...cookin' time with CiCi (pants optional) ...
...and of course, lots and lots of books.
Ryder made sure to show our guests around town, in exchange for a few pointers...
...(I had to).
First on the agenda was to head out to Akagera National Park, in the eastern province. After an afternoon drive, we happened to get lucky. One of the park's residents, known as "Mutware", happened to be out of his hiding spot and out in the open.
Mutware!
Mutware takes a little dust bath to cool down...
On the way back to the lodge, the hits kept rolling with this gorgeous sunset...
... and moonrise (Good night, moon)...
...and sunrise the next day over Lake Ihema. The border of Tanzania is just across the lake.
The next morning, we got up early for another adventure out in the park. Ryder manned the roof hatch, lookin' for action.
We made it up to the lake overlook campsite for a little break from driving. Walking and strolling around the hilltop for our 4th of July. Not bad.
Jimmy, our guide and driver, caught up with some of the security patrolmen while we were stopped. These guys camp for days on end and walk the park, keeping it free from poachers.
Thanks Akagera! We'll see you around the bend.
Later that night, back at the ranch, Ryder, Poppa, and Cici read books before bedtime. Ryder scrutinized each new picture from the new books that they brought.
During their stay, they got to check out some of the things from the garden. From a praying mantis, to a fistful o' okra. Too bad I let them grow too long and they were a bit unedible - gotta harvest earlier next year.
Of of their last stops was to the beautiful Nyungwe Forest Lodge. This place just keeps getting better! Their roads are full of the best rocks, the food is great, and if you listen, you can hear a chimp or two in the distance. The rooms aren't too bad, either. Ryder's favorite, as you might guess, is the part about the rocks and the road...
After landing at the lodge, the next day we were up and at 'em, ready to hike the canopy trail. Mom and Dad got their pants good and tucked, to keep the ants at bay, and of course a trusty walking stick.
Our guide for the trip gave us a briefing before we went out onto the walking bridge suspended in the canopy. Ryder took note of all the important safety measures...
Whoa! Straighten that thing up!
Whew, that was a close one. Once off the trail in the sky, we meandered our way back, up and down the trails.
The next morning belonged to Dad and I and the forest. Chimpanzee trek. It ended up being quite a hike, since the group we were watching was moving a bit. We powered through, though, since the view was just too good to pass up.
But the sounds of the forest are what make it all real...
silvery-cheeked hornbill
As you might imagine, it's rare that Dad can't find a golf course when he travels. Kigali was no exception. First (and only) stop - Kigali Golf Club. Into the pro shop (below) to rent some clubs for the day. Too bad they don't have any carts. Turns out walking this course at 5,000 ft. above sea level can wear on a guy, but we had fun regardless!
