Day 26 – 18/4/2011 – Alice Springs visiting the East MacDonald Ranges

Day 26 – 18/4/2011 – Alice Springs visiting the East MacDonald Ranges

Ok, today was the day to fix the caravan after our disastrous dirt road experience a few days ago, so off Pete went to the local welder to have the van put back together.

In the mean while I put on my teachers hat and set up school on Melinda’s dining room table, my only wish is that someone is telling the kids teacher’s how hard I’m trying to educate the children!!.  Well what can I say their journals are up to date and they did some writing and maths.



Emily Gap



Pete returned happy as he was able to leave the van and he was told that it would be fixed today.  So we packed lunch and headed off to explore the East MacDonald Ranges.  Our first stop was Emily Gap, the kids were so excited because the sign said that it was only 150m walk to the gap AND they got to take off their shoes and walk though water!!.  After we had a play in the sand and climbed the rocks we headed off to Jessie Gap.



Jessie Gap



Jessie Gap was another short walk – my, were the children glad, and again a beautiful display of how the ranges in central Australia were created.  Again I marvelled at how giant slabs of earth were at one time shoved up and are now on a 45 – 90 degree angle.



Trephina Gorge rim walk



We headed off for our last stop, Trephina Gorge nature Park.  This was certainly the highlight of our afternoon.  We undertook a quick 2km gorge rim walk that ended in the river and we all got to take our shoes off and walk back through ankle deep cool river water.  It is funny now how quickly the kids and Pete have gotten used to going for a decent walk and how willingly they now climb up the sides of mountains.



Trephina Gorge - highly recommended by the
kids for a visit!!



Unfortunately by now we were on a serious time restriction because we had to pick up the caravan by 4:30pm, so we didn’t have time to enjoy the gorge to its fullest.  On the drive home Callum told me to ensure that when I write my blog that I encourage everyone who comes to Alice Springs to go to Trephina Gorge and make sure they have lots of time to enjoy it!!! 

Again we had a lazy night hanging out with Melinda and PJ.