Yes this! Gina and I have talked about kudu as she doesn't have one yet. We shall see what happens
You are so correct! Facing the possibility of retiring myself someday. Not something I had contemplated much before. I would talk smart about it but never "really" thought I would get to the point of fully retiring....Congratulations to your dad for his retirement! I'm sure he was probably excited and scared at the same time. This is going to be an awesome adventure to read. I wish you three the best of luck, and please capture your dad's excitement and happiness during the safari. Wishing you guys the best and may the Hunting Gods cast their spell of good luck on your safari.
I'm 19 days from retirement, and I'm excited and scared sh*t less all in one.
UPDATE:
Dad retired!! For real. I was there to witness it, or else I would not have believed it.Thursday, May 30 was his last day of work. I worked where my dad works about 27 years ago. The girls in the office called and said they were throwing a surprise party for Dad. His name is Robert and most everyone calls him Bob.
I have been dealing with contractors non-stop since we bought the new house a year ago and have been painting when I am home. I had just finished painting the dining room and a powder room (still needed touch ups because new windows were being installed) when I got the notice about Dad’s party. I had less than a weeks notice.
So Bob and I rearranged everything to make a trip to Oklahoma to go to the party.
It was a really nice party! Dad loves grilling, so the guys in the shop grilled burgers and hot links for Dad at lunch time. Had all the yummy sides to go with and then at 2:30 they had massive amounts of cupcakes delivered. Bob, my Mom, my Son and our granddaughter Lilly were all at the party.
The President was in a meeting that went long at lunch but the shop manager and VP gave a nice speech about Dad and the President gave one during cupcakes. I wrote a speech and made Dad and several others weepy when I delivered it. It was a great time!
We head out to Oklahoma to pick up Dad in just a few days then head to MN to wrap up some things before the trip. Got the house sitter for TX squared away and I am nearly finished packing. Dad is already packed.
June 23 is wheels up to Africa!! We are looking forward to sharing our adventures with our AH family and friends. I am so blessed to be going on this trip with @ActionBob and my Dad! We have some HUGE surprises for Dad when we get there!
More to come…
Gina
So did mine, but he's been gone almost 40 years now.
Glad you were there Bob, he had the time of his life. It truly is one of my favorite memories!To all the comments about doing things while one can, and while those you want to share the experiences with can.
So correct! I had the absolute honor of accompanying @Bullthrower338 and his father on a hunt. Cody's dad was thrilled to just be spending that quality time with his son but then Cody surprised him with the opportunity to take a big buffalo bull himself. These can be hard men most of their lives, they were brought up by harder men. But all that hardness just melts away during such moments
Cody lost his dad shortly after that.... I'm blessed to have spent that time with him. Gina's dad has a lot of similarities
@Happy Myles
@Just Gina - You absolutely “gush” Love for your Father and it is evident in every word of your Post…every Father should be a Hero to their Children and it sounds like your Dad is “your Hero”. What a wonderful gift you are giving him and I’m sure you will All enjoy the trip and the lasting memories it creates. All of my best hunts have been with my children — any hunt with them is a “great” hunt.I am so excited!! Not only will this be his first safari, it will be his first trip outside the US!
My Dad has been a life long hunter. I remember him traveling to Colorado every year with his hunting buddies to go hunting. He is the person who explained and made me understand why, at such a young age, why Bambi’s mother was killed. He taught me about conservation and why hunting was important and healthy. Where I come from, Dads did not take their daughters hunting. It just was not done. I am thankful that he taught my son about hunting and conservation. My son killed his first buck when he was eight years old with my Dad. He taught my son how to do all the important things about hunting and fishing and conservation.
My dad is 70 years old. He still works full time. He is a machinist. He runs four manual machines in the machine shop he works in. God made my Dad tough as nails. I remember well when I was 7 years old, my dad was saddle breaking a horse and the horse fell on my dad. He suffered a compound fracture. His foot his still attached thanks to metal plates and screws.
He has had back surgeries and his neck is fused, however, he can work circles around men less than half his age! When he was out for neck surgery, it took 4 men to do the job that my dad does solitary, on a daily basis.
My Dad has committed to retirement in 2024. As a retirement gift, Bob ( @ActionBob) and I are taking him to Africa!!!!
We gifted him with the perfect shot II book. As of now, he is quite interested in a Cape buffalo, blue wildebeest, and impala. He is so excited and I cannot get over how excited I am to just go on this adventure with him and watch him hunt in Africa! He said, “Gosh, I just never thought I would ever get to go hunt in Africa.” He has hunted since he was old enough to do so.
We are going in 2024! He already sent off for his passport! I am looking forward to sharing our hunt report with all of you here on AH! How fortunate I am to get to take my Dad to Africa. @ActionBob and my dad share the same name. I get to go to Africa with my two favorite Bobs!!
Updates to come on our progress. I am beyond excited!!!!
I’m kind of a geography/miles traveled freak. How many miles from Texas to Minnesota? Thanks!@Happy Myles
Greetings! I apologize for my late reply, we have been on the road from TX to MN and tending to work duties before our trip.
We will be going to Zimbabwe, Limpopo, Zambia, Botswana, and Krueger. Since this may be the only time my Dad may go, we have planned an entire month of adventures that he will hopefully be talking about from now on. This will be the first time I have ever hunted with Dad and I am beyond excited. If I don’t get anything on my list, just hunting with him and seeing him experience Africa for the first time is going to be the best part of this trip. I am extremely blessed to be able to do this with my Dad.
We fly out today!! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am looking forward to sharing our adventures.
From our Texas place just South of Interstate 10 to our Minnesota place North of Interstate 94, it is 1385 miles. We took the Motorhome on this trip so a little slower traveling but we are so burned out on hotels that we much prefer staying in the camper
And we brought a trailer to bring another load back to Texas. 
