My daughter Lauren and I on camel safari in Kenya this summer. Our Samburu guides Lemogas and Lerikam kept us out of trouble. A cuddle with an orphaned baby rhino at Lewa, one of Kenya's most stunning wildlife reserves. Lauren and I saw cheetah, both black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo and much more besides. The rainy season was over and the dried out river beds were often easier to walk along than the thorny, rocky trails. Researching my second book, The Loop, which features wolves, I had the privilege of getting to know Koani, a female gray wolf, now 13 years old, who was used as a pup in a documentary film. After the shoot, no one knew what to do with her, so wolf biologist Pat Tucker and her partner, writer, Bruce Weide, adopted her. Pat and Bruce set up an education program called Wild Sentry and travel the United States with Koani and her boson buddy dog friend Indy to show people what wolves are really like. Wolf den, near Augusta, Montana. Nicholas Evans on the Rocky Mountain Front near Augusta, Montana. Nicholas Evans getting to know Koani. Nicholas Evans on the set of The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford and Buck Brannaman. Nicholas Evans chatting with Buck Brannaman, horse consultant on the movie and probably more the model for Tom Booker than anyone. Nicholas Evans riding in Paradise Valley, Montana. Nicholas Evans getting to know a horse on a ranch near Bozeman, Montana. Two horse friends back home in the UK. With friends: Pat Tucker & Bruce Wiede while researching The Divide in Montana (Bitterroot Mtn.) Skiing with grown up kids. (Left to Right) Harry, Nick, Max, Lauren Driving through Colorado while researching The Divide. Bought the new hat in a moment of madness in Santa Fe. Not a good look, I fear.