On our way to Australia Zoo on Monday I saw some rather imposing mountains. Asking Carolyn about them, she had said they were the Glass House Mountains National Park. At a rest stop on the highway, we read about the mountains and I was most intrigued to see them up close. Carolyn said that although we didn't have time that day because the Zoo would be an all day experience, we would be able to see them on our trip to the Kondallila National Park on Wednesday.
Mt. Tibrogagan from the highway.
Now what you have to realize is the fact Carolyn is not a hiker. Hiking to Carolyn is like going to the dentist to have a root canal. Nevertheless, she was a good mate, and consented to this wonderful day of physical activity. Come share the day with us as we explore the wilderness of two national parks.
On our way to the Glass House Mountains, we found pineapple fields as well as orange groves.
At this point, Carolyn decided hiking with me wasn't a bad thing. Besides seeing beautiful scenery, she decided it would be great fun taking pictures of Bob the Photographer doing her thing. Every time I looked around, there was Carolyn pointing her camera in my direction.
image by Carolyn
Leaving the Glass Mountains, we traveled through the Blacktail Range stopping once at Carolyn's dream house. It's a beautiful B&B and should Carolyn win the lotto, she's going to snatch this 1.3 million dollar house up in a minute.
Then it was on to the Kondalila National Park, where a splendid 330 foot waterfall crashes down through the rainforest.
Down by arock pool we found three lovely young adults sitting on a rock. Seeing a "hanging rope" across the way, I encouraged a young man to swim across and use it. "It will make a great picture", I said. And guess what he did! Wasn't I surprised.
After resting awhile at the Falls and taking more pictures, it was time to hike back up the trail.....both of us totally exhausted from our day of exertion but completely happy.
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Comments: 36
Yes, Bernadette ... she who must be obeyed regarding the tramping and trudging is flying westwards as I type this and will be landing in four hours from now.
I was so excited to see my dream home in person. I'd seen it advertised for sale on the web and keep it in my favourite dreaming folder but wasn't sure just where on the hinterland it was. Luckily we'd stopped to get piccies of the view and I turned the car around and there it was. I'm just one lotto win away from sucking down some coldies on that lovely long verandah..
I must say I'm delighted that Bob has so quickly adopted the Orstralian custom of shortening the names of things. The Glass House Mountains however would be more appropriately shortened to 'The Glassies' by us locals I reckon. Again Bob took me to places i hadn't seen since my youth and it was a wonderful experience. But deadset, there was one point climbing back from the falls when I thought there was going to be some seriously inconvenienced ambulance officers that afternoon. On the flat I can walk for hours.. but these freaking mountain hikes are idiocy! Luckily my respirations soon returned to a more regular pattern and the emergency was over..
Magi, yes I will be happy to collapse into my chair and rest a bit, but you're bloody lucky I'm a law abiding citizen otherwise I'd kidnap my new friend and keep her forever. This has been an amazing fun-filled exciting week for me and I'll be forever grateful that Bob included me in her Orstralian adventure.
What a damned good idea, Bernadette!
Having just recovered from my back op, I'm also into this walking thing but at the moment I'm more Carolyn than Bob....but give me time.
You didn't see about 20 very handsome hunks anywhere, did you? They would be the South African Rugby Springboks...very recently in Oz.
Good walking and hopefully many beautiful rests in between.
Thank you for asking. My back is making a great recovery and I'm already nearly back to normal.
The epic clash of the Titans takes place in Hamilton about 18 hours from now. Doooooooon'y miss it. If you give up everything and run off with our Morne Steyn won't blame you. *smile*
I wonder if Banana's and vegemite go together. Maybe with a few cranberries.
Look forward to following the adventure of Bob in Oz
Thanks so much for sharing with my group.
The picture of you walking up the trail is a perfect image of the Bob we now know... the World Traveling Adventurer-Photographer. Wow, how did you manage your own spotlight in the mountain trail? :-)
If everybody on Gather put their hearts to it and wished their hardest, we might magically make Carolyn's dream come true and her next lottery ticket would win so she can buy that dream house where we would all be invited to stay, yes?
Thanks for the vicarious journey. I liked the rope swinging photos.
Flu ya say, ah, your a goner
Batten the hatches, thar's a squal a brewing, and you'll be up in the riggin for sure.
Joking aside; Take pics of her bounding around West Oz, for all of us. We'll be waiting for your photo/lit efforts of your struggles keeping up with that whirlwind. I think it would be wonderful if you hugged her for us all. Peace be with you, my brother.
Not elizabeth e. but rather her gardener/cook staying home nursing his brain.
Papa
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
I go along for the hike, hope for the best and try to avoid the worst - I always enjoy every minute, it's just that, well, I have trouble keeping up...
Wonderful nature hike - loved the "Johnny Weissmueller" performed by the young bloke.