Tribes

 I have not been able to post any pictures yet of our trip but have decided that will need to be done once home and once I have access to my real computer. The last few days I was trying to post while in the bouncy jeep and today had a chance to read over everything I have written in the last few days and was shocked at the mistakes made. Even on the jeep that has internet out here in the boondocks and most of the time no internet provider. This afternoon our jeep skipped the shopping so I got back in time to at least read over what was written and correct mistakes. The hotel had a very nice breakfast this morning and we left by 7:00 am for a 2 hour and 40 minute trip to the bush man tribe. This was very interesting. They are a smaller tribe than the Maasai. They are hunters gatherers. When we arrived they were in the process of butchering a monkey. That monkey was cooked over the fire and shared with all of us who were brave enough to eat it. It kind of tasted like chicken but was very chewy.  The guide that was also the interrupter broke off some sharp thorns and pricked the limb of a tree. This tree would weep a few drops out of a clear liquid that as soon as it was smeared on the skin became white. It is used for insect bites but seemed to really be a miracle medicine. Most of us tried it on any wound or bit and even dry skin. Next they showed us all of the different arrows they use for hunting. Some were for small animals such as the dik dik or small birds. The next arrow was used for hunting monkeys and baboons as it had barbs on it. The baboon will just pull the arrow out if shot but with the barb it tears them up inside when they try to pull it out and then die quicker. The most intense arrow head was a big sharp iron also with barbs. They do not have anyway to make the arrowheads and get them from another tribe in the area. The tribe men showed us how to shoot at a animal and how high they could shoot the arrows. All that wanted to were able to use their bows and shoot an arrow at a stump. Amy was the only one that hit the target. They showed us a wedding danced and told us that Sarah would bring a big bride price, at least 4 baboons. The big baboons bring the best brides. They showed us a few of their small bows and arrows that were for sale so Joan and Amy each bought one, that are decorated with baboon fur. From there we drove to another tribe in the area, the tribe that makes the metal arrowheads. They demonstrated how they make them and within minutes made us one, so impressive. They also made brass and steel bracelets from scraps they picked up in the towns and demonstrated how they melt the metal. Both of these tribes were really interesting. This last tribe the men are also allowed more than one wife but the first wife picks the second wife and determines the time. The second wife picks the 3rd wife.  We met the number one wife and also the last wife. She had on brass ring necklace that once on has never been removed. It was about 5 inches diameter. Joan asked her how she could sleep in it and she said it didn't bother her at all. Before we left that tribe we discussed who wanted to go shopping and who wanted to go back to our hotel. Our entire jeep wanted to go back to the hotel to go swimming. The pool was large, heated and in a beautiful setting. We stayed out swimming until it was time to get ready for church. At 6:00 pm we were able to get on line and watch Peoria's first service which Craig Stickling gave. At 7:00 pm we met at the dining area but in a different room and sang hymns out of the Hymns of Zion. At 7:30 pm we ate another delicious dinner at the dining room. We are now getting ready for bed but will need to have everything packed and ready by 7:00 am. Below are a few pictures of our day at the tribes.

Ngorongoro Crater

 We had to be at the jeeps with all of our luggage by 6:00 am this morning for the drive out of the Serengeti and to the Ngorongoro Crater.  Some of the guests looked out of their tent to find an elephant munching away on the trees near their tent. Thankfully it left before they needed to be at the jeeps. We stopped first at the Maassai village. They performed a dance for us then took some of our people into their dance. After the dance the village chief explained that he was the son of the big chief. Each man may marry as many wives as he likes as long as each wife has her own house. His dad has 21 wives and so this village had 21 little houses. Each house is made of sticks, grasses and cow manure. They each have just 2 beds. One for the mama and the other for the children. Everyone in this village is from one family and there were 150 people in this village. They showed us the inside of a house, showed us how to make fire and then had us shop to help provide water for the village. Everything was what I considered overpriced but I think everyone bought something except me the tightwad. Then it was on to the crater. That was amazing. When we drove to it, the floor of the crater was so far down we couldn't see much of anything but when we were almost down came upon 2 large lions, a male and a female.  There is a large lake at the bottom with so much flat grazing land, an area of woods and of course lots and lots of animals. We were hoping to see the black rhinoceros as 23 live in the area but first saw lots of other birds and animals. More later. We found a rhinoceros but it was so far away that we couldn't get good pictures although Sarah got a picture that is good but a little fuzzy. Below are some pictures from the crater.

We watched flamingos fly in and land with a large flock of both greater and lesser flamingos. While we were watching those 2 of the many hippos started fighting. They looked like younger hippos and looked like play fighting. There were also lots of water buffalo, gazelles, zebras, and of course lots and lots of wildebeests. We had a late lunch at the picnic area and quite a few baboons were there watching but didn't bother us. After lunch we went one more time going out to look for a rhino but no luck. We climbed back out of the crater and when we got to the top there was a viewing area and from there using binoculars we were able to see another rhinoceros. Sarah got a picture of that one too but the first was better.  We made it to our new lodging and this one is really different. This one has lots of luxury such as a heated pool, hot showers, internet and a nice dining room. Each little building holds 3 hotel rooms. I'll try to get pictures tomorrow. We get to stay here for 2 nights. We have just come back from supper and are ready to crash for the night. We have to be at the dining room at 6:00 am tomorrow. 

The Big Cat Day

 After our amazing balloon ride we started our jeep game hunt. Today was truly crazy on how many cats we saw. First we came upon a leopard that was hunting a gazelle. This was a mama leopard. We saw her den but did not see the cubs. Joan found the den.We were pretty sure as it had lots of flies around it. We started looking for lions and came upon a huge male that posed nicely for us. We were looking for a cheetah when Joan saw a serval cat and marveled at the gorgeous markings and large ears. Not far from that sighting we came upon another carrying a live rabbit in its mouth. We continued our search for a cheetah when we came upon a male leopard up in a tree with the carcass of a wildebeest. One of the guests on this trip made the comment, "I didn't know wildebeests could climb." we laughed but really laughed when we found out he was serious. That was an amazing find. Of course lots of pictures and videos were taken. We stopped at a tree for lunch that had beautiful blue and orange starlings. During the prayer one of those pretty birds let fly some poop that landed on Amy's hat. That was a good warning for the rest of us to move away from the tree. After lunch we found a mama cheetah with her two cute cubs. They were so close to our jeeps they walked between them and one of the cubs had to taste the running board. The cubs went under a jeep and laid down. It didn't stay long before coming out on the other side. We were heading back but stopped to see a big male lion lay under a tree. He was huge and magnificent. We needed to stop for gas and were thankful for the bathroom break. Made it back to camp by 6:30 pm. We were going to take a shower before the dinner but had no  water. That got repaired about 20 minutes before we needed to be at the dining room but we still got our showers just didn't have much water pressure but at least we had hot water. Diane and I left pretty quickly after supper. We had been up since 3:30 am for the balloon ride and were leaving in the morning at 6:00 am to drive to the crater. Sarah has been taking amazing pictures.  

A Day Late

 Right now I am eating very fancy outdoor bush breakfast after a fantastic balloon ride over the Serengeti. This place out in the middle of the Serengeti has wifi. Yesterday we left at 7 AM for the Mara river to watch the wildebeest migration cross. That was amazing. we actually saw a crocodile attack one of the wildebeest as it was trying to cross the river.

This place out in the middle of the Serengeti has wifi. Yesterday we left at 7 AM for the Mara river to watch the wildebeest migration cross. That was amazing. we actually saw a crocodile attack one of the wildebeest as it was trying to cross the river.

We went to lunch at a very small airport and watch them have to push an elephant family off of the runway before the plane could take off. On the way back from the river we got to see lions, three females with their eleven cubs, a huge herd of water buffalo, a pair of ostriches, a large giraffe on the road eating the top of a tree and had to wait for that giraffe to leave. We had a flat on the way back to the camp the sun was setting.  We didn't get back for dinner until after eight p m and I was exhausted. I had to go straight to bed. As we needed to be up at three forty five leaving at four fifteen for the balloon ride. This has been an amazing experience. I highly recommend the balloon ride, where we saw a cheetah running through the grass lands and lots and lots of other animals. The entire experience is unbelievable. 

The African Animals

 This is Wednesday's news on Thursday because I didn't have any internet last night. We had a good breakfast at the hotel, then left on the bus for hour trip trip to the airport. Amy opened the envelope from Bonnie Bach, which had 1 for each day and in that envelope it said praise praise the LORD and in the envelope was a copy of the song Creation which just happens to be Amy's favorite song. She let us all know that. The entire bus sang that song thanks Bonnie. When we got to the airport and we're all checked in ready to go. The authorities came and told us our plane would not be flying. I guess there were some big mechanical problems on that plane. They found another plane for us. Unfortunately it would only hold thirty people and we were thirty five. Joan offered to have our group stay back and go on another plane. The airport authorities were quick to take us up on that and took our tickets. They didn't come back for a while and we started to get a little worried but they finally came with our  new tickets. We were glad until we realized this plane was going to another town. At that point we were pretty frantic to find that lady.  When we found her she took the tickets back with her took her pen, scratched out that city and hand wrote SER the town we were supposed to be. About then they hurried us out of the airport and walked us over to a tiny 14 passenger prop plane.

The tires on the plan were pretty bald. I asked Sarah to take a picture to show Mark.

 The pilot told us they would drop us off first then go on. It was really neat to be in such a small plane that flew low enough for us to see the country side. The trip took a little more than an hour. When we arrived we found out the 30 passenger plane for the rest of the group didn't have a pilot. They found a pilot a few hours later. As we had time to kill the jeep driver took us out on a game drive. We saw a lions, a leopard, lots of hippos, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, baboons, monkeys and lots of birds. We had had a great time and we're able to meet the whole group for a late lunch. That was quite an experience. A local tribe came and sang and dance for us. After our prayer we started to sing how great that art and the staff joined in and sang it their language. After lunch, we left the jeeps to go to our campsite stop it to look at animals all along the way. We had a late dinner then headed to our tents for the night with strict orders not to go outside without a guard. We found out why a few minutes later. We heard lions roaring, hyena's laughing, wildebeest grunting and zebras whistling. the elephants knocked down trees in our yard and something during the night caused a stampede. Below are a few pictures of our day.

Ethiopia

 Made it after an almost 14 hour plane ride a layover at that airport of almost 3 hours that was packed with people and very few chairs then another plane ride of a bit over 3 hours then a two hour bus ride on roads that needed lots of repairs.  We ended up at a nice hotel but the first room they put us in didn't have any lights in the bathroom.  They gave us a second room. By 6:00 pm we were finally settled. I went straight to bed and woke up around 3:00 am. It is now Wednesday morning at 5:30 am and we need to be downstairs with our luggage all pack by 6:00 am. That was a long 2 days of travel

Leaving On a Jet Plane

 We had another awesome Sunday. It really was a great day although it didn't start out that way. I had a horrible nightmare just before waking and when I did wake I kept repeating to myself, it was just a dream, just a dream. It was so vivid I wondered if I was supposed to warn someone.  Mike Kaisner had the morning message on Jeremiah 29 but it was verse 8 that really caught my attention. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. It really was just a dream. Verse 11 is exactly the message I needed: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  click HERE if you would like watch that message. I'm so thankful our LORD sent the Holy Spirit to Peoria today just for me! Tim Roecker had the afternoon message on 2 Chronicles 7 and Acts 26. Click HERE to listen to that message. After we got home from church Harli was taken out and teased. She is still in so was covered by Evan. Then it was time to wash up and prepare the vegetables, 10 peppers and 2 large onions were cut up and drizzled with olive oil. Mark took those over to the barn at 4:00 pm to start grilling them. The rice was cooked, the recipe called for 10 cups of dry rice and that made a huge panful. The 9 pounds of taco meat was heated up and taken over. Diane, Rhonda and Ruth came to help get the supper on the table. Ruth chopped lettuce, Diane washed the strawberries and grapes and Rhonda organized the tables and got the ice water out and cups on the table. We had a good group for dinner. 

Ruth brought a delicious hot dish, Tarah had lots chips, crackers and desserts. We had to set up a separate dessert table. Not pictured is the chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

There was plenty of food for all.

After dinner we had the baby race. Harvey won as Micah was more interested in watching the adult reactions.

Joan brought Nancy and mom over but after dinner she needed to meet someone bringing back a camper. I took mom home and brought Nancy with me. The young mothers did all the clean up tonight at the barn. Mark will need to go back tomorrow to put dishes away (he might need some help with that) and clean out the fridge. Rebekah and Brian took Nancy home. I'm heading to bed, my bags are packed in Joan's van, I just need to dress and head out the door at 3:00 am. We are leaving on a jet plane going all the way to Tanzania!

2 Steps Forward

 I left the house at 7:30 am to go to Sam's club to buy the ingredients for our Sunday meal and made it home about 8:45 am. Some of the food was taken straight over to the barn then the rest brought to the house and put away. I was supposed to meet Mike at 9:00 am to get Harli covered so drove the golf cart up at 8:55 am only to find Mike driving in. Harli decided she didn't want to be caught but Mike walked in, yelled NO at her and she stood until the lead rope was hooked up.

We had a successful cover with Evan. About Mike is walking her back to the paddock. The 4 mares in the pond pasture were moved over into the mare paddock that opens to the back pasture. Below they are happy to get into the field.

They made such a pretty picture of course that had to be taken.

Once the horses were settled I browned 9 pounds of ground beef, drained that well, seasoned it with taco seasoning and left that to cool. Then took cleaning supplies over to the barn and worked there getting it ready for the birthday party and then Sunday supper.

Mike was working on the pack saddle repairing the canvas and the leather strap that got broken on Wednesday when Izzy went backward with her training. He put in a new piece of canvas on the torn bag.

Joan and Mackenson left to go clean the shop. I went over to mom's and on the way in saw a big bumble bee on the drive. It was not able to take off from the ground but seemed fine and just needed a bit of help.

Mom was out on the deck listening to Aunt Jinnie reading to her. Diane was there so she and I visited a while on the deck and while we were talking a hummingbird arrived for a drink.

As I was going home Mike mentioned he would be willing to work with Izzy in about 20 minutes. That gave me time to get her and all the gear out to the outdoor arena. When Mike arrived we first just put the pack saddle on with no weight.

Mike decided he wanted Harli with her so while he worked with Izzy I went to get Harli and bring her in. She was just let loose to graze. 

Izzy stood well when the bags of salt were added to the saddle until she started trotting then panicked. Mike was able to stop her. Izzy was tied and Mike went to saddle up Sally decided Izzy should be ponied using another horse. That actually worked. You can see in the video when she starts to panic but how quickly she settled down. We felt like today was 2 steps forward and NO steps backward. By the time it was over she was listening, behaving and trying to do what was asked. There was no throwing herself sideways or bucking so we ended on a good note. Below is the video.

The Gypsies were put in the far paddock as that has an almost full bale of hay. By this time it was almost 5:00 pm. Mark and I loaded up 3 of our 5 gallon water containers and drove in to Bartonville to fill those with drinking water. From there we went to the diner to split the senior walleye meal and once we ate that we drove to Aldi to pick up a few things I didn't want to buy at Sam's club. I picked up 3 boxes of brownies, 2 dozen eggs, 2 pounds of shredded cheddar, 2 pounds of bacon and a gallon of milk. Once home the brownies were baked, the laundry finished, the kitchen cleaned up and the dishes done from the baking. There was just one more job that Mark wanted done, he wanted a hair cut. He is still trying out that new hairdo of brushing the hair back and I'm not quite sure how to get the desired affect he wants but gave it a good try. 

Harli In

 I was checking the paddocks this morning assessing the hay in each and deciding what needed to be done before we leave for Africa when I realized I hadn't seen Madiera. The mares were across the pond and I needed to check her udder before the walk but only had 5 minutes. I hiked across the dam as quickly as I could walk without running, checked her udder snapped the two pictures below and made it to mom's house one minute late.

Above is Jewel and Missy and below is Madiera and Sally.

Madiera's udder is full but no waxing. She isn't due for a couple weeks yet but tomorrow I will move the mares over to the mare paddock with the attached pasture. Spark heard us coming up the hill so we stopped and talked to him for a while. Mom had us laughing this morning.

He left pretty quickly when he remembered Rhonda had breakfast ready.

Diane and Mike stayed at Middle Grove last night as they were expecting company out there today. Right after the walk I got Izzy out to kind of start over. Today she stood well for fly spraying. The saddle pad was put on her and each time it fell off and she would spook I would put it back on. It took about 40 minutes before she decided it was no big deal going on her back and falling back off.

After breakfast Harli was teased.

She is finally in season but I didn't try to get her covered then. She has such a thick tail that it needed to be wrapped first and I didn't have any vet wrap on the golf cart and I needed to be at mom's by 10:30 am. Diane called to let me know Mike wouldn't be back until around 5:00 pm so I decided to just go up, wrap her tail and try to get the job done without help.

She didn't stand very well but Even got the job done. I wanted Even to have another better bale before leaving as he would need to be locked off the pasture while I'm gone. He was put in the empty mare paddock, the hog panel around his bale was removed by using the golf cart and a lead rope to pull it off. The new bale was used to push the other out of the way. He was moved back in his paddock and the mare paddock left open so I could remove the old bale in the feeder there. Then a new bale put in there as tomorrow it won't be empty. The motorhome went out on a rental a few days ago and today the people renting it told us the two front tires needed to be replaced. Thankfully they didn't have a blowout. It is coming back after we leave for Tanzania so Mark will need to give them a check to cover the cost of the tires when they get back with it.  That motorhome is really getting the use this summer.