Once Grace and I figured out that it was going to be too much work to hire a car and drive across the Nullarbor. We decided 10 days of driving around south western Australia would be a great adventure.
We hired a car and set off on the wrong side of the road, first stop Wave Rock. A 15 meter high granite cliff that is shaped like a wave. It was interesting all of the rock formations around there were neat Grace and I felt we were back in Moab only we did not have our bikes with us. Oh well another day missing our bikes, we will have to make due with a couple of pairs of running shoes instead.
While we were here we checked out everything else Wave Rock and Hyden (the closest town) had to offer. This included Mulka’s Cave; a cave with aboriginal hand prints on the rock. We also did the tourist thing in Hyden and took some pictures of their metal art structures.
Esperance and Lucky Bay – ‘where kangaroos suntan on the beach’
Phil found Lucky Bay in a tourist mag and it said it had the whitest and best beaches in Australia so we had to go there. What’s another 50km east to the National Park after driving 500km. Lucky Bay was amazing and it was the first time we saw kangaroos in the campsite and how slow they can move.
About 7am the next day we headed to the beach; after a 30 min walk along the beach we find a nice quite bay. The waves were awesome and the water was nice we jumped waves for about 2 hours.
That afternoon it started to rain and it rained a lot. We met a lot of nice people from all over Australia here and even had dinner with some of them.
Walpole – Tree Top Walk
The tree top walk is a metal structure that takes you up around 60M high in the trees pretty cool walk to do once. Then on to the ancient forest which is a walk through tingle forest which had all been burnt so the base of the trees were all burnt out which created a space that we could stand under.
Margaret River – Wine and Cheese Country
After the last few days hanging out in the rain we decided to stay at Edge of the Forest motel in Margaret River. The guy here was super friendly and told us all the best places to go. We stayed in the motel for 2 nights and then camped for one night as we had such a great time here.
We checked out some wineries, Mammoth Cave and of course the beaches. We also found a great trail to run called Pine top trail, which reminded us of home with all the pine trees.
Mammoth cave is an impressive, gothic-like cave that could easily be described as the perfect home for a caveman. It was 500m long and 30m deep. Walking through the cave was quite amazing.
Favourite wine in Margaret River was Madfish and Redgate (reds). Favourite cheese was sweet chilli cheddar.
Busselton – Snorkelling
The little town of Busselton was super nice and had some great beaches so we rented some snorkel gear and went out to Meelup beach. This was great Phil saw a salmon and we saw lots of other fish and sea life here.
On to Bunbury not far away we found a mountain bike trail system so we went for a 12km trail run on the mountain bike trails. The trails were awesome although with all the tight corners and round pebbles I’m sure we would have crashed on our bikes here.
Back to Perth after 10 days and 2500kms it was quite the tour. We never did find the Interstate back to Perth but we did swim in a pool called the mighty Indian Ocean.
This day started with an early start to the bus stop to catch the bus to Dunsborough for 8:30am and we arrived at 2pm. We found a deli with some great sandwiches – avocado, turkey and cranberry mmmmmmm. The info center was open which was amazing you would think Sunday it wouldn’t be a problem but what we soon noticed something about western Australia – nothing is open late. Open hours are 8-5 and closed on Sundays really where are we?
We are still 14km from where the trailhead it starts at Cape Natraliste so the nice lady at the info center called a cab for us. The last and pretty much the only thing the cab driver said was ‘ oh your hiking watch for snakes’ yeah thanks tips. Ate our sandwiches at the trailhead, took some pics of the lighthouse, signed in on track logbook. Today was going to be a short day but we had to move fast as we had to be to our campground by 6pm, as it gets dark early. The first part of the trail was paved and already we were seeing bobtails. Lizard creatures.
Today the trail was very coastal and the beaches were awesome but we didn’t see any other hikers just lots of surfers. 3 hours later we reached Yallingup the town we would stay in for the night. It took us 3 hours and we covered 14km so pretty easy today but a late start.
Our campsite was very exposed to the wind off the ocean so we froze that night. We thought we were smart and would pack nice and light so we brought this sleep sheet that was supposed to increase warmth in a sleeping bag an extra 8 degrees but alone not so warm.
Day 2 – Yallingup to Gracetown – 32 km
We planned an early start, which is really easy here as the sun is up at 5am and it’s already warm out. I think it was warmer outside of the tent. The campgrounds here are amazing they have camp kitchens with everything – toasters, microwave, kettles, stoves, BBQ’s fridges and sinks. They don’t have small animals and the birds don’t beg for food or raid your food if you put it down and walk away; odd concept.
The first part of the day was great with coastal views and easy walking. A bobtail almost attacked Phil, as he was about to give me the camera. I said ‘oh come this way’ so stepped backwards ‘no this way’ so he looked down the bobtail was between his legs with his mouth wide open and it was hissing. Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture; to busy laughing. I don’t think I’ve heard Phil scream like a girl before.
Today was hard it was a long hot day the trail varied from doublewide track where we saw 2 snakes. The first one ran towards me but I didn’t see it until it headed into the brush so I only saw the back half. I jumped to the other side of the trail and grabbed Phil and yelled. The second snake also on a double wide trail Phil ran down the trail on the right and I was running on the left; I decided to stop running at the crest of a hill and Phil ran to the bottom. I looked down trail and I saw a big black thing so I yelled to Phil. ‘Ah Phil what is that on the trail? A snake…what you just ran right past it and it didn’t even move. I cautiously walked down the trail not to disturb the snake and Phil got closer for some pictures it was either sleeping or dead. We had no idea if it was poisonous or not at the time.
Now paranoid of snakes our eyes were peeled to the trail to make sure not to miss the next snake, as we didn’t want to step on a snake. The next 10km of the trail was really over grown and in the middle of nowhere. Phil led this section as I was too freaked out and everything looked like a snake now. Every piece of wood, stick, rock, or leaf.
I looked up at the hills for a break andsomething caught my eye in the distance; why was there a table on top of the hill and then it sat up holy sh*t is that a kangaroo it looks like a creature from Jurassic Park; my god it was HUGE! Phil looked thru the camera zoom lens to see there were lots of kangaroos up on the hill.
Around 5pm we are now wondering where is Gracetown we should be there already, corner after corner after corner and then there it was hidden in a bay just off the ocean. Approaching the car park we could see the town about 600m to the right but no campground. We asked this guy sitting in his truck watching the surf drinking a road pop where the campground was he pointed up the road and said 3km that way. We must have looked just exhausted he offered to give us a ride as the store in town was already closed; yet again closed at 5pm. Jumped in his truck and headed to the campground he was a super nice guy with his arms covered with tattoos and 3 surf boards in the back he looked like a regular surfer down here. Chatting along the way he was much surprised that we had come all the way from Yallingup today. His name was Smarty and he offered to give us a ride into town to buy for food if the campground didn’t have enough for us so he waited while we checked it out. There was food to consume so we said good-bye to our buddy Smarty; drinking his road pops.
Very bonked we drank a Coke so we could think again -set up camp made food and went to bed; another great cooking area at this campground.
Day 3 – Gracetown to Prevally – 21km
Deciding on a shorter day today so we could stay in a campground with showers instead of in the middle of nowhere with the snakes but that meant a 40km day the next day.
Camping was a lot warmer in Gracetown so we didn’t freeze but still pretty cold. Our new thermasrest the Neo Air were really warm the part of the body on the mat was warm and the rest was cold.
The guy running the campground gave us a ride into town at 8:30am. There wasn’t much in this general store to buy but we needed to replenish some snacks for the day. Sitting outside the store eating breakfast our buddy Smarty pulled up to buy another 6-pack.
A later start today but we only had 20km so not a big deal. The surf was amazing this morning and the surfers were loving it. First Goanna sighting today big lizard creature – I had a universal symbol for crazy creature on the trail it was stop suddenly with arms straight up like a stick up. We didn’t see any hikers today just one guy from Vancouver as we approached the Margaret River mouth and soon to be in Prevally. This guy was camped up the beach but he ran out of money so he was hiding out until he had money transferred to him.
Reaching Prevally was a relief as it was only 3pm so this would leave us lots of time to recover and get ready for tomorrow. Tonight we decided to rent a cabin instead of shivering in our tent – what a great idea. The food at the general store was really expensive here but we needed to replenish our food stocks as we had run low. Night came at 7pm.
We could finally relax tonight inside nice and warm as soon as we closed our eyes everything came alive. Every stick was a snake or moving creature of sorts.
Day 4 – Prevally to Hamelin Bay – 42km
Up early and already packed left at 6:30am up the trail to find out there was a detour so we had to walk all the way back to the campground and around to the other side of town and onto the beach. There were fires on the trail so we couldn’t go that way too bad we didn’t know this earlier.
The beach was awesome surfers were out the sand was hard so it made for great walking and we didn’t have to look for snakes on the beach which was nice.
Approaching a big cave in the side of the hill there was a group of 14 hikers taking a break. We chatted with them for a few minutes, took some pictures. They were doing day hikes and someone would meet them everyday to take them to a campground. The trail now was heading away from the Ocean and up into the hills. There was always rustling in the bushes but you didn’t know if it was a little lizard or a snake until you saw it. Something caught my eye as I look to the side of the trail it’s a snake making it’s way through the brush beside us another big one. ‘Phil come this way quickly’ as we jumped forward it made it’s away in the opposite direction.
Reaching the next campground that seemed closed had running water in the washrooms so we filled up with water. It was a really hot day and we still had 20km to go. On our way out of the next campground we met up with a big group of kids and adults. It was the same group we saw in Prevally just after the Margaret River mouth. They had just hiked in from the road it was about 11am they were shocked to see we were there already.
Following our map it was all 4wd roads with real names, which seemed weird but it travelled thru the Karri National Park. (Karri is a tree) It was stinking hot and the trail seemed to go forever we knew we would soon hit the beach and when that happened we would only have 6km left. It was double track and up and down hills so we started running we knew we would run out of water soon so we had to make some fast time, Just before we reached the beach we both ran out of water so we had one 600ml bottle of Powerade to share for the next 6km. The beach was most amazing the surf was gentle we just wanted to go for a swim to cool off but instead we kept trekking, The destination was in sight around this bay to the end of the beach we could see if forever and it seemed like forever. 2 hours later we reached a car park and asked this couple that were French that spoke broken English where the campground was he explained up the hill down the road across the path to the end but it closes at 4pm and it’s 3:50pm. What are you kidding me what campground closes at 4pm?
So just like the amazing race style we start running down the road across the trail; thru the campground and reached the office at 3:55pm. There were a few weird looks from the other campers but we made it just in time loaded up on some more food and the nice lady at the campground decided she could open her till for us so we could buy it.
Another great campsite and lots of friendly people; we were known as the walkers. Visited with a family from Switzerland that night, Phil made friends with some fisherman who told him the snakes we saw were dugite snakes poisonous of course someone earlier had said they were pythons.
Day 5 – Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin – 26km
Up at 5am and survived the craziest thunder lightning storm ever; the flashing in the tent woke me up at 2am it went on for hours without any rain. At about 4am it finally started to rain and the lightning continued and so did the thunder. Around 5am the ground rumbled it was horribly loud and that’s when Phil said that’s enough lets get out of here and head to the laundry room. Sorting our stuff in the laundry room; the rain let up so we ended up leaving at 7:30am. It was a super hot night; we didn’t freeze we were almost too hot.
Finally the last day and not much food left; being so rushed yesterday in the store we didn’t buy very much well there wasn’t really that much to buy anyways. Chicken Curry Pasta with Pepperoni Sausage was breakfast. This was a mistake.
The air was muggy from the storm; which makes the flies really bad apparently. Being from Canada we have never experienced this before, flies crawling on you all the time this drove us nuts. In your ears, eyes, on your sunglasses, crawling on your neck…they rested on the packs.
The last day had one of the more amazing coast lines with lots of rock caves from the waves, there were crabs running from us and the birds were fishing. A long beach walk ahead we knew it was going to be hard as the sand was soft so we found ourselves following in someone else’s tracks the whole 10km. The lighthouse was in sight very early on in the day but it was still a long way off.
Finally reaching the end of the trail signed out in the logbook and then walked to the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin – where the waters meet – Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Someone else was standing there with a pack and he was from Germany and we had been following his footprints as he just finished the walk as well. The closest town to the end of the trail was Augusta and all the cabs were busy and we didn’t want to walk anymore so we hung out in the parking lot until we found the right person to ask for a ride. The first guy out of the lighthouse we started talking to and before you knew it we had a ride into town he also gave us a tour of Augusta.
Stayed in the Youth Hostel that night lucky for us they had only one room left; Phil made a great dinner and finally ate some fresh fruit and vegetables again.
Our flights and travel although very long went extremely well. From start to finish it was 33 hours of traveling. We arrived at our hotel room at 2:00pm local time. Since we did not want to be knocked out by Jet lag for too many days we went straight out to check out Perth. It was stinking hot here, 29 degrees, compared to calgary’s -5 to 10 we had been used to. We worked super hard at not going to sleep and we finally gave in at 8:00pm.
We woke up wide awake at 5:00am so we went for a run along the Swan River, absolutely beautiful and hot 19 degrees at 5:00am. We saw some parrots in the palm trees and a pelican filling his beak in the river. We spent the rest of the day working on learning the public transit and figuring out how to get to all of the hikes we want to do.
We went to one of Perth’s many beaches to check it out and kill some time before we could hook up with our friends Kat and Jenni who we are staying with.
Friday morning we headed over to Rotto. We did not want to hire a bike as they looked pretty junky and the brakes are opposite hands to ours. We decided running would be our best course of attack for this day. We were amazed by the beauty of the long white sandy beaches and the tropical blue waters. We spent the first little while just walking along the beach enjoying the heat and the surf.
We then decided it was time to start seeing this island Phil and Grace style, on foot and fast. We started running the beaches where ever we had the chance and went to the paths and road only at a last resort. We saw quite a few Skinks and little lizards running away from us as we approached but no snakes. It is a difficult thing for us to remember not to run through the low lying bush but as soon as you hear something in the bushes it is a very good reminder to stay on the well defined trail. We decided we wanted to check out the old gun towers on the top of the island to we turned inland about half way along the island. We were happy we did since when we were leaving there and running back we almost ran over a Quokka.
We got back to the main harbour and went and played in the water for an hour or so before our ferry left to take us back to Perth. Rotto was absolutely beautiful if anybody is coming to perth I would highly recommend going over to this place. Awesome place for a run, bike, or just chillin on the beach.
Our next stop is the 135 km Cape to Cape Trail south of Perth in the Margaret River region. We are hoping to get it done in 3-4 days but we will see how tough and beautiful it is maybe we will stay longer.
Well the time has come. Grace and I are heading off on another epic adventure. Our epic adventures seem to always begin in the same way. Pack our house become homeless and unemployed and leave for 3 months of Summer.
This adventure will take us to some of the most rugged and desolate parts of South Australia and then all across New Zealand’s North and South Islands. We will be keeping everybody informed on our journey via this blog site and many social media sites.
Our plans include a 350kms of trails in South West Australia, driving across the Australian Outback, Swimming with dolphins, Caving expeditions to see glowworms, and 400+ km’s of New Zealands finest trails.
Follow along at any of these sites as our Journey begins November 2nd.
Out There Adventure Centre in calgary is offering a special private sale. All you have to do is present this coupon to the sales associate at time of purchase and you will get a discount on all of your new winter gear!!!!!
Click on the image to open a printer friendly version.
A perfect day for a run in the mountains, Grace and I got up early and got out for an early start on Ribbon Creek Trail before all of the walkers got going. We ran the 8.4km trail into the falls campground, where we stopped for a quick bite to eat and some pictures of the falls. The weather was starting to turn for the worse so we decided to turn around and run out instead of continuing onto the Lake. On our way back out we stopped at all of the beautiful areas on the trail where you could get good shots of the river and the falls. In all we couldn’t have asked for a better day for running and taking pictures in the mountains. Check out the photo album to see all of the pics from the run. Click here to see all of the picture or click on either of these image.
This SLR chest pack is an awesome idea for anybody active who likes to capture there experiences. The pack works great for hiking and light running. I found that the pack was too loose for running and biking, I don’t think it will be too difficult to retrofit the pack so that I can run and bike with it. The pack has enough room to store everything you need for a day of activity and shooting. Having the pack on your chest allows you to easily capture all of the action without having to miss a beat, perfect for anybody who is moving quick but still want to get shoots of the cool stuff on the trails. The harness system is comfortable and easily worn underneath any other backpack without causing any discomfort or shaffing. Hopefully with the next version of this pack Clik Elite will either make different harness sizes or make it so the harness that they currently has can be adjusted to a smaller size.
The Koa 35 is an excellent day pack and a good lightweight backing pack for the ultralight camper. The structure in the backpanel, shoulder straps, and padded hipbelts allows this pack to be comfortable for long days even with a heavy load. The Koa has nice clean lines yet still plenty of stow pockets and areas to keep all of your gear stashed. The easily accessable and large hipbelt pockets are perfect for keeping a point and click camera or snacks to keep you going during your long days on the trail.
Grace and I decided it was time to get out and do some hiking and camping. After months of only biking we needed out and we wanted it to be remote. We didn’t have a lot of time so we decided camping on top of Jumping Pound Summit would cover everything we needed. 2.5 km hike, you get to camp above treeline, and almost guaranteed not to have any company.
Here is a stop motion video of us setting up our tent.
We quickly realized that night why we should not camp on the very top of a baren rocky mountain. The thunder and lightening storm was amazing. Lying in the tent it was not amazing it instead induced panic. We had no other option other than to lie there and count how many seconds between the flash and the bang. As it got closer I felt my panic level increase. At some point it must have stopped because I woke up early in the morning to one of the most amazing windstorms I have ever been in.
The wind made it very cold on the top of the mountain however we were toasty warm since we had taken our Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jackets to keep us warm. We ate our breakfast and packed all of our gear and got ourselves out of there.
Intermontane Challenge – 5 day mtn bike race – Kamloops, BC
What at great adventure to ride 5 days in the beautiful trails of Kamloops BC. We knew it would be an adventure before we started we expected it to be hot but maybe not that hot. Phil and I didn’t get a lot of time training in the heat as it was a cold start to the summer in Calgary.
Day one started out with nerves going crazy as the start of any race for us but we know we had a slow police escort and intro parade through downtown Kamloops. Quickly we found ourselves climbing up the hills to the North shore of Kamloops where you are very exposed to the sun. With the sun beating down at 9am we knew it was going to be a hot day. We started popping salt pills before we left the start but soon found out that was not going to be enough. The long climb on a double track took us to the first aid station we were making good time a quick stop for more water and Fubar and then off we went finding ourselves on an awesome single track trail that looped us back to the first aid station where we refueled again. Next part was a long uphill ride it seemed like it took forever as the heat beat down on us soon to turn off onto a treed trail which took us across to some great single track by this time we had run out of water wishing we were at aid station 3 so we could refuel. 1 hour later thank god there it was Phil had the water guy spray him down and we drank a ton of liquid and loaded our packs with extra water and Fubar. The next part of the trail was some more great single track and then exiting the north shore on the trail started on. Reaching the last checkpoint about 3km before the end we found ourselves de-hydrated beyond repair the great people at the checkpoint gave us ice, water and grape juice without that I think we would have passed out. We found ourselves walking our bikes for next km bonked beyond repair and not sure if we were going to make it or not. Finally we reached the top of the hill and we got back on our bikes and coasted another piece of great single track it’s too bad we couldn’t have enjoyed it we just survived it. At last the paved road and only a few minutes left to the finish for the day Grace pounded out the road after the last 4 hours of having leg cramps what did I have to lose. Crossing the finish line and falling to the ground we were so glad to be out of the sun for once today. Graciously they had a big cold tub we could crawl into to cool ourselves down. A hard day but we dug deep to get it finished.
The evening of day one was horrible we couldn’t eat we couldn’t drink we felt ill so what were we going to do for day 2. Neither of us wanted to take the day off….
Day 2 we still felt pretty ill we got up and ate some food but nothing was very appealing and we still weren’t sure if we wanted to ride or not. I tried to convince Phil that we could ride but Phil the smart one was thinking that was a bad idea so we went back up to our room and we felt really sick in the elevator and then I thought of how much refueling we did from yesterday and that was almost nothing so that was it we would take the day off and eat and drink as much salt as possible so we could ride days 3-5. Day 2 was going back over to the North Shore and was supposed to have less shade then Day 1 notr sure how that would be possible. We spent the day touring around Kamloops and found ourselves buying a lot of electrolytes from the running store. Finally about 5pm we were feeling much better and ready to ride day 3.
Day 3 was hoped to be 80km but with some course logistics and some local claiming a trail on crown land it was quickly changed with a later start time. This day we headed south of Kamloops where we were told there would be more trees yeah!! A quick climb out of Kamloops lead us to a maze of trails near Ink Lakes. The only way to get to some great downhill single track is to climb so that is what we found ourselves doing on a gravel road we climbed for 9km it was very hot and when the lady showed up with a cold water sponge that was the best part of the climb. At the top was the second water station where we fueled up with extra water and Fubar and headed down some wicked single track it was awesome what a wicked ride. We got to a section where you had to use your mantracker skills but after a minute we had it figured out and off we went down some more great single track chasing down our friends from Vancouver another mixed team. We caught them at water station 3 where we started out riding together and then we hit a gravel road and we hammered and they didn’t although they beat us on the technical riding – road was not there strong area. After much hard work on day 3 trying to re-route the course a lot of people still got lost so the day wasn’t counted for times. What a great day!!
Day 4 this was the biggest day of the race posted at 80km turned into about 100km depending on your km tracking device. Whatever the distance was it was a great ride we went to this race to ride our bike so if it’s 80 or 100km it’s still going to be a blast. We left on the same route as day 3 all the way to the first water station then we turned left off the trail and headed out a long way along gravel roads and some double track finally coming out at Stake lakes for a loop around the lake where the trail turned a little more technical then what we could ride our mixed team friends were close behind us but I think they were riding a lot more of this trail then we did it was even sketchy to walk over the big rocky area. At last onto some easy double track where we cruised to the next water station where we enjoyed the company of the volunteers ate some food and headed on our way. The next part of the trail was some crazy singletrack some it rideable for us some of it not so much but a great trail none the less. The Suzuki trail a trail to be remembered we got some great video here and the sun was still shining and it was still very hot but after enjoying the trail we ended up at water station 4 just the last section to do the same as we did on day 3 so it was hammer time on the road again back to Kamloops. The last bit of riding for the day was a ride through Kenna Cartwright Park what a great time some crazy fast winding switchback single track cruising down to the TRU to the finish line. Wow that was a rush of a day.
Day 5 The time trial the day we have all been waiting for a 30km ride through Kenna Cartwright Park and of course we started with a long climb but it all paid off with some switchback single track. I tried to ride something I probably shouldn’t have but it’s race day and I didn’t want to get off of my bike. Down the hill I rode and sure enough I go off the trail into a stump as I jump through the air all I can think of is I hope my other foot clips out and sure enough my foot comes through and I land on my feet and run down the hill what a rush and I’m okay. Surprised but not as lucky for my bike a bent my rear derailleur hanger so later in ride I jammed my chain and then my derailleur wasn’t working so well which was kind of disappointing. I made due with the limited gears and still had a great ride and finished the day in about 3 hours.
After 4 out of 5 days of riding we had a great time and the race was awesome the trails were in great condition and the heat was a little too extreme for us be we will definitely go back to this race as the set up of staying at TRU was great. It was nice to stay in air conditioned rooms after a day of riding in the heat. We didn’t go for the food supplied by the race but we heard it was great everyday we did our own food thing of course. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who wants to try a 5 day stage race with the convenience of staying in town or the veteran stage racer to give it a try and maybe bring the whole family for a week of awesome weather.
We hired a car and set off on the wrong side of the road, first stop Wave Rock. A 15 meter high granite cliff that is shaped like a wave. It was interesting all of the rock formations around there were neat Grace and I felt we were back in Moab only we did not have our bikes with us. Oh well another day missing our bikes, we will have to make due with a couple of pairs of running shoes instead.
While we were here we checked out everything else Wave Rock and Hyden (the closest town) had to offer. This included Mulka’s Cave; a cave with aboriginal hand prints on the rock. We also did the tourist thing in Hyden and took some pictures of their metal art structures.
Phil found Lucky Bay in a tourist mag and it said it had the whitest and best beaches in Australia so we had to go there. What’s another 50km east to the National Park after driving 500km. Lucky Bay was amazing and it was the first time we saw kangaroos in the campsite and how slow they can move.
About 7am the next day we headed to the beach; after a 30 min walk along the beach we find a nice quite bay. The waves were awesome and the water was nice we jumped waves for about 2 hours.
The tree top walk is a metal structure that takes you up around 60M high in the trees pretty cool walk to do once. Then on to the ancient forest which is a walk through tingle forest which had all been burnt so the base of the trees were all burnt out which created a space that we could stand under.
After the last few days hanging out in the rain we decided to stay at Edge of the Forest motel in Margaret River. The guy here was super friendly and told us all the best places to go. We stayed in the motel for 2 nights and then camped for one night as we had such a great time here.
We checked out some wineries, Mammoth Cave and of course the beaches. We also found a great trail to run called Pine top trail, which reminded us of home with all the pine trees.
The little town of Busselton was super nice and had some great beaches so we rented some snorkel gear and went out to Meelup beach. This was great Phil saw a salmon and we saw lots of other fish and sea life here.
the crest of a hill and Phil ran to the bottom. I looked down trail and I saw a big black thing so I yelled to Phil. ‘Ah Phil what is that on the trail? A snake…what you just ran right past it and it didn’t even move. I cautiously walked down the trail not to disturb the snake and Phil got closer for some pictures it was either sleeping or dead. We had no idea if it was poisonous or not at the time.
Around 5pm we are now wondering where is Gracetown we should be there already, corner after corner after corner and then there it was hidden in a bay just off the ocean. Approaching the car park we could see the town about 600m to the right but no campground. We asked this guy sitting in his truck watching the surf drinking a road pop where the campground was he pointed up the road and said 3km that way. We must have looked just exhausted he offered to give us a ride as the store in town was already closed; yet again closed at 5pm. Jumped in his truck and headed to the campground he was a super nice guy with his arms covered with tattoos and 3 surf boards in the back he looked like a regular surfer down here. Chatting along the way he was much surprised that we had come all the way from Yallingup today. His name was Smarty and he offered to give us a ride into town to buy for food if the campground didn’t have enough for us so he waited while we checked it out. There was food to consume so we said good-bye to our buddy Smarty; drinking his road pops.
