Twelve Years and a Short Trip
Fog hangs lows and clings to the coast, it descended around Aires Inlet and the temperature dropped outside the car. We noticed and wound the windows up, at least today we wouldn’t have any concerns with the car overheating.
Devonport to Port Sorell
Our first day on the road and we enjoy a stop at a chocolate factory, suffer up a very steep hill and roll into town to find a nice caravan park.
Footprints in the Sand. Visits in the Night.
We chose a camp site close by a small path leading to some towering sand dunes. We would discover later, with a nocturnal visitation, this spot was not a good choice but to start with it was perfect.
The Wind Howls
Tonight weare camped on the edge of Australia's eastern coast and the wind is blowing very strongly from the east. Our tent is close to trees that provide some shelter from the wind that is trying to push our tent over. We have anchored the tent with some of the cliff's rocks to keep the pegs in the ground.
Deep, Dark Storm Blue
We stayed an extra day near Townsville to visit one last natural water slide. Trying to hold out a little longer before our drive south. It was the threat of rain that made us hurry to move and what has been keeping us going homeward.
People are the Most Colourful Thing on the Road
We have traveled a long way and it is the people with shared experience that really bring travel alive. Everyone we have met have their stories to tell, everyone we have met have shaped our travel in some way, a kind direction, time with the boys, playing or a lengthy chat.
From Mission Beach to Bluewater
The only noise that upsets the tranquility is the boys swimming in the water. Splashing and encouraging each other to go on further, past what is comfortable.
Crystal Cascades
They boys had found a few spots along the creek where they could use the rocks as a natural water slide, following the rush of water down each level of well worn river rocks and beautiful water falls. Their yells of delight filled the air.
Green Island
The sand is yellow and the water is a nice turquoise blue, with white peaks forming by the steady wind. There is a resort somewhere behind the rainforest that has grown from the island cay. This is the only island that within the Great Barrier Reef that has a rainforest on it.
Scenic Railway to Kuranda
Before the steam engine could make the journey, men went before to forge the path. Pick axes and dynamite used to blast and hack their way through the difficult terrain.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Memories
Our good friends, the Millers, are departing our country today. They managed to inspire, educate and encourage us to do something a little different.
Boulders. It's Beautiful.
Down some metal steps and down to the river. There is a large rock that is a landing before stepping into the river, sand is on the river bed. Not too far from the steps there are smooth rocks below the surface. The water is clear, you can see the bottom even though you cannot determine the depth.
Cairns. A More Tourist Destination Than We Expected
Cairns was our coastal destination for a few day of no-travel. We had planned to setup in one spot and enjoy a leisurely swim and take it easy for a few days. It started off bad.
I Lost My Happy
We moved the kids forward a long way in the past few days. We departed Alice Springs four days ago. We pushed hard and we are now in Townsville. The heavy road is catching up with us and my Adventure Goggles are making me see the bad things.
The Road Goes Ever Onwards
The wind is blowing from the south, hard. Slowing our already slow travels down. It blows the van sideways, the hot breeze barely cooling the engine.
On Memory and Forgetting
How do we move on from the things that we believe have scarred us? When I thought of road trips I was always scared of the undertaking and worried about how it happened last time. It is time to forget and move on.
Uluru, Australia's Great Rock
Today we stopped at Uluru, Australia's very own big rock. It was a magnificent sight, at first popping out above the horizon over the trees and then towering high above us. It was unexpected after our long journey to get here.
Alice Springs: The First Visit
Today we made it to Alice Springs. For the distance we have covered and how the car has been I am glad to be here, even if we did drive past Uluru for now.
Stuck: How to Assume Problems
We are in Marla. A town where we would have stopped to get petrol. A town bypassed by the Stuart Highway. A town that we would not have remembered on long travels, except maybe by a receipt found from my wallet when I was cleaning it out in three months.