Today is the day!

We woke early, 500 am, to a gentle knock on the door and hot coffee.

After a gorilla breakfast of eggs, bacon, tomato and beans we were outfitted with gators and rain wear.

Here is a gator.

Then we were off. Sandy and Nate led the way down the path. No one told me it was 200 plus feet down the path, and of course up it!

Then the Princess came into view as the sun started to rise over the African skyline. Beautiful.

We took a short drive and came to the gorilla meeting area. They were preparing for next weeks gorilla naming ceremony. Here is the big momma watching over us.

Then on to the parking lot. Jeeps everywhere. This is where you sign in and learn who your tracker and guide will be.

I am both excited and nervous. So is the rest of the gang. Nate is the only one who will drink coffee. We are all concerned about facilities in the jungle. Stay tuned for an update on this.

We had our briefing and learned a few words in gorilla speak. Our guide has been doing this for 24 years. We are pumped. Here is Jerome, our lead guide.

Then we had a group shot of the day with him. We wanted photographic evidence that we were here in case we don’t come back.

We took off and walked about a mile through farm land. Potatoes were abundant. Interesting to note kids guard the fields during the day from monkeys and buffalo who love potatoes. Parents do it at night.

We continued our walk and stopped to rest and sample a tomato.

On the distance we see the volcano this land and our camp is named after. They do two day guided tours to the top. I encouraged our group to pass on that hike!

We left the farmland and entered the forest. Ahead we heard the machete cutting a path thru bamboo and vines for us.

After an hour of treking we made a stop. Here is the Princess admiring the view. I can’t thank here enough for this trip. I love you Princess.

Then we were told to put on our masks. I thought we were in a Covid free zone but they want to protect the gorillas. Why the mask now? We had our first sighting.

The ladies, Nate and I took over 400 pictures of the gorillas. Rather then share them all I tried to get some of the best to share with you. I will refrain from words. Words cannot describe the experience we all had this day.

And then we saw the silverback of this family. Over 400 pounds of gorilla.

We were now about three and a half hours in. We stopped for a snack.

Here our group is leaving the forest and going back down to the staging area. The brick wall you see goes around the volcano national park and keeps the animals in the park.

These are our hiking sticks. Mandatory and note what is carved on top.

Here is a picture of my porter, Alice. She was a lifesaver. She helped me through the mud, carried my pack and held my hand.

Then it was back to camp and get ready for sundowners. Tonight the staff promised a night of dancing and music. Here are a few pics.

After another great dinner and some south African cab for Nate and I, the Princess and I got back to our cabin around 830. Since there is a chill in the air, we were greeted with a hot water bottle on the bed to warm us. Some men might consider this too girly for them. I have had it every night and plan to bring this custom back to scottsdale.

With that, the fire is lit and the hot water bottle is calling my name. Cross gorillas off the bucket list. Today was the day.