Two Americans Down Under

Over the week of 22-28 August, Jama and I headed into the Australian Outback on a road trip to celebrate my 30th birthday. The Red Centre is located in the middle of Australia (as you might have guessed by the name) in the Northern Territory.

On arrival our taxi driver told us that NT stands for "Not today, not tomorrow, not Tuesday and not Thursday". In other words, the NT is quite chill. The first thing we noticed was the difference in the weather-- quite warm and very, very, very dry.

Since we had such a good time in Tassie with the campervan we gave it another go for this trip!

*Giving our wheels a final inspection.

The first night we stayed in Alice Springs, fueled up at Bo's and stocked up at the grocery store.

*Having dinner at the local landmark Bo's (we felt like we were at the 36!).

After camping just outside of town we were off to explore. Destination 1: Uluru, or Ayer's Rock. It may be Australia's most recognisable natural feature and is 348 m (1,142 ft) high and 9.4 km (5.8 mi) around the base.

*Our Capitan!

Most visitors may not know beforehand, but Uluru is 440 km (280 mi) outside of Alice Springs. Though long, most of the drive was uneventful. The scenery was pretty much what you would expect-- flat and dusty. It was about 35 C by midday, 2x the temperature in Melbourne.

After a half-day of driving we arrived at the Uluru - Kata Tjutu National Park. We stopped in at the local campground, secured a spot for the night and headed off to see the sunset on the rock.

*Sunset on the Rock.

*Postcard shot!

*One last look before the sun sinks.

Back at the camp Jama spotted a dingo lurking in the shadows. They are very good at stealing food and managed to steal a neighbors dinner!

After sleeping with one eye open, we enjoyed a lazy morning brekkie and headed into the park for a closer look at the rock. We arrived just in time for a presentation by a local Aboriginal on the history and culture of the site. Uluru is revered as a sacred site by Aboriginals and many areas are off limits to visitors and photography.

*Having our morning coffee.

*Our trip around Uluru - all 11kms!

For my birthday we had a special dinner outside the park. We got there just in time to have a glass of bubbly at sunset. What a view it was! We had a gourmet dinner of crocodile, kangaroo, and baramundi (fish) - all local delicacies. After dinner an astronomer gave us a tour of the night sky and let us view the moon and Jupiter through a couple of telescopes. Overall, it was amazing, and we finally know where to find the Southern Cross! What a day to turn 30.

*Enjoying a champagne sunset.

The next day we woke early and headed to the lesser known Kata Tjuta. Our feet were beat after the 11km trek around the rock the day before so we decided to limit Kata Tjuta to a short stroll through the valley.

*Jama in front of Kata Tjuta.

En route to our next destination, Kings Canyon, we stopped for a night at an old outback ranch/camel farm - King's Creek Station.

*Sunset at Kings Creek Station.

*Day breaks

*Jama making the perfect pancake - outback style!

After breakfast we were off to Kings Canyon.

Kings Canyon, part of the Watarrka National Park, is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs. The walls of the canyon are over 300 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. The outback version of a creek is quite different than a creek in Georgia- mainly there's no water.

Anyway, back to Kings Canyon. We arrived at the park at mid-day and went for a walk around the rim.

*We always opt for the long one!

*Up we go!

*After the initial ascent of the rim trail.

*I think this way would be faster.

*Pretty good views from here, mate!

*Jama chillaxin.

*Time for lunch.

*Water!

* Boss of the Plains

That night at the camp we had a few more visitors...

*Dingo!!!

After Kings Canyon we embarked on the last leg of our trip. It was time to put the 4 wheel drive to work. We definitely took the road less traveled. The road travels through Aboriginal lands and so we were fortunate enough to see a local speed limit sign. It simply stated, "Lift um foot" when we needed to slow and "Put um back down" when we could speed back up.

*Meerenie Loop- permit required.

*Remains of the last person who got lost out here without water!

*Your fearless Captain.

Palm Valley, located in Finke Gorge National Park, is the only place in Central Australia where Red Cabbage Palms survive. The next closest palm trees are 850 kilometres away in Queensland! A walk through the valley gave us a glimpse into central Australia’s tropical past. Apparently central Australia was a jungle approximately 350 million years ago. Palm trees in the desert are certainly unique!

*4wd required.

Shortly after arrival we were off to explore the valley.

*This way to Palm Valley.

*Along the way I picked up a few friends (black dots). Can you guess what they are?

*Can you spot the Palm Trees?

*And you thought we were lying! Find John.

*Still swatting flies.

Cheers!

Well, as most of you probably know, I returned to the good ol' US of A just in time for the 4th of July. Although I was only home for two weeks we decided to make the most of it. Here are a few of the highlights!

The first weekend back was packed full of watersports and sunshine as my wonderful Grandmother (a.k.a. "Memaw") decided to rent a house on Lake Burton in order to bring the Family together for the 4th.

*The matriarch

*There was a wooden alligator.

*Cold beverages!

*Lots of ladies!

*A fearless Captain.

*Questionable sleeping arrangements.

*Extreme water sporting.

*Plenty of night time festivities!

*Westside???

*More questionable sleeping arangements!

*A little guitar.

*Jan Pearce kicking some serious ass!

and last but not least...

*A pretty amazing family!

Believe it or not that was just the first weekend!!!!

The next weekend some of us decided to keep up the water sports by heading down Section IV of the Chattooga River.