Missy's Birthday WEEK

“A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke he is writing his signature on the face of the land.”

-Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac

To commemorate a quarter century of Missy, we travelled to Kedougou, an explorer's paradise. The local volunteers gave us the mega tour package including everything from navigating the Gambia River on trucktire tubes to baking pizzas with market-fresh ingredients.

Saturday: After losing two people to sickness (no, they didnt die), we made our way through the surprisingly calm garage and all the way to Kedougou in record time! Travelling has taken on a new meaning and set of frustrations in this country, but not that day.

We hit the ground running, or rather the river swimming, as we headed to theRiver. We kept our eyes peeled for hungry hippos, but only saw old women sifting for gold on the riverbank.

Sunday (election

day): After a lazy morning and a shared pot of grits, we departed for Segou, Kyle's village a 26Km bikeride through the bush. We bought a couple bowls of rice and leaf sauce for lunch before hiking down to the pools of water that are on the path to the waterfalls. We walked for about an hour past the mango trees and open field, through the partially burned bamboo forest, past an arranged campfire circle of rocks (or compressed laterite soil), and finally meanding along the stream.

After our first long day, we all sat in our dust and dry sweat around the table, waiting for our INDIVIDUAL plates of funyo and chicken to arrive. The campement has obviously received training in some basic dining courtesies, like setting the tablecloth and silverware. I dont know if tourists would be equally satisfied with the service, but it surpasses any of the grunts and groans we normally receive. After dinner we found ourselves somewhere past sleepiness and in profound happiness. Summary: best dinner.

This of course led to a cuddle puddle. Cost of stay: $6 per person.

On the trail to the waterfall...

"Missy, go see if the ledge is slippery..."

We're feeding our souls.

One step closer to understanding nature.