Chambers Pillar

In a somewhat frantic attempt to get to as many of the sites around Alice Springs as we can, we've started taking a number of "day trips."  This last one was to Chambers Pillar (from Wikipedia: Chambers Pillar (Aboriginal name 'Idracowra' or 'Etikaura') is a sandstone formation some 160 km south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. Erosion by wind and rain has left an isolated pillar of 350 million year old sandstone, rising 50 metres above the surrounding plain.  John McDouall Stuart was the first European to see Chambers Pillar, reaching the site in April 1860, and naming it after James Chambers, one of his South Australian sponsors. During the subsequent years numerous visitors have added graffiti by carving names in the soft sandstone at the base of the pillar.)

It took us nearly 3 hours to get there, including stopping several times to open and close cattle gates on the way in and out.  Apparently, it was an important landmark for travellers making the trek to Alice Springs before the railway was completed.  Can you see it?

No?  Maybe this will help...

Still can't?  Well, imagine what the kids thought after driving on bumpy roads for 3 hours.  ;)

Coming into focus

 

Castle Rock

 

My favorite initials from 1970

Easter in the Alice (Take 3)

One of the best things about being here is all the awesome activities for kids.  Once again the Rec Association put on an amazing event.

As we arrived, we noticed these little guys in the tree right outside.  Tawny Frogmouths (not owls).  As frogmouths mate for life, this is most likely a breeding pair and we were excited to see them.

We couldn't get Braden anywhere near the Easter Bunny

Ha!  Got a picture.  (Braden didn't even know the Easter Bunny was there.)

Did I mention that he dressed himself? At least the colors matched.

(Yes, I dressed myself again)

hmmmm, where are the eggs?

Why get more eggs when we can eat candy?

Girl's Weekend in Adelaide

I didn't quite achieve my goal of visiting all 7 states/territories in Australia, but I managed to get to 5 of them.  My friend Marti and I managed to go to Adelaide the weekend of the Fringe Festival.  If you ever have a chance to go to a Fringe Festival don't let the name fool you.  It was great fun!  We got to see a hilarious comedienne and a circus as well as just enjoy walking through the Garden of Unearthly Delights.

We also spent time in the Barossa Valley wine tasting and shopping.  It was wonderful.

One of the 4 performers from the Pants Down Circus

Bhahahahahahaha

At the Barossa Dam on the way to the Barossa Valley.

Our first view of wine country

Kellermeister Winery

Chateau Tanunda

Small collective of wineries

Simon from Sons of Eden (one of the vintners)

Rockford Winery

For Marti's take on the same weekend...http://dallastoalice.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/oh-sweet-adelaide.html

Henbury Metorites (and the joys of life in the Outback)

On our way home from Kings Canyon (Camping at Kings Creek Station), we decided to stop at the Henbury Meteorite Craters.  I tried to find some good satellite pictures of the site, but you have to zoom way out to get any context.  In any event, we had a good time walking the rim of one of the craters and having a quick lunch before heading the rest of the way home.  Unfortunately, the truck had other plans...

Walking into the crater

The boys on the edge of the crater

Jamie racing up the crater

Just as we were leaving the unsealed road, our left rear tire blew.  Fortunately, Ian felt it right away and pulled off.  As we were pulling a full trailer, it really could've been disastrous.  Worse yet, as soon as we pulled off and turned off the truck it refused to restart again for about 30 minutes.  It was hot (no A/C) and boring (no video for the kids) and I wouldn't let them out to play on the side of the road.  I know, mean Mommy.  Because of the remote location, Ian's work has satellite phones that he can check out for excursions like this one.  Even better, Steve had checked one out as well AND left it turned on.  :)  He was almost an hour ahead of us, but he turned around and came back and helped Ian out with changing the tire.  Good thing, because there is NO way I could've helped (beyond getting the spare down, which is all I helped with).

The shredded tire

Admiring their handy work