30.5 kilometers of Kisumu

Erwan and I did a 19 mile run this past weekend and decided to bring a camera along to take some pictures along the way of both Kisumu and the places we like to run.  Below are some of the pictures.  Keep in mind that we didn't actually stop to take pictures (with the exception of maybe 3 shots)  the rest were taken while someone was still running which likely accounts for the blur.

Around Mile 2 or 3:

Somewhere between mile 5 and 9:

Somewhere in here, I took a nice flying fall over a rocky area.  The rocks were all loose and I was keeping a steady stride when I went to run over a rock that I thought was loose, well it wasn't and it tripped me up enough to send me flying rapidly to the ground. I was more or less covered in sweat layered with dust (which was basically mud).  My first running injury!  I have some nice road rash on my elbow (which is odd considering it wasn't even really a road - more like dusty trails) but it certainly offered us a nice laugh about half way through the run as I went catapulting through the air as Erwan watched helpless to prevent the impending wipe out.

Around Mile 13 ish:

Mile 15 ish

Mile 16:

Mile 17:

Close to Mile 18:

 Probably close to Mile 18:

 Mile 18:

Day 2 in Ruma (Paul's Birthday)

Day 2 in Ruma (November 6th) was also Paul Mike's Birthday!  Happy Birthday, Paul!

It was REALLY hot on Saturday, so Leta enjoyed some 'pool' playtime.

 Twice a day we had some visitors to the guest house

Just hanging out

A little Leta hug

Sunsetting on the valley

The tree where we saw the leopard!

More Morning game drive

The motley crew

A Maribu and Grey Crowned Crane (aka Crested Crane)

Impala

Topi and baby

Almost back to Mbita (on the way home)

Albert's favorite tree!

Ruma National Park (part 1)

For Alberts last full weekend in Kenya, we decided to go to Ruma National Park.  Highlights of the trip can be seen below:

The trip began with a minor mishap on the ferry to Mbita.  Erwan, in haste to alight his vehicle (seen below) locked the keys in the car.  Since we were on a ferry and tightly crammed in, we had to break the passenger window to disembark once we reached our destination.  Then to keep rain, baboons, and other such critters out of the beloved Subaru we had to tarp the passenger door.

We stayed at a lovely Kenyan Wildlife Service guest house within the park

Nelli, enjoying the view from the back balcony of the Oribi Guest House where we stayed in the park

Morning in Ruma Valley

Out for an afternoon walk

A view of the valley along the park gate

Leta baby and her daddy

Anniversaries and A Birthday!

Happy Anniversary to my Parents (37 years) and to Dave and Suzette (3 years), I hope you all do something marvelous to celebrate!

Also, Happy Birthday to Ms. Andrea Sidorow (a milestone birthday) - I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Love and Hugs from Africa,

Ashley

Happy Birthday Dad and Andrea!!!

Happy Birthday to both my Dad and Andrea (formerly Essner)!  I hope you both have a great day!

On Sunday morning, we went out on an EARLY morning boat ride on Lake Victoria.  Below are some pictures from that boat trip:

 Making Chagall (sugarcane moonshine)