To a Town No One Has Heard Of
Mon, July 11, 2011 at 10:26 AM ;)
Guard this map with your life. If questioned, immediately swallow it and act normal.So, every Australian to whom we've said "We're going to Yowah," has not been to, heard of, or knows the location of said town. Rowan discovered this opal festival starting on July 15th there so all previous plans were canceled* to attend this all-consuming desire to explore something of potentially no value held in a town of potentially no potential. But opal! Who doesn't want to see opal in its pristine state? (This is where you click on the comment link and say, "Oh, yeah, opals, you can't beat those puppies for nothing!") Rowan is nearly certain you can get a 'roo to follow you through the opal fields of Yowah, placing countless finds in their marsupial pouches as they hop contentedly behind waiting for a lick from his Vegamite Bagel smear.
Anyway, to get there, we've started to make our way in our "caravan" (as they say here) inland to the mythical town of semiprecious renown. Tonight, we sauntered into Denman, a town known for its IGA grocery store with adjoining hardware annex, managed to run out of propane, but found out the place has a great grill and Rowan cooked corn and sausages.
We've plotted out a half-assed itinerary to get us there by this Friday so we can get a good spot at the ol' caravan park. So Tuesday first thing in the mid-morning we head to Point D on the map (having already left Points A in Sydney, B in Narrabeen, and C in Denman) for a three-hour drive further into the land of Oz. Then Wednesday it's on to Bourke, Point E, for another three-hour drive. Thursday has us coming into Cunnamulla, Point F, to be within earshot of Yowah for Friday. Or at least, that's the plan for the moment.
Internet connections may be iffy as we head to the town of lore and ore. We'll be there until Sunday, July 17th, when we start back towards the coast (Brisbane) and perhaps moving to a warmer area.
*There were no plans. (Seriously, plans? Traveling with Rowan?)
Reader Comments (2)
Cool on the opals. They are alluring. In the opposite direction, you should know about the pygmy penguins which can be seen at Philip Island (which is out of Melbourne). One can watch these little fellows exit the surf at sunset and return to their burrows. It is an amazing daily ritual. Also the Koala Center was well done. Are you headed for Ayres Rock? Seems like a long, hot ride to see - a rock? It would probably look better in a movie.
Hi, Bob! We had a wonderful time at the Opal Festival, although there were too many opals to really absorb... See my pic on Monday for a really unique presentation of "opal."
You mentioned Melbourne. I am afraid we are going to miss it this time because it is winter and VERY cold there. We are going to be in Brisbane for a week and then head north to get warm. Yesterday was the first day in a long time that we could just sit outside the van without shivering. I think we will see the Koala center here. After going north we will go inland to see Uluru for sure. Wish it were hot. It is only hot right now on the very north end of Australia. :)