Mango Camp

Some people have lake houses. Some people have beach houses. Others have mountain houses. Well, there are no lakes, mountains or beaches here. (Though Kevin will argue that there is plenty of sand for a beach, just no water!) What we do have is the river. While we don't have a house beside it, we now have the next best thing- a mango camp! Mango camps are so named because of the (can you guess...) mango trees that grow next to the river. There are small plots of land for rent, and just recently one became available. Along with Winsors, Cetons, and Chamberlains we are the new renters of a beautiful water front location about a half hour from home, by the Niger river. It's got water on two sides (a little inlet on one side, and the river on another) and lots of shady mango trees. Don't worry- it won't break the bank! Our share of the rent, including paying the custodian/guard and some odd repairs will cost us less than one night at a nice hotel. Here is part of the road headed down hill toward the camps. It drops out of sight in the picture, as it goes steeply down, and comes out where you see the small trees below. This is still the nice part of the road. It gets a little rougher at the end. Yes, we have a 4 wheel drive!
I had never been out there before, so when we arrived yesterday for a picnic with the other families, it was very exciting! It's got a beautiful view, is away from the city and is so peaceful. Well, except for the 10 kids and two teens we brought along...
The guys have plans to fix the fence around, (we don't want the kids swimming-on purpose or accidentally!) as well as improve the "bathroom" facility. (currently a covered hole with a 4 1/2 foot mud brick wall around it) A small hut will recieve some roof repairs, so that chairs and things can be stored there to use each time we come. Then we will be able to picnic or camp in comfort.
The kids were thrilled with the tire swings Chad hung up, and spent a good portion of the morning swinging. They also spent time digging in the sand, and playing with their friends. Even a bit of "wildlife" joined us for our picnic. While the adults enjoyed the sighting of some distant hippos out in the river, the kids were entertained enough by the passing herds of cattle and small fish swimming by.
There were feathers all over the ground, and Kira insisted that I share this picture of a pretty colored one that she found. It was gray at the bottom, then a band of white, and the top was red. It really was quite pretty! I wish we could have seen the bird it came from.

Everyone enjoyed the time outside, and it was even a bit breezy, and not too hot there in the shade.

I look forward to many camping trips and picnics out there. Guess we'll have to think of investing in a new tent next time we are home, though. Our family seems to have outgrown the two person tent that we own. =)
Here is the road headed back up the hill towards home.

It was a great weekend, and is a great place for family time away after the extremely busy time Kevin has had lately. He jokingly said this week that instead of four ten hour shifts like some people put in for a week, the SIMAIR guys just went for two twenty hour days. Unfortunately they still had to work the other days too! So the kids and I were glad to see Kevin a little on Saturday. We can't wait for many more times with family, as well as friends out by the river at the mango camp!