Easter 4

4. Easter Monday

The last of Easter. Geez. Went for bushwalk at John Forrest National Park. Went for the eagle walk which was the longest one there, 15 km. So here we go. We did counterclockwise walk. At first, being the great explorers ourselves we went on ahead, head held high, all the confidence and adventure-filled hearts we had. Then 20 minutes in, where there were supposed to be the yellow eagle arrows throughout the path, the eagle abandoned us. We had very cleverly (dumbly) gone on to some other trail and had to make one big round back to eagle trail. What great start!

So we pushed on forward confident we were now adept navigators and could brave any mountain, creek or gorge. Opened up our brochure maps and made clever observations about the rocks and trees and landmarks we saw. Awesome. We trudged on, still greatly excited with all we saw. We walked through wide flat roads, narrow paths, steep rises, slow descents. There were wonderful views of the open bush. We saw a waterfall with no water (not enough rain for there to be any water. seriously). Lots of trees and greens all around, really nice air. So that was all nice and dandy.

So now, fast forward 2 hours. Bloody hell. bush, tree, hill, slope, red rock, black rock, sand. I don't give a shit anymore! It all looks the same! So we trudge along and up and down. Then there was a half hour of really narrow path, which wonderfully (would you have guess), the leaves of the plants were all pointy and prickly. So yes, for 30 minutes, we were dodging left right center, and going with constant 'ooh's and 'aah's, not from the pretty plants but getting poked by them.

Then we climbed up one bit and lo behold, finally hit another wonderful view. Could see Perth city surrounded by clouds. It really looked like a castle in the sky. Real beautiful. Then we some more big rocks and went to climb those. And again in front more big rocks. So we so had to climb those too. How often does one get distracted by big rocks that you just have to climb them? Very much always I would imagine. Rock = Climb.

Note: Rock facades may seem steeper in photograph than actually is.

Anyways, we got on this a bit, and at the end walked a long without thinking and yeah, we got kind of lost again. I saw some building in front on the next hill that sort of looked like where we started. But there was no path there. So me being all forest-smart and all, suggested, we should brave it and trudge through the bush to that building (which to be fair looked sort of near (now thinking back looks few km away)). So luckily, no one listened to me. And we did the smart (boring) thing and went back the route and found the previous yellow eagle and headed for the correct path. Then some more plodding along in the endless path. The last 2 km was tough, lots of rocky paths and tight bush ways. But finally we made it to the end! Took us about 4+ hours. I reckon we could have gotten on quicker had we been more vigilant with the map. But oh well, adventure's still and adventure, even more so when u get lost late in the evening and get a bit panicky.

So great. we all got out good and proper, tired as hell. So what do we do next? Get something to eat of course. Went to Hungry Jacks and got whoppers. So what next? Go home and rest? Oh nooooo. We went rock climbing. Because we are geniuses, we can do anything (not really). So headed for the Hangout. Obviously we weren't the only geniuses in the room. There were 2 other guys there climbing too. So yes, I could only do 4 walls before my arms gave out, to the point I lifted them up 90 degrees and they were shaking. So we stayed for a bit longer for a few more walls and headed home. Add 24 hours later and my arms still barely working properly.

Well, overall, awesome Easter. Gotten over the chocolate overdose and now actually drooling when I think of it already. Go kart not so much, maybe later when my arms don't hurt as much. Paintball was great, would absolutely go again. And bush walk, yes, probably going for another one next month. My sister suggested a 900+km walk which would take 6-8 weeks. Yes, I want a bit of adventure but no, I'm not looking to become Buddha, so I'm going to pass on that. And so, add horseback riding too. I so want to do that. Go kart, found another circuit, so probably try that one too.

Alright, back to work now. Bring on the pain, the cranial variety now...