Leaving Kings Canyon Resort, we drive through more bushfires, this time close enough for us to be able to see flames. We are all, well Linda and the kids are, a bit anxious at first, but soon realise the smoke and flames were to be our companion for the next few days. We also must add that it is while touring around Alice Springs that we stop counting road kill. We now our keeping tally of the number of burnt out cars on the side of the road. Final tally is well over 30, more if allowed to count the cars in the backyards of the houses in Herrmansburg. This was the birthplace of the famous Aboriginal painter Albert Namatjira.
There was a lot to take in when visiting Alice. The Aboriginal presence was very obvious, but unfortunately not always in the best of light. The kids did ask us why there were so many empty VB cartons everywhere. We spent quite a bit of time discussing what the kids were witnessing; trying to explain something even we had difficulty understanding. We had many discussions whilst driving trying to make sense of it all. We are looking forward to our travels further north, where we hope the kids will have a different experience with our indigenous Australians.
Arriving into Alice Springs, our first stop was to the Caravan Repair place to suss out actual damage, then to the Big 4 MacDonnell Ranges C/P to meet up once more with Steve, Glenn and their families. The kids cannot believe their eyes, the biggest jumping pillow yet!!! Actually 2 of them! Dinner with our friends and a plan is formulated to go and explore the West MacDonnell Ranges. Little did we anticipate that this little plan would turn into 3 days of travel covering nearly 1000kms by car, lots more burnt out cars, much chatter across the CB radio, driving towards, away and through more bush fires and seeing some really incredible places that did not involve any really long walks!!!!
Simpsons Gap.
All the kids.
Standley Chasm at lunchtime. Hard to see but the kids are actually skimming rocks into a stream of clear water.
Linda's favourite place, Ellery Creek Waterhole. The water was ice cold, making your feet burn when you first enter it. Linda was only the only brave/crazy one to take an actual swim here. WOW!!!
More beautiful wildflowers
On our way up to the look out at Ormiston Gorge.
On our way down………..
....to the waterhole at Ormiston Gorge
A familiar sight. You hear many stories about the fires, are they natures way, is it back burning or are they the result of arson. The truth is a combination of all, and we soon learn to relax around them. When we pull over to let air out of our tyres the boys, Benj, Boaz and Lachlan soon find themselves a new job as firemen, in the great tradition of Bazza McKenzie.
The kids decided that the Red Centre's new name is the Black Centre. Timna tried to convince us all it was the red and black centre!!
We are so excited. We are going on our first 4 wheel drive adventure. It is especially good that our company has experience and can offer guidance as required. But where to first???
We called this Pride Rock!
Standing at the top of Pride Rock. A rare opportunity of a family pic. Difficult to get everyone listening at once. Benj is sucking his new toy. Well actually a great investment, a backpack with a water bladder. It is now not uncommon to hear someone call out, my bladder is empty, can you please refill my bladder, my bladder is leaking!!!! This is proving to be an excellent way to ensure the kids are keeping up their fluids, whilst having fun, and more importantly carrying it all themselves, even Boaz.
And again……
No day was complete, no matter what the time without a play on the famous jumping pillows.
By the way van plumbing all repaired, cost $198.
Final farewells to our new friends, as our journeys take a different path.….who knows we may find them once more.
All details exchanged with a promise of a camp fire and sing along in the new year on our return home.
Hey Sonia, Jeanette, Glenn Steve and co, if you happen to be reading this…..thanks for all of laughs, thanks for all the tips and we cannot wait to share a beer once more and have another opportunity to listen to Beth and Jeanette sing along with Rob!!!!! Linda promises not to sing, but can't promise that she won't 'have a chat!!!!'
After a week of big walks and lots of driving, it is off for a special treat for all……..fossicking for gems.
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