Lava Road is Done

  A collective sigh of relief has emanated from the collective bosom of the 2009 Tour d'Afrique riders… the corrugations and lava rock roads of Northern Kenya are at an end. We had our first taste of tarmac yesterday on the outskirts of Isiolo. The town also furnished us with COLD beers, cokes, ice cream, and the opportunity to replenish basic supplies like toothpaste and baby wipes. No one restocked on deodorant however, that basic sanitation item seems to have fallen to the wayside on the tour. We camped 10km outside the town at a legitimate camp ground with running water, washroom facilities and a bar. All riders were happy with that development.
Today we rode beside Mt. Kenya en route to Nanuki. Passing hundreds of British soldiers on patrol we quickly made our way to this picturesque town. We are lodged at the Sportsman's Arms hotel/campground which is even nicer than last night's facility. There is a swimming pool here and restaurant.  I for one am looking forward to getting back to the bush. While staying at places like this is an awesome respite from arduous roads, bush camps and desolate vistas, it also takes away a certain specialness that I feel when we are riding through the middle or no where. The sensation of doing something truly unique is shattered when you pass a convoy of four SUV's filled with overfed Mzungu strapped down with SLR cameras and bottled water.