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| Karijini |
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| Click on image to enlarge Collage Click here for Album with 33 images |
Rest
stop just before Tom Price
After
the disappointed of Cape Range we decided to go a completely
different way and headed towards an inland National Park.
We
couldn't make it in one day so we made one of our famous over night
stops. This time we had to go down a rather steep rocky embankment.
Which never seems quite as steep until you are in the middle of it.
Tomorrow morning's drive out should be interesting!
We
never rearrange too much in the van when we are only stopping for an
over nighter so it was quickly done. The kids spent some time
fossicking through the many rocks that surrounded us which always
keeps them amused for a while :o)
While
Rasmus and I sat and pondered life's problems, as we are want to do
from time to time!
I
made an interesting observation during my routine middle of the night
wee. Actually, it was Rasmus who put me on to it. When you shine
your torch on the ground to watch where you are walking sometimes
you have some shininess radiating back at you. If you look a little
closer it is often the eyes of spider you have found!
Makes
for fascinating chitchat if you ask me!
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| Going up a rather steep rocky slope |
We
decided that to make it as light as possible me and the kids would
stand out and walk up the incline while Rasmus and Alfie made the
trip up together.
We
held our breath and crossed our fingers and....it worked! Out safe
and sound :o)
Climbing
back into the car we headed to Tom Price to do some shopping before
we got into the farawayness of the National Park.
I
went into the supermarket while Rasmus took the kids into the library
which was situated just over the road. For a tiny little logging
town I was expecting some pretty hefty prices but it was all good and
I could stock up to my little hearts content. I love it when I can
do that!
13th-16th
June
Karijini
National Park
The
Cape Range failure meant that we had some extra time up our sleeves
so we decided to check out Karijini National Park. I had never heard
of it of course, but that went for most of the towns we had already
visited.
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| Mount Nameless being demolished in the coming decades |
There
was also a lot of mining up this way too. The mountains were heavy
with red iron ore and we could see where the machines were taking
slices away until the mountain was completely gone. It was a bit sad
really. We told the kids to take a good look around as the mountains
might not be here the next time they come through.
Karijini
itself was lovely. On entering the park we went to the most
organized Caretakers we had seen up til now. They had their tent set
up where people came to them to get their camp spot allocated and
walky talkies to communicate with staff. It all made them look very
important.
They
gave the kids a Karijini Newspaper which was full of activities which
they could complete and then become junior rangers, very fancy...and
educational.
The
camp spot we had been given was a nice big one with access to other
campers which I like, being the social animal that I am.
Actually,
the moment we pulled up Molly spotted the family with kids! Show
time! Out she jumped and off she went.
The
whole camp ground was covered in the red soil that the miners coveted
so much but which mother's find quite irritating when washing clothes
and bodies!. It was a fun experiment however, when we put a magnet
in the soil and pulled it up covered in the iron filled earth. The
kids were fascinated...me too actually :o)
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| Looking at gorges began |
Arriving
at the car park we filled our packs with the necessary equipment;
water bottles, bathers, towels and food.
Naturally,
the trek down into the gorge was steep. Steeper than I had
anticipated. However, it wasn't the walk in that had me worried...we
still had to get out of here!!
By
the time we reached the top of the waterfall, which was at the bottom
of the gorge, my legs were shaking. While I sat down to regain my
poseur my children scrabbled up and down the tiered walls of the
waterfall, making me feel even more old and unfit...thanks a lot
kids!
After
I have finally get my energy back we make our down even further into
the gorge via the steps of the water fall. That was the easy part.
Now for a 3km hike following the path the raging river takes during
the wet season. It really is quite lovely despite the heat, sore
feet from the new boots I am wearing and the heat. Did I mention it
was hot? We were all looking forward to seeing the water pool at the
end of our trek.
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| In a gorge pool |
Later,
Ben discovers that there are leeches in the pool so Rasmus high tails
it out but I, the stoic one, brave it out. Geez, where is there
sense of adventure?
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| Layers of Blue Asbestos in the cliffs |
Goodness
me it was bloody hard work! But again, in an endeavor to make me
look as unfit as possible, my husband not only bounds ahead of me to
get up and out, but he runs back to the beginning where
we left the car and drives it back to pick us up!! Well, perhaps he
was actually being really sweet, but I felt really, really unfit
looking at him :o)
Over
the next few days I can hardly walk and I need a hit of pain
relieving drug after going down the 2 stairs from the van door. But
the rest of the family solider on. Back to the gorge for more
swimming at a warmer water hole they found, walks to the lookouts,
riding endlessly on their bikes and self guided nature tours. I
really am tired and sore just from looking at them :o)
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| Ranger and Kids (Kasper with eye covered) |
Come
day break he still had blurry vision so we knew what was on our
agenda for today.On our way out of the NP we took the kids activity
newspapers to the HQ where they received their Junior Rangers badge.
Kasper also got some TLC from the ranger for his eye and off we went
in search of the Port Hedland hospital.
Bye
Karijini National Park, we really enjoyed you.
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