Look kids, it’s the Great Rift Valley!

Now, we have some mountains here in the Natural State, so when we came out of Nairobi and started seeing views like this, it felt kind of familiar. Time for a scenic overlook stop, kids!

I would even venture to guess that you might could even find a few skins for sale at a store along just this sort of view right here in Arkansas, too. Not so very different at all!

At this point, in case it’s hard to tell, I am snapping pictures like a madman as we drive along the highway, not realizing that we are going to see about 50 more of these as we go the next mile or so. Seriously – I don’t know how they pick who gets to set up along the road, but there are a bunch of these and most of them looked like the folks built the whole place themselves – shop, walkway, railing to keep you from falling to your death…

Oh and the signs. Every stand claimed to be the best spot, but this one went above and beyond with the “Hyrax Game Park”  – which sounds much more exotic than “there are some rat/rabbit hybrids hanging out under this fence, waiting for you to drop some food.” You have to admire that marketing.

And just about the time I was thinking I wonder what happens to one of these places when a really strong wind comes along - there was this. Perhaps the former home of the Hyrax Game Park.

We kept snaking on around the mountain. I was glad. And still snapping away.

It wasn’t until we pulled over at a larger, much more sturdy looking spot that I even figured out what we were looking at. I’m embarrassingly bad at researching places I’m traveling to ahead of time, especially when I’m with a group. As long as someone else knows where we’re going I am perfectly happy to tag along, discovering the wonder of it all as I go.

You know, as in – I wonder where we are? Is this a restroom stop? Why yes, actually, but it also happens to be the Great Rift Valley.

Sponsored by Coke, obviously.

A word about Coke: it’s everywhere in Kenya. Literally. Hand painted letters on bright red tables, walls, doors, entire buildings that say burudika na Coke baridi – enjoy Coke cold.

Nary a Pepsi in sight. But I digress.

This view was so beautiful. And I didn’t even realize that I was going to get to see it. And this was just the first! morning! of the first! day! I was a little excited.

Take a gander with me – starting at the left and panning around.

See? Everyone had their cameras out.  And some of us had our camera faces on.

And I got completely distracted by all the color. EVERYWHERE.

Like the murals on this building – these 5 animals: lion, Cape buffalo, rhino, leopard, and elephant, are known as the “Big Five” and are the goal for sighting on safari. Sorry, giraffe…

And this sweet map with the Maasai on it. I think we drove on that road.

And the railing.

And this tree.
Finally, someone reeled me back in and we took a group picture. Arrange yourselves people, arrange.

Aw. Here we go! And back in the car, kids! Rest stop is over!