I had to go to Upington for my son yesterday. Linda was to accompany me on the long 400 km round trip, but due to 12 stitches in her foot, she stayed behind…
Now this trip alone would normally have been taken at breakneck speed, but for a change I merely tootled along and admired the scenery…
The Kalahari is flat, the roads straight, and normally everyone is breaking the speed limit… I didn’t…
Interspersed in the long straight roads will be a range of hills as you can see in the photo, but I’m now convinced that the Lord created these flat areas with his hand so that he could spread his blanket and enjoy a picnic in one of the most beautiful areas of South Africa… the Kalahari…
“What is so brilliant about the Kalahari? It’s damn hot or bloody cold, it never rains and it is so flat there is nothing to see…” this is the normal reaction to my stating I love the place…
Go slow people and look around… the area is ablaze with flowers at the moment… that purple haze on the ground? Look closer its flowers…
as far as the eye can see is this purple haze
The yellow is now breaking out all over….
This area is the garden of Eden.. there is not a thin sheep, cow, horse or for that matter donkey and they never look fat…
Happy Thanks giving to all my American friends…..
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Oh my goodness the sights to behold when we slow down!
Flat and never rains … but I trust your eyes for capturing beauty in nature … and you came through in flying colors. …. Plus thanks for the Thanksgiving wish!
Thanks Frank
Those flowers are exquisite. The terrain is similar to SoCal except we are missing a critter or two…….or two thousand! 😉
Oh I think those critters are there alright…
Beautiful, Rob! It is wonderful that you truly appreciate the unique landscape of the Kalihari and the joy in journeying, not just reaching a destination. I love seeing it through your eyes. I know I would be completely captivated by the experience if I were on that same road. 🙂
Thanks Debra… I think you would too… it is one of those areas that is not every-ones cup of tea… but most fly down these roads without seeing the beauty…
You’ve amazed me once again bulldog. Magnificent photos complete with a wonderful story to go along with them. My spouse is ready to move there… today… I think she’s packing already…
Have a wonderful morning. You must rise early like I do every day. I wouldn’t want to miss anything…
Especially your photos. New camera there yet???
Michael
Thanks Michael… the camera is in the country and now with our in efficenct post office that have recently returned from a 2 month strike…. so now it’s in Gods hands..
Looks so much like California desert!
I believe so Laura Thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
Beautiful pictures! We have few mountains here in Texas … the ones we have … in Big Bend National Park … although they are amazing, are the “foothills” of the Colorado Rockies … There is always anticipation as you approach them … 🙂 Lots of beauty here! Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the TG wishes!!
Thanks Dianne… sound beautiful there…
Beautiful!
Thanks Jewels…
Oehoee! Pragtige fotos. Pers blommetjies uitstekend. Wys jou net as mens raak kyk kan die woestyn se blommetjies vir jou ‘n paradys word. (Gesien natuurlik in die vlees sowel as gees) Eer kom die Skepper toe!
Dankie Spokie
A view very familiar to me for sure Rob. It just goes to show … we will see beauty if we look for it. Stunning captures. 😀
Thanks Sonel… I’m sure you have seen it in real life…
It looks stunningly beautiful bulldog!
Diana xo
It is … thanks Diana
Those purple flowers are gorgeous. Many people are so intent on the destinations or goals in their lives, they fail to see the details around them on their journeys. Shame about that.
I’m the opposite and I can see you are too, Bulldog.
Thanks Vicki… it can be a very boring road to ones destination if you don’t stop and smell the roses…
Beautiful drive when you can see such beauty all around.
Thanks Joan… that it is
It looks beautiful to me!
Thanks Gypsy… it is beautiful
Ouch! I hope Linda mends quickly. I bet that hurt! Your Kalahari trip must have been beautiful. Had it rained to make everything bloom? I’ve seen a desert in bloom in Arizona one year and it was gorgeous! Even in elementary school I knew that the Kalahari Desert existed, but it was just a space on a map. Seeing these pictures now, it has come alive in my imagination. Wonderful!
There has been a little rain which we thought to be patchy… from the scenes I would say it must have been fairly general… everything is beginning to bloom … so I will have to make another trip…
Hope Linda is ok, between the two of you lately……. As far as your road trip though, you’ve hit the nail on the head. With our busy pace of life these days we just need to slow down and look around – generally well rewarded and thanks to you slowing down on this trip we all get to see the beauty! 🙂
Thanks Jan… one needs to look around in life as well as on our travels….
Hope Linda is soon up and running again. 🙂 Love your photos, bulldog. It’s often good to take more time and to really appreciate the scenery. You wouldn’t have wanted to miss these beautiful flowers, now would you? 🙂
You are so right Sylvia… it was a long trip but seemed to pass so quickly because of all the stops and sightings… got to my destination far too quickly.. shows time flies when you’re having fun…
Un caro saluto e complimenti per le foto. Sono parecchio assente in questo periodo e seguo poco i blog. Scusami.
Ciao, Patrizia
Thanks Pat…
What happened to Linda??? And here you post lovely flowers while I look outside at snow.
She hadan accident in the laundry tripping over a hanger rack… 12 the result
Poor baby. I know you are taking good care of her.
Lovely landscape…(Suzanne)
Thanks Suzanne
One of my grandmother’s favorite places was Borrego Springs, here in the states. In fact, one image looks just like the one you posted above…straight road with mountains in the background. But in the spring time, it blooms with such vibrant color it almost looks like the colorful fields in the Wizard of Oz…a truly stunning sight that for a moment it seems impossible to believe that it is the same place.
I love your message…yes, there is beauty everywhere…if you only take a moment to look.
Thanks Mrs P… much appreciated
Your post today reminded me of the Walter Hagen quote “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”
Thanks for the reminder, I’d forgotten about the quote. ..
Sjoe, I used to know what those little blue flowers were called, but now I can’t recall… I had them for a while – beautiful!
Thanks Adee… there are so many plants out there that I would love to know the names of…
A gentle reminder that there is beauty all around us … if only we slow down and look.
So right Joanne. There is just so much beauty out there…