Day 56 - March 5

Today was once again a fabulous day of cycling.  We discovered that Kenya is not all flat or rolling hills.  There are some steep parts to this country.  We climbed 1,450 meters today, roughly 4,700 feet.  The first part out of camp was deceiving because it was a constant 2 to 3 percent grade for over 18 miles.  There were times when you would swear that you were on a flat or even downhill section of road but the difficulty and bike computer were telling you, no you were on a 2 to 3% grade!  These false flats were rough to get up and over.  Then there was a 10 kilometer section of steep climbs.  This was pretty tough as well but actually easier than the previous 18 miles of long slow climbs.  Yet the scenery made it all worthwhile.  There were beautiful trees of all different kinds and golden fields of wheat dotted in the landscape to give off stunning contrast.  Really something to see!  Oh and lest I forget... what happens when you have climbing???  Yes, you guessed it... downhills!  After lunch there were continual fantastic downhills.  I hit 77.5 kph (just about 49 mph) on one section.  Wow what a ride!!!

This is one of the unique trees that stand out in landscape.  It is a Euphorbia candleabra tree.  The guide told us black rhinos like the milk from the tree.  It makes them quite drunk and then sleepy.  The milk would kill a human if drunk.  Also, if the tree is cut into it gives off a noxious odor that burns the nostrils.

The wheat fields with their amber tones.  

A thick stand of trees that resembled pine trees run the ridge to the top of this mountain.

We rode within sight of Mount Kenya.  It is the second highest mountain, second only to Kilimanjaro.  You could see the snow still on top of its peaks.  There were forest fires burning down at the base of the mountain.  A local told us that these were very unusual and had been burning for a week.

At a coke stop there was a little 3 year old girl who was sick.  She was sitting in the lap of her father.  Even though it was fairly hot out, she had on a winter type jacket and hood over her head.  She slept mostly but when she did awaken she began to cry as something was really hurting in her mouth.  There was nothing we could do.  Her father would give her drinks of Orange Fanta to help ease her pain.  It was very touching....