On Monday morning we received a phone call informing us that 'our' blue truck was out of the shop and was ready for us to pick up. Good news since the loaner we were using was past due for an oil change. We left Kisumu about 7am with one of the missionaries joining us; he was being transferred to Nairobi and a trip with me driving is still a lot better than a ride in the local bus!
Let me share with you some of the reasons I enjoy, or perhaps don't enjoy, the drive to and from Nairobi. Here is one of the reasons I enjoy the trip: the beautiful scenery. We climb low mountain ranges that provide vistas of awe as we look out over the lush green vegetation and then dip down into fertile valleys.
This view is one of my favorites; last month there wasn't any water to reflect the mountains on the horizon. 
Another favorable reason: the wildlife. We spotted this bird 5o feet from the roadside and stopped to get his picture. A good zoom lens really helps. We actually saw two of these guys, which we have concluded is a Southern Ground Hornbill (for you avowed bird watchers, please feel free to verify our findings).
Another favorable reason: the wildlife. We spotted this bird 5o feet from the roadside and stopped to get his picture. A good zoom lens really helps. We actually saw two of these guys, which we have concluded is a Southern Ground Hornbill (for you avowed bird watchers, please feel free to verify our findings).
Then there are the Flat-top Acacia trees that dot the countryside here. You would think that someone had sculpted them this way, but that's how they grow.
Then there is the early morning Nairobi traffic. At 730am we had the pleasure of waiting 10 minutes to get through one of the traffic circles. You will notice that most of the cars are going into town and not the way I am heading!
Look closely, those are actually ruts in the road! There is a climb here and the trucks (22 wheelers), which are really loaded heavily, dig into the pavement and push, or squish, the asphalt to the sides, thus creating these monster ruts. Something to avoid if you are a mere 4 wheeler.
These are the scenes that make a six hour road trip worth the drive, especially when they are within 20 feet of the edge of the road, as these zebras were. Didn't even have to zoom the camera for these shots!
I just love the strips!
I don't have a picture for the next favorable reason, but I am sure you can appreciate having hot water come out of the left water tap; the missionary apartments have those conveniences though, and they even have good water pressure! (no, I am not whining, just expressing appeciation for some of the finer things in life). I love the chance to visit with the other senior missionary couples. They have rich experiences, are doing powerful work, and are just fun to be around.
Look closely, those are actually ruts in the road! There is a climb here and the trucks (22 wheelers), which are really loaded heavily, dig into the pavement and push, or squish, the asphalt to the sides, thus creating these monster ruts. Something to avoid if you are a mere 4 wheeler.These are the scenes that make a six hour road trip worth the drive, especially when they are within 20 feet of the edge of the road, as these zebras were. Didn't even have to zoom the camera for these shots!
I just love the strips!
I don't have a picture for the next favorable reason, but I am sure you can appreciate having hot water come out of the left water tap; the missionary apartments have those conveniences though, and they even have good water pressure! (no, I am not whining, just expressing appeciation for some of the finer things in life). I love the chance to visit with the other senior missionary couples. They have rich experiences, are doing powerful work, and are just fun to be around.
On our way to Nairobi about four weeks ago, the road only had two very short 'diversions', what we would call 'detours'. We were looking forward to good roads all the way; our hopes met with a rather dusty reality. There was about 20 plus kilometers of diversions, all on dirt roads. It appears that when they work on the roads, they bulldoze a space along side (or close to) the main road and direct all traffic there while they work on the road. The next picture shows just how dusty the road was.
The video clip below affords a better example of the condition of the diversion road. Sandy is holding the camera as still as possible; any bouncing is not because she has the hicups, rather it is due to the road surface. If you are prone to car sickness, grap a plastic bag before watching. By the way, this is a two lane road, with traffic going both directions.
The video clip below affords a better example of the condition of the diversion road. Sandy is holding the camera as still as possible; any bouncing is not because she has the hicups, rather it is due to the road surface. If you are prone to car sickness, grap a plastic bag before watching. By the way, this is a two lane road, with traffic going both directions.
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