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.

Easter Weekend - Part II

We arrived at Ross River Resort mid-day on Saturday and spent the rest of the day setting up camp and preparing lunch and dinner.

  After dinner, we had a bit of fun dying eggs by the fire (definitely a new experience), playing with sparklers and just relaxing.

The next morning, Jamie was ecstatic to learn that the Easter Bunny had gotten our note and had found us at the campground.  He hid eggs, candy and even brought a truck filled with chocolate eggs. 

(Never did find baskets here, so Jamie had to put his loot into Tupperware.)

Who needs breakfast?



The babies were very patient waiting for our big excursion for the day: Arltunga Historical Reserve.

So, Ross River is about 80km (~50 miles) east of Alice Springs and the Arltunga Historical Reserve is another 45km (~27 miles) east.  The tour books say that it is accessible in 2WD vehicles, but I have to say that that would be one uncomfortable trip.  Once we got about 40km out of Alice Springs the road becomes only a single paved lane, the road to Arltunga?  Gravel.  Fortunately, we were the lead car in our 4WD.  Everyone else had to contend with our dust.  ;)  Unfortunately, Jamie started getting a bit carsick, so we pulled off to give him a break.

The Outback (usually not so green)

Checking on Jamie

The road to Arltunga

So, it turns out that Jamie was feeling sick at just the right time.  As we all got out to get some air, we noticed that one of Kevin's tires was completely flat.  We then spent about 30 minutes re-inflating it.  (Good thing a co-worker insisted Kevin bring an air compressor.)  Bad news, it only made it another 5 miles before he had to change it.

Goofing off.  More from Arltunga and Trephina Gorge in next post.

Easter Weekend

Well, this past weekend was Easter.  We'd already had several build up events, so Jamie was pretty excited about the Easter Bunny.  We decided to embark on a very typical Alice Springs Easter and go camping.  Seriously.

We drove out to Ross River Resort with four other families.  Altogether, we had 10 adults, 4 kids, 2 babies and 6 dogs.  Quite the crew.  Ross River has a campground and cabins, so Ian and Jamie stayed at the campground in a tent with everyone else.  My good friend (and godsend) Amiebeth, stayed in the cabin with me, Braden and Gavin.

 Jamie and Ian's tent at the base of the range.

The view from our campsite.

Our humble cabin.  While the days were gorgeous (80s, clear skies with a cool breeze.), the nights were cold (30s).

It was so cold, even the mice were climbing in bed with us.  OK, not really.  They were in the empty beds, and bags, and coolers and food bags and, well, everywhere.

Notice the jackets?  Yes, they slept in those.  See the haze in the air?  That would be steam from the shower that we were using to try and warm up the cabin in the morning. 

Our boys (all 3) are absolute troopers.  They had fun and they put up with disruptions to their routines.

Robin and Joe smartly brought a shade with screens that we used to prepare and set out food.  Helped to keep the flies to a minimum.

The playpen for the babies.  They didn't spend a lot of time in here, but they had fun playing with toys (and staying out of the fire).

 Preparing the fire for cooking dinner.

Gavin enjoying his lunch.

Hanging at the campsite.

More to follow...

10 Months Old

I was up several times during the night and really early in the morning, so I was just too tired to play.  Of course, the next day my newest tooth finally cut.  Maybe now I (and everyone else) can get some sleep (at night).

I love my big bear.

Jamie chillin' on his big bear.

Gavin was happy to pose for a picture or two, but

soon we were over it and just wanted to grab the camera.

We tried to get all three boys with their bears, but Gavin was just done with the whole thing.