Update – Isa to AliceAuthor: jawapro
Date: Thu 24/01/2008 07:56 PM
The now officially named “Shopping Trolley” left Mount Isa on Wednesday morning. Klutz said farewell to his family, and got strict instructions to call them from the stops along the way (via pay phone, there was no signal until the end of the day).
From Mount Isa we headed west. The day’s trip was over 600 kays – but was easy driving. Klutz has done the lions share of the driving thus far – which makes sense, it being his car and all – but I’ve done my part too.
That’s Klutz driving.
That’s me doing my part. Also a good chance to show off some of my beard growing progress.
Klutz has a Navman thing – just so he doesn’t get lost on all these straight roads out here.
There aren’t exactly many opportunities to get lost out here. Although, it is nice knowing how far it is to your destination.
And keeping an eye on where we’ve been is Klutz’s skull called Murray (after the Monkey Island character).
The trip was pretty good – but far too hot for my tastes. And the flies are pretty bad as well.
We’ve had to stop for petrol at some pretty remote places (like Berkley Homestead) because there just hasn’t been any option.
But that means that the petrol hasn’t exactly been cheap. Could have been worse though.
The first part of the journey was through the small hills outside Mount Isa, but it soon got flat – very flat.
What Klutz calls “Big Sky Country”.
Eventually the three of us (if you include Murray) crossed the border into the Northern Territory.
Which includes its own Speed Limits. They used to be completely unlimited – but the government changed them last year. We couldn’t travel that fast anyway.
Eventually we reached the junction where the road met the highway I’d travelled on before (family toured Aus in 2000). We turned down the road a couple of ks and came to Tennant Creek, where we camped for the night in the caravan park.
I love camping – but not so much when it’s this hot. Even the cold water tap here is hot.
Today we headed South finally. From Tennant Creek to Alice Springs. The country changed a couple of times during the trip, getting greener with more larger trees and things.
Along the way we stopped at the Devil’s Marbles for a look.
I thought about taking some home as souvenirs – but Klutz’s car was too full.
The next interesting place we stopped was Wycliffe Well – the UFO center of Australia apparently.
We got some fuel and spent a while getting to know the locals.
Actually – I’ve been here before on our 2000 trip – so I was catching up with old friends.
Eventually we arrived in Alice Springs (I was driving, so no photos yet) and found a McDonalds to use the wireless internet to write this post.
Tomorrow we’re on our way to Coober Pedy. Stay tuned….
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