2 SAFARIS!! The best wife ever?

[Don K]

So I've been a long time 'stalker' of this forum, reading and dreaming of everyone's adventures.

I have a very busy company and 2 kids (6 & 10) that take up most of my wife and my time. Trying to keep the business on the tracks and running kids to hockey, basketball and lacrosse takes up most of our time. My wife and I take the few moments we can to spend together and relax when we can.
I drag my kids out hunting and fishing as much as possible and find they are just as eager to get out as I am. They've both been involved in successful hunts foe elk, moose and deer, and love it!

Back on topic...
Part 1

So I have a few safari books and magazines in my 'trophy room' and my wife has been saying 'I don't know why you're thinking of that, I don't support you going there!' My wife is the polar opposite of me and the kids; she's a vegetarian, tree hugging, card carrying animal lover! Don't ask how we ended up together, lol! Because of this I kind of shelved the whole idea and settled on the conclusion that it would be something I'd do in my Golden Years.

So a few weeks back I get home, wash up and am relaxing on the couch with the kids and my wife comes over all loving. She was acting very odd and says she can't handle the pressure of keeping a 'secret' any longer, handing me an envelope. I'm thinking 'Oh-oh, am I being served divorce papers?' Lol (Not really, we are very happy!)
I have no clue as I open it what's inside...

I pull out a brochure and some literature with a card from my wife as well. So she has proclaimed her unfettered love and adoration for me (exaggerating a bit) and is sending me, my brother and 2 of my closest friends on a safari for my 40th birthday. Wow, never saw that one coming!!! The buggers knew about it and had been pretty good keeping it under wraps.

We are headed to White Lion Safaris this June, I can hardly wait!

Part 2

So apparently prior to settling on White Lion she had found another outfit in Namibia and had decided to book there. It was for 2 hunters, and as the plan progressed she decided to send the 4 of us, not 2. They weren't able to accommodate 4 of us so she kept looking and decided on White Lion. What to do with the other Safari? She says 'Take Kendyl next June for her 12th birthday present!' So we are going in June of 2015 with Jan Oelofse Safaris.

I'm completely blown away... June 2014 with my friends and June 2015 with my daughter!

Now all the planning and prep! Got my shots, have lists of gear and deciding what I would like to shoot and where! What's great is both of these outfits are in Calgary next month for the safari show! We are going to stay in town that weekend and attend a couple of days, go to a hockey game, drink and socialize!

The countdown begins!!

 

[accipiter]

Welcome to the forum, Don. Congratulations on the two safaris! Although my wife is a dog-eating Northeast Asian (and thinks of all animals as food), she gave me trouble about going hunting in Africa for different reasons. I have to complete a living will prior to leaving for my trip.

You are going to have a blast - make sure to give us a full report of your safaris.

Welcome to AH!

 

[enysse]

Congrats, your wife picked 2 great outfitters too!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Welcome to AH.

Well Don, that is really good news for you. (Impressive conversion.)

Book them close enough together and you can just find something to do in between hunts.

Seeing them at the show should just help wind you up some more.

Look forward to the hunting report(s)

 

[Rob404]

Does your Wife have any Un-Married Sisters?

 

[Don K]

Congrats, your wife picked 2 great outfitters too!

Glad to hear. There are so many options I'm happy she choose the ones she did!

 

[Don K]

Welcome to AH.

Book them close enough together and you can just find something to do in between hunts.

I had thought that too, but then decided there'd be no way to get my daughter there. Also the time between will give me a chance to ponder what I'd like to take in Namibia and reflect on the first hunt.
As well it'll be old hat for me when I get there with my daughter, she'll be able to hunt with a seasoned pro! Lmao!!
I am pretty calm and collected when hunting at home, and have taken many NA book animals. I'm sure when I get there I'll be so excited with 'safari jitters'!

 

[Cliffy]

Bring a rifle that you are very comfortable with and shoot well, relax and enjoy the experience.There is nothing to compare to a "First" African safari. By the time the next hunt rolls around you will be chomping at the bit to get back but you will be much more composed and really able to help your daughter. Get on this website in the animal identification and shot placement arena and learn (with your daughter) just what every animal you might encounter looks like and what its name is. When you get there you will be way ahead of most first timers just by knowing what you are looking at and seeing!
Have a great time and write about it here on AH.

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH, Dan !

 

[Don K]

Bring a rifle that you are very comfortable with and shoot well, relax and enjoy the experience.There is nothing to compare to a "First" African safari. By the time the next hunt rolls around you will be chomping at the bit to get back but you will be much more composed and really able to help your daughter. Get on this website in the animal identification and shot placement arena and learn (with your daughter) just what every animal you might encounter looks like and what its name is. When you get there you will be way ahead of most first timers just by knowing what you are looking at and seeing!
Have a great time and write about it here on AH.

Kendyl has been hardcore since she found out I was going. She was super disappointed she wasn't going, she thinks she gets to go on every trip with me! That didn't slow her down from googling every african animal and making 'our' list!
Next years trip will be her Xmas present, so in 3 days she can start prepping for her adventure! Top of her list is an Eland, and she could tell you anything and everything about one!!
I know the first day I get there I'll be pretty revved, but after taking a smaller animal, springbuck or impala, I'll be good. Just the excitement and anticipation will be at a high til then!
I plan on taking my .338-.378 or my .300wsm the first trip and the .300wsm to Namibia. Any thoughts on bullets?
The .300 kicks less than a tame .243 with its recoil pad and brake so it'll be perfect for her.

 

[enysse]

Take the 300 WSM, Barnes TSX,TTSX, Nosler E-tip, Hornady GMX, Safari- A Frame.; 180 grain or heavy as possible.

 

[gi jane]

To answer your original question, yes dear sir, you do have the BEST wife EVER!! Sounds like you have a pretty amazing daughter as well!! Please give them both my regards, especially your daughter, she seems to be well-ahead in the game of Life.... Wow!! What an amazing family you must have!!! Looking forward to all of your future posts and stories.
Merry Christmas!! I will live vicariously through you!!

 

[Red Leg]

To answer your original question, yes dear sir, you do have the BEST wife EVER!! Sounds like you have a pretty amazing daughter as well!! Please give them both my regards, especially your daughter, she seems to be well-ahead in the game of Life.... Wow!! What an amazing family you must have!!! Looking forward to all of your future posts and stories.
Merry Christmas!! I will live vicariously through you!!

And for God's sake, buy her something really nice for Christmas - can recommend a week in Bermuda or Tuscany.

 

[Wheels]

Welcome to AH. Have a couple of great hunts. :welcome:

 

[BRICKBURN]

...........
I am pretty calm and collected when hunting at home, and have taken many NA book animals. I'm sure when I get there I'll be so excited with 'safari jitters'!

It is amazing how the excitement sets in sometimes.

For some reason Bow Hunting does it to me all the time. I can sneak in close with a rifle and be calm and focused.
Pick up a bow and bang.... "buck fever". Breathing hard, sweaty hands, everything.

Good luck keeping it under control in Africa.

 

[Savage Hunter]

congratulations. The usual warning from the guys here is "if you get once, you'll have to go back. get used to or or get over it".
Now, we'll have to change that to "If you go twice, you'll have to go the 3rd time. Get over it". lol.

I have a similar situation. My wife and I were planning to go a couple years ago. she had to have surgery on her wrist/thumb and told me to take our son as a college graduation present..... but, the kicker.... she said I had to promise to take her within 3 years no matter what..... We're planning a July, 2014 trip coinciding with our 30th anniversary.
About 6 years ago we visited a home that had zebra rugs and other african mounts and loved them. about 4 years ago we stayed in a log cabin in Tennessee and informed me the next house we build will be a log cabin and she wants it filled with mounted animals from all over the world and wants me to go to Africa, Alaska, Canada, etc to hunt these animals to go in the new home.

We're likely about 2 years about from building "her" log cabin, but work has begun in earnest to stock it with animals. It's sometimes hard to be me.

 

[spike.t]

yup rph that sounds very tough.....

 

[Don K]

And for God's sake, buy her something really nice for Christmas - can recommend a week in Bermuda or Tuscany.

Yep, went shopping today. Diamond earrings and necklace!!
I think for her 40th, Bora Bora is were I will take her.

 

[accipiter]

Bora Bora is were I will take her.

Mauritius is an option too - they have hunting. Some member on here, I think he is German, went bowhunting there. I think his wife spent the day at a beach resort while he hunted.

 

[Don K]

Mauritius is an option too - they have hunting. Some member on here, I think he is German, went bowhunting there. I think his wife spent the day at a beach resort while he hunted.

That would be pretty interesting. I'll have to check that out!