Perth, Western Australia, AU
The first thing I did upon arriving in Longreach was stop at the airport. It's tiny. One flight a day to Brisbane. Small plane. Can you take my trike? Quick call to Brisbane and then everything was a go. Yippee. They wanted it with just the seat off and strapped to the frame...she narrowest then.
Then on to a camground, or should I say dustbowl? No rain means no grass, except for the front patch that gets watered. But they tack down these interesting pieces of mesh that hold the dust down so I set up Spacey on that. It minimized the dust problem pretty well I thought. Spacey looked so small in amongst all the big rigs.
Next I went to the dentist in town. I had called a couple of days ago, but hadn't heard back. Since it had been a week of this gaping opening, I wanted to be sure it got taken care of sooner rather than later. I walk in and they tell me they'll see me right away. But I haven't even had a shower. I'm pretty stinky. That's okay, they said. And they patched me up for a mere $350. A quick trip to the grocery store and back to rest. Ahhh.
I decided on 4 nights in Longreach when I found I saved $100 on airfare flying to Brisbane on Saturday morning. Then I decided on 4 nights in Brisbane before flying to Perth. Next I had to get these all booked. Let my Warmshowers hosts know my exact plans now as well as my rides to send from airports. Oivay. Logistics are exhausting. Done. Now I can breathe easier:)
Next day: Stockman's Hall of Fame. Info on drovers, aboriginals, woman pioneers, and the Flying Doctor. That's one big difference between their outback and our west. It's so big and remote, that in the early 20s a missionary saw the potential for using a foot cranked wireless radio to be able to contact a doctor. Stations had medical chests with the drugs all numbered and the doctor could advise you over the radio what to take. Then with small planes becoming available, the doctor was able to fly in and teat the patients or fly the sick or injured out to a hospital. It's still alive and well today.
I also saw an outdoor show that was so well done: comedy, performing ranch animals, and lots of info about being a drover.
I'd heard about a stagecoach ride in Longreach and wanted to partake. I don't like touristy things but this sounded like too much fun not to miss it. And it was!! A 30 minute ride out downs dusty, sandy road where the horses broke into a full gallop and the dust was a-flying sure felt like the real thing! And I got to ride shotgun! So cool. I was in 7th heaven!!!! (Video posted to Facebook, if you're interested.)
One night another couple from the campground joined me in town for pizza and a movie. That was fun for a change. I don't get out much after dark on the road, so it's a special treat when I do.
I've never packed to fly from a campground. I got a box in town for my gear, guessing the right size. Strapped it on the back of Blaze.
Then while I was over chatting with my neighbors doesn't it begin to rain for the first time in months! Quick, slide the box under the tent to keep it dry.
But packing up went well, other than more rain drops getting on my fancy luggage...yikes!
All packed and waiting for my ride. Very sad to be leaving the outback. I'll be back!
On to my next adventure: hiking 1000 kms on the Bibbulman Track ,Perth to Albany. That should take a couple of months.
Odds and ends:
Dingos hung in the trees.
Me and Spacey (Big Sky Revolution 2P)
Carrying extra liters of water.
A lot of campers have these rigs where the tent us up on top so they're away from the snakes and crocodiles. Should I be worried?
Livin' the dream!
BagLady
