It was a long day today. Checking baits, looking for game, heat and sun has taken its toll on your ambitions for the day.
It's dark now, and you're heading back to camp. The headlights os the cruiser and dim, compared to the day. Tall grass, mopane trees, dirt road tracks and the cool night air. You reach back into you pack for a jacket, the wind is hitting you in the face riding in the back of the cruiser. But then there are eyes, eyes in the trees, little red eyes. the bush babies are watching. Strange little beasts, where were they during the day? Crossing the river the water splashes across your face. wake up call it was. still a ways back to camp, suddenly there is a huge shadow on the side of the road. Hippo, out for dinner. careful about him.
The lights of camp are dim, but very visible and very welcome. A hot shower, then a sundowner or two around the mopane fire. Guinea snacks, let the sundowner slide down your throat. Then it's dinner. Eland medallions Fresh baked taters, fresh bread, fresh salad. Everything was perfect. But now your eyelids are heavy. The path back to the tent seems longer than it is.
As you slide into bed you hear the melody of the african night. Zebras bark, baboons announce the arrival of a leopard. The hyenas and lions are having an arguement. a buckbuck snorts just outside of the tent. Hippo pods are talking to each other. Even a old cow elephant sounds off her thoughts. Your can hear the little animals scurrying throught brush. Even the skinks have their sounds.
Remember this, remember it often, for it brings meaning to your life, your very being. Good night, sleep well.

Very nice! Thanks!

Very true and I might add well said.

Makes me homesick.

You sorry *&%%&, Butch

You are making me buy another hunt because of this....

Outstanding butchloc!

Without a doubt, one of the best posts ever on AR.

And in less than 100 days, I'll be listening to Africa and remembering this thread with a smile as I put my head on a pillow.

Thank you, sir!

Never experienced it, but it sounds like Heaven to me.

Well done-Takes me back.

Very nice.

Sleep well, sweet dreams....after all, there is a lot of sh#* to shoot from the truck tomorrow.

That's cruel. I can't shoot a rifle this year and now I'm wondering if I could learn the left side to take a .470. Nice post, cruel, but nice

My wife took me out to dinner last nite. The restaurant had Guinea fowl. I ordered it. It brought back memories, but your post, if I close my eyes, takes me their.
Thanks
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
Without a doubt, one of the best posts ever on AR. Thank you, sir!

+1

Amen!

Reminds me of the quote from "The Perfect Storm"

The fog's just lifting. Throw off your bow line; throw off your stern. You head out to South channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten Pound Island. Past Niles Pond where I skated as a kid. Blow your air-horn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. Then the birds show up: black backs, herring gulls, big dump ducks. The sun hits ya - head North. Open up to 12 - steamin' now. The guys are busy; you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain! Is there any thing better in the world?

I have spent well over a hundred days in Africa.

I have never had a bad one.

The worst day is the last one... When I know, that when I wake up tommorrow, I will be getting on a plane back to the USA...

Nothing wrong with the USA, I just hate leaving Africa...

Man butchloc, that really puts things in perspective. I am sitting her behind a keyboard getting ready for work tomorrow. You are a lucky man. Good luck.

Some of us get do experience this everyday and what is worse - we do it for a living! No place like home....I love it!!!

WOW...You really made me remember to put things in perspective! I'm thankful to have had that experience!

Thanks, D. Nelson

Thanks Very nice!
Can't wait for September

Very nice -- could almost smell the woodsmoke
G

Butch,

Perfect! I don't think that could have been written by someone who had not been there. You described a facet of safari that we don't often talk about when discussing safari but is an integral part of the safari "experience".

Mark

Well done. Just got back tonight. The eyelids are still heavy, but the sounds are no longer there. I miss it already.