Mike,

Depends on what you mean by "soon". Wish I could say it would be next year, but I suspect I'm looking at 2006. Although if I can kick a little butt at work and qualify for a bonus this year, I certainly wouldn't cross 2005 completely off the list. I am up in the air a little, I would desperately like to go back to Zim for more plains game, and will do so if that option is still available, but I also have a jones for nyala, for which I understand KZN in South Africa is the place. Safari #3 a few years later, well..god help me I'm having some serious thoughts about Cape Buffalo. And of course, I am doing my best to "brainwash" my daughters, my ultimate safari dream being to take them with me in 10-12 years.

In a way and pleasantly, the first safari is not yet completely over as I am having a blast plotting/scheming how to have my trophies done at the taxidermist and where they are going to go in the house. One of the few good things of past domestic events is that now I get to decorate however I want. Next year at this time, my living room will be "mine" rather than the formerly "ours" - redecorated to accommodate heads and some African art and curios I picked up over there. Maybe not a total "theme" or "trophy room" as much as invoking a feeling of being there.

I'm a very fortunate man, insofar as I have a mother, brother and sister who are incredibly supportive of all this garbage. Along with the friend mentioned in my post, websites such as this one and accurate reloading, and the incredibly open and friendly nature of everyone I have met who are African hunters, I look forward to being involved with this stuff in one way or another until I'm worm food.