A NEW YEARS ADVENTURE!

The GODLEN boots
(Lydia's son. Lydia runs the walking tours)

The day finally came when the 2 WONDERFUL men from Portland, Or were to arrive in Uganda bearing smiles and 2 large bags filled with medical equipment meticulously ordered, packed, itemized and funded by heavenly Family and Friends!

The plan was to pick them up from a compound just North of Entebee in the wee hours of the morning on 12/30/12, rush them to downtown Kampala to catch a bus to Fort Portal, then (after a 6 plus hour ride) a private hire to Kasese and then a BODA to their base camp. The universe can throw some kinks in the best made plans (especially those with no wiggle room as far as time). Dave and Paul's plane was delayed by 24 hrs due to mechanical issues. Though disappointed, they opted to have Alex drive them all the way to Kasese instead and hopefully make up a day of climbing somewhere in there.

Picking up the boys in Entebbe
(reviewing itinerary with Lydia)

Sometimes changes of plans can be an added benefit and adventure (at least for me!) I decided to ride along with the boys for a change of scenery! I was given permission from Fr Henry and Bro Johnson. MY plan was to drop them off and come back the same day (though this would be a rather long day...about 14 hrs) I also wanted to be back for Fr Raymond's famous Deliverance Mass on new years Eve which the whole community looks forward to.

I started baking more Christmas cookies on 12/29 night. I had promised the PT volunteers some for Monday AND the Brothers had just finished their GAME day with a volley ball tournament as well as other activities and games. I HAD to put out trays of cookies for them. They were gone in 10 min...more of what I am used to...no holding back this time around!

Views along the way 

This is when Bro John (who had come in to taste test my cookies) told me I would need to stay overnight as there would be NO WAY I'd make it back from Kasese in 1 day. I asked many others who also agreed. Fr Raymond took his time to call the driver to arrange to have us stop at a place the nuns run in Fort Portal. I felt relieved at this and was able to look forward to the trip.

We picked up the boys with no issues and dropped the bags off at the Monastery where they were able to meet Fr Henry, Bro Johnson and Fr Raymond. OFF we went with a car stocked with water, sodas, Christmas Cookies, and other forms of sustenance for the long journey! I have to say, it was a fun and lively ride out there with stories, laughter and sharing of past adventures.

nearly there!

We managed to make it to Fort Portal by 1 PM ish...the only hold up was a 2.5 hour lunch...the waitress kept telling us "it will be here in a minute"...again...another introduction to Africa for the boys. We were well off our time table and still had several hours to go...BUT despite that...Dave found a group of crater lakes on his map that looked to be quite interesting and just HAD to be seen.

Hopeful of finding the crater lake!
(Alex on L, Dave and Paul)

We were passed by several of these

I had been raving about the skills of Alex our wonderful driver and friend but now they finally got to see his skill at work! Alex was more than willing to try and go anywhere we wanted....again...with roads lacking signs and a waning sun. So, off we went taking a right hand turn on a road that "seemed" like the right one. The car kept bottoming out from the HUGE ditches, lumps and potholes (a road meant for ONLY boda bodas or 4 WD with 18" of ground clearance) DESPITE this, we managed to make it and even find a road that was close to where one of these unmarked crater lakes seemed to be located...off we went on foot into the tall grass in search of it....

many amazing scenes

We found it....looked like a large pond...OK....we laughed at the "been there, done that" thrill that it was to find and see it...we prayed the car would make it back to the main road in one piece. It did...how could we have even less than full confidence in Alex! I have to say...no matter what happens, Alex stays so quiet and calm taking everything in stride with a shrug and a smile.

The sun continued it's plummet to the horizon quickly as we turned onto a road North of Kasese that lead to the climber's camp on the map. We were initially excited that it seemed paved but hit the dirt in 1/4 mile..rats....We drove...and drove and DROVE for what seemed forever finding the road getting progressively worse and pert near a twin to the one we had been on earlier that day (with day light).

Maybe just over that hill Paul!

We arrived at dark to the sign bearing the name we were looking for, relieved as the road looked as if it ended. We had already been passed by people on foot to give you an idea how slow we had to go! We then got the unfortunate news that we still had 2.5 km to go....OK...it looked like a foot path ahead...the boys and I looked anxiously at each other thinking we would have to pack it in the rest of the way...I was getting nervous that there would be no way back out in the dark. Where would Alex and I stay as it was MUCH too late to make it back to Fort Portal?? I was getting a bit panicked but Alex just went on ahead.

Made it to the camp! 

We were bottoming out BAD by now...the rain had muddy rivers coming down the path (for this is what it was) and Alex had to navigate boulders and downed trees in the pitch black! The boys and I got out to help the car clearance, while a guide from the company the boys hired helped Alex slowly navigate the path....I have NO IDEA how he made it...though we did have to push from time to time...cringe when metal scraped on rock and prayed that the car would NOT get stuck...YES...we were the ONLY car who attempted to navigate this road!

We made it to the real end of the road by 8:30 PM. It was BLACK as coal outside! A few men came to greet us and help the boys with their bags. There was a deafening chorus of crickets and other night time creatures, mud and water everywhere from the recent rains. My flip flops were not the best to walk in as I nearly bit the mud on the nearly 2km walk up the path. We hopped soggy wooden boards with the help of flashlights from the guides.

New Years Eve with new friends!

The guides took us to the cabin prearranged for the boys but somehow discerned the need for other accommodations as 4 NOT 2 arrived for the night. We were told there was another cabin down the path for a third person. I was anxiously trying to figure out where I was going to stay in this group of 4 when the guides said Alex will stay with them. I looked into the dark down the path hoping the cabin was not too far away (at least in shouting distance should some wild animal break in) WHO AM I AND WHAT DID I DO WITH CAROL???? My bravery was going out the window but I sucked it up and said not a word, nodding like it was nothing at all.

We were invited to "tea" at the main lodge uphill from the cabins. Bags were dropped and we gratefully went up to get something to eat. It was hard to believe it was new Years Eve....though...obvious when we arrived! There was a group of 3 Swedish or German climbers who had just done a 4 day 4 peak climb and were heartily celebrating...there was also a group of local guides on the porch laughing and singing and toasting the new Year and a successful climb.

...and glow sticks!

We enjoyed the camaraderie and toasted in the New Year (until about 9:30 PM) with glow sticks, soup and tea! Pictures and updates on what the boys had to look forward to in the coming days of their 3 day climb. My heart leapt as I saw the snow, peaks and glaciers...AHHHH....I would have changed my mind and joined them in a heartbeat had I had the funds to support that...my heart STILL aches when I think of those pictures! The only thing that was a deterrent was the fact they would have to navigate thigh deep mud and thousands of feet in altitude in big mud boots. THAT does not sound like much fun...no wonder the Swedes were drinking!

view from the cabins

The walk to the lodge the next AM

Off to bed....Paul and Dave escorted me in the dark and I locked all the window panels and door! The beds were luxurious for a camp with heavy blankets and netting....a good thing as it was quite chilly. I also had my first warm shower in 3 months!!!! WHAT luxury!!! I felt guilty taking my time standing there...it was such a juxtaposition...I was in the jungle with crazy night noises taking my first warm shower in months to the dim light of a small bulb in the next room. It felt like I was standing in someone's novel and anything could happen at the turn of the page...

A peek at the foothills

contemplating the days ahead...ahhhh

black gold....HONEY! 

"Share the Road" means something different out here!

The next AM we awoke and headed up to the lodge (again easier to negotiate in the light)...the revelers on the porch were waking from a groggy hung over sleep though the Swedes soon arrived perky, rested and cleaned from their big trip the day before. We sat down to REAL coffee, cinnamon and chocolate pancakes (more like a breakfast bread) and had wild mountain honey for the top. The honey was AMAZING...it was dark as molasses and had the smell of bourbon. I asked if they kept bees and the guides looked at me as if I was crazy..."No we climb the trees to get it...the bees are wild". I swear I never had better!

We dropped the boys off at the trailhead to finish packing and ready themselves with their guides and porters. The road was considerably easier to navigate in the daylight though we still had to walk the path down. I enjoyed a quiet ride back home...I slept nearly the whole way...hours...the sun was warm and I was spent in the months of prep time for the Holidays and the coordinating of things.

The drop off...HAVE A GREAT TIME GUYS!
BE SAFE!

We arrived home at nearly 5 PM...much better time as we only stopped for gas this time. I took my COLD shower and then sat in the chapel thinking of all the fun I had meeting and enjoying the camaraderie of the group. It is always a good thing to arrive safely in 1 piece....so many things to be thankful for..so many things....

It will be a good year...I just know it!