Melbourne by surprise...
Well the stars were not aligned for Cara and I to travel through the Nullarbor Plain from Perth to Adelaide on the Indian Pacific RR. The train was booked with no last second cancellations so Cara and I booked a last second trip to Melbourne which was our only option to get east at a reasonable price. We are sad to miss the train and Adelaide, but now we have our first reason to come back and visit in the future.
Shortly after getting through security at the Perth airport we ran into some frisbee friends who reminded us that there is a hat tournament here this weekend. We had forgotten about it because we had plans set for the train and Adelaide. So now we have a frisbee tournament this weekend which we are looking forward to. We just can't get away from this amazing sport and community.
So the trip continues with smiles on our faces. :-)
love,
Mike and Cara
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Heading East
Yesterday, Lisa who is Jono's girlfriend took us out for a surf lesson. We rented "mal" boards at Scarborough beach and went out for about an hour. The weather and waves were perfect and everyone stood up at least once!
After another fabolous meal and night's sleep at James and lisa's we are heading to the train station to try and hop on the Indian Pacific to Adelaide. The train is booked so we are hoping for some cancellations.
love,
Mike
Yesterday, Lisa who is Jono's girlfriend took us out for a surf lesson. We rented "mal" boards at Scarborough beach and went out for about an hour. The weather and waves were perfect and everyone stood up at least once!
After another fabolous meal and night's sleep at James and lisa's we are heading to the train station to try and hop on the Indian Pacific to Adelaide. The train is booked so we are hoping for some cancellations.
love,
Mike
Monday, November 27, 2006
Margaret River, Conto Spring, Gloucester Tree, and the hospitality of James and Lisa
After a few hours in the Yaris, we made it back down south to Margaret River for some wine tasting and camping. We found a beautiful secluded campsite about 22 km outside of Margaret River on Canebrake Rd. which we had almost completely to ourselves. It was a beautiful wooded area with parrots and very few bugs. The Margaret River also flowed through the campsite and provided a nice swim for us without any snakes or leeches.
On the drive to our camp site outside of Margaret River.
Our day of wine tasting was fantastic. I was a little worried we wouldn't get the best response from the wineries because we hadn't showered in about 3 days and we all looked a little road weary. No problems though as we started our wine tasting with some coffee tasting at Yahava. After some coffee we tasted the liqueurs they also make and the fun began with a super sweet group high five with our bartender. Selah was our designated "Skipper" so we didn't have to deny any of the free tastings we were offered.
After Yahava we headed to another winery and were lead through the 12 wines they produced. Scott who lead us through the wine tasting was great, giving us great information and answering all of our questions. After two successful tastings we ended our trip at the chocolate factory and heading back to our campsite.
Tasting liqueurs at The Liqueur Factory.
The next morning we headed south to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and found a beautiful beach at Conto Spring. After some scouting from wave battered rocks we visited a deserted beach which looked beautiful from a distance with nice sand and large waves. As we walked closer we realized why it was deserted. The waves and rip tide were terrifying to even look at. Our judgement was sound and we headed to the more populated (about 20 people) and calmer Conto Spring. With a boogie board we found on the side of the road we boogie boarded and swam in an awesome cove. A very generous Australian, Jen, offered me her surfboard and I had my first attempt at surfing. After about 45 minutes I succeeded in getting up on my knees and only hitting myself in the head once with the surfboard. Even without standing it was great, and I'm looking forward to trying again.
Conto Spring Beach.
Sunset at Conto Spring Beach.
The next day on the road trip was our last and we went further south through the Karri forests before heading north to visit the famous Gloucester Tree. Cara found this treasure in the Australian book and urged us to go only knowing it was a really big tree. We did not expect what we found. The Gloucester Tree is a 60 meter (~180 ft. for all you metric haters) tall tree used in the past as a look-out post for forest fires. Anyone is allowed to climb the tree unsupervised all the way to the top. We were all amazed because there was nothing holding anyone to the tree except their hands and feet. The tree had 3 feet long re-bar stuck into the tree spiralling all the way up to the top. The re-bar could play tricks on your eyes as you were climbing, and although it was great I for sure was not completely comfortable.
With the adrenaline subsiding from our climb we hopped back into the Yaris to make the last push back north to Perth and back to our sactuary of showers and good food, James and Lisa's home. After showers (it had been 5 days since our last) we had an amazing meal with lamb and chicken and corn and carrot salad. My current favorite meal of the trip. Many thanks to Lisa, James, Elizabeth, Georgina, and Charlotte.
The incredible Karri forests...some of the oldest (300 y.o.) stands of trees left in Australia.
This afternoon we plan on heading to Fremantle for a quick visit before we see Selah off to the airport. Cara and I are in the process of planning our journey east to Adelaide and beyond. Pictures to come soon.
love,
Mike
After a few hours in the Yaris, we made it back down south to Margaret River for some wine tasting and camping. We found a beautiful secluded campsite about 22 km outside of Margaret River on Canebrake Rd. which we had almost completely to ourselves. It was a beautiful wooded area with parrots and very few bugs. The Margaret River also flowed through the campsite and provided a nice swim for us without any snakes or leeches.
On the drive to our camp site outside of Margaret River.
Our day of wine tasting was fantastic. I was a little worried we wouldn't get the best response from the wineries because we hadn't showered in about 3 days and we all looked a little road weary. No problems though as we started our wine tasting with some coffee tasting at Yahava. After some coffee we tasted the liqueurs they also make and the fun began with a super sweet group high five with our bartender. Selah was our designated "Skipper" so we didn't have to deny any of the free tastings we were offered.
After Yahava we headed to another winery and were lead through the 12 wines they produced. Scott who lead us through the wine tasting was great, giving us great information and answering all of our questions. After two successful tastings we ended our trip at the chocolate factory and heading back to our campsite.
Tasting liqueurs at The Liqueur Factory.
The next morning we headed south to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and found a beautiful beach at Conto Spring. After some scouting from wave battered rocks we visited a deserted beach which looked beautiful from a distance with nice sand and large waves. As we walked closer we realized why it was deserted. The waves and rip tide were terrifying to even look at. Our judgement was sound and we headed to the more populated (about 20 people) and calmer Conto Spring. With a boogie board we found on the side of the road we boogie boarded and swam in an awesome cove. A very generous Australian, Jen, offered me her surfboard and I had my first attempt at surfing. After about 45 minutes I succeeded in getting up on my knees and only hitting myself in the head once with the surfboard. Even without standing it was great, and I'm looking forward to trying again.
Conto Spring Beach.
Sunset at Conto Spring Beach.
The next day on the road trip was our last and we went further south through the Karri forests before heading north to visit the famous Gloucester Tree. Cara found this treasure in the Australian book and urged us to go only knowing it was a really big tree. We did not expect what we found. The Gloucester Tree is a 60 meter (~180 ft. for all you metric haters) tall tree used in the past as a look-out post for forest fires. Anyone is allowed to climb the tree unsupervised all the way to the top. We were all amazed because there was nothing holding anyone to the tree except their hands and feet. The tree had 3 feet long re-bar stuck into the tree spiralling all the way up to the top. The re-bar could play tricks on your eyes as you were climbing, and although it was great I for sure was not completely comfortable.
With the adrenaline subsiding from our climb we hopped back into the Yaris to make the last push back north to Perth and back to our sactuary of showers and good food, James and Lisa's home. After showers (it had been 5 days since our last) we had an amazing meal with lamb and chicken and corn and carrot salad. My current favorite meal of the trip. Many thanks to Lisa, James, Elizabeth, Georgina, and Charlotte.
The incredible Karri forests...some of the oldest (300 y.o.) stands of trees left in Australia.
This afternoon we plan on heading to Fremantle for a quick visit before we see Selah off to the airport. Cara and I are in the process of planning our journey east to Adelaide and beyond. Pictures to come soon.
love,
Mike
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving to the folks back home!
The last few days have been one crazy adventure after another. Claire, Whit, Skizip, Mike, and I rented a tiny, tiny car (Toyota Yaris..or YAR-vis) and headed North on a long stretch of empty outback highway. It was so cliché...red dirt, isolated, and hot as hell.
We made our country proud by assuming that in a car we were invincible and that there would be gas at least every 80 miles like in the States. So we ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere in the Australian Outback on a desolate highway. Luckily, no more than 2 minutes passed before a truck stopped and sold us some extra gas he had which got us to the next "town".
Then Skizip got a ticket. The only police car we saw on the whole 14 hour drive from Perth north pulled us over. We blame the Yaris for being too little for Skip's huge ogre feet to lightly touch the gas petal.
Then we camped out in a caravan park near Koolibah National Park (below) that, strangely, doesn't allow camping. We saw a feral goat, more kangaroos, and wild emus.
We continued our trek North up to Coral Bay and the Ningaloo Reef Marine Sanctuary. Incredible...that's all I can really say. We snorkeled with manta rays larger than our car, swam with reef sharks, and saw lots of sea turtles and a few dolphins. The colors and patterns of the fish and coral was mind blowing. The water is the most beautiful aqua marine. It was a nice little tour outfit with cool leaders and the cutest dog ever, Grace.
The sunset over the Indian Ocean at Coral Bay.
Then we got back in the car and headed back south past Perth. We're in Margaret River right now, an area known for it's caves, surfing, and wineries. We'll probably do a little of each today if time permits.
Hope you all ate your asses off for us. We all missed our family, friends, and food on Thanksgiving.
The last few days have been one crazy adventure after another. Claire, Whit, Skizip, Mike, and I rented a tiny, tiny car (Toyota Yaris..or YAR-vis) and headed North on a long stretch of empty outback highway. It was so cliché...red dirt, isolated, and hot as hell.
We made our country proud by assuming that in a car we were invincible and that there would be gas at least every 80 miles like in the States. So we ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere in the Australian Outback on a desolate highway. Luckily, no more than 2 minutes passed before a truck stopped and sold us some extra gas he had which got us to the next "town".
Then Skizip got a ticket. The only police car we saw on the whole 14 hour drive from Perth north pulled us over. We blame the Yaris for being too little for Skip's huge ogre feet to lightly touch the gas petal.
Then we camped out in a caravan park near Koolibah National Park (below) that, strangely, doesn't allow camping. We saw a feral goat, more kangaroos, and wild emus.
We continued our trek North up to Coral Bay and the Ningaloo Reef Marine Sanctuary. Incredible...that's all I can really say. We snorkeled with manta rays larger than our car, swam with reef sharks, and saw lots of sea turtles and a few dolphins. The colors and patterns of the fish and coral was mind blowing. The water is the most beautiful aqua marine. It was a nice little tour outfit with cool leaders and the cutest dog ever, Grace.
The sunset over the Indian Ocean at Coral Bay.
Then we got back in the car and headed back south past Perth. We're in Margaret River right now, an area known for it's caves, surfing, and wineries. We'll probably do a little of each today if time permits.
Hope you all ate your asses off for us. We all missed our family, friends, and food on Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Just posting a few pictures of Perth...
The city scape from the Swan River that runs right through the city.
Perth had a bunch of X-mas decorations up around the city that were beautiful at night (even though this picture stinks). It's a bit strange, even being from Texas, at how warm it is coming up to the holidays. You can't really see it, but Mike and Amanda are messing around in the bottom of the picture.
No big deal, but we kind of know them. Claire and Whit posing with their silver.
This one's for the laaaadieeez. =)
The city scape from the Swan River that runs right through the city.
Perth had a bunch of X-mas decorations up around the city that were beautiful at night (even though this picture stinks). It's a bit strange, even being from Texas, at how warm it is coming up to the holidays. You can't really see it, but Mike and Amanda are messing around in the bottom of the picture.
No big deal, but we kind of know them. Claire and Whit posing with their silver.
This one's for the laaaadieeez. =)
4th and 7th...
WFDF World's Club Championships are over and we didn't win it. Doublewide was confident with our tournament play going into the Quarterfinals, but may have looked too far into the future because we did not finish our game strong enough against Thong (from Australia) to advance to the semi-finals. The path was set for Doublewide success, but we did not follow it truly. We followed our quarterfinals loss with an emotional loss to Clapham (from London) to end a low day for Doublewide. After a hearty night of partying we came out to the fields to play our final game of the tournament against Mephisto (from Canada). The game came down to ultimate point and KG and I put out most of the players who were playing their last point of Doublewide. I had the honor of playing with Don, Stew, Mackie, and Tal for their final point. After a huck from Stew to me, which I caught just outside of the endzone, and a swing pass, Mackie caught the winning goal. It was a great ending to an amazing tournament. I am going to miss playing with the veterans of Doublewide who have been my friends and teammates for 6 years.
Cara and Ozone took care of business during the tournament to give themselves a shot to play in the finals, but came up short after an early game lead against MUDD (from Nippon) in the semi-finals. Ozone battled for 6 days of two games per day (except for one day) to finish just out of the medal placing at fourth.
Cara and I took a trip to the Scarborough Beach with some Doublewide and Ozone friends after the finals on Saturday to unwind from the tournament and change our mind-set to the adventure of traveling throughout the country. The waves were huge and powerful and the Indian Ocean was a perfect temperature. It took a little longer for Cara to be convinced of getting in, but once she did she did not regret it. The waves cheered all of us up and we laughed and smiled while body surfing and getting pummeled by wave after wave. I can't wait to get back to the beach.
That is all for now. Cara, Selah, Whit, Claire, and I will be renting a car tomorrow morning and driving north for a 5 day camping adventure.
The adventure truly begins!
love,
Tank
Friday, November 10, 2006
G'day!
Uh...I'm afriad there has been a terrible mistake. Through some terrible twist of fate, I think I was born on the wrong continent. Everyone here, from the custom official to the constuction worker is: laid back, funny, and ridiculously good looking. I mean, come on people! I belong here! =)
We made it safe and sound to Perth and have been living it up since we arrived. The travels were long and uneventful. We had a 12 hour layover in San Fransisco so took the BART into Berkeley, ate some Indian food (bad idea before a 18 hour flight, in case you were wondering), and then walked four miles to eat at an In and Out Burger for dinner...delicious!
We were met at the airport by Claire and Whit who were staying with Whit's 6th cousin, once removed, James and Lisa. They invited us over for dinner and it was incredible. It was such a nice way to start the trip hanging out with a family and eating a huge dinner complete with wine and cheese. They had three adorable little aussie girls, and we had a lot of fun hanging out with them and teaching them magic tricks (Whit). Endless thanks to James, Lisa, Georgina, Chartlotte, Elizabeth, and the pets! We had a blast.
The tournament festivities start today, so we're going to the opening ceremonies and then hitting the beach. Perth is beautiful...I'll post pictures next time.
Cheers, (teehee)
Cara =P
ps Tank here. I've updated this post to show you a picture of DW with Nomadic Tribe (from Nippon) after our game on the 3rd day of the tournament. These guys were a very spirited team and we had a great spirit circle following the game even with our language barrier.
Monday, November 06, 2006
I thought I would also submit a quick pre-travel post.
I just had a great weekend before my travels. I spent the weekend in Panama City, Florida with my family to support my brother while he competed in his first IronMan Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, marathon). We were able to cheer him on at every transition point and he did awesome. Ellen and I were inspired by how effortless David made it look and we are determined to complete one...in about 15 years or so, once I'm semi-retired from Ultimate and Ellen has graduated college and is making big money.
Thanks to the Crouches for hosting our early Thanksgiving meal. We had a great time last night. After a wonderful dinner we had a private concert which included "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Love Potion #9."
One more dinner tonight with family and friends and then we are off tomorrow morning. I am excited to start this amazing trip and am thankful that I will get to share it with Cara.
See you next time, from Australia.
-Mike
I just had a great weekend before my travels. I spent the weekend in Panama City, Florida with my family to support my brother while he competed in his first IronMan Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, marathon). We were able to cheer him on at every transition point and he did awesome. Ellen and I were inspired by how effortless David made it look and we are determined to complete one...in about 15 years or so, once I'm semi-retired from Ultimate and Ellen has graduated college and is making big money.
Thanks to the Crouches for hosting our early Thanksgiving meal. We had a great time last night. After a wonderful dinner we had a private concert which included "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Love Potion #9."
One more dinner tonight with family and friends and then we are off tomorrow morning. I am excited to start this amazing trip and am thankful that I will get to share it with Cara.
See you next time, from Australia.
-Mike
So Mike and I are leaving tomorrow morning for Oz. We're both playing in the World Frisbee Championships in Perth (west-side) for the first whole week, then...adventure awaits.
We'll be hanging out and camping with Claire and Whit, our favorite long distance frisbee friends, after Worlds. The plan is to head north of Perth, then head back south to hang out with some of my teammates in the wine country. La-dee-dah! We hereby promise to post updates as much as our technologically inept selves can manage. If anything just to let you all know we have not, in fact, been eaten by a ravenous dingo.
Family and friends: I love you all and while I am sad to leave Austin and will miss you all dearly, I am excited to fulfill this lifelong dream of mine...and happy to be doing it with a person that I love so much. Weee!
Lots of love,
Cara
We'll be hanging out and camping with Claire and Whit, our favorite long distance frisbee friends, after Worlds. The plan is to head north of Perth, then head back south to hang out with some of my teammates in the wine country. La-dee-dah! We hereby promise to post updates as much as our technologically inept selves can manage. If anything just to let you all know we have not, in fact, been eaten by a ravenous dingo.
Family and friends: I love you all and while I am sad to leave Austin and will miss you all dearly, I am excited to fulfill this lifelong dream of mine...and happy to be doing it with a person that I love so much. Weee!
Lots of love,
Cara
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