Today was an exciting day. It started with a narrow and dark tunnel. We stopped just outside of it, and Mike got his tape measure out to make sure we would fit. While he was doing that, a similar sized campervan drove on through, so we felt a bit happier about that.
Our first stop today was the Gladie visitor centre to get some info on walks in the area. As we were talking to the lady, a guy came in and asked if that was our van out front. Wondering what we’d done wrong, we said yes is was.
‘Cool van,’ he said. ‘We’ve got one similar.’ He pointed to their 1987 Doge Ram, which they’d renovated. We’ve had so many people compliment our van. I thought there would be lots of them about, but it’s quite unique.
The first walk we did was up to a tower rock. It was just a short walk, but the rock was impressive.
After that, we stopped at the next major walk. A group of walkers had just completed it and I asked one of the ladies if it was worth doing. ‘Nah, it’s a bit boring,’ she said. ‘But there is a really nice walk to a waterfall just over there. Just follow the creek for a couple of miles.’
The waterfall walk wasn’t marked on any of the tourist maps, on all trails, or even sign posted. But we followed her instructions and it was the most beautiful walk we’ve done yet. Perhaps that’s why the locals like to keep it to themselves.
After that, we stopped at Whistlers Arch. The arch was nice enough, but it’s not what impressed us. Mike called me over to look at a red lizard and that was when we saw it, sunning itself on a rock. A venomous copper head snake. I cursed myself for not having bought my zoom camera to get a decent photo!
Our next stop was down a rutted potholed gravel road. I do worry about breaking Rodger, but Mike too it slowly. And it was well worth the drive. A short walk from the carpark took us to a lookout over a mini grand canyon but with lots of trees. It was stunning.
People are so friendly here. A man we met at the campground has invited us to stay at his place in Washington DC if we go there.
To finish the day, we headed back to the same campground and cooked tofu noodles for dinner.