Split Rock Lighthouse got added to our list of must sees after an enthusiastic suggestion from our üCamp friends, Pam & Mike. Our excitement about it elevated to the next level when we pulled in and discovered that it is a Minnesota Historical Society site. Ever since we visited the Oliver Kelley farm we’ve been big fans of MNHS and the quality of historical interpretation they offer, so of course we signed up for the guided tour. Our guide gave us the history of the 1905 Storm of the Century that led to the building of the lighthouse and details of the equipment Of course we geeked over the clamshell shaped Fresnel lens and the fact that all the lighthouse equipment is original and in working order but we also loved the details in the keeper’s house even down to the hand stitched quilts in the bedrooms. And of course there’s the incredible views and the spectacular setting!
Queen Mary 2’s arrival in the Port of Dakar, Senegal was heralded in the local press and greeted with ceremony. Our own excursion took us on a coach journey through the streets of the capital city to visit a Wolof village and the shore of Lake Retba, the salty lake famed for an intense pink color.
Today’s safari adventure transported us out into the Dorob National Park to have up close encounters with little creatures that are well adapted to the extreme heat and lack of water in the Namib Desert.
With a UNESCO World Heritage Site, two national parks, dozens of museums, and hundreds of tours offered in the Cape Town area there is more than plenty to do. For our two day visit we opted to concentrate on African wildlife visiting the Aquila Private Game Reserve and the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony for a wonderful chance to these fabulous animals in their own habitat.
One for my bucket list. Beautiful picture!