Easter Part IV

OK, this seems like the trip that would never end, but we packed so much into this weekend that there are heaps of pictures.  These are from our last day and our trip to Trephina Gorge.  We saw peacocks, a wild Camel and gorgeous gorges.

Jamie still talks about Mommy yelling into the walkie-talkie, "Camel on the right!!! Camel on the right!!!" Not sure I ever imagined saying those words.

Beautiful Trephina Gorge.

Keep that hat on, Little Boy!

Entertainment Alice Springs Style

So, I'm trying to get caught up on what's been happening in the last couple months.  Apologies for the random out of order nature of these posts!

Back in March (I know, I know), Ian had the distinct pleasure of accompanying two little boys to the hottest show in town, The Wiggles.

 Doesn't Ian look thrilled?  He said (after the fact) that it wasn't as bad as it could've been.  Of course, I was there to help corral the boys while waiting for the doors to open.

Two very happy little boys dancing and singing along.

Then, in May (stay with me), Ian and I attended the premier racing event in Alice Springs: Gold Cup.  I even had a custom-made fascinator.  Maybe next year, I'll go for a full-blown hat.

Kevin and I reading the racing forms and choosing our bets.  We did great in the beginning and not so well toward then.  However, we did end the day ahead.  So, we were happy.

Our between race entertainment.

Judith and her husband Paul. Judith made her hat and my fascinator. She also had several hats and fascinators in attendance and even won some awards during the week of events.  If you are interested, she makes beautiful millinery (http://empire--style.blogspot.com).



Birthday Bash(es)

I've been remiss in posting lately, so I'll have to do these next few in reverse.  This weekend we celebrated Jamie's 3rd birthday.  Its hard to imagine that he is really 3 years old!

I decided to be very ambitious and take Jamie on his birthday to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) with Gran and Grump.  This is about 5 hours away from us, so it was farther than we wanted to do driving on our own.  So, we signed up with a local tour company, Emu Run Tours, to do a one day trip.  We got up at 530AM and met the bus at the hotel.

A few hours out of town they told us we'd see the rock...this is what we saw.

Looks pretty close, but not Uluru.  In fact, its called Fool-uru.  :)  Actually, its Mt Connor, but it fools so many people as it is on the way to Uluru that some people don't make it all the way to the rock.

We stopped first at Kata Tjuta.  Absolutely breathtaking.  Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to do the walk through the Valley of the Wind, but we got some amazing shots.

We then got over to Ulura and got to walk around the base - the climb was open, but we didn't opt to go up.  It is EXTREMELY high and steep and would've been too much for Jamie.  There were many amazing structures with wonderful traditional stories, however many of them are considered sacred and we didn't take any photos of them.

The highlight of the day was the sunset.  We had a wonderful barbeque picnic and watched the sun go down and turn Uluru so many colors.



Jamie was an absolute trooper.  He behaved himself on the bus, had fun walking around and loved it when everyone sang Happy Birthday to him at dinner.  We are so lucky to have such a charming little boy.  :)

Saturday, we celebrated his birthday at home with a cake and presents and Sunday we had a big party at the Telegraph Station with his friend, Rio, who turns 3 on Monday.

Jamie helped Daddy make and decorate this cake!

Had our face painted for the party.

Playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Collecting loot after the pinata was broken.

The amazing train cake.

Easter Weekend - Part III

So, on Easter Sunday, we decided to visit Arltunga Historical Reserve.  The trip to get there was an adventure in and of itself (see previous post), but we persevered and after lunch headed off on a couple of walks. 

Arltunga Historical Reserve

From the visitor guide:  Arltunga was officially central Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush after alluvial gold was discovered in a dry creek bed in 1887. Fortune seekers had to travel 600km from the Oodnadatta rail head, often on foot to find their fortune.  Arltunga once supported around 300 people. The Visitor Centre gave an introduction to the reserve and mining era, through a cultural and historical museum displays and self-operated slide show of which offered insight to the past and informed us about the Reserves attractions. You could even try your hand at panning for gold in the courtyard display.  The visitors center also offered a picnic and barbecue facilities with shade shelters and toilets.  So this is where we set up and had a picnic lunch.

I ventured down into one of the mines, but didn't make it very far.  There were so many gnats that it sounded like a bees nest.  I had a net over my head, but it was still wet, buzzy and dark.  My little torch just wasn't bright enough.  I did go just far enough to get this picture, though.

Coming back up out of the mine, you can see the gnat swarm in the blue part of the picture.

The second walk we did at Arltunga was to the old police station and jail.  If you look closely on the corner of the roof, you can see a goanna.  There's a better picture of him in the critter gallery.



One tired little boy.