Day 19 (July 29, 2009)

Another early day but so worth it except it was so hard getting out of my warm bed with the hot water bottle at my feet (when I go back to MN in the cold that is how I am sleeping at night Katherine I will need to borrow your hot water bottle!) But J'lein and I got up and all ready and went to breakfast (Dax stayed with Ethan he is to little to go trekking so they had a very fun boys day) then we headed to the lodge they got us all checked in and gave us out guides and we headed on a very bumpy road I was surprised the car made it and there were points we didn't think it would. But we made it, met our porters, got out walking sticks and started on the trek. We started on flat farm land and walked to the stone wall that is the start of the Jungle, it is there to keep the buffalo, elephants, and gorillas in. So we climbed the wall and started the journey. We saw fresh elephant tracks right away so the guides had to make sure they were not near or we didn't go where they were. We also saw fresh buffalo tracks. We had only been trekking about 20 minuets when we got to the place or rather right by it to the gorillas. So we left our sticks, bags, and water with the porters and headed up to where they were located. We came across the Sliver back which is the only older male and the leader of the group. We spent some time with him and we were very close to him! Then we moved on and saw little ones playing they were so cute just wrestling and swinging in the trees then the mom came and they all followed her so we did also and we also saw a little baby who must have been about 3 months old (or that is what they think). The hour went really fast and it was time to head down, we climbed back over the wall, through the farm, and to the cars. Then we went on a still bumpy road but not as bad and went back to the lodge where we ate lunch and got our papers saying we we saw the gorilla's and headed back to the hotel where a hot shower felt so good and then after some soup and a walk and I finished "The Kite Runner" which is so good and the best part was I got to sit outside in the cool fresh air and read while Ethan played with his toys! We were very sad to hear that the dancing would not be back tonight but we are going back in 2 weeks over my birthday actually! and then early to bed again because tomorrow is another early day!