Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 80
October 14, 2019
Sept 21 - Out of Africa
Saturday morning, we rolled out of bed without a clue what we would do that day. Marta thought we should take the day off, as if we’d been working that hard during the week. She suggested we visit the Karen Blixen House and Museum in Karen. You know? The woman who wrote “Out of Africa”.
It didn’t sound like it would be too hard for us to get there. A single matatu ride to Karen, then another ride to the Museum.
We set out with the utmost in confidence.
Got to Karen on the first matatu that came our way. Then boldly found a cab to take us to the House. The driver even gave us his number, so we could have someone at the gate call him to come back when we were ready to be picked up.
The house, the grounds and the wooded trail were all beautiful.
The Ngong Hills in the distance. That's where Karen's lover, Denys (Robert Redford in the movie) is buried.
Kenya Medical College, built in her honor, next door.
Coffee bean processing machines.
Recognize my Facebook picture?
One last look at the house.
Back in Karen, we had lunch at ArtCaffe. I still can’t get over how good this chicken potpie and milkshake tasted. I can barely look at this picture without feeling sad that I can’t have this meal every day.
Then we hunted down a matatu to return us to Kikuyu.
It was a great day. Us two white chicks rocked it.
It didn’t sound like it would be too hard for us to get there. A single matatu ride to Karen, then another ride to the Museum.
We set out with the utmost in confidence.
Got to Karen on the first matatu that came our way. Then boldly found a cab to take us to the House. The driver even gave us his number, so we could have someone at the gate call him to come back when we were ready to be picked up.
The house, the grounds and the wooded trail were all beautiful.
The Ngong Hills in the distance. That's where Karen's lover, Denys (Robert Redford in the movie) is buried.
Kenya Medical College, built in her honor, next door.
Coffee bean processing machines.
Recognize my Facebook picture?
One last look at the house.
Back in Karen, we had lunch at ArtCaffe. I still can’t get over how good this chicken potpie and milkshake tasted. I can barely look at this picture without feeling sad that I can’t have this meal every day.
Then we hunted down a matatu to return us to Kikuyu.
It was a great day. Us two white chicks rocked it. 
October 11, 2019
Sept 20 - Returning Home, Medical Supplies and the 'Hood
Our third day in Kenya, we got to return to the house where I stayed on my previous two visits to Kenya. Marafiki’s Volunteer House in Kikuyu, about a ten-minute walk from where we were staying this time.
Not much has changed. It is still a beautiful house.
Even if it needs a little sprucing up, and a lot of interior decorating.
But we weren’t there to admire the surroundings.
We had arrived to clean up the donated medications and other medical supplies, discarding what was expired and organizing what was still good. I wish I would have taken a before picture.
Nearly every time I go on one of these trips, someone will ask me if I would like to take some medical supplies along. This is why I decline.
They get a lot of donations and unless they keep track of what they have, a lot of them unfortunately go to waste. I made an Excel Spreadsheet of what they had left so hopefully it will go to better use.
The rest of the pictures are of walking around the Kidfarmaco neighborhood. I think I finally had myself acclimatized to the area so that I wouldn’t get lost.
It’s a quiet little neighborhood with a lot of character. It feels like home to me.
Not much has changed. It is still a beautiful house.
Even if it needs a little sprucing up, and a lot of interior decorating.
But we weren’t there to admire the surroundings.
We had arrived to clean up the donated medications and other medical supplies, discarding what was expired and organizing what was still good. I wish I would have taken a before picture.
Nearly every time I go on one of these trips, someone will ask me if I would like to take some medical supplies along. This is why I decline.
They get a lot of donations and unless they keep track of what they have, a lot of them unfortunately go to waste. I made an Excel Spreadsheet of what they had left so hopefully it will go to better use.
The rest of the pictures are of walking around the Kidfarmaco neighborhood. I think I finally had myself acclimatized to the area so that I wouldn’t get lost.
It’s a quiet little neighborhood with a lot of character. It feels like home to me.
October 9, 2019
Sept 19 - Cleaning the Hospital and then some
When we were making our plans to return to Kenya this September, I’d told our hosts some of the things we wanted to do, places we wanted to see. There was, however, never a formulated plan. Each evening, our host, Marta, would say something like, maybe tomorrow you can do such and such. And we were like, sounds good, but we’d go to bed not knowing really what we were going to do or where we were going to go or who with, not even what time any of this might happen. And this was no one’s fault; that is just how they roll in Africa. And I’ve been there enough to know that I had to roll that way as well.
The morning of our second day there, Thursday, after we’d gotten dressed, eaten breakfast and felt ready for the day, Marta asked us if we wanted to go to the hospital in Kikuyu to clean with some of the other volunteers. And could we meet them at the main drag in 45 minutes? Of course, my partner for the trip, Denise, and I got ourselves together and after a much longer than necessary hike out of our burg to the main road (I should have taken pictures), we arrived at the designated location with time to spare.
Two matatu rides later, our group arrived at the Gichuru Dispensary in Kikuyu.
Not what any of us in the US would think of as a hospital – a series of dusty cement block and tin-sided buildings, with peeling paint, screenless windows hanging open and random garbage laying around.
We washed the windows,
Picked up garbage,
And gave it our best effort at making the grounds presentable.
Until the male volunteers devised a curling match along one side of one of the buildings.
You gotta have fun sometimes, right?
Or at least make sure you come to the clinic dressed properly.
When we had done everything we could, we took a matatu back to Kikuyu town and several of us walked to Crave restaurant for lunch..
Let me zoom in to show you some of the menu. Choma is roasted meat and 1,000 KSH equals about $10.
After eating, we parted ways, so that Denise and I could get some cash at the ATM and some food supplies at Selfridges store.
Guess I'll show you a closeup of Selfridges too. It's a three-story Walmart, only with very narrow aisles and not a huge selection of brands, but it's adequate for anything we needed.
Didn’t go shopping in the Kikuyu market though. I’ve been into that market before and just – don’t know – rather shop in a real store.
We walked back to our neighborhood of Kidfarmaco and I once again got us lost. I just needed a short rest.
It was, I believe, the last day that we got lost, though, so I don’t think we did too bad.
The morning of our second day there, Thursday, after we’d gotten dressed, eaten breakfast and felt ready for the day, Marta asked us if we wanted to go to the hospital in Kikuyu to clean with some of the other volunteers. And could we meet them at the main drag in 45 minutes? Of course, my partner for the trip, Denise, and I got ourselves together and after a much longer than necessary hike out of our burg to the main road (I should have taken pictures), we arrived at the designated location with time to spare.
Two matatu rides later, our group arrived at the Gichuru Dispensary in Kikuyu.
Not what any of us in the US would think of as a hospital – a series of dusty cement block and tin-sided buildings, with peeling paint, screenless windows hanging open and random garbage laying around.We washed the windows,
Picked up garbage,
And gave it our best effort at making the grounds presentable.
Until the male volunteers devised a curling match along one side of one of the buildings.
You gotta have fun sometimes, right?
Or at least make sure you come to the clinic dressed properly.
When we had done everything we could, we took a matatu back to Kikuyu town and several of us walked to Crave restaurant for lunch..
Let me zoom in to show you some of the menu. Choma is roasted meat and 1,000 KSH equals about $10.
After eating, we parted ways, so that Denise and I could get some cash at the ATM and some food supplies at Selfridges store.
Guess I'll show you a closeup of Selfridges too. It's a three-story Walmart, only with very narrow aisles and not a huge selection of brands, but it's adequate for anything we needed.
Didn’t go shopping in the Kikuyu market though. I’ve been into that market before and just – don’t know – rather shop in a real store.
We walked back to our neighborhood of Kidfarmaco and I once again got us lost. I just needed a short rest.
It was, I believe, the last day that we got lost, though, so I don’t think we did too bad.
October 6, 2019
Sept 18 – My Compassion Child
Wednesday, September 18, was our first day in Kenya. In 2015, I had gone to visit the girl I sponsor through Compassion, and this time I asked that they bring her to Nairobi so that she could get out of her little, dusty village and see some of the land.
Compassion’s office in Nairobi chose Stedmark Gardens and Animal Park. They met us at our house and we all drove to the park in a rented car. The park was very nice and we all enjoyed seeing (and holding!) the various animals.
Birds.
Lots of them. I mean, lots!
These are only a fraction of the pictures of them all.
Then there were the snakes.
Lots of them too.
Probably too many.
And of course, when asked who wanted to hold one, I jumped in.
I insisted my Compassion child at least touch it. She just barely did.
This little chameleon was much cuter, but his feet were sticky.
Got to pet the female cheetah next.
She was adorable wrapped around her little tree.
The lions were not as exciting.
Neither were the monkeys.
I got yelled at for going into the wrong bathroom, even though I was just washing my hands.
The view from where we ate our lunch.
Finally time to hand out gifts.
The extent of my creativity – typing her name on the cover of this sketchbook.
Here’s where the talent shines – the quilt my church’s ladies aid donated to Mueni’s family.
That’s all, Folks.
God bless you, Mueni. I’ll always keep you in my prayers. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me this day with her.
Compassion’s office in Nairobi chose Stedmark Gardens and Animal Park. They met us at our house and we all drove to the park in a rented car. The park was very nice and we all enjoyed seeing (and holding!) the various animals.
Birds.
Lots of them. I mean, lots!
These are only a fraction of the pictures of them all.
Then there were the snakes.
Lots of them too.
Probably too many.
And of course, when asked who wanted to hold one, I jumped in.
I insisted my Compassion child at least touch it. She just barely did.
This little chameleon was much cuter, but his feet were sticky.
Got to pet the female cheetah next.
She was adorable wrapped around her little tree.
The lions were not as exciting.
Neither were the monkeys.
I got yelled at for going into the wrong bathroom, even though I was just washing my hands.
The view from where we ate our lunch.
Finally time to hand out gifts.
The extent of my creativity – typing her name on the cover of this sketchbook.
Here’s where the talent shines – the quilt my church’s ladies aid donated to Mueni’s family.
That’s all, Folks.
God bless you, Mueni. I’ll always keep you in my prayers. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me this day with her.
October 4, 2019
September 16 and 17, the trip to Kenya and our arrival
I’m going to make this post short, but I wanted to let you know that we had a successful trip to Kenya and back. Yeah! First trip where nothing went awry, either just before or while we were in-country. (If you don’t recall the many mishaps on all of my previous trips – well, you’ll just have to try to find them on my blog or ask me someday when we both have enough time.)
Outside of Loew’s Hotel, where we parked Denise’s car and caught a shuttle to O’Hare.
I’m pretty sure not our plane, but at least the same line.
We flew from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, where we had a four-hour layover, which was the perfect amount of time to grab something to eat, get to our gate, and just put our feet up. Here we are flying out of Frankfurt.
After that eight-hour flight and four-hour layer, it was another eight-hour flight to Nairobi. Does make for a long day and a half, or whatever it is with the additional eight-hour time change to really throw me off.
On the plane. Sorry, Denise, it’s the best picture I had.
Our home away from home for the next two weeks.
The view just outside the gate.
The dining room and living room of our gracious hosts.
My bedroom . . .
With an en suite bathroom.
People always seem to think that where we stay in Africa has none of the modern conveniences of home. Totally not true. This trip we had hot running water and electricity all of the time, and even WiFi for most of our stay. Makes it hard to come home.
Ok, but this honey really makes it hard to leave.
Outside of Loew’s Hotel, where we parked Denise’s car and caught a shuttle to O’Hare.
I’m pretty sure not our plane, but at least the same line.
We flew from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, where we had a four-hour layover, which was the perfect amount of time to grab something to eat, get to our gate, and just put our feet up. Here we are flying out of Frankfurt.
After that eight-hour flight and four-hour layer, it was another eight-hour flight to Nairobi. Does make for a long day and a half, or whatever it is with the additional eight-hour time change to really throw me off.On the plane. Sorry, Denise, it’s the best picture I had.
Our home away from home for the next two weeks.
The view just outside the gate.
The dining room and living room of our gracious hosts.
My bedroom . . .
With an en suite bathroom.
People always seem to think that where we stay in Africa has none of the modern conveniences of home. Totally not true. This trip we had hot running water and electricity all of the time, and even WiFi for most of our stay. Makes it hard to come home.Ok, but this honey really makes it hard to leave.
September 15, 2019
Iowa, don't knock it til you've tried it
Ok, here we go. Time to stop messing around and get on with things. This will probably be my last blog post for a while, as I’m leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow for my sixth trip to Kenya. Six trips! That is just crazy. I still get excited about it though, and you know what, I get just as excited about a weekend to Iowa. Yes, even Iowa.
Though we were staying with Hubby’s brother in Bettendorf, we drove to Davenport on that Saturday back in August.
We visited a Farmer’s Market first and bought too much stuff, of course. Then drove to the German American Heritage Center and Museum.
They had some great displays, and I took actually very few pictures of them. Not sure what was up with that. Instead I took pictures of quotes. I didn’t want to forget them.
Especially this one. Though it was written in 1893, it says a lot about our culture today. We are Americans because we were at one time the world’s melting pot; we are the combination of all those who came and settled here from other countries. Shouldn’t we still be all that and more?
From there we drove to the River House Bar and Grill in East Moline for lunch.
And a photo op.
Best part next though. Oh, my goodness.
Can’t even use my words to describe this place. I just let my inner five-year-old come out.
Speaking of five-year-olds, I had to knock a few out of the way to climb up on some of these bad boys.
I think it would be easier to fly a plane.
Which reminds me . . .
I gotta get on a plane in 24 hours or so, I best get packing.
Though we were staying with Hubby’s brother in Bettendorf, we drove to Davenport on that Saturday back in August.
We visited a Farmer’s Market first and bought too much stuff, of course. Then drove to the German American Heritage Center and Museum. 
They had some great displays, and I took actually very few pictures of them. Not sure what was up with that. Instead I took pictures of quotes. I didn’t want to forget them. 
Especially this one. Though it was written in 1893, it says a lot about our culture today. We are Americans because we were at one time the world’s melting pot; we are the combination of all those who came and settled here from other countries. Shouldn’t we still be all that and more?
From there we drove to the River House Bar and Grill in East Moline for lunch.
And a photo op. 
Best part next though. Oh, my goodness. 
Can’t even use my words to describe this place. I just let my inner five-year-old come out.
Speaking of five-year-olds, I had to knock a few out of the way to climb up on some of these bad boys. 
I think it would be easier to fly a plane. 
Which reminds me . . .
I gotta get on a plane in 24 hours or so, I best get packing.
September 13, 2019
Another Road Trip, Believe it or not
My last several blog entries were about my travels to the east-south central part of Wisconsin. Today’s is heading more towards the west-south central area.
On the weekend of August 16, Hubby and I headed down to his brother’s in Iowa. Of course, I found the most circuitous route there. What can I say? That’s what you get when you jump in a car with me.
And you know what you get when I spend too much time on Facebook again? A blog post that has been slapped together. Get to the end of it though to find out why that’s okay this time.
Ship Rock, west of Coloma on Hwy 21.
Castle Rock Lake from Adams County Castle Rock Park
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Petroglyphs at Roche-A-Cri
Awww, the happy couple
Vulture on top of the rock
Should they announce that?
Wayside outside of Reedsburg. Looks like a painting.
Playing with my camera's settings again.
We saw a lot more along the way, or at least I took a lot more pictures. Not sure how many would be of interest. But back to the beginning. I leave for my sixth trip to Africa on Monday, so I'm trying to blog about my various journeys from the summer and then start fresh when I get back home the 2nd of October and share that whole journey with you. Sunday I'll let you know what we saw while we were visiting Iowa that weekend in August. Then you'll have to wait for two and a half weeks to hear from me again.
On the weekend of August 16, Hubby and I headed down to his brother’s in Iowa. Of course, I found the most circuitous route there. What can I say? That’s what you get when you jump in a car with me.
And you know what you get when I spend too much time on Facebook again? A blog post that has been slapped together. Get to the end of it though to find out why that’s okay this time.
Ship Rock, west of Coloma on Hwy 21.
Castle Rock Lake from Adams County Castle Rock Park
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Petroglyphs at Roche-A-Cri
Awww, the happy couple
Vulture on top of the rock
Should they announce that?
Wayside outside of Reedsburg. Looks like a painting.
Playing with my camera's settings again.
We saw a lot more along the way, or at least I took a lot more pictures. Not sure how many would be of interest. But back to the beginning. I leave for my sixth trip to Africa on Monday, so I'm trying to blog about my various journeys from the summer and then start fresh when I get back home the 2nd of October and share that whole journey with you. Sunday I'll let you know what we saw while we were visiting Iowa that weekend in August. Then you'll have to wait for two and a half weeks to hear from me again. September 11, 2019
Finishing out this road trip
When I saw today’s date, after I had uploaded all the pictures for this post and knew what I was going to write about, I remembered. I don’t think we should ever forget. Of course, if we don’t forget, but we don’t do anything about it, what is the point?
“Sigh”
Anyway, onto the pictures. The weekend of August 9, I traveled down to the Green Lake Conference Center for a writers’ reunion. On the way there, as you already know, I ran across multiple covered bridges.
I didn’t find any covered bridges at the Conference Center, but a few regular bridges.
Along with lots of flowers.
(Playing with my camera's settings.)
And a little bit of wildlife.
I’ve stopped at this cabin before – the oldest buildings on the grounds, dating back to the mid-1800s.
I never have managed to stop here when it is open.
Finally, to round out my trip, a few more bridges.
Imagine that. This should have been called the trip of bridges.
“Sigh”
Anyway, onto the pictures. The weekend of August 9, I traveled down to the Green Lake Conference Center for a writers’ reunion. On the way there, as you already know, I ran across multiple covered bridges.
I didn’t find any covered bridges at the Conference Center, but a few regular bridges.
Along with lots of flowers.
(Playing with my camera's settings.)
And a little bit of wildlife.
I’ve stopped at this cabin before – the oldest buildings on the grounds, dating back to the mid-1800s.
I never have managed to stop here when it is open.
Finally, to round out my trip, a few more bridges. 
Imagine that. This should have been called the trip of bridges. 
September 9, 2019
My Last Covered Bridge
Just a month ago, on August 9, I was driving to the Green Lake Christian Conference Center for a writers’ reunion. I ran across two covered bridges in Waupaca and was continuing down side roads, angling my way to Green Lake, when I spied another sign for a covered bridge. I couldn’t believe it.
Springwater Volunteer Bridge is four miles east of Wild Rose and close to the bump in the road called Saxeville. Crossing the Pine River, the 40-foot long, one-lane bridge is on Covered Bridge Road just off of County Highway A and Portage Road.
In 1989, the county condemned the steel and concrete bridge which originally serviced this location. The estimate to replace it came in at $100,000. The town didn’t have close to that kind of money, even with the help of federal funding.
One of the board members had been out east and had been smittened by the covered bridges he had seen in Pennsylvania. He came home with the idea to construct one in his township. It took six years of hard work, but the bridge was finally dedicated June 1, 1997. The cost? Just under $50,000.
The park adjacent to the bridge couldn’t be more adorable.
Good job, volunteers of Springwater.
Now onto my next stop - the Conference Center. I’ll have to tell you about that next time.
Springwater Volunteer Bridge is four miles east of Wild Rose and close to the bump in the road called Saxeville. Crossing the Pine River, the 40-foot long, one-lane bridge is on Covered Bridge Road just off of County Highway A and Portage Road. 
In 1989, the county condemned the steel and concrete bridge which originally serviced this location. The estimate to replace it came in at $100,000. The town didn’t have close to that kind of money, even with the help of federal funding. 
One of the board members had been out east and had been smittened by the covered bridges he had seen in Pennsylvania. He came home with the idea to construct one in his township. It took six years of hard work, but the bridge was finally dedicated June 1, 1997. The cost? Just under $50,000. 
The park adjacent to the bridge couldn’t be more adorable. 
Good job, volunteers of Springwater.
Now onto my next stop - the Conference Center. I’ll have to tell you about that next time.
September 8, 2019
Thankful for Dry Ground
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.Psalm 143:8-10 (New International Version)
I haven’t shared a Sunday inspirational post for almost a month, as I’ve been so busy writing about all the ground I have traveled over this summer. But I woke up this morning and thought, it’s time.
Looking at this picture, I’m reminded that sometimes when we haven’t been led to level ground, that at least God sends us a dry boardwalk. When I took this picture, I had just slogged through a muddy swamp which hadn’t been blest by a walkway. Or actually, it was because we have been blessed with abundant rain this summer and the people who built that trail hadn’t planned for that much moisture. I was thankful to meet up with the boardwalk again.
Thank You, Lord, for sending us to dry, level ground in our time of need. Amen.
