Dune 45 (Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia)

April 29^th, 2011 (February 2011) – Dune 45 is so named due to its location 45 kilometers from Sesriem along the road in Namib-Naukluft National Park. It is one of the most accessible dunes and sits very near to the road. We went for an exhausting jaunt a good way up the 150m of good ole Dune 45 in the evening on the day of our arrival in order to catch a glimpse of the sunset. The clouds foiled our sunset aspirations but the view was anything but disappointing. Besides, the sunrise on the following morning more than made up for it.

The Namib Desert is f***ing ridiculous. It just is. If the place does not impress you than I submit that you suck. It really is that simple. Judgmental? Sure, but say that after visiting. I will admit that if your experience is nothing more than a shuttle bus spectacular during the busy season than perhaps a jaded reaction might be understandable. Maybe. But then again you visited one of the most dazzling sights on the planet in a shuttle bus with folks possessing an excitement level on par with bubble gum flavored bubble gum. Sorry to inform you that you do, in fact, suck.  Don’t like my conclusion? Tough titty said the kitty to the big brown cow. I believe it impossible to over use that phrase, especially during a serious conversation.

We arose before the sun, brewed up some lifeblood (i.e. Nescafe Expresso), mounted Sparky, and jetted off to meet the day atop Dune 45. I think it imperative to enunciate ‘Dune 45’ in a similar manner to the way many folks effusively pronounce the malt liquor Colt 45. Dune forty-FIVE!!!!...AH!!! It just feels right. So we waited atop Dune 45 for Mr. Helios to grace us with his presence. We were not alone but the summit was anything but crowded. And in this instance it was nice to have some fellow travelers with which to savor the moment and give the scenery some perspective.

Sossusvlei & Carmy the Chameleon (Namib Desert, Namibia)

May 1^st, 2011 (February 2011) – Sossusvlei. It looks and sounds like a nonsense word. The more I say it the more ridiculous it becomes. The ‘-vlei’ rhymes with ‘way’. Need remedial help? Go here. I did. It is a name worthy of Dr. Seuss himself and would blend marvelously in the pages of one of his books.  Roughly translated ‘Sossusvlei’ signifies something along the lines of ‘dead end marsh’. Rarely does the Tsauchab River accumulate sufficient capacity and thrust to inundate the area but it does occur. Thankfully, we were fortunate enough to be present at such a time.

Another early rise. Another cup of Nescafe Espresso. I can almost smell the instant coffee now. Unfortunately, the park staffers were late arrivals so we missed the sunrise but we still made it to the temporary lakes of Sossusvlei in time for the color spectacle.  I was hoping we would have the place to ourselves but, alas, those with their own 4wds beat us to the punch. Fiddlesticks. No matter, it was still a sight to behold and worth every moment spent absorbing it.

After negotiating the lagoons I made my way up the nearest dune. The most visually appealing route turned out to be the least expedient and sapped a fair amount of my strength. Dune slogging may be the perfect cardio workout although the apparatus may a bit difficult to come by. Once atop my sandy perch I soon forgot the effort it took to arrive there. What a view. My awe soon turned to laughter, however, when I noticed some unfortunates following my footsteps through the sand. They must have assumed I’d taken the easiest route. You know what happens when you assume. They never made it. Poor bastards.

I used my last opportunity to skip down the side of a dune wisely. With video camera in hand I bounced my way groundward with childish exuberance all the while singing my adaptation Tom Petty’s song, Running Down a Dream Dune. There are worse ways to spend a morning.