11 July 2009 - The Grey Line Walking Tour - Red Rhino Outreach Project

Hello ticket holders,

I’ve been married to this property for so long nowÂ that it’s easy to forget that you might be a little confused about what’s what, or more accurately, what’s where on the property. So, I thought it might be fun to take you on a “walking tour” of the place. The elevation is about 5000 feet and we’re awfully close to the equator, so grease yourself up with Bull Frog, go get a big hat and a walking stick. I’ll bring the snacks.

I spared no expense getting this schematic drawn up and couriered over. Hang on to it, we’ll be using it all the way through. I think the best way to do this is to click on and enlarge each photo as you go along, and look back at the map as often as you need to to keep your bearings. Good luck.

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The X’s ringing the property are the ten thousand acacia trees we’ve planted there as a barrier and a sustainable source of firewood.

We’re going to start on the way into the property on the easement road just off the map to the right . We’re going to come down that road and turn right, through the gate, take a look around, continue up the road, make the left hand turn, look at the kitchen and the other stuff from that angle, head toward Gilbert’s old house and the newly excavated and back-filled foundation sites for the kids’ houses. Then to the container and murram pile and the dam and Gilbert’s new house. We’ll walk up on the berm of the dam behind Gilbert’s new house, follow it around toward the murram pile and the water entrance and the spillway. ThenÂ we’ll head over to the far side of the dam and turn left there and walk all the way around on that berm to the three acre piece and the loading dock. Then we’ll break out the snacks and talk it over for a while. Ok?

Now were standing on the dam, just above the spillway, looking back across to Gilbert's new house and the murram pile.

We've walked around the far side of the dam that marks the far end of the property. The land that you see on the other side of this fence is our three acre piece, which is across the easement road. This is where we will do all of our agricultural stuff. I'll tell you about the specific plans another time.

If you turn just a little to the left, you'll see the loading dock. When we had the excavator here for the dam, I had him dig this angled near the fence. The near end of it is ground level and it slants down to five feet below ground level on the far end -- exactly the height of the bed of the Bedford. So when we need to load something really heavy into the truck, we just back it in and then roll whatever we have to load into the back, which is at ground level.

We're back at the tent, where we're going to have the snacks I promised. Mandaazi and tea. A kind of deep fried sweet dough and loose leaf tea, boiled with water and milk and sugar. Just like you'd get at Joyce's.

Well, I’m not sure if our walkabout gave you a better idea of the layout of property and the stuff on it, or if it just gave you vertigo. But either way, there you go. If you’re still mystified go ahead and ask any questions you have in the comment section at the end of this entry, or you can just come on over and parse it out for yourself. We’ll be here.

Hope you don’t have sore feet,

David

Comments(15)

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Pat says
July 11, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Great tour Bunky! Your story telling as well as your picture tour bring this dream to life. I can hardly wait to return with you in September. Sleep well tonight knowing that all is well and Gilbert is about to have a real home for his family. Now lots of work here to continue the growth. Have a blessed day. Hugs and Love from Lake Tahoe. Pat
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Ed Richardson says
July 13, 2009 at 1:33 pm

Dave,

I cannot believe how the property has changed since I was there 3 years ago when we planted some trees (about 35 or 40 ).

The dam, the lake and all the trees you’ve planted are unbelievable.

Now the first house, almost too much to comprehend after being there 3 years ago.

What a great job you have done. My hats off to you and everyone there.

Ed Richardson
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Ed Richardson says
July 13, 2009 at 1:33 pm

Dave,

I cannot believe how the property has changed since I was there 3 years ago when we planted some trees (about 35 or 40 ).

The dam, the lake and all the trees you’ve planted are unbelievable.

Now the first house, almost too much to comprehend after being there 3 years ago.

What a great job you have done. My hats off to you and everyone there.

Ed Richardson
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Ed Richardson says
July 13, 2009 at 1:33 pm

Dave,

I cannot believe how the property has changed since I was there 3 years ago when we planted some trees (about 35 or 40 ).

The dam, the lake and all the trees you’ve planted are unbelievable.

Now the first house, almost too much to comprehend after being there 3 years ago.

What a great job you have done. My hats off to you and everyone there.

Ed Richardson
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jim micheletti says
July 13, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Bravo! No vertigo here, just appreciation and admiration for solid planning and serious labor. Again and again, well done good and faithful servant!

Jim Micheletti
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Chris says
July 13, 2009 at 9:39 pm

It’s a real delight to see the progress — to see Gilbert’s home up and the visitor’s house. Everything indeed is falling into place, but not “falling” in the sense that it just has happened like gravity. The hard work and concentration is everywhere evident.

Much love, brother. See you soon. Enjoy dear California while you’re here.

Chris
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david says
July 14, 2009 at 7:53 am

Hi Pat,

We’ll be back at almost exactly the same time in September. Gilbert and Masa and everyone else is excited for your return. Have a great time in Tahoe and I’ll see you when you get back.

Love to all there,

David
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david says
July 14, 2009 at 8:02 am

Hi Ed,

Yes, a lot has changed since you were here. We’ll have to start planning for your return soon. We’ve still got shovels and there are trees to get in the ground.

Thanks for the encouragement, as always, and hope to see you and Dottie soon.

David
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david says
July 14, 2009 at 8:06 am

Hi Jim,

Great to have you and the ladies back from the tundra. Lots to talk about and figure out. Let’s get Monterey up and running for the project. See you all soon in sea otter country.

Big love,

David
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david says
July 14, 2009 at 8:21 am

Hi Chris,

Welcome back from your and Debi’s Magellan journey. So many tales to hear there.

Some of the construction pictured has your thumb print on it. I remember a concrete-speckled muzungu in a wide brimmed hat snatching flying karais out of the air in the during the ring beam spectacle.

When you and Debi decompress we’ve got some long dinners and hopefully some Rocky Creek hikes to talk our way through.

The hemishpere is happy for your return and so am I dear brother,

Love and prayers (beads)

David
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martin says
July 21, 2009 at 8:53 am

yea yea looks great and all that, but what i want to know is where the basketball court is going to go.

martin
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david says
July 21, 2009 at 7:41 pm

Dear Martin,

The b-ball court will find its place in the center of things..as it must, with the Africa stone firmly at center court. We will be counting on Tarheel scholarship funds for several of our future D-1 prospects. They’ll look good in light blue –don’t you think?

Say hi to Roy,

David
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Pam Burns says
July 28, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Hi David,
Thanks so much for the tour. Can’t wait to see it all in person. God is so good! What a mighty work He is about doing. Thank you for your faithfulness in carrying out that work. Take care.. with much love.

Pam
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david says
July 29, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Hi Pam,

Great to hear from you, one of the intrepid members of the ’94 inaugural tour. We’re all anxious for your return. You’ll see some old faces and lots of new ones. Hopefully Joel and the kids can make the trip too.

Lots of love to you all,

David
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Jenny M. says
August 31, 2009 at 3:46 pm

I so enjoyed your visit to Presentation this past weekend. The good news you brought about the continued growth and improvements of the orphanage property, caring of the children, and the wonderful people who work so hard to make a better life for them is truly the work of the Holy Spirit embracing all of you. God bless all in this unselfish and loving labor. The truth be told, once in the care of the RROP, the children are no longer orphans. They are home.

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11 July 2009 – The Grey Line Walking Tour

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11 July 2009 – The Grey Line Walking Tour