Part Three Camping in a Cave

    Little Rhino’s love to play in the water and the sun with their families. It’s among their favorite things to do,  mine too. It’s so much fun for them to dive and splash and chase fish and their brothers that they could do it all day. Fiona was no different. She loved to play, but was still so little that she couldn’t stay far from her mother and father for long. She had been a good daughter and followed them across the big grassy plain and then down into the valley by the water and behind the waterfall, but then she got separated and she couldn’t find them anywhere. All she wanted was to have one more dive into the water. They had told her they were bringing the whole family somewhere safe and secret, but of course had neglected to say where that was. Now, with them gone she had nowhere to go and since the bad men were following them hunting them she couldn’t very well go roaming about outside this little cave. It had been two days and she wasn’t excited about swimming, or eating anymore. She was just lonely and sitting in the dark, damp cave. Engrossed in these thoughts it’s no wonder she didn’t hear someone come into the cave until to late.

    “This is amazing!” the lady said to her friend a rather big cat. “I just can’t believe I’m standing behind the falls.” The lady cat was quite a bit smaller than the other one.

    “Neither can I” said the big one “It’s truly remarkable and look how far it goes back.” he held up a flashlight and the light danced all around the cave insides until it finally fell on her. She had been sitting in a dejected crumple on a rock. Cody and Macy jumped as she moved. They had thought she was part of the rocks

    “That’s bright. It hurts my eyes.” Fionna exclaimed at the same time the others gasped and she shielded her eyes with her arm.

    “Sorry, about that. Hey what’s your name and where are your folks?” asked Mama Macy taking charge. Having raised her children she still loved to mother everything she could.

“My name is Fiona and I don’t know where they are.  I was playing in the water over there and we were hiding in this cave I came up and they were gone. We were being hunted by those bad men and they showed up the night before which is why we were staying in here. You don’t think they got them do you?” asked little Fionna and started crying. She had been brave long enough and now that someone was going to help her she just wanted to cry. It’s ok to cry after all. It’s a healthy release and we usually feel better afterward.

“There there,” said Macy and ran right over to the little Hippo and petted her affectionately on the head comforting her. Normally she would have hugged her but Fiona; although little for a Hippo, was still way bigger than Macy. “I don’t think they got your parents because they would have had to go through the town and come right by us on the way and we didn’t see anyone.  That means they didn’t get them but I am wondering something. Do you think the poachers knew about this cave, and might have come to investigate in here? What if while you were swimming they snuck in and surprised your folks? They would have had to run deeper in the cave. They could be back there right now looking for you.” Macy explained her idea to Fionna whose tears had started to dry by that time.

“Hey now that sounds like a fantastic idea. I bet if we look around we could find footprints. Yup, here they are.” Cody pointed and everyone came over to look. “It looks like two humans and there are your parents hoofs. It looks like they did go deeper into the cave. The humans with them, so I’m betting they’re both lost in the cave.” he guessed and looked at Macy who had been listening.

“What a great idea.” said Macy “I think we brought along some spelunking gear didn’t we Cody.

“Yes ma’am we did. Should I go and get it?” He had been very keen to explore this cave, but never had the chance to.

“No, we’ll have to do it tomorrow. It’s getting late and we need to eat, and sleep.Come along everyone.” Macy started walking out and everyone else followed in line. Soon they had a fire going, food cooking and a place for Fiona to sleep with Macy.  Fiona felt content, happy, and safe for the first time in many days. She felt sure that she would soon be seeing her parents again.  Mama Macy, and Cody were chatting outside the tent after the sun went down.

“What do you think Macy? Will we find her parents? That cave probably goes on for miles and miles down through the mountain.” said Cody.

“I don’t know, but if we don’t look we’ll never find them. I’m more concerned with finding the poachers. What are we going to do if we find them, or they find us? Hey maybe we’ll wake up and her parents will find us?” she said with confidence.

“I don’t know what I’d do without your confidence Macy and with that I’m going to bed. Do you want to stay up longer or shall I put out the fire?” he asked.

“Oh, I’m very tired too. We sure had a big day. You can put it out.” she sighed as she got comfortable next to the tent with her blanket. Fiona was little for a Rhino but she was still big enough to take up the whole tent, and even bulge it out a bit around the edges, so Macy slept outside and whispered “Good Night” to Cody as he put out the fire and zipped his tent up. Before she knew it she was fast asleep and so was Cody. The moon came out that night and all the stars too. It was a perfect night for sleeping to the sound of the falls and the night birds.

Sometimes morning comes softly as the sun rises and the watchful stars disappear. The songs of the night animals change slowly into the songs of the day animals. The security of a dark tent and being zipped up in your sleeping bag, a warm happy tiredness embracing you, exchanges for a moment of gray and a gradual increase in light. The colors of the tent are coming into few as it gets lighter and there is more activity outside.  You suddenly realize what you have to do that day and the list begins. Other mornings happen quite suddenly. Instead of the gradual shift to daylight the sun is suddenly up beyond the horizon and the birds are around  singing, eating, and dancing. You wake up with the same fierce brightness as if you swallowed the sun whole and it’s shining out. Today was of the first variety for our friends. It was the slow gradual awakening that was happening to Fiona, Mama Macy, and Cody. The slow movement from darkness to gray to sun, along.

Fiona, had friends around her she wasn’t all alone anymore. After her parents disappeared she was so lonely. No one heard her calling out no one helped her. There just wasn’t anyone around. She was very scared. Now though she had her friends around, and she could hear Mama Macy outside the tent. She was making a fire and beginning to cook breakfast. Cody was sitting somewhere near and they were chatting like old friends. Fiona felt cared for again, but she still missed her parents. She wondered how they would find them if they were so far into the cave. How were they going to find them?

“Fiona!” Macy called “It’s time to get up. Breakfast is ready and we have a big day ahead of us.” Macy found herself wishing they had a door she could knock on, but you can’t very well knock on a tent flap can you?

“Ok Macy. I’ll be right out.” Fiona said excitedly. She wasn’t sure about some things like finding her parents but she was very sure about being hungry and she wasn’t going to miss any meal any more that’s for certain. She pulled herself out of the tent and saw that Macy had made a makeshift table out of the top of a flat rock and a tablecloth from a blanket. She was sitting right next to Cody’s whom she went right up to and hugged and Mama Macy was next. “Thank you both for helping me out. I can’t wait to find my parents and tell them all about you. Macy and Cody smiled back at her returned her hug then looked at each other hoping they could help her find them, but not knowing how.

Once they were back in the cave and had brought the right equipment with them. Namely a couple of flashlights and a long length of rope that everyone tied themselves to, some heavier clothes, and a few blankets. They went deeper into the cave following the footprints. Deeper and deeper they went and it got darker and darker. Stalactites and stalagmites were beautifully decorating the floors and ceilings. Taking millions of years to grow here. Thankfully Fiona's parents had taken the easiest and biggest tunnel, so their trail was easy to follow and would be easy to get back out again. A few hours past and just as they were beginning to wonder if they’d ever find anything they heard new sounds. Up till now their steps were echoing off of the walls which were really near them. The sound told them so. If you listen inside a small room with your eyes closed it makes a small sound than if you do it inside a larger room. Well this happened to our friends just as it was lunch time. The sound of their footsteps coming back to them sounded much farther away.

“Wow, we must be in a very big room. It sounds giant.”, said Macy who had experience in caves before. “Can anyone tell me what the English word for caving is?” she asked. “Spelunking, and it’s just as dangerous as it is fun, so we won’t be going to far from each other in this big room. I was in a cave back home almost fell down a giant cliff in a room just like this. Let’s have lunch. I’ve made some cheese sandwiches and we’ll pass the water around.

As they were eating they made plans on what to do next.

“I think we need to explore this giant room a bit because they could be in here somewhere, and if it gets to late tonight I think we should camp out in here. I brought some blankets in our bags.” said Macy

“Yes, I think so to”, said Cody. “I’d like to begin walking the perimeter of the room and then maybe go inside. What do you think?”

“Good idea.” Macy and Fiona said together.

    With lunch finished and packed away they began their exploration of the caves room. It was a giant cave and they couldn’t even see the ceiling it went so high and it was so dark. The rest of the day went by as if in an instant. They had begun their exploration of the cave by going counter-clockwise. Picture where they had lunch being six o’clock. They decided to go to their right or counter-clockwise around the cave.

“This room doesn’t have many pathways from it. Which is wonderful because that means less to get lost in.” expressed Macy who was just beginning to feel a little nervous and had been hearing something ticking for the last few hours but couldn’t figure out what it was. “It is so dark in here just beyond the light I have to keep checking my rope to see if we’re still all connected.” They all agreed to the same thing. Everyone had been doing the same thing which made for a great laugh and broke some of the tension which had been building.

“Wait look at that!” said Fionna who had found something. It looks like a tunnel leading away from the room. Like it’s going back towards the waterfall, and there’s something else human footprints.” She was so excited she yelled her discovery to her companions who were only a few feet away from her.

“We’re right here dear.” soothed Macy as she stroked little Fiona’s ear affectionately. “No need to shout little girl.”

“Sorry, I just got excited.”Fiona explained.

“You should be excited. You just found a wonderful clue, and we will follow this clue early in the morning, but for now I think it’s later than we thought. I wonder if you could tell us the time Cody. It is your watch I’ve been hearing ticking for the last few hours isn’t it?” Macy asked.

“Yes, it is and it’s even got an alarm on it, so we can get up early tomorrow. It’s almost 7pm!” Now it was his turn to almost shout.

“There is a smallish indent in the rock wall back here a bit let’s put our things here and cook a meal.” said Macy. They put their things away set up camp and used their little gas stoves to cook a smallish supper. It wasn’t much but it was plenty to beat the cool of the cave back for a bit and give them energy for the morning. After crawling into their blankets it wasn’t long before our very tired crew of travelers were fast asleep.

Part Two: Open Market & A Hike to the Falls

Part Two:

Open Market & A Hike to the Falls

When the sun comes up in Africa it does so with spunk. From stars and darkness, to a sort of gray and then suddenly whammo it’s up and light is everywhere. Macy got up and did her yoga. First thing every morning she does cat yoga. Sometimes she starts while she’s still in bed. Stretching till her hands and toes can almost touch the ends of the bed and then relaxing only to do it again. Every morning it’s the same thing. She does that 5 times then gets out of bed and starts her routine with ‘Downward Facing Cat’, followed by some ‘Caturangas’, and on and on for 20 minutes. It’s how she’s remained in such good shape for a cat of her years.

    Breakfast today was quite good when she came down the stairs. Amanda and Macy had decided to go to the market bright and early so Macy could go to the falls after they returned.

    “You know I was thinking about camping out at the falls tonight. Do you know of anyone who could guide me or…”

    “Know of anyone. Oh my dear lady. I’d do it if you’d let me” interrupted Cody. “I know of the best places to camp there. I’ve been doing it for the last 5 years. Exploring and camping and more importantly I know the safest way to do it. Sleeping out among the stars and nature is something that I’ve always loved. I’ve got all the necessary equipment. All you need is a change of cloths and I will get everything else ready.” he told her as he put his fork down. She could tell he was very excited because no one wanted to go with him into the wilds and sleep out under a blanket of stars.

    “Well, there it is. I’d be happy to sir; as soon as, breakfast is ready I will go and get a change of cloths. I’ve brought along a day pack, so I’ll put it in there.

With breakfast finished she went back up to her room gathered what little she thought she needed shoved it into her day pack and back down she went.

    “I’ll be going to the market first of course. A promise is a promise and I am very excited to be doing so, but we’ll be back before late morning.” she told her future traveling companion who nodded and went back to his own breakfast. She noticed approvingly that he was writing a list of gear to bring with on their overnight excursion. Amanda showed up wearing an almost floor length brown skirt and short sleeved starched white blouse. She was carrying a wicker basket with several bags inside it.

“I missed the market earlier this week,” she explained as she opened the door and the two walked into the morning air, “I have a lot to get today. I’m so glad for the help old friend.” The two lady-cats smiled at each other and walked down the road arm in arm as ladies of their generation do at times like these. The morning chill and dew still clung to the trees as weak morning sunlight fell on the road splashing everywhere and getting on everything. The smell of the morning in Africa isn’t something either of them will soon forget.

Macy had never seen such a thing as this. It made her feel so young again.They walked from the shadows of an alley into the bright sunlight and chaos that is an open market.  

    She had never seen such a mixed up jumble of things as this. While standing in one spot she could hear at least three different languages. People were everywhere how could such a smallish town have so many people. They must have come from miles around. Other towns and villages without their own market. The sun was already feeling very hot and the air was dry. Men and women walking up and down the street looking at the different wares the vendors had. Some had tents, some had open tables, some had blankets on the ground and everything from TV’s and radios to chickens, and vegetables were being sold this way. It must have been a block and half long and just as wide. She wasn’t going to loose her friend that’s for sure even if she did know the way back.

    “It’s just beyond what you’d imagine isn’t it Macy, so many people. If you go to buy something you must haggle. Watch me do it a few times before you try it, or I can do it for you. They will feel bad if you don’t. “

    Macy just said, “Ok.” because she had just spotted someone that looked familiar to her. “Hey Amanda. Who is that over there.” She pointed with her head so as to not draw attention to herself. “I swear I’ve seen him somewhere before.” she finished.   

    “Where? Oh him. You’ll want to stay away from him and his pals. They’re poachers. They’ve been hunting the black rhino to near extinction. Rumor has it they’ve come here because there is one family of them hiding in the area, and they want them too.” said Amanda with disgust.

    “It’s the horn isn’t it? I think I’ve read about this in one of the magazines I get. Is the family here? I’d love to meet them.” Macy asked but was just pulled away to finish their day of shopping. Macy found that she couldn’t just forget about the poachers and the Rhino’s. She needed to know who and where the family were. She wanted them to be safe. It must have been the mother instinct in her. The two of them bought all the groceries for the week, some gifts for Macy’s children and grandchildren, and a fancy new skirt for the end of the week party. On Friday night they always had a party and invited all the staff to come and of course the guests of the house too.

“Macy, I can’t wait for the Friday party.  I think I might have a surprise for you then.”

“Really?” Macy loved a surprise. “Okay, it’s a deal!”, she exclaimed with glee and hugged her old friend.  The two chatted as they walked back to the house, and by the time they got back to the house it was mid morning, and Macy had just enough time to put her things away wash her face and get ready for the hike.

Hiking & Camping

The day started off fine enough. They went to the open market, and Macy met several of her friends friends. She also learned about the poachers and the Black Rhino. Rumor had it there was a family in the area who hadn’t run, and were in hiding. It seemed the whole town wanted to help that poor family out. If indeed they were around. Now she was back at the house and getting ready for a new adventure with one of her new friends Cody the Bobcat from Montana. They were standing in the open area of the Bed and Breakfast getting ready for their hike.

    “Nonsense,” said Mama Macy “I can carry my own weight thank you very much.” She grabbed her bag and hitched it up on her shoulders in preparation for the their hike.

    “Yes, ma'am but there will be quite a bit of extra weight to it. We have to bring our own water for a couple of days.” he explained to her.

    “Be that as it may I will carry my half. I am fully capable of doing it you know.” She said with her hands on her hips and a determined look in her eyes.

    “Okay, okay.” he put his hands up in surrender, “I’m going to strap these water bottles to the back of your pack now. It may seem cumbersome at first but you will adjust and they will get lighter as we use the water up.” He walked around her and strapped two gallons of water to the backpacks frame. He tried to find places where it wouldn’t swing much as she walked. His own pack was about the same size as hers with 2 gallons swinging from it as well. They each had their own tent, cloths, food, water, a camp knife, and a walking stick. “When we stop for the night up by the falls we’ll be able to refresh our water for the trip home.” he said. “I think we’ll probably be back late tomorrow in time for supper I think. Don’t worry if we’re not though maybe we’re going to want another day at the falls. It’s really beautiful there.” he continued.

    “I was just about to say that same thing. Take your time at the falls if you want it might be worth it to hang out another day.” said Amanda.

    “Ok, if we’re ready. I’d like to get going before it gets to hot.” said Macy. The door opened they walked through and the door closed. They didn’t know it but before the end of this journey their lives would be forever changed. Off they went to visit the falls and see what adventures lay between here and there. “The falls”, said Cody, “is a lovely place and the rocks and water together make the shape of a Rhino’s head.”

    “It’s funny how nature works sometimes.” exclaimed Macy when she heard about the shape. “I’m really rather taken by the story and can’t wait to see it in person.” she continued.  In truth the water covered a giant cave which happens sometimes as the water pounds down on the rocks below. It can hollow out a spot behind the fall, and the water will act like curtains. If it’s been going on for a many years that spot can get rather large and long. Macy will be finding that out soon enough.

    It didn’t take long before they were out of view of the house and they slowed their pace down a pit. As they got further from the house the grass got taller and taller till they were walking through waist deep grasses. It’s a good thing they thought ahead and tucked their pants into their socks or they’d have all manner of bugs crawling up their legs.

    “Hey Macy how are you doing back there?” Cody called out

    “Just fine. What a lovely day for a walk through the tall grasses.”, she answered happily-sarcastic.

    “Well, the path isn’t all that far from here and then we’ll just follow it all the way to the falls. I wanted to cut through these grasses here because I thought you’d like to see them, and it’s a bit of a short cut. Well would you look at that? It looks like two other folks went through here earlier today. See how the grass is still pressed down where they walked.” he pointed it out to her.

“Yes, I see that, but why is that unusual?” asked Macy.

    “Well, it is and it isn’t. Most folks take the path over behind the trees. It takes longer but it’s safer. I brought you this way so we could maybe see lions. There’s a pride that sometimes suns themselves up ahead where the rocks rise above the grasses.”

    “Isn’t it possible these other people could be doing the same?” asked Macy.

    “Yes, sure. Still let’s keep our wits about us.” he said and Macy could see he was paying more attention than before which made a her a touch nervous. They continued on for half the day in the grasses and never saw anyone. When they finally did step out onto the path Macy was a bit disappointed, because he had mentioned lions and they hadn’t seen any.

    They can see now how the rocks rise above the grasses and are much closer than either had thought.  They’re both very  excited about it. Macy because she has never seen a waterfall that looks like a Rhino’s head before. The locals have known about it for generations and generations. Some say it’s where the all the Rhinos come from, but everyone knows that’s just an ‘old wives tale’ don’t they? From the right angle the granite rocks are suppose to look like the head of a Rhinoceros. The water falls 200 feet where it lands and creates a mist that feeds the ferns and vines which climb up the sides of the falls. The soft rock at bottom of the falls has been pushed by the pounding water and created a deep pool beneath the falls. From there it snakes out and continues flowing through the landscape eventually turning into the river which runs by Amanda’s B&B.

    “It does look like that,” said Macy as she pointed toward the distant falls. “I didn’t think it could be true or at least not like this. It looks just like it.”

    “I know it’s sort of spooky at first isn’t it?” responded Cody. “It’s a little weird sleeping there because it feels like it’s looking at you the whole time.” he continued. “We should be there in about an hour. How are you feeling? Do you think you need a little break?” he asked her.

    “Yes, actually I’d love to put this pack down and have some water and that apple we brought. How about you?” Macy loved apples and she got her answer when he plopped his pack down in a heap, grabbed two apples and tossed her one. They sat on a rock which had been warmed from the sun that day and ate in silence. From where they sat, they could hear the distant roar of the falls and the wind blowing across the ocean of grass, the waves of which were moving as if dancing in unison to some old folk song sung by the wind. Both had worked hard getting here and were feeling content and tired, thinking their own thoughts about what the night would bring. Macy was in awe of this place - everything was so interesting and new. Her new friends and the old one were very lucky to live here in this place. Cody was feeling excited too. He enjoyed showing off the things he loved about Africa to folks. The Africa he knew - the one with all sorts of lovely animals and places to explore - the Africa which had so many kind and lovely folks in it had been changing since he’d been here. There were fewer animals and more greed and loneliness. The people who were once so kind and inviting were now becoming paranoid around strangers and closing themselves off. Africa was changing.

    “Penny for your thoughts Cody.” Mama Macy was very observant and noticed when his thoughts had begun to change. “What are you thinking about? I saw as your face got darker with your thoughts.”   

    “Oh, I didn’t realize. Well, I’ll tell you Macy. Africa is changing, and I’m sure glad that you have been able to see it before to long.” He told her what he’d been thinking. How when he first arrived scared and more than a little lonely. People had taken him in and shown him around. How with a little courage he’d been able to see wondrous things, and animals of all sorts that he’d never seen before. He told her how people had been changing getting more paranoid and how the animals were being hunted to extinction. He told her about the Black Rhino and how this family that everyone was talking about being in hiding somewhere near might be that last of their kind. He spoke as they put their packs back on and continued for the rest of the way to the campsite at the foot of the falls. He must have needed to open up to someone because he did just that as they pitched their camp he was still letting it all out. Macy was always a great listener and just listened the whole time. She did learn a lot about this man Cody. She learned that he was concerned with the Rhino family and wanted to help them out.

Pitching a tent can be as easy or hard as you make it. Luckily enough for our friends they were both experienced at this and had them up in no time. Two old style canvas tents facing each other with a fire in between them. They even had wood for a fire gathered and were getting their supper ready in no time flat.

    “Dehydrated beans, rice, some veggies and funny looking tortilla’s. Looks like it’s a Mexican/taco night huh Cody?” she said more than asked the question.

    “Yes, Ma’am! Except those aren’t tortilla’s they’re similar though. It’s called Injera. It’s sort of a sourdough flatbread. I learned how to make it in Eritrea. Try some just tear off a piece.”

“Oh that’s really good.” said Macy “It tastes like ‘Friendship Bread’. Before they knew it supper was finished and with the little time they had left in the day they explored the falls.  They were camped about 25 yards from the river where they had found an opening in the trees. From their camp they could see the water from the falls. Macy was to close now to make out it’s shape but she could see it falling from the top. “It’s so beautiful. If I lived on this continent I’d make my home out here somewhere.” she exclaimed.

“So would everyone else and that’s why you can only camp here. It’s protected land, and no hunting out here at all. It’s to protect the wildlife and keep the special area special.” Cody explained as he gazed at the top of the falls through the binoculars.

The bird songs were everywhere and she didn’t recognize any of them. Different tree’s different plants, different birds it was so exciting to be in a place where she could learn so many new things. Isn’t that just part of the joy of living though? You can learn about different animals, or you can learn about Geology, or Biology. You can learn how to make chili, or cake, or a bird house. It’s all so much fun.

They wandered closer to the falls from the shore they could get right up the rock wall and see behind the water. It was very loud, and Macy could make out a slight indentation behind the wall.

    “It looks like a cave’s back behind the water. Let's go see I’ve got my flashlight.” she shouted above the roar of the water, and before he could say no she had started back behind the water never knowing what she would find, or what would find her.