Trying to Beat the Jet Lag

Hello everyone! I made it home safely. Boy howdy are those flights long, grueling! I just wanted to leave a quick post to let you all know that I made it home and that I will, in the near future when I get organized, be posting photographs on the blog to share the experience with those of you who are not in the remote area. So, please check back to see them.
Again, thank you for checking out the blog and being a part of the adventure.
Until I get those pics posted...........
PS- Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

HalfWay Home

Well, we survived the first leg of the grueling flights. Now it's a lay over in Amsterdam for 5 more hours. Then we have another 10 hour flight. I'm anxious to get back home and connect with my family and friends. A lot of amazing things occured and I look forward to sharing them with you. I have lots of pictures and videos of the animals and the climb. It seems so long ago that we climbed the mountain.
Mom, tell Dad that I did not see Ben's orphanage. I checked out all the signs along the way and did not see it. I will email you some of the photos but definately will plan a trip home soon to share all of the photos and video.
To my work gang, I miss you too!!! I can't wait to share with you the experiences I had and I can't wait to catch up with you all! I will be back in the office on Wednesday because I have training on Tuesday in Portland.
Gayle, I got some amazing shots of Zebras that I think you will like. We'll have you over ASAP to check them out.
Les, i can't wait to see you!!!!! That will be soon!!!
And, again, to the rest of you that have been a support and showed interest in this adventure, I thank you and will share the experience with you when I return.
Until I am back in the States..........

Out of Africa.....

Hello everyone! Today is the last day here in this sunny place. We are back at the lodge, the one we started at in Arusha, Moivara. We are winding down having a relaxing morning.
The safari in the Ngorogoro Creator was awesome. We saw many more zebras, wildebeast (and we even watched a wildebeast give birth, awesome!), lions, ostriches, hipos, and a black rhino. The Lions were amazing and a pair used our van for shade at one point so we got to see them up close. It was really awesome.
I have lots of pictures to share and I look forward to sharing the adventure with you all when I return.
Thanks for checking in and sending me your comments, they were lifting!
See you soon............

Friday Feb. 9th (Africa Time)

We are at Ndutu Lodge in the Serengetti now. We survived the tribal experience. We met the Bush People at their dwelling place in the bush. They truly live off the land and are very traditional. They wanted to share their hunt with us when we got there, a little animal called the DikDik which looks like a little deer. Then they took us out to look for a root called a tuber. The woman of the tribe showed us how they make the tool to dig and then they showed us where they locate the root and dug a couple up for us. We had a young boy escort us into the bush to 'protect' us while we searched for the tubers. He was very cute and serious. Then a few of us shot the bow and arrow they use for hunting. It was an incredible experience.
In the afternoon we went to a Tonga tribe wedding ceremony. Very interesting the traditions they partake in. Young bride and groom. The men have many wives and often do not even know how many children they have.
We visited a primary school, which was awesome. The children were so well behaved and smart. It was a great experience. They sang to us and asked us questions. Beautiful children.
We got up early this morning for a sunrise safari. There are so many zebra here, herds and herds of them. And they mix with the wildabeast because the wildabeast relies on the zebra for the direction of the migration. We have seen more giraffs and lots of birds. A few jackals and a couple of Hynenas. I didn't realize how big the Hyena is, and it walks like a bear.
Well, until next internet visit...............

Safari

We are on day two of the safari. We have seen Giraffs, Elephants, Impalas, baboons, many birds with more to come. We will be out of communication for at least two days as we are heading into a tribal community. We will be camping with the tribe. We will be participating in some tribal rituals and then heading out on another safari. We will tent camp for the next two nights at 2000' into a creator where we will view many more wild animlas.
All are recovering from the climb and resting well. I don't think it has sunk in yet the fact that I climbed to 19,431 feet summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Maybe when we slow down a little it will hit me.
Again, all of you that have supported me, I thank you, because you all played a role in me getting to the top. The pure love and support that was provided to me from each and every one of you played a role at some point, because it was along 7 days. Thank You!!!!!
Until next internet connection.........

The Summit

We made it! 6 of the 8 of us summited on Febuary 2nd! Mother nature threw in every element that she could think of. The weather on the mountain was unusual for the time of year...go figure! It snowed our entire summit bid. More to come later when I have a faster internet speed. Thank you to all that have supported me through this. You all played a very important roll inorder for me to get to the top!!! thank you. The summit was beautiful and the glaciers were amazing. Now, off to safari!!!

Arusha

It's Friday January 26th at 1143 pm and we made it here to Arusha. The place we are staying at, which I haven't been able to see full board because it's very dark, is nice so far. The smells are incredible.
It's nice to be on the ground and feel the terra under my feet. I am ready for a good night sleep and a day of acclimation tomorrow.
Until next post.....