Lillya Caitlin: October 2008

Visiting Family

I thought I was “done” with car rides for awhile, but I was wrong. Today Mami took me to my Grosseltern. She had to give a presentation for work, but I did not mind...I could see Grossmami, Grosspapi and my cousin Luis who was down from Germany was visiting them too.

Fast Asleep

Mami did not believe it, she went to the kitchen to clean my bowl from eating and I fell asleep in my Tripp Trapp…she was only gone for 2 or 3 minutes; but I was exhausted and I guess the whole traveling thing caught up with me and I just needed some sleep NOW.

Back Home

Wow, I did not think I would remember, but I do! I am back home and still as happy as a little camper, like I was in Africa. If you look at the 3rd picture really close, you not only see I am smiling BIG, but there are two little teeth sticking up! YUP while in Africa I got my 1st tooth and a few days later my 2nd tooth. Now I have my two bottom front teeth.

Until Next Year!

It sure was an adventure!!! Mami and Papi are really proud of how well I did and happy we all could do so much off-roading...until next year.

Genova, Italy Harbor

The weather in Europe is not so promising…colder and rainy: but Mami said that is what we have to expect after all winter is around the corner. Mami said that she and Papi have even driven home from Genova when it was snowing in Switzerland; so it could be worse!

Approaching Italy

The last 30 minutes on the Carthage (Tunisia Ferry) before entering the harbor of Genova, Italy. Mami and Papi let me play in the cabin until the cleaning crew knocked on our door.

Cabin Bumbo

I never really got ‘cabin fever’ on the 21+ hour long ferry; I always had entertainment and fun. See here I am playing in my Bumbo…

Tunis Harbor

Mami and Papi decided to take a scenic route from Nabeul to Tunis; which did not leave us with any spare time. But once we got there, we caught up with Fritz and Vamos again.

Mami said, we had to wait around as usual; so Mami and Papi decided to put me on my little mat so I could stretch out while waiting. Vamos often licked my head and was like my protectore while several visitors entertained me!!!

Nabeul

Our last nights in Tunisia were spent in Nabeul. Mami and Papi took me for a walk on the beach, but after this photo I do not remember anything….Mami gave me so much warmth and I was SO cozy; I slept!

Mami explained to me we walked through the market, but I do not remember much of that either; I just know I got a cheesy tourist tee-shirt.
Later that night, Papi took me to bed with him so Mami could sleep a few hours without me next to her. I liked sleeping on Papi; he is SO warm.

Last Free Camp

It was really cool, we (including my new adopted family; HE HE HE) decided to take the last off-road route from Douz to El Hamma together. This is our last free camp night in the desert mountains about 15 kilometers south of El Hamma.

Rosmarie took me from time to time so Mami and Papi could set up or break down camp more efficiently -- thanks Rosmarie, it was nice being in other arms from time to time!

The last meal for the adults was a simple one, beer, hardboiled eggs, yogurt, meat, cheese, bread and coffee. Otherwise, Mami was often spoiled by Rosmarie offering to cook so Mami could spend more time with me -- thanks again Rosmarie!!!

Last Sand Camp

After collecting the sand for my Sahara sand box, we packed up our truck at our last sand camp for this trip to Africa. Again we had fog in the morning which was just as special as the day before and by the time we were done, the fog lifted – which Mami was pleased with because she said it would have been harder to navigate through the last dune fields with the fog.

Sand Box

Papi always said that he and Mami would make sure I have a REAL sand box with Sahara sand…well this is the start of the Sahara sand collection!
THANKS to Great Grandpa for organizing bags to put the sand in, Papi for shoveling like crazy and Fritz for bringing the rest of it that did not fit in Mami’s truck!!!

Large Dune Field

We made it through this larger dune field with ease thanks to the seismic measuring teams and the slight track we saw from Fritz a few weeks ago.

Rainbows!

Mami and Papi have never seen a rainbow in the desert before, but on this day we saw 2!!! Can you see them in the first and fourth pictures? It even rained and Mami had to drive with her windshield wipers on!!! The rain only lasted for about 15 minutes though.