Kruger

Just so you don't worry that it's all work and no play for us here, here are some photos of the four-day trip we took last weekend to Kruger National Park in South Africa, which is only about three hours from where we live. It was a great trip -- magnificent game viewing and some much-needed down time. Above is Crocodile Bridge Gate -- we had to cross this river to get into the park. (Click any photo to enlarge.)

Above is our car crossing the bridge. Karen is waving out the right-hand window.

Once we were in the park, some elephants put on a show for us.

The three female lions above held up traffic for quite a while. They didn't seem bothered that a long line of cars was right behind them. Luckily we were right in front.

Here's a close-up of one of them.

Kruger is vast and awe-inspiring. We saw lots of big sky like that above.

I actually got up at 4 a.m. on Monday morning to take a guided game walk with Scott and Karen. Above are Scott and I making our way through the bush.

Above are Scott and Karen with our guides Saskia and Albert, surveying the terrain for signs of any big game.

Unfortunately, all we saw that morning were lots of giant spiders like the one above.

Scott and I taking a breakfast break around 8 a.m. I look like I've been up since 4.

On the way home, we saw a giant herd of water buffalo.

After the strenuous morning activities, I spent the afternoon with a good book while Scott and Karen played Scrabble.

This was the view in front of me as I read -- the Letaba River which winds its way past camp and where elephants and other animals come down to drink in the evening.

All in all, we had a great trip and came home refreshed and rejuvenated.