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Tuesday, 27 January 2009 12:51 |
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The backpacks my boys received for Christmas were packed full, not with gear but anticipation of the journeys we would share together on the trail. While we were still in the States, thousands of miles away, all three of us had our sights set on Kagulu - a massive rock about one hundred kilometers north of Jinja, the highest point in Busoga. We could easily imagine the incredible views from the top of Lake Kyoga sprawling accross the landscape below, having been there once before with Tom Ngobi. It was no suprise that it took only two weeks in Uganda for us to get to the base of this lonely rock, the boys reunited with their friend Wilson, and me with my teammate Spencer.
 Kagulu is summitted by a short but steep climb ascending around a thousand feed over the distance of a mile or so. The path features irregularly positioned steps constructed during the regime of Idi Amin to access a communication tower that once stood near the top. A sturdy concrete shelter is all that remains now; it will be our home for the night. We were "escorted" up the mountain by a dozen curious Ugandans. Outsiders visit the mountain every four to six weeks, but camping on top is a rarity. I was certain we would become the nightly news at the trading centers below. As night fell we were kept warm and well fed by a charcoal fire. Luke cooked a chicken curry rice - our specialty - and we roasted teriaki steak on skewers. The boys realized that everything tastes twice as good when you are camping and had to carry your food in a backpack!
 The next morning I stayed back to cook breakfast while Spencer took the boys to "explore" the cluster of boulders that leads to the top. As they scampered over the large stones and through the brush, a family of baboons quicky retreated, continuously and curiously watching these strangers explore their home. I often wonder what my boys will remember about their childhood in Uganda as I burn into my memory sights and sounds that are beyond what I ever imagined in my youth. Do they see Uganda as an exotic wonderland filled with strange creatures and interesting people, or a familiar place they simply call home? I am content to know what they are thinking right now: they are glad that their dad took them camping!
Click on the read more link to journey with us to Kagulu via video clip:
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