Training for 100K (60 miles) of cycling coming up in April (Steven in Indonesia, Sally in CA), we decided to test out our tolerance for such a long ride on the “3F ROUTE: Fast, Flat, Fun”. The route circles the base of the Sutter Buttes through the wetlands, sloughs and Sacramento River Delta. The only Continue Reading »

  What a weird treat. The day after we played 18 holes of Golf with our buddies that ‘winter over’ like Canadian Snowbirds in the Palm Springs area, we play tennis in the morning….and snowshoe in the afternoon! How is that possible? The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts you to 8,000 feet and 3 feet Continue Reading »

Steven started it; it is all his fault. He bought a pair of snowshoes in a thrift store on the Oregon Coast last summer. I hit an REI sale and got a new pair (note: Costco has a set of ‘shoes with poles for $60). They are so easy to put on/off and throw in Continue Reading »

  Bloggers are usually looking for themes to organize travel stories, that go beyond “Place”. So, we pondered where to tuck the beautiful and ancient baobab trees we first learned of as children in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s ‘The Little Prince’. “Trees as big as castles”, says the Aviator…with roots so massive they can split apart Continue Reading »

As beginning birders, we have to hear the name and see the bird repeatedly to recognize it when we see it again. Good luck; there are over 900 species of birds here. Fortunately, the southern part of the African continent provided the opportunity to try again and again…and the guides were so knowledgeable and patient! Continue Reading »

We spent several days in Durban, South Africa (below) on the Indian Ocean en route to the Cape. It was a far more integrated city than the very segregated Johannesburg. Everybody runs in the weekend foot races and bikes around town, everybody surfs, and goes to beaches, malls, restaurants, and the aquarium, regardless of race. Continue Reading »

In the month before the rainy season starts, it is 105+ degrees and the temperature is still climbing every day. We leave the bush camps at 6 AM to see the animals while active. By noon, nap time has started, for them and for us. The jackal (featured image) is usually seen running, but it is Continue Reading »

We just spent 8 weeks in 4 countries: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa) and a Kingdom (Swaziland) in Southern Africa. We did 30 game drives, 5 days of biking, 6 days of hiking, played golf, visited family and friends, and ate a mountain of good pastry in that old British tradition of tea and treats. Continue Reading »

Keeping the babies safe is most herds’ first priority. Our guides thought this baby elephant was about 2 months old. The herds surround the baby, set a big male as a sentinel, and slow their pace to accomodate like the wildebeasts below.. They also push and shove to hurry them along as needed. Animal babies, Continue Reading »