Training for Kilimanjaro 

September to December 2024. Walking increasing distances with increasing pack weights. By December, I was hiking 5-7 miles a day with a 25 pound pack. Really got into the best shape I've been since the USMC. In fact, I weigh 5 pounds less than I did when I was discharged. 

Into Africa

Joining me on this epic African journey, was my Kalamazoo buddy who has been spotted in these pages several times before. Flew into Nairobi, Kenya - and promptly lost my luggage (thanks Kenya Airways). When my bags didn't appear, I realized that I had an Apple AirTag in my duffle, so a quick check of my iPhone told my my bags were in... New York City! We had two days in Nairobi, so thankfully, they had time to catch me before we flew on to Tanzania.
1/4/25

Crescent Lake Animal Preserve - Kenya

My friend and his wife have been hosting foreign students at Kalamazoo College for decades, a practice that has left them with an international network of friendly faces. In Kenya, one of his former charges picked us up at our (somewhat sketchy) hotel and drove us about 75 miles north to the Crescent Lake Animal preserve. In the middle of the lake is a large island where thousands of various animals wander free - and we wandered among them.
1/6/25

Crescent Lake Animal Preserve - Kenya

Walked with (among others); wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, dic-dic, monkeys, saw a hippo (at a safe distance), and an ostrich as we were loading up on the boat to the mainland. As exciting as it was to see these animals the drive to and from Nairobi was among the craziest things I've ever experienced.

Seeing Nairobi

The next day, our K-College connection arranged for a guide to show us Nairobi.
1/7/2025

Seeing Nairobi

We hit all the tourist spots, including the opportunity to pose with these ferocious Maasai warriors...

Seeing Nairobi

...checking out the views from atop the city's highest skyscraper...

Seeing Nairobi

... and laying eyes on the Kenya Railway Golf Club. (We both have the shirts to prove it. 🤣)

Seeing Nairobi

After a brief walk down the street to listen to a two-man band in a local dive bar, we had a nightcap back at our hotel and prepared for the move to Arusha, Tanzania...

...and Kilimanjaro.