Today Sunette and I decided to hop in the truck and see how close we could get to Hog 1 before we had to make the rest of the way by trek. We didn't think we were actually going to try to make the top today, just get an idea of where to start from. Well once we got there we decided to go on ahead and hike to the top. It was a pretty demanding hike, but was well worth it. Here's the view from the top.
Tomorrow we head to Double Drift game reserve to see if we can spy some animals. Then we head to Addo elephant park on Saturday and Sunday to do the same. Hopefully I'll be able to post some nice game pics in the next day or so.
Oh and for everyone back home…how's work?
A big draw for Hogsback is the number of hiking trails in the area. They’ll lead you through deep rainforests to tumbling waterfalls. They’ll lead you up sheer edges to look out from the neighboring peaks. For our first full day here at Sunette’s parents, we decided to hit a trail that takes you by the Madonna and Child Falls, SwallowTail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Great Tree.
It’s not a very long hike, about 5km or roughly 3.5 miles. However, you really get to see some amazing forests and the waterfalls don’t disappoint.
Here are a few shots from the hike.
After we got back and ate a little we decided to hop in the 4×4 and cruise to as close to Hog 1 as we could get. We’re trying to find the best route from which to make our assault in the next few days. Here’s a shot as we were heading up the trail.
Tomorrow I think we’re gonna attempt the summit for some shots. On Friday we’re heading to a game reserve then Sunette and I will head to Addo (Ah-dew) Elephant park, another game reserve that has the big 8. Hopefully we’ll be able to see a few elephants. I’m getting the camera all geared up.
Well we finally made it to our final destination about 1:30pm this afternoon; Hogsback, SA, where Sunette's parents live and run a self-catering cottage business. We left the States on Sunday morning about lunch-time, flew to Philadelphia, then Paris, then Johannesburg, stayed a night with Sunette's sister, then on to East London and Hogsback.
You may be asking how in the world did this town earn the name Hogsback. Well, in the photo below you'll see the three "razorback" ridges that give the town its name. And yes, it's remote as it sounds.
It's a gorgeous locale that is a backpacker/hiker destination for the amazing countryside. Sunette and I have climbed Hog 1 (the peak on the right). We'll repeat that this trip and hit all the other trails and waterfalls.
Her parents have a beautiful 8 acres perched on the hillside with almost all of the property developed as a natural garden. Lots of flowers and nooks and crannies, it's very tranquil. It's heading into winter so there aren't a lot of flowers blooming, but I was able to squeeze off a few shots.
Oh and the tradition with Sunette's family? How 'bout coffee about 15 times a day…literally. I'll drink more Joe here than I do back home. It's hard to believe I know. 3 o'clock in the afternoon? Sounds like a good time for coffee.
So the next few days will be full of absorbing the out-of-doors, taking pics, drinking coffee, reading and so on. I do have internet access so I'll be able to keep you up to date. So…you ready for a trip to Hogsback?
This little guy turns 10 months old today. He’s getting big fast.
This was a quick trial with my new lens.
Sunday morning Sunette and I hop on a plane for South Africa. We're heading down to see her family for a couple weeks and to take part in her sister's wedding. It's Friday night…have I packed? Uh, no, I'm writing a post. We used to be able to take a direct flight from Atlanta to Jo'burg or Capetown. Not anymore. Apparently Delta and South African Airways don't like each other anymore. I swear air travel aggravates the stew out of me. Now we're faced with a 4 leg journey to the other side of the world. We go from Atlanta to Philadelphia to Paris to Johannesburg to East London, then drive a couple hours to where her parents live. It used to be straight, now it looks like this.
Umm, yeah there's something wrong with that flight path, like…oh say an extra 3,000 freakin miles. Sheesh.
Well, whether it takes us 48 hours of travel time or not, I'm stoked for a vacation. Hogsback is absolutely gorgeous and I'm looking at this as a photo expedition. Not to mention that I just got a new lens for portrait and macro work. Oh yeah baby. So we're headed off in the wild blue yonder. That prolly means I won't be able to post until Monday, but that's about my normal schedule anyway isn't it?
In my office I have a print of a fly (fly fishing fly, not a tsetse fly) above my computer monitor. In fact I have two of them side by side above my desk.
The neat thing is that whoever painted it had the name of Elliot, either first or last, but that’s what they signed in the bottom right corner. EDIT: Ummm, the photos are backwards so read right to left.
So every day, many times throughout the day, I’m reminded of the little buddy I’ve got at the house that I’ll one day teach how to tie on a dry fly or nymph to catch that big brown down at the bottom of that nice pool. Here’s looking forward to the day when we can go fishing together.
Let me first say that I had a picture that I was going to post, but at the begging of Sunette, I decided against it. Why would I put my right nipple on my blog? Because I apparently got bitten by a spider or something equally small and ferocious, right on it. It is sore as a got-down-sat-in-the-ditch, red as all get out and is kinda hard to the touch. I’m not sure how I got it, but I was rummaging through the storage room earlier in the day. Maybe it was a brown recluse, or a black widow. Either way I think I’ve got about 36 hours left, or my nipple’s going to fall off, one of the two. So anybody think I should get it checked out before my nipple and I part ways?
I can’t take it anymore. I must get this off my chest. I know how it’s going to sound. Ultimately my biggest peeve is inconsideration. That’s right, people just not thinking of how their actions will affect others, before they act. Case in point…
Churches have aisles, Wal-mart has aisles. These were put there specifically so you could move to and fro. They were not put there as places to congregate and talk, no, that place would be called OUTSIDE. When I’m carrying a car seat full of Elliot, an oxygen tank on my back, a food bag and pump on my back and a 38lb. diaper bag, and you’re standing there taking up the whole aisle so as to allow no exit, you make me a non-christian. Right then and there I lose my religion…in church…it’s a crazy experience. Or when you get to the door going out, and someone stops you to hug and talk…KEEP MOVING PEOPLE!! You are a fire hazard…for me, as the hell-fires of Gahenna begin to build up within.
Or what about Wal-Mart last night. Wal-Mart has big aisles right? Yeah, not when you take your buggy and park on one side then stand in the middle of the remaining space trying to choose which flavor Pop-Tart to get. And you stand there…while I’m waiting for you to move…and you act like I’m the one that’s out of line. Don’t make me smack you with a box of Raisin Bran! Have consideration!
I know my pleading is futile, but I just don’t see what’s so hard about recognizing that you are in a moving lane, so make room or get out of the way. Please.
I’ll be out today and tomorrow "team building" with my co-workers. We’re headed up to Callaway to fly-fish this afternoon, have a great dinner this evening, play poker later tonight and golf tomorrow morning. Should be rough. Yeah, you know "team building". See you Friday evening.
