Down to the Southwest Peninsula
Past Perth, on down to the Southwest Peninsula. A complete change of scenery AND weather. We are tough though, a little rain wont stop us.
We made that visit to Monkey Mia where the dolphins come into the bay for a free handout. The tourists come in big buses so that the dolphins can eat right from their hands.
We, of course, didnt feed them because we are too cool! :=) Instead we watched the tourists while we sipped cappuccinos.
We then made a beeline for Perth since we needed some serious motorcycle service and tires. Ended up in Rockingham where they could take us without having to wait a week. We also made a visit to Fremantle. A very quaint place with lots of sidewalk cafes.
We were also able to spend 4 hours with my friend Ben Wright. The Harley Group will remember him since I took him to a meeting with me. Ben cut his Americas trip short and returned to Oz so was able to get over to the Suzuki dealer in Rockingham. It was great talking with him about motorcycle touring both in the Americas and Australia. Ben has big plans for an Around the World Trip in a couple of years.
As we continued south toward Cape Leeuwin the landscape, roads, and weather all changed. The landscape, scenery and roads for the better, the weather for the worse.
It was cloudy, overcast, and raining lightly but that didnt stop us. The rain was good for the wildflowers though.
The roads passed thru large Karri tree groves and looked much like riding the Big Trees road north of San Francisco.
I was looking forward to Cape Leeuwin since I was sure I was going to win a bet. When I met Corey in Darwin he pulled out a map he brought with him and asked about my route plans. I told him I wanted to go to Cape Leeuwin because that is where two Oceans meet. He looked at his map and said nope, Indian Ocean all around, look at my map. I said his map was wrong. A $10 bet was made then, and it was the topic of a LOT of conversations. I loved taking this picture of Corey still trying to convince me it was one ocean, in the face of a LOT of evidence to the contrary. :=)
After the picture, I asked about my $10. He said his plan was to write the map company when he got home and tell them that THEY owe me $10. :=)
On down and around the peninsula we ran across a 200 foot tall Karri tree that was a fire lookout. It had spike steps all the way to the top.
They allow athletic young folks (and two old bikers) to climb up if they want. Couldnt let the kids show up the old guys!
As we climbed, and puffed, I was about to change my mind when I saw a little sign that said halfway, so it was just as far to go back down as on up so I continued. I took this picture at halfway to remind me that I might NOT be as young as I used to be. :=)
Back down on the ground, it was fortunate the bikes were close to the base of the tree because I couldnt have walked across the parking lot! :=)
Headed on around the peninsula to Albany, and Esperance. We turn north again here to Kalgoorlie and Laverton where we will again be back on a dirt road to Ayres Rock/Alice Springs.
Many more pictures here if interested.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4659871_pddif//400618785_4BiPm
The new ones start about page 76, I think.
More Later.