There they were, off to the left as I was pedaling hard through the intense midday heat, a family of 4 giraffes. The surprise was breathtaking. Their necks stretched high above the ground, quietly and gracefully plucking the small deep green leaves from the tops of the thorn-ridden acacia trees. Had I not glanced up I would have inadvertently zipped right past them. I rolled up ahead a bit, stopping to admire them from a distance. What a beautiful sight to see. They’re peculiar creatures with awkward bodies, tall necks, long legs and a small core. Despite their apparent disproportion they have clearly evolved to thrive and coexist with their fellow animal species. Their hide pattern is truly beautiful…deep gold, burnt browns outlining white diamond-shaped patterns. The locals told me that the wild animals roam freely in Tanzania. They’re not confined to fenced in nature reserves. Today was a poignant reminder of why I embarked on this journey.