Yesterday’s escape from the land of the cold and gray and damp (like, what? Are we in Seattle?—-hear its raining there) put us into the Erongo mountains, at the southern portion of Damaraland. Drive was short to so we went to Spitzkoppe, reportedly the Mattahorn
of Africa. A pointy peak surrounded by these smoothed rocks that have some fancy name but Jim isn’t around to remind me. They are exfoliated granite he says. All looked goofy with tiny rocks plunked on big huge ones. The Bushmen (aka the San) lived here a long time ago. Or passed through more like, since they are nomadic. All the San live in Botswana now. So there are amazing pictographs to be seen. Jim climbed this rock face (with a chain and a guid) to more pictographs up high. He says that the guide grew up in this area, and there is much less rain than there used to be, all over the last 25 years. Climate change is tangible here. The animals know it too: guide told Jim there used to be far more animals in the area, they have moved north where there is more water. Sobering thoughts.
One sight was a rock bridge, visible if you climbed one of the granite rocks. Bryce did it too! The mention of a 3 foot long monitor lizard was a motivating inspiration.....
(That’s Karen down there, at our trusty steed)
(These makeshift shelters were often seen yesterday. Other materials are bark, and more durable corrugated metal for more permanent homes, or a sort).
(Jim looking at the petroglyphs)
(That’s a zebra)
(That’s Jim climbing the hill—-this could be another “Where’s Jim?)
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