22.13 Baboon Rock, a hike without monkeying about...mostly. 22.14 The Cone

I was trying to convince Jenni that fitting a carpet with a few rugs scattered here and there and the place
would be like new. We always wanted a convertible. She just does not get it. Go figure! (Settlers' Hut)




At Little Switzerland, the mowing gang trimming the edges outside our chalet.



In 1652, Jan van Riebeck discovered the Cape. Approximately two centuries later, the Boers decided
to leave the Cape after having enough of British rule. It appears they were ahead of most other countries
but the United States, which expelled the King prior to that. Why do we bring this historical information
up in this blog? Simple. The wonderful hike to Baboon Rock in Little Switzerland underwent trail maintenance
about the same time of the Great Trek. Should you believe we exaggerate it may be that we are being kind
in our estimation.





"Should I have this correct, I think there is a safe way down this mountain." Jenni on Baboon Rock.





Soon after sunrise that morning, the valley comes alive.




The previous evening, sunset from the Cone as the valley goes to sleep.



Nevertheless, it was a superb hike once we had defeated the tall grass, the thousands of black-jacks
attached to our socks and Jenni's pants and we apparently, avoided the snakes. How? It remains a pleasant mystery.
In the end, it was a very satisfying experience as we reached a peak we could see from the Cone, a small mountain
within the hotel grounds. The rating of the hike was expressed a little differently from usual: "This hike is no walk
in the park." Not being argumentative, we won't. We did not need the five hour rating to complete the hike but our legs
and most parts of our body felt the after effects...soon after.




Let us express this unambiguously. Only the mountain edge is Baboon Rock. Nothing else!





Little Switzerland viewed from the peak of The Cone.




Soaring over the mountains, this hawk creates envy for flight.



We often think about pioneers both in South Africa and the United States. Of course, these thoughts
could apply to any country. Have you ever been on a long drive and wondered when it would end. The boredom
gets to one after a while. With kids in the back, the cliché, "Are we there yet?" comes into play. They're
tired of talking, playing video games, watching TV, Ipad, Ipod...you name it, they're bored. We get hot;
turn up the air conditioning unit. We're thirsty; how about a cold drink with ice from the cooler; hungry?
Pull over at the next fast-food outlet. Tough life.





Sunset from the Cone. Baboon Rock somewhere to the left of the sunlit peak.





'Not long to go', I say to Jen for the fourth time while off trail.





'I think someone built a pond while we were on the mountain. This wasn't on the map I was reading.'
The story of our lives.



Try this. Before you stands a mountain, streams and rivers, forests all untamed, in fact virgin territory.
The pioneers faced hostile conditions, fierce animals, food shortages, disease, pests and much more as they
headed over obstacles each day of their travels. We who follow trails have had a path cleared for us. We do it
for fun and adventure. They did it for discovery and survival. It's rather humbling to think how fortunate and yes,
spoiled we really are. Each time we feel the pain or strain we think of those less fortunate than ourselves or
the pioneers who knew a real struggle and realize what 'babies' we really are. Why do we raise this? No particularly
reason but to pay tremendous due and respect to those who really understood suffering, challenges and pain. Okay.
Pass me another Coke and turn up the volume.





So excited at editor's map reading skills as we return to...somewhere..




"And now what?" 'Hey Mae, come on up and see us sometime.'



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey