Explorer team in search of Bigfoot

Brett Adkins

IT CERTAINLY looked like it could have been Bigfoot – for no other reason than it had a huge foot.

Only problem was, we glimpsed it for just an instant.

Driving on a dirt road through the lushness of Knysna‘s dense and almost impossibly green forest land, we saw a hair-covered leg – dark, furry and perfectly upright - peeking out from a thicket at the roadside.

It was visible up to where the knee should be – and it appeared to be standing, human-like, in the shrubbery about 10 metres away.

But in the same instant that I shouted: “Do you see that?!”, the leg neatly took a step to its right and vanished from sight.

Seconds later, as the Explorer vehicle drove past the bush in question – with our eyes peeled on the spot where it had made its swift exit – we saw ... nothing.

Any evidence that we may have caught a glimpse of the elusive and mythical hominid known as Sasquatch in Canada or Yeti in the Himalayas – along with all sorts of other names in other parts of the globe – was gone.

“Probably a large baboon,” we were told by locals at a Sedgefield pub later that evening when we excitedly related our tale.

“There are a lot of them out there.”

But we were not convinced. This leg had stood upright – unlike any baboon I had ever seen.

It is, however, typical of the deep, mystic Knysna forest which is so calming to travel through, to keep tempting and captivating visitors with its many secrets – refusing to reveal some and offering just an occasional glimpse of others like its legendary and equally elusive elephants.

But there are forever new and old gems to be discovered here on the Garden Route, which has seen unprecedented residential development and growth in the past few years, but where, in some corners, things remain reassuringly unchanged.

On the banks of the Swartvlei outside Sedgefield, for instance, a well-worn but ever comfy family resort still welcomes holiday-makers with its relaxed atmosphere and friendliness.

The Pine Lake Marina, right on the reed-lined shores of the expansive Swartvlei is a village of cabanas and wooden cabins which offers an assortment of watersport activities as well as plenty of leisure stuff for landlubbers.

Our short stay there was filled to the brim with both perspiration (the good kind) and chill-out moments – from tennis and mini-golf, to a sauna and jacuzzi.

Not far from the marina – about halfway between Sedgefield and Wilderness just off the N2 – you will find one of the new gems of this area: Timberlake.

Not quite as well known yet as chart-topping Justin – this collection of shops and the Zucchini restaurant is an ideal stopover for an hour or two to browse, enjoy some retail therapy and have a good meal.

There are clothing boutiques, local arts and crafts, a really well-stocked wine shop and outlets where you can buy all sorts of yummy, home-made and truly scrumptious-looking goodies.

Pouring our ice-cold beers into sparkling glasses, Zucchini owner Stephan Henning said Timberlake was fast attracting increasing numbers of visitors as it made its presence known.

“Try the baby ones – they are not so hot,” he said, proffering one of several chilli plants which line a lovely outside deck overlooking Timberlake and, with their bright red pods, create a carnival atmosphere all by themselves.

He‘s right – the tiniest chilli is still hot, but sweet at the same time.

Zucchini, with an eclectic menu of exotic-sounding dishes, breathes Garden Route. The solid, rough wooden floors are the perfect stage for the chunky wood slab tables and large leather-covered couches.

In the short, roughly 60km stretch of the N2 between Knysna and George, it is highly recommended to take your time if you have the liberty to do so during your travels.

Like Timberlake, there are all sorts of intriguing little stop points where you can discover and explore all manner of treats and where you will see why the Garden Route populace – and those fortunate enough to make a good living here – are so utterly laid back.

adkinsb@avusa.co.za

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