The Blue Ridge Parkway

After lovely visits to New York City and Blowing Rock, I travel along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

And continued to fall more in love with the Blue Ridge.

Which, for those following this blog for awhile, realize that seems impossible...

And, oh!  What colors.  And, oh! Autumn how I miss you while in Africa.

We crossed this swinging bridge which was at a mile high. 

It was cold and windy I mean cold. Cold. Like this is definitely not Africa up there!

The peak on the right is the peak of Grandfather Mountain---where that bridge led us!

Stunning.

Part of Grandfather Mountain.

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Blowing Rock

While traveling recently in the United States, I visited Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

The view of my beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains was breathtaking.

I remembered what it was like to have a proper Autumn, something I miss dearly while in Africa.

Blowing Rock is both a wonderful, little mountain town and an actual rock.

I want this house.  Seriously.

The Blowing Rock.  Apparently North Carolina's oldest traveling attraction...

Sunrise over the mountains.

Such a different sunrise from the last time I watched it in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sublime.

From Blowing Rock, I followed this lovely country road....

...to the wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway.  

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Central Park Before the Storm (An Ode to NYC)

Central Park, New York City.

New York City's has had a rough time lately after being hit by Hurricane Sandy.

I was lucky to visit New York City right before the storm hit.

Literally, right before...as in almost didn't get off the island to continue the rest of my visit to the United States.

It seemed fitting to post these photos as a nice reminder of the loveliness of Central Park, even just before Sandy hit.

Especially since the news seemed to be overwhelmed with photos of the storm's damage.

I loved all the people tucked into the park's nooks, reading away the autumn day.

We later asked this woman what she was doing.
She was preparing flower arrangements for her sister's wedding which was to happen in 30 minutes at this spot.

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The Ivory Lodge

After a lovely visit to Matopos, we visited the Ivory Lodge for a wonderful safari.

The cottages are cozy and built on stilts...so different from the last time I stayed somewhere with stilts!

I confess: I fell asleep here in the warmth of the sun.

The lodge's common area.

The Ivory Lodge is known for its frequent visitors: the Presidential herd.

Elephants and a giraffe seeking water at the lodge's pan during the dry season.

I love, love, love how giraffes drink.

Although I suspect I love baby elephants a lot more....

Hello, baby elephant!

Hello, giraffes!

One of the elephants scaring off baboons.

For more information on the Ivory Lodge.

For more information on protecting Hwange's Presidential Herd of elephants.

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Malindidzimu: View of the World

After being amazed by the beauty of Matopos, Zimbabwe, I thought it couldn't wow be any further.

I was wrong.  Fantastically wrong. The moment I climbed up "View of the World" and looked out here:

I knew why it was called View of the World.

When Cecil Rhodes (of the Rhodes Scholarship, of Rhodesia fame, of the diamonds in South Africa...)
climbed the hill, he instantly decided this was to be his burial place

Rhodes was buried at World's View in 1902 after dying in Cape Town.

Rhodes's grave.

His burial place is controversial as the hill, or Malindidzimu ("Place of Benevolent Spirits"), is a sacred place for the Ndebele people.
Rhodes happened upon it while responding to a Ndebele uprising.

As Rhodes's founding of Rhodesia (the predecessor to Zimbabwe) trampled on most of the rights of the Ndebele,
it is understanding why his burial and that of several other individuals who helped Rhodes at such a sacred spot is controversial.

The hill is covered in several different colors of lichen which creates such an unique and amazing kaleidoscope.

Malindidzimu just absolutely takes your breath away.  It is very easy to understand how such a spot can be sacred.

The hill also contains this monument with the remains of 33 men, led by Captain Allan Wilson, who pursued Ndebele chief Lobengula

out of his territory in 1893 but were routed in what some Ndebele consider their biggest victory.

Rhodes wished the memorial to be placed at View of the World.

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