In something just under 48 hours from now, the She-Wolf and I will be on our way back to Africa. The trip will be a bit different this time, as we're now both officially unemployed! I tied a ribbon on a 37 year career in the oilfield last fall, and my bride just hung up her management spurs on July 1st...

As well as celebrating our retirement, this also marks the twenty year anniversary of our first trip...you know, the one to "get this safari thing out of my system once and for all". In a lifetime where I've lied to myself more than once on a variety of subjects, that one STILL takes the prize! This time Zambia beckons...and the She-Wolf and I will see another new patch of country.

As the bags got packed, lots of thoughts and memories bubbled up for me. Some of it is gear related: the two rifles going along this time are two thirds of the battery of that 1995 trip. My old Cold Steel Master Hunter tags along yet again, its once shiny blade is now discolored and more than a bit of the Kraton checkering has since been worn off.

As would be expected, the political landscapes have shifted somewhat since then...with resultant financial turmoil. In July 1995, one US dollar was worth on the order of seven Zim dollars. Since then, the Zim economy has tanked...and a ten billion dollar Zim note carries as much value today as Monopoly money. What will things look like twenty years from now? I'll let all you brave prognosticators tackle that one...as I surely couldn't have predicted the path of the last two decades.

The saddest part of this anniversary trip involves the memories of the last night of that first trip. We'd left the guns in camp and driven over to Hwange Park to wind down and do the tourist thing, and the day had been a hoot. Back at camp around the fire that evening, we were surprised when a lorry from the safari company rolled out of the darkness. As resupply for the camp was not expected, the eyebrows of the PH knitted together as he got up to see what was afoot.

He returned shortly with news of the death of my father, back in the States. The man who'd started me down the hunting path, a path that had ultimately led me to Africa, wasn't here any more. I'd been thinking about how I was going to share all the new and exciting things I'd learned from our time in the bush...but that wasn't going to happen. Those thoughts bounced with me as we rode toward Hwange town, where I'd place a trans-Atlantic call to my mother from the phone booth in the parking lot of the Baobab Hotel. Before we got there however, I'd had a little epiphany...hell, Daddy already KNEW everything we'd done and seen.

I like to believe that he's proud of the life I've led, and the hunter I've become. One day I expect I'll get to find out.

con cuidado,

Mark

I lost my dad last thanksgiving. He never hunted but was always obsessed with the details of my world travels hunting strange and exotic places and things. He always told me that he wished he could be so adventurous and motivated to experience such a life. One of his last words to me was , "go for it". There is no doubt in my mInd and your Dad's that they are looking down on us and smiling. They might not be there with you physically....but there are definitely there with us. Look up at the sky and the stars and tell him, " I am going for it"!!!

Well written and I hope your safari is everything that you wish for.

Thanks Bill!

Andrew, I have every confidence that it will be wonderful...and since Jane and I are the ones to make that decision, there's a HIGH probability that it WILL be wonderful!

Mark

Buena Suerte on you and your wifes retirement safari.

My first trip to Africa was in 2003. My best friend and I were going to take our fathers to Africa for our first safari. At the last minute both fathers backed out. To far, to much hassle, to long a plane ride, etc. We went and of course had a great time. I got the Africa bug, my friend not so much. It's not a bad bug to have, always thinking about the next trip. Got to go in 2011, going again this September.

My dad passed last September, hope to be in Africa for the date of his passing.

My wife, also Jane, and I did our 20 year African safari last year. 1994-2014, ten trips in twenty years, never thought it would turn into that. Have a great trip.

Having just returned from our first post retirement Safari I can tell you the enjoyable difference you will experience is not feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation as you rocket back to the grind of work.

Cherish every moment.

Cheers
Jim

I retired at 49--10 years ago. Nothing is better than getting paid to not work. Took most of my trips to Africa during my summer vacations. Loved every minute of them.
Cal
PS. When I wrote above it is good to get paid to not work, remember I live in Alaska, not Ferguson MO!

218 Bee - Awesome.

Good discussion. I wanted my father to accompany me to Africa. He was concerned about his health and the shots and decided not to go. Now it's become a habit, but his health has certainly not improved. So I worry about being completely out of pocket for 3 weeks. (I am an only child).

I haven't talked to him about it, but I think the man that taught me to hunt, made me want to hunt, would understand if I'm gone hunting.

I'm taking my 72 year old father and 16 year old son to the BVC in August. I am so thankful that I can share this experience with my father and my son. All going well, we'll make some life long memories.

Oh, and I'm also bringing along my nephew. He is student at Texas A&M.

It should be an awesome trip.

218
Brought a smile to my lips and tears to my eyes...

Thank you

when my fiancee and I went to Namibia in May, she was 4 days post retirement and i was 6 months. IT WAS GREAT!! now we are married and headed back next Sept. retirement rocks!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
when my fiancee and I went to Namibia in May, she was 4 days post retirement and i was 6 months. IT WAS GREAT!! now we are married and headed back next Sept. retirement rocks!!!!!!

No doubt!!