Monday, 5 November 2007

SOUTH AND BACK OUT OF ALICE

Last weekend a friend and I decided to head away for the day and explore the Mereenie Loop. It is a road that cuts south across from the Stuart Highway,(main highway Darwin-Adelaide), goes into Kings Canyon, and then heads north again to come in West of Alice Springs. It is 4WD most of the way.It is not coincidental that we have the use of a large 4WD!!! It would have to be one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen.The variation in landscape is hard to comprehend.
This is off the road which leads into an area where thousands of years ago meteors hit.The land is like a lunar landscape.There is actually a sign saying NASA used the area to train astronauts!!

Very soon the landscape changes again, and is quite lush with these juvenile forms of Desert Oaks.


These are the adult form of the Desert Oak.

After the resort of Kings Canyon, we climbed up onto this ridge......


which had the most beautiful escarpment of red rock running for miles.We climbed up and this was the view.



We stopped to have a break under this tree..nothing special but with a hot dry wind blowing I enjoyed the movement I captured in the foliage.


I haven't done a lot of 4WD so enjoyed the opportunity to gain some skill on roads like these.They are quite firm underneath, but have varying amounts of "softness" on top!! Interesting driving.




We met this little fellow- Long- nosed Dragon Lizard while we were walking. He was not bothered by us at all. He even allowed his portrait to be taken....

Take care all of you- I am looking forward to catching up- in 2 weeks I will be back....