I can’t believe it’s been five months since I visited South Africa. It may take a life time to post everything I saw there. And it just keeps getting better.
Downstream
On our way to Kruger National Park Joan introduced me to many gorgeous landscapes like Gods Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes on the same day we saw these waterfalls, and there’s still more.
Local vendors with tablecloths and more
Located on the eastern transvaal escarpment, Berlyn Falls drops an impressive 147 feet (45 m).
About two weeks ago Mike worked on the kitchen faucet for the second time but was unable to completely stop the leak until parts were bought in Flagstaff. Unfortunately that didn’t work either. It’s a very old RV, so parts don’t always match. The kitchen was a mess so we went to lunch at the Grand Lodge. We ate the Indian Taco and Chili Verde Burrito so fast I forgot to take a picture.
And then being fully fueled we took a walk on the Widforss Trail. I love how this rim trail stays mostly under the shady forest with patches of wildflowers yet also provides peaks into the Transept Canyon and beyond.
The many days of earth quenching rain followed by days of sunshine brought out a diversity of mushrooms. I don’t really know what all these are. (More about mycology study later.)
I’ve been gathering wild edible mushrooms for years, but in the moist Pacific Northwest.
Most people think of Arizona as desert, yet I’m sure you’ve seen from many of my photos it’s not All desert. Last year I saw the delectable Shaggy Manes here, but alas, not until they were too far gone.
This year they’re growing under the RV. And quite delicious when very fresh.
I kept seeing this shelf mushroom on dead trees thinking it looked very familiar. So I took enough photos from all angles to check at home in my field guides for confirmation. I kept telling Mike, I think that’s a choice edible. Oh yea! it’s an Oyster mushroom, very tasty. And before you can remind me not to gather anything—especially mushrooms—in a National Park let me tell you it’s OK to graze. Pick just enough to eat while in the park, not to pack home or to sell.
Poisonous Fly Agaric
The soonest I could return, two weeks later, and no more oyster mushrooms. You really have to pick them when their prime. Just stay away from the one above, very poisonous.
But that’s OK, because we really enjoyed the hike and views.
We walked about 2 miles (3.2 km) each way along the Widforss Trail.
This trail was named after Gunnar Widforss, a Swedish/American artist who lived and painted at the Grand Canyon in the late 1930s.
On the Trail to Grandeur Point by Gunnar Widforss
He produced a large collection of watercolors prized for their geologic detail. Google him to see more.
My version. We sure enjoyed getting out of the house and away from the ongoing plumbing problem.
Have had a worthy monsoon season this summer.
With several rainbow gifts.
To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.
“Good evening.”
Although taken in the morning, I believe it displays “drama, thrill and mystery” like the old TV series.
Maybe it’s just my imagination.
Kaibab squirrel
After we finished the laundry, one of those jobs at the bottom of my list, and checked the mail for our new glasses, which did not arrive, we took a walk up the Bridle trail to the “developed area.”
Where there’s development there’s ice cream. And I can never say no to ice cream. I just don’t usually get to enjoy it like a tourist. Very nice indeed.
Doe browsing
Just what we needed for the walk back on the Transept trail.
This log beckoned challenged Mike to walk across, not once but there and back.
Not me, I was perfectly content to sit and watch.
Lion Guardian in Africa from Web
Technology is wonderful! I love my internet and being able to stay connected with people from around the world. However……
Check out what happens when National Park travelers depend too much on their techno toys. This New York Times article tells it like it is.
How many maps can you find?
As a National Park Ranger who loves to help people it is very frustrating to deal with this kind of mentality.
So, Please, get a map. Then stop by the Visitor Center and I’d be happy to help you, with a map of the park.
To tour more of the world via technology and without a map go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.
