat understand your joy. My daughters insisted that I take them on my last safari. They, like us, were soon hooked, and I'm trying how to figure out how get them back in 2010.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I somewhat understand your joy. My daughters insisted that I take them on my last safari. They, like us, were soon hooked, and I'm trying how to figure out how get them back in 2010.

I remember now reading your hunting report...That's a good thing JudgeG...

My son Josh who went with me at this time last year, is hooked too! There's never a few days that have gone by that we don't talk about it! So proud to have children and/or spouses who are just as passionate about the sport of hunting as we are...I think we done good JudgeG... Its a great feeling for a daughter or son! Congrats too...I know the feeling!

My wife has been on the last four African Safaris of mine and I couldn't go back now without her, even if I wanted to (which I don't). She's in for as much adventure, danger, excitement and fun as I am, especially when it comes to elephant. You'll most likely have an African partner for life from the trip. Congratulations.

That's awesome! Your wife is certainly in the running for wife of the year! Have fun planning!

I just love a happy ending.

Brett

I will be celebrating my 22 years in Zimbabwe this year. Two days at Vic Falls than 10 days hunting DG. Wife has been to Africa twice,and said no way she was not going.

A match made in heaven as they say.Congratulations for having a wife like that and another Safari.

Best-
Locksley,R

Wow!!!! When I read the title line of your thread I was thinking "Here's another poor sucker who is going to pay for his safari twice, the second time by buying his wife an expensive car." What a pleasure to be wrong!

Congrats!!

John

Eric,
That is wonderful news.

We are LUCKY men indeed to have wives that want to go hunting with us ! We are leaving on our 2nd trip to Africa this Sept. Our 50th birthday present to both of us. then again in 2012 for our 25th anniversary. Wife has them all planned out thru to retirement. All Africa.
These trips may make us poor men but we truly are RICH were it counts.
Best of luck on your hunt !

Sincere Congratulations on both the anniversary and the hunt.

Though one should not envy-- I do, you see about my 20th I received divorce papers,she never appreciated hunting.

Have fun.

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary!

My wife went with me in 2008. She is giving 200,000 air miles to go again. I think she would really like to go, but if I go alone I can afford a longer hunt. She is encouraging me to go for as many days as I can take off from work and afford because this will probably be it for a long, long, time.

What a wonderfull way to spend your 20th... My wife traveled with me on my first trip to ZA in 2005 and we had a truely wonderful time. Good luck and enjoy the planning

Took the wife and kids to Tanzania in 2006. She's wanted to go back ever since. I'm thinking Namibia.

Congratulations Eric...I think. You have just about doubled your expenses for the rest of your African hunting career. I took my wife on my second trip in '04 and guess who will be tagging along with me next year??

Mike

It's either take your wife and enjoy the heck out of your life and your Safaris together, or leave it for your kids to spend.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
It's either take your wife and enjoy the heck out of your life and your Safaris together, or leave it for your kids to spend.

No kids, so . . . . I LEAVE NOTHING!

Thanks, everyone, for your nice comments - still considering outfitters - any other suggestions? Gras is looking very nice for us to try out.

Gongrats, good to see another guy has an understanding Wife.
We will spending our 40th anniversary in S.A. on Sept 27 and it was my Wife's idea! (I think she got tired of me dragging her to Canada and freezing while after Moose. She did kill a bull with one shot from her 270 though).

Huge congrats! Yes, it'll cost some $$$, but it will be some of the best you ever spent. The memories will last the rest of your life and nobody can take them from you.

You're going to have a great year with all the planning and anticipation. I'd have to go along with Namibia as a good place to start.

Enjoy!