Short posts
When we renewed our ASU football season tickets in early 2024, it was beyond our wildest dreams that weβd be listening to a radio broadcast of ASU going into a second overtime of a playoff game while we laid in our bed, in the dark, under a mosquito net in Malawi, fighting off swarms of bugs. π²πΌ

Rainstorms have been a constant thing here in Africa. Here is yet another storm approachingβthis one brewing over Lake Malawi earlier this morning. We managed to get the Nomad truck up the hill and out of the campground before it hit. -S π²πΌ

Happy New Year from Malawi! -J π²πΌ








Weβve made it to Malawi, which involved a two hour delay at the border crossing. Today is a long transport dayβwhich apparently includes a pretty sketchy road (or off-road route, as we understand it) that we need to complete before dark. With luck, weβll celebrate New Years near Malawi Lake.
A few photos from our morning safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. -S πΏπ²
Weβre at a tented camp at Luangwa National Park, but wifi only works for two hours a day, and only if the electricity is on (itβs quite unreliable here in Zambia). So itβll likely be another day or two for some photos. But weβve been enjoying our wildlife experiences here, with more to come tonight.
Iβm not sure you can travel thru rural Africa and not return home a changed person. -S πΏπ²
Our African adventure continued this morning when our truck attempted to drive out of the campsite. We drove about 30 feet and promptly got stuck in the mud. Had to spend time helping get it out so we could be on our way. -J πΏπ²




A few favorite shots from the last few days. -S π§πΌπΏπΌ



We knew East Africa would be more challenging, and it quickly lived up to its billing. Just 90 mins into our journey, the brakes on the truck failed, stranding us on the side of the highway for 7 hours, huddling under trees for shade. Luckily, we could continue in a replacement vehicle. -S πΏπ²
I bought an MGDβmy dadβs old favoriteβon the first day of our safari, with the intention of paying homage to him on Christmas here at Victoria Falls. So after carting this can around the African bush for a week, Jen & I found an appropriate spot to enjoy it, and pour some out.
π» To Norm! π»πΏπΌ
Merry Christmas from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! We enjoyed an afternoon looking at the falls (despite a quick afternoon downpour). -J πΏπΌ
When your hotel room comes with nightly in-room mosquito spraying and mosquito net turndown service, as well as an airhorn to scare off any unwanted wildlifeβ¦you know youβre in Africa! -S πΏπΌ
A few shots from tonightβs river cruise on the Chobe River along the Botswana/Namibia border. -S π§πΌ
Christmas Eve dinner, cooked out of the truck. -S π§πΌ
π₯ Roadside elephants in Botswana
Our accommodation tonightβ¦ -S π§πΌ

Just a quick taste of our leopard sighting today. -S π§πΌ
Some lion photos from this morningβs safari. -S π§πΌ
We have a bit of unexpected wifi, so here are some hippo pics from the day. -S π§πΌ