May 19 West MacDonnell Ranges (again)

Ruby wanted to show Emily her favourite Alice sights so 3 of us set out for a day trip to the West MacDonnell Ranges. Judith drew the short straw and stayed at home (well, the caravan park) with the dogs.

First stop was Simpson's Gap, then on to Standley's Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and then lastly Ormiston Gorge. I didn't mind at all that I had already seen each of the places - they are really beautiful places. I think Emily was similarly impressed with the rugged beauty of Central Australia.
(Just a reminder to readers of the blog that you can click on the photos to view a larger version.)

The walk in to Simpson's Gap

Emily trying to make the gap a bit bigger

Ruby trying to make the gap even biggerl

This photo attempts to capture the size of the rocks

Ruby and Emily admiring the geological properties of the rocks at Simpson's Gap

Ruby shows me how to do a proper "plank" - thanks Ruby!

Father setting another bad example to his kids

Emily blending in with the ghost gums (and Ruby in background)

The Standley Chasm

Aw cute!

  

What is Ruby up to now?




Great plank Ruby!



Another great plank Ruby - how talented is this girl?

Emily at Ormiston Gorge

Ruby at Ormiston Gorge

Just beautiful. I love Ormiston Gorge

 We made a final stop on the way home especially for Ruby...

What can I say? I'm a proud dad.

May 18 Emily Arrives in Alice

Excitement at Alice Springs airport for the arrival of Emily (our eldest daughter). Today was a quick tour of Alice, starting with Ruby's house. We then had a lovely lunch at the trendy Oscar's restaurant at the northern end of Todd Mall.

Welcome to Alice Springs Emily!

Ruby, Emily and Judith in the Todd St Mall

Me and Em at Oscar's

After lunch we went first to the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum. Here in outback Australia, folks rely on the RFDS for everyday medical services that we take for granted in the cities. Didn't know they had over 50 planes. And at a replacement cost of over $6M, that's a lot of donations needed to keep them in the air. Apparently the government only provides funding towards operational costs (not capital).

Then we went on to the old Telegraph Station. These were some of the first buildings in Alice Springs. Also learnt about how the first telegraph line was installed to enable communications to and from Alice Springs (albeit only Morse code).

At the Alice Springs old Telegraph Station

and again at the old Telegraph Station

Emily enjoying the sites at Alice Springs

"Need a bath?" Hmm, is that time of the week again?

We saw the original Alice Spring. A bit disappointing - it's not even a spring, it's just a puddle that hangs around because of a granite layer under the sand.

This is Alice Spring.

It was great to see Emily again and reunite our little family.

Emily had the choice of sharing a bed with her sister or sleeping on the fold-down table with mum & dad in the caravan. We'll see her again in the morning.

May 16 East MacDonnell Ranges

We feel a bit like residents in Alice Springs now. We've been here for over 2 weeks now, with a trip to Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon in between. Life is slow but good. Emily (our eldest daughter) arrives on May 18 for 4 days and we are looking forward to that.

On Monday, we decided to go for a day trip to the East MacDonnell ranges. We thoroughly enjoyed the West MacDonnells with Ruby guiding us on a tour in the Mazda 121. But the East Macs are a bit rougher than the West and certain parts require a 4WD and slightly higher wheel clearance than the little Mazda. And because we've taken the back seats out of the Kia, only 2 can travel in the car. Ruby has to work anyway, so we didn't feel bad about leaving her behind.

There are a couple of easily accessible "gaps" along the way (Emily and Jessie), but our destination was Trephina Gorge, which is about 70km east of Alice. Most of the way is sealed road, only the last few kms get a bit rough. Actually it's only a couple of creek crossings that are cause for any concern.

Leaving the dogs in the car again, we walked around the gorge and enjoyed the views of rocky cliffs, white gums and a trickling creek. The walk went along the cliffs initially and then down into the creek for the return trip. It was very pleasant to walk bare-foot through the creek.

View of Trephina Gorge from the top of the cliff

Judith walking along the cliff tops of Trephina Gorge

More views of the gorge

The rocky cliffs of Trephina Gorge

The sandy beach of Trephina Gorge

Walking bare-foot through the creek

Lame attempt at planking - I didn't know you were supposed to be face down (sorry kids)

On the way in to the gorge, we noticed a turn off to John Haynes Water Hole. Sounded interesting and only 4km said the sign post. Only vehicles with "high wheel clearance" also said the sign. We've got a 4WD, we should be fine we thought. What a mongrel road! Rocky river crossings, huge holes, lumps and bumps galore - but the Kia did well. Was fun to try out the low ratio 4WD... for a while. Then it got a bit annoying. How much further could it be? We drove for 30 mins down this track before we gave up and turned back. It felt like we had travelled for twice the 4km that was doubtfully indicated on the sign at entry. After making a 10-point turn on the skinny, rocky, lumpy track and going back over the same chasms, sharp boulders and mini-mountains we got safely back to the original turn-off. Maybe the water hole was great - we will never know. But at least we got a little taste of serious 4WD driving.

The rocky creek crossing

A little bump in the road

A few more little obstacles

The river crossing was initially a bit daunting, but after the an hour on the real off-road track, this just a little splash