Hiking, Hiking, Hiking

Happy For You!
Happy Thanksgiving, Erik and Beth! It's not quite the day yet, but wanted to wish you both a happy 'gobble, gobble day' from home. Dad and I are leaving her around 12:00 noon to pick up Granny and Grandma to have a tasty Thanksgiving Day dinner at Greenmill. They have the best spread of food in town and so tasty. We will bring dessert to Grandma's house probably around 2:30 so we do not have to make two trips back and forth to the lake. It's so great living here, but when it comes time to get both grandmothers here, we have to make two trips to Eau Claire and back. We should be back home around 4:30 or before.

We had exceptionally warm weather last week (almost 60 degrees during the day), but the winds and cold came. However, it isn't bad now either, in the low 40s during the day. The nights are in the low 30s and high 20s. But, it is the end of November!!

I'm putting up the Christmas tree Friday, the day after Thanksgiving . . . our first at the lake. I get Wednesday off from school and Dad and I will both be off Thursday - Sunday. It is really nice to finally have a break! It has been intense at work for both of us. Looking forward to retirement soon.

We love your blogs and pictures which are always so exciting! Seeing you both so happy in your pictures is comforting to all who love you. What great shots you have taken! I had never thought of seals in Africa. Loved the pictures of the worms! It's difficult to put the beauty of the sunset into words.

Everyone dear to you can't wait to see you both again. Have fun, be safe, stay healthy. We'll hopefully hear from you before, on, or after Thanksgiving and see you for Christmas. We love you both.

Love,
Mim

Photo's and More
I'm enjoying going back and re-reading your posts and looking at the photo's you added. Great pics! I especially like the ones of the two of you. All of them. It reassures me that all is well with you and you look like you're having a wonderful time exploring. Hey, so what's with the Minnesota Bottle Shop in Opuwo? How did that happen? The school in Uis looks really good. It that the new head of the school that Beth's with in the photo? I really enjoy your scenery photo's. They bring back good memories for me.

The fires in CA were not just in San Diego, they were also in the foothills of the Angelus National Forest and the Santa Clarita Valley area, north of LA, by Magic Mountain. That's close to where we used to live. That fire was named the 'Magic Fire' hmmm, strange that fires have names, kind of like hurricanes I guess. I have 3 cousins in San Diego, in La Jolla area and haven't heard that any of them were directly affected by the fires, but many people were. I was watching CNN for days.

It's Sunday night, rain and cold today with some snow flurries tonight, but nothing sticking. Went to the MN Orchestra last night and heard some great Latin music. Belladonna is coming to St. Paul the day after Thanksgiving and I have tickets. I'm looking forward to seeing Barb and hearing her play harpsichord again. They have some CD's out now.

I'm having the family here for Thanksgiving and after dinner we'll walk around the lake and take corn I brought back from the farm to feed the ducks. I hope you find a nice place to celebrate the holiday together. Might you be in Windhook with friends? I'll be giving thanks this year for the joy you two bring to me and so many others.

Sending my love to you, your Mpls. Mom

Thanksgiving Week-end
Hello you two travelers! Wonder if you're now in Windhoek visiting friends. I'm so anxoius to hear about Nani and her son and of course Janesia amd what she's doing now. What fun you will have seeing them all! I keep re-reading the post on your visit to Uis. I'm happy to hear how much things have improved there, that Beth was remembered and you both were so graciously and warmly received. Beth, you must not have changed so much since your teaching years for the students to come up to you in the market and call you Miss Collins!

The weather is cooling down and the garden is put to bed for the winter. Tonight I'm going to the Belladonna concert with J and D and tomorrow night the Hollidazzle Parade downtown as it will be the warmest evening (45 degrees). Will you need a down comforter when you get back?

I'll watch for e-mail after you make connections in Windhoek. Hope all is well with you both. You're in my thoughts daily and I love you (you know that).

Your Minneapolis Mom

The Meerkat
I think I found the answer to your question about the animal in Duma. I believe it is the meerkat, a member of the mongoose family. A group of meerkats is called a mob, gang or clan. A clan can contain over 20 meerkats at a time. They live 12-14 years and are found in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and in South Africa. See if this behavior fits: they are very social and exhibit altruistic behavior in caring for others in their clan, they actively teach their young and engage in social activities such as wrestling and foot races. they 'bark' to warn others in the clan of predators approaching. Wonder if they are ever domesticated?
Love, Mpls. Mom

Yeah Pictures!
We haven't logged onto your travelog for several days so it was really fun to get your updates and pictures! We loved seeing your happy faces, and also the scenery, and animal pictures.
I (Julie) was playing 'Dirty Hippie' again. I took a 24 hr bus ride (ea. way) to Fort Benning in Georgia to protest with 25,000 people at the School of the Americas on the weekend of 11/16. It was a very powerful experience. More about it when you get back. Glad to hear that you are feeling healthy and are staying safe. Sounds like all is going well so far - although with parents & family members reading your log, we probably won't hear about any problems till you get back! We're counting the days now! Two months seems like a really long time to travel - we've never done more than 3 weeks. However, this is probably not a big deal for you Beth since you lived there for 2 yrs. Looking forward to more news. Take care. Love to you both. Julie & Donna