Justin and I spent the weekend at a California-style luxury spa. First was the sauna where we did some mild low-impact exercise in the steamy heat. Next we plunged into a cool pool with massage jets and we swam until we got a little cold. Then we lay down on heated slabs—just hot enough to eliminate our goose bumps and start drying out our swimsuits. Finally, we moved to a small room where we closed our eyes and meditated on the sounds of thunder and falling rain.
That’s one way of thinking about it. Here’s another story:
We (along with our friends W & P) hiked about 11 km across dry bushland in high heat and humidity. Parts of the trail wound through areas that had burned two weeks ago. Another part went along a lovely rushing stream. The penultimate stretch was an incline that seemed to go on forever. When we reached the top of the escarpment, we went along some more and then suddenly found ourselves at a beautiful waterhole. It was cold and small and not too deep (no fear of crocs).
We clambered around on the rocks. That waterfall is part of a series of cascades. W found a great camp spot right by the water. We set up camp, swam some more, and lay out on warm rocks and watched the storm clouds roll in. Lightning flashed in a three different directions.
When the rain started, we ran for cover in our tents. Justin and I sat laughing in our cheap tent which consists of a mosquito dome (just screen) and a rain fly. This was the 5th time we’d used the tent, 3rd time we’d used the fly, but the 1st time we’d used it in the rain. It lasted approximately 3 minutes before rain started to seep through. We couldn’t help but laugh as rain plopped around us and all our things. Nothing got too wet. We seemed to have just caught the edge of the storm. The rain stopped before dark.
Sunday morning dawned beautiful. We had several swims before we headed back down.
Now here we are back in Katherine, happy but tired. A refreshing and invigorating weekend!
We have some photos, but they're taking too long to upload, so I'll have to do them later. Sorry.
Bittersweet
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Eyal and I always knew that it would be difficult building a family from
two different countries. It is just now, however, that we have to really
put that ...
12 years ago
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2 comments:
A great walk in the 'woods'! Great pictures, too. It sounds like time for a new tent.
Bill
Forest,
Crocs are a definite reality. I can't believe you haven't been so long! We want to do parts or all of the Pacific Coast Trail someday. We're not exactly making plans yet, but are you interested?
Bill,
Yeah, a new tent is in order. We bought a really cheap one just to see if we would really use it. We feel confident now that we'll get use out of a "real" tent.
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