OZ day 11 Plus
Day 11 August 7 Thursday.
Well I checked out of my room and headed for Travelers Auto Barn. I went through all the paperwork and test drive and finally got out of there at 12 noonish. Managed to find my way out of town through down town to the M4 freeway to the Blue Mountains. Baptism of fire for me, new car and driving on the other side of the road. The van seemed to work ok except it pulled to the left a bit and not sure whether it was due to road, wind or alignment. Drove from M4 to hwy 32 into the Blue Mts.. Spent the night at Blackheath Caravan Park. They had snow showers just before I arrived. Whee.
Day 12 August 8 Friday USA Win a lot of gold in the Olympics.
Got freezing cold last night, yes near the freezing point of ice. Got up and headed for Lithlow further west on Hwy 32. Got some groceries and some other supplies I needed. A flashlight (torch) and extra batteries, a blanket, clothes line, matches and lighter and a heater/fan. No freezing tonight.. Now I am set for a while. Had breakfast at McDonalds and headed back to Blackheath to see the Blue Mts. Drove to Govetts Leap to see the OZ equivalent of the US Grand Canyon in terms of size but not depth. It still was impressive. Headed to Katumba to see Echo Point, the most famous place in the Blue Mts. There were five buses of tourists there. It too is a very pretty view. Both of these sites are on cliffs and outcrops the go straight down. Went to Leura Cascades which was a walk down a canyon following a creek before it plunges over a cliff. On my way out, hit a bump and my spare tire popped out and the hold was bouncing on the ground. I got it back ok. Getting late so headed back to Blackheath and went up Evans Lookout which also looks out on OZ grand canyon. The sun was setting so it was great. Went back to the Caravan park I was at the night before and got a powered site. Made dinner of chicken with noodles in a tomato sauce with garlic. Yum. Cookies and tea for desert. Now for a warm night sleep.
Day 13 August 9 Saturday
Froze outside again last night. Burr but the van was warm. Added water to the radiator overflow for two days in a row now. Called the place where I bought the van about fixing it. Will see how it goes today. Decided to take the Bells Line of the Road (hwy 40) through the Blue Mts. from Lithgow to Wilson. Very pretty drive with lots of curves and hills. Went to Mt. Wilson and looked around there and saw Du Faurs rocks and an old aboriginal cave with paintings and tool gouges in the sandstone. The rocks are very odd shaped sandstone. Very nice since nothing was mentioned in the guide books. Then went to Mt. Thomah Botanical gardens which has colder climate plants from around the world. Some plants were blooming but it is still winter here. Nice place for lunch. Headed to Avena Van Village just south of Wilson on hwy 2 to spend the night. Got space 159. The owner came by and talked for 15 minutes and told me to go look at his paddocks for birds. While one my way he brought me a blue tongued lizard. After dinner he came back and we talked for another half hour or so. Nice man. Checked the water in the overflow and it had gone down very little. Whew! Will check again tomorrow and if it is ok then will not got to Sydney.
Day 14 August 10 Sunday.
Water in overflow looked good so do not plan to go back to Sydney. Went bird watching before breakfast. Saw four pink breasted “parrots”. I drove b ack to Windsor and bought more butane for stove so I do not run out. Also a charger for AA batteries (mine did not work with adaptor?) From Windsor too hwy 69, aka Putty Road, to Singleton . What a very pretty drive through the mountains, good views, twisty up and down road. At Singleton turned onto hwy 1north and stopped for the night at Tomago Village Van Park space 56.
Day 15 August 11 Monday.
Left Tomago and headed north on hwy 1. Lots of construction. At Buladelah, headed east on hwy 6 through Booti Booti NP Stopped a Seal Rock light house. Very pretty beach there. In a little town of Forster, talked to man and he says there are lots of places to go look for opals that you do not have to pay for especially around Lightning Ridge where I plan on going. Got back on hwy1 and turned east at Kew onto hwy10, the back road to Port Macquarie. Stopped in town and got a few groceries then headed to Aquatic Caravan Park space 45 on the Hastings River, Nice and clean and cheap. Saw some Australian pelicans and “little black “ cormorants in the river.
Day 16 August 12 Tuesday
It was relatively warm overnight, the warmest so far. Left Port Macquarie and took hwy 34 west over the coastal range. The drive was through tropical forests and the road was the curviest yet. Lots of 25 or 35 kph curves. And it was cold but the forests were spectacular. Hwy 34 ended at hwy 15. At Tamworth headed west again on 34 to Gunnedah where I spent the night. Gunnedhah Tourist Caravan Park, space 27. Lots of the pink breasted Galah parrots here around the park. Going over the coastal range is like going from western Washington into eastern Washington. Completely different scenery. No live ‘roo sighting but lots of dead ones along the roads. ‘roos kill a lot more people in OZ than all the snakes, spiders, jelly fish, and snails.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Australia Birds
Mynas and the ibis are very common here in town. Saw a huge flock of cockatoos. The rainbow parrot is very pretty. I plan on seeing a lot more here.
Australia Day 6 to 10
Day 6 August 2 Saturday
After breakfast went to the botanical gardens to look at birds and flowers and have a cup of coffee. Lost my little notebook somewhere there. Rats. Saw my first parrots. Two green ones flew overhead. Then went to the NSW state library to use the internet. Checked my email and wrote a few. After lunch I went to the car market to see what had come in. A Jeep Cherokee like mine with all the camping gear and a Toyota Land Cruiser with all the stuff. I stopped by the library again and checked email. A spam entry told me my credit union has some problem with the wire transfer of money. I just about erased it. Now I will have to call Tuesday 2 to 3 am my time to reach the credit union in the morning on Monday. Sydney is 17 hours ahead of the West coast. I am not a happy camper (no pun intended) I will probably have to stay here at least through Thursday before the money comes.
Day 7 August 3 Sunday
Had normal breakfast of oatmeal. Went to the Botanical Gardens to try and take pictures of “parrots“. Saw at least two different kinds, rainbow lorikeet and yellow crested cockatoo and got
a few nice pictures. There was a huge flock of yellow crested 
cockatoos and they all took off at once. Neat sight. Stopped by the library and checked email. Interesting that Hyde Park is a formal garden put in in 1810 and on the north end of the park, in a row are the old insane asylum, the mint, the hospital, the parliament building. After lunch went to the Australian Museum. I saw an aboriginal performer. Also, they had a wonderful mineral collection and I am ready to go looking myself.
Day 8 August 4 Monday
Got up late, 6:50. Had breakfast with the lady from Canada who gave me more traveling tips. Went to the library and found out they have WiFi internet which is free. I checked on ferry to Manly beach so plan on going if not raining. I took a free ferry to Cockatoo Island which used to
be a ship building yard for WWII and now is turning into an arts center. The exhibits there now were audio/visual things and lets say art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. It was a nice boat ride in the harbor. After dinner went to The Side Bar for free wine sponsored by the hostel. I had a nice conversation with a young man from Germany. He is here on a vacation/work visa issued to just about anyone around the world age under thirty. They need lots of workers here. Went to bed late and have to get up at 2 am to call the credit union to find out why they have not transferred money to the bank here.
Day 9 August 5Tuesday.
Called credit union and they were worried about sending money but sent it on Friday anyway. Called the local bank and the money was deposited. Yea!!! After breakfast decided to go to Manly beach. Took the half hour ferry ride to the beach. The van guy called and asked some questions about what I wanted in the van. I will go talk with him tomorrow about getting the van if there are no complications. I had lunch and a free beer in Manly. The beach was very nice and the water according to my feet was cold. No swimmers only a few surfers with wet suits. I did not get sick on the ferry.
Day 10 August 6 Wednesday
I went to the library to try the wireless internet and it was not working properly. Then I went to check out my campervan. They were essentially done. I asked for a bunch of stuff to be included and he obliged. I will pick it up at 10 in the morning on Thursday and head for the Blue Mountains which probably will not have snow. It rained off and on today.
After breakfast went to the botanical gardens to look at birds and flowers and have a cup of coffee. Lost my little notebook somewhere there. Rats. Saw my first parrots. Two green ones flew overhead. Then went to the NSW state library to use the internet. Checked my email and wrote a few. After lunch I went to the car market to see what had come in. A Jeep Cherokee like mine with all the camping gear and a Toyota Land Cruiser with all the stuff. I stopped by the library again and checked email. A spam entry told me my credit union has some problem with the wire transfer of money. I just about erased it. Now I will have to call Tuesday 2 to 3 am my time to reach the credit union in the morning on Monday. Sydney is 17 hours ahead of the West coast. I am not a happy camper (no pun intended) I will probably have to stay here at least through Thursday before the money comes.
Day 7 August 3 Sunday
Had normal breakfast of oatmeal. Went to the Botanical Gardens to try and take pictures of “parrots“. Saw at least two different kinds, rainbow lorikeet and yellow crested cockatoo and got
a few nice pictures. There was a huge flock of yellow crested 
cockatoos and they all took off at once. Neat sight. Stopped by the library and checked email. Interesting that Hyde Park is a formal garden put in in 1810 and on the north end of the park, in a row are the old insane asylum, the mint, the hospital, the parliament building. After lunch went to the Australian Museum. I saw an aboriginal performer. Also, they had a wonderful mineral collection and I am ready to go looking myself.Day 8 August 4 Monday
Got up late, 6:50. Had breakfast with the lady from Canada who gave me more traveling tips. Went to the library and found out they have WiFi internet which is free. I checked on ferry to Manly beach so plan on going if not raining. I took a free ferry to Cockatoo Island which used to
be a ship building yard for WWII and now is turning into an arts center. The exhibits there now were audio/visual things and lets say art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. It was a nice boat ride in the harbor. After dinner went to The Side Bar for free wine sponsored by the hostel. I had a nice conversation with a young man from Germany. He is here on a vacation/work visa issued to just about anyone around the world age under thirty. They need lots of workers here. Went to bed late and have to get up at 2 am to call the credit union to find out why they have not transferred money to the bank here.Day 9 August 5Tuesday.
Called credit union and they were worried about sending money but sent it on Friday anyway. Called the local bank and the money was deposited. Yea!!! After breakfast decided to go to Manly beach. Took the half hour ferry ride to the beach. The van guy called and asked some questions about what I wanted in the van. I will go talk with him tomorrow about getting the van if there are no complications. I had lunch and a free beer in Manly. The beach was very nice and the water according to my feet was cold. No swimmers only a few surfers with wet suits. I did not get sick on the ferry.
Day 10 August 6 Wednesday
I went to the library to try the wireless internet and it was not working properly. Then I went to check out my campervan. They were essentially done. I asked for a bunch of stuff to be included and he obliged. I will pick it up at 10 in the morning on Thursday and head for the Blue Mountains which probably will not have snow. It rained off and on today.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Australia Day 1 to 5
Day 1 July 28 Monday
My friend Lenny took me to the airport. Guess what? My flight to San Francisco was going to be two hours late so I would miss my flight to OZ. I heard over the loud speaker to go to the station and they put me on United flight 705 to Los Angeles. I sat in between two nice young ladies. One from Melbourne and one from Olympia. I got lots of good tips from Australian woman in her mid thirties. The Olympia woman ran a Christian bookstore on corner of Cooper Point road and Mud Bay Road. Then I took United 839 to Sydney
Day 2 (?) July 29
Lost at the International date line.
Day 3 July 30 Wednesday
I arrived and had no trouble at customs and took the train to Central Station. Three blocks north was the Nomads Maze hostel. The room has a bed and a table.. I took a half hour nap then headed off to look at cars, etc. I opened a bank account, and bought a phone, I saw several campervans at the car market and also at Traveler Auto barn which has a nice guarantee and reasonable buy back. I tentative can get a van on Monday since it will take several days to transfer money. I cooked a nice dinner of fried pots with onions, steak and tomatoes. Groceries are more expensive than a t home,. Gas I am told is about A$1.7 a liter which works out to $6.50 a gallon US. Whee, guess I will have to transfer more money.
Day 4 July 31 Thursday
Got up about 5:30, my normal time and went and made some coffee and oatmeal with apples. Yumm. Went to Vodaphone because I could not add minutes for some reason and had them help. Went to Commonwealth bank and had them fax the Credit Union to send money. They said it could take three business days and the bank will be closed on Monday. No car probably until Tues. More to see in Sydney. I spent about 4 hours touring the water front. Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, Macquaries Point and botanical garden. Saw the famous Wollemi pine which they found north of Sydney and it dates back to the dinosaurs.
Day 5 August 1 Friday
I had a very good nights sleep. After breakfast went to local travel association (like AAA) and got free maps for all over Australia. After an early lunch went to China town and Darling Harbor which is a very touristy area with lots of restraints. It was very windy and cloudy today. Lots of people walking around and eating out. Stopped at one of the harbor eateries and bought a six dollar beer. It has been in the low 40’s (10C) in the morning and in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 C) during the day. Bought a Australian bird book since I already have seen an Australian white ibis. And lots of seagulls too. Went to a wine and cheese party here at the hostel which started at 8 which is close to me bed time. Met an older lady who gave me lots of hints about places to see. She is from Quebec, Canada and has been here six times for at least two months each.
Darling Harbor Woolemi Pine
My friend Lenny took me to the airport. Guess what? My flight to San Francisco was going to be two hours late so I would miss my flight to OZ. I heard over the loud speaker to go to the station and they put me on United flight 705 to Los Angeles. I sat in between two nice young ladies. One from Melbourne and one from Olympia. I got lots of good tips from Australian woman in her mid thirties. The Olympia woman ran a Christian bookstore on corner of Cooper Point road and Mud Bay Road. Then I took United 839 to Sydney
Day 2 (?) July 29
Lost at the International date line.
Day 3 July 30 Wednesday
I arrived and had no trouble at customs and took the train to Central Station. Three blocks north was the Nomads Maze hostel. The room has a bed and a table.. I took a half hour nap then headed off to look at cars, etc. I opened a bank account, and bought a phone, I saw several campervans at the car market and also at Traveler Auto barn which has a nice guarantee and reasonable buy back. I tentative can get a van on Monday since it will take several days to transfer money. I cooked a nice dinner of fried pots with onions, steak and tomatoes. Groceries are more expensive than a t home,. Gas I am told is about A$1.7 a liter which works out to $6.50 a gallon US. Whee, guess I will have to transfer more money.
Day 4 July 31 Thursday
Got up about 5:30, my normal time and went and made some coffee and oatmeal with apples. Yumm. Went to Vodaphone because I could not add minutes for some reason and had them help. Went to Commonwealth bank and had them fax the Credit Union to send money. They said it could take three business days and the bank will be closed on Monday. No car probably until Tues. More to see in Sydney. I spent about 4 hours touring the water front. Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, Macquaries Point and botanical garden. Saw the famous Wollemi pine which they found north of Sydney and it dates back to the dinosaurs.
Day 5 August 1 Friday
I had a very good nights sleep. After breakfast went to local travel association (like AAA) and got free maps for all over Australia. After an early lunch went to China town and Darling Harbor which is a very touristy area with lots of restraints. It was very windy and cloudy today. Lots of people walking around and eating out. Stopped at one of the harbor eateries and bought a six dollar beer. It has been in the low 40’s (10C) in the morning and in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 C) during the day. Bought a Australian bird book since I already have seen an Australian white ibis. And lots of seagulls too. Went to a wine and cheese party here at the hostel which started at 8 which is close to me bed time. Met an older lady who gave me lots of hints about places to see. She is from Quebec, Canada and has been here six times for at least two months each.
Flying Foxes
Darling Harbor Woolemi Pine
Friday, July 25, 2008
Mason County Fair Exhibits
Well at the last minute I decided to add two exhibits to the Shelton's rock club's display at the fair. The one showed a few different samples of petrified wood from my property in St. Johns, Arizona and it won first premium (blue ribbon). I made a second case of quartz I collected mainly from my property but some from Luna, New Mexico and one from Montana. I got second premium (red ribbon) on that one. The judge thought I should have been more discriptive of what I wanted to show. I think I did well on my first try.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rock hounding Eastern Washington
I picked up my friend Laura on Saturday 20 and we headed out to Eastern Washington for a little fun and hopefully some rockhounding. The weather was nice as we made our way over highway 20, the North Cascades highway. We hooked the trailer up in Margies RV park in Riverside which is just north of Omak.
The weather was nice, that is, it was not really hot. From the RV park there were three places I was interested in seeing. One near Lake Conconnully is now private property. So much for finding nice quartz crystals. Another one was East of Oroville, just South of Nighthawk. It too is not closed to the public. So much for copper ores. Maybe we were lucky it was closed because the area was just loaded with mosquitoes. The third one was East of Tonasket in the Aeneas valley up Frosty Creek Road. Looking for agates some of which were supposed to be blue. We found some but nothing special as far as I was concerned.
On the way up the narrow side road off of Frosty Creek road, a truck pulling a trailer was coming down. Whew. Had to back up a ways to find a spot so he could get buy.
We left Tuesday for Sedro Wooley taking highway 2 over Stevens Pass. Stayed at Riverside RV park. On Wednesday we went to Walker Valley to find some geodes. It is suppose to be a good spot. Well, I did not find any trace of previous diggings. No broken geodes, zippo. Found out later we were in the right spot. Fun looking.
Thursday I took Laura home again to Bellingham and Friday headed home to Shelton. I had a fun time even though I did not find and rocks. Laura said she had a good time too.
The weather was nice, that is, it was not really hot. From the RV park there were three places I was interested in seeing. One near Lake Conconnully is now private property. So much for finding nice quartz crystals. Another one was East of Oroville, just South of Nighthawk. It too is not closed to the public. So much for copper ores. Maybe we were lucky it was closed because the area was just loaded with mosquitoes. The third one was East of Tonasket in the Aeneas valley up Frosty Creek Road. Looking for agates some of which were supposed to be blue. We found some but nothing special as far as I was concerned.
On the way up the narrow side road off of Frosty Creek road, a truck pulling a trailer was coming down. Whew. Had to back up a ways to find a spot so he could get buy.
We left Tuesday for Sedro Wooley taking highway 2 over Stevens Pass. Stayed at Riverside RV park. On Wednesday we went to Walker Valley to find some geodes. It is suppose to be a good spot. Well, I did not find any trace of previous diggings. No broken geodes, zippo. Found out later we were in the right spot. Fun looking.
Thursday I took Laura home again to Bellingham and Friday headed home to Shelton. I had a fun time even though I did not find and rocks. Laura said she had a good time too.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Fort Ancient
Friday, Daniel, Than Tu and I went to visit Fort Ancient. It is a Hopewell indian settlement built about 2000 year ago and was lived in forabout 400 years. This area is a hill top above the Miami river and the mounds surrounding it are 18,000 feet long. Some of the mounds these natives built in the mid-west were for burial, some cerimonial and some unknown. In this case the mounds do not seem to be for defense since there are about 67 gaps in them. The mounds were about 20 feet tall. Three of the gaps line up with movements of the moon and sun which they probably used to determine when to plant, etc.
Here are some pictures of the mound and Thanh Tu having fun on one of the trails.
Here are some pictures of the mound and Thanh Tu having fun on one of the trails.
There was a nice museum there with artifacts showing the inhabitants traded with others thousands of miles away. They alsonhad a kids area and Thanh Tu had a fun time there too. Here is with his dad playing on a drum.
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