One year my Dad for his birthday or maybe for Christmas was given the Planet Earth DVD series (or at least I think thats how it came to be at the Boyer house…)
I grew up watching all kinds of discovery channel or animal planet shows because of Stephen’s love of animals. We would play the ‘animal game’ on long car rides where one person would think of some absurd animal and the rest of us could ask only yes or no questions until we could discover the animal that they were thinking of.
Grandma has told me that Dad has always had a fascination with animals since he was a young boy. So maybe this fascination with animals of all sizes was born in me- or maybe it just came about during all the exposure as a kid, I don’t know, but this wonder at this earth and all the things that live on it just flows in me.
Sometime last year those Planet Earth DVDs ended up in my room and most nights I could be found falling asleep to anyone of them… it didn’t matter how late I got home… I would put it on if even just to watch for three minutes. I could watch the same one over and over (and often did through out any given week) and it wouldn’t, it just couldn’t lose its wonder to me.
All this seemed to collide and make sense to me during my afternoon geography class during my last semester at Coast. Learning about how God created this earth to function, all the systems and the ways they affect one another and affect the life that lives there… I liked going to that class, no more than that, I actually looked forward to it and found myself thinking about the things we were learning in class after class and at the end of the day I would turn Planet Earth on and be excited to know the terms they were using and understanding what I was seeing in a whole new way. Dorky- well maybe to you- but to me it all inspired a deep sense of wonder. Absolute Wonder.
Yesterday we went on a Safari in the Maasai Mara. We left early in the morning and drove off towards the savanna as the big African sun saids its first hellos to the day. I felt as though I drove straight into one of the scenes I had watched countless times on Planet Earth or maybe into some beautiful African post card… it was a day filled with real life up close wonder.
The first things we saw, were a couple of giraffes moving slowly across this big open field and next a pride of lions seemed to come out from the bushes just to greet us as we drove by. There were 7 or 8 female lions with little cubs everywhere- 18 in all. Playing and scurrying around while the proud mommas kept a close watch on both them and us.
We passed by herd after herd of antelope, gazelles, and topi and watched as they ran around chasing one another and grazing. They were so free to run…
Most of the day I sat on top of the car just trying to take it all in. Tall grass went on as far as the eye could see speckled with beautiful tall trees and met in the distance by hills covered in green. The clouds were stacked one on top of the other leaving me to feel as though I was being covered in a giant blue and white fluffy blanket. The winds rushed through my hair and the dust covered my face- and it was perfect.
We drove through streams and hills and plains and saw more beauty in one day than you should expect to see in a whole lifetime.
We pulled up alongside of this river bank and we all got out of the car and ran alongside the hippos down below as they headed down stream. Part of me wondered why I would ever be running towards Africa’s most deadly animal but that question was silenced by the sheer amazement and curiosity of the huge and powerful beasts.
Later we were driving and off in the distance we could see just little grey dots and we raced closer and closer to find nothing little there at all- Giraffes and zebras and antelope all grouped together mixing around and visiting with one another. Giraffes- they just leave me wondering what God was thinking as he stretched out their long necks making them perfect for the environment he placed them in… they were just so wonderful to see!
There was a cheetah right there next to us with all of its grace and elegance leading its cub through the long grass. The mom would walk and as the cub would get behind it would run after its mother and then they would both sit and observe- obviously they too were staring with wonder at the beauty that surrounds them. Quite grace.
We weren’t sure if we would see Elephants, so you could imagine the excitement as we pulled up close besides a cluster of elephants, young and old. Elephants are magnificent and silly all the same time with their giant ears and long noses and bodies all covered in mud. Then as we drove ahead we were soon surrounded- hundreds of elephants! they were ahead and covering the grass lands to both the right and left of our car as far as I could see… more elephants than I could count. How had I ever been worried that I wouldn’t see them? There they were playing in the marsh, rolling in the mud, playing with one another. What noble creatures, full of strength and power and peace.
Cape buffalo with their funny little viking hat heads, mostly we found them in twos or threes but towards the end of the day we came across hundreds of them there all together- birds would land on their heads and they would shake them off. They were always careful to keep a steady eye on the strangers in the car.
The ostrich’s ran around proudly even through they were showing much more thigh than acceptable here on the Novas Project… bare pink thighs all the way up until you get to their black feathered body… reminding me somewhat of the ‘french maids’ outfit found all to often on halloween.
Topis would stand on top of the termite hills keeping a look out of all that was going on around them… they would nod as we drove by… it seemed like they were granting their approval at our visit to their little community.
There were birds flying all around us… and butterflies dancing through the tall grass… so colorful and bright.
Every detail was captivating.
We came upon a scene of hyenas and vultures picking at the remains of what may or may not have been an elephant.
There were jackles and baboons, and crocodiles and I think my favorite of all were the little warthogs. Warthogs are just funny. They would start running away as we would come near- their tails would pop up straight behind them as they ran away. The little tuft on the end of their tail would just bounce all around. They themselves are small and hidden mostly by the grass but their tails served as a little marker or flag as they ran past. Oh they just made me laugh and laugh!
A day like this leaves you feeling small knowing how outnumbered you are by beautiful creatures both large and small and so full of unique characteristics. But that smallness is not at all a bad thing… it just reminds you of how big of a picture you are apart of here on Planet Earth and what an extraordinary story it tells. This day was living out a dream and served as a reminder of how good and creative our God is. Kyle and Jenessa sang “Oh how he loves us…” on top of the Land Rover as we drove back… which to me is a perfect way to sum it all up.
Hi there Sweetie You saw more animals in one day than I have seen in my 85 years, Sounds pretty exciting to me. It is only be God that you have been able to witness soime of HIS creation. Think about how Noah must have thought to have all those creatures in his care. He probably had not seen most of them before God has a wonderful plan for you and He is preparing you each day Thank Him and praies Him every day. I love you and will get to see you soon. YEH Love you Grandma
So hope that the rest of your vacation is a lovely memory as well. Be sure to thank your family & True Vine for “being there” for all of you (and for us). Hope the return trip goes well & “hang on!” to the roof top. In His love,
Rock on! I did my safari down in Kruger and had the same kind of reaction – incredible!
I love it dude.
My beautiful Cherisee!
Your vision and your flowing description of God’s creatures is awesome. I wish I was a little mouse in your pocket. I return to HB on the 21st with my Momma and her little Poncho dog – Yay! And then a few days later, you’ll be home. I am very excited about seeing you, drinking some tea and rubbing your feet. I LOVE YOU!!!