Yankee Girl's Adventures in Australia

Beautiful Ottawa in Winter

2012-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Frozen ice forming....

Birds on my hotel window....

New Years Eve - blasting fireworks in the Nevada desert

2012-01-06T16:59:00.001-08:00

Getting ready for NewYears Eve Excitement!!

Going to go blow up fireworks in the Nevada Desert!

Blow up pounds of explosives!

Happy New Year!!

Here is the road stop where the blasting will take place. Ops, is that a petrol tank?

This place sells everything....

Damn, it even has a casino! and toliets! gambling, liquor and blastin' stuff! what else could you want on New Years Eve?

Now...let's take a look at the fireworks!

yep...I'd say they have a few to pick from...

It's Happy Hour! Wooo-hoooo!!

God Almighty, we are gonna have some fun!!!

Looks like we are not the only ones - these are almost sold out!

This is gonna be totally insane, that's for sure!

We gonna be bustin' some big balls, that's for sure!

Gotta be sneaky...not suppose to be taking pictures in here...got yelled at once already, but, that ain't gonna stop me...

Let's do this!

Did I mention that the desert field where we will be setting these off, is right by the petrol station??

Not bad, for amueturs!

We had some added excitement when some of the crackers backfired and went skidding across the parking lot - we are all diving out of the way!

Off to the bar with my crazy friends in Las Vegas...Happy New Year everyone!

Ottawa Chirstmas - let's get it started

2011-12-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

Time to party

SAS Ottawa Christmas party - me and my mate Ally

Amazing Photos

2011-12-06T18:56:00.000-08:00

You must take a look at this website - the photos are amazing!

And...might I add, I am the photographer who took the picture of the photographer for the website logo...

http://www.herbertstreit.de/

Take a look and post comments on what you think!

Cheers,
YankeeGal

forest colours and living things

2011-11-28T18:44:00.000-08:00

Beautiful creatures.....

Ottawa, Canada - what a beautiful place!

2011-10-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

My new Canadian Friends!

Crazy Canadians! Swimming in October, the water was bloody cold!

Market...

Sydney - Last trip before Canada

2011-09-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Not to confuse you, but, here are some pictures of my trip to Sydney a few weeks before going to Canada....

No Australia trip would be complete without a picture of the famous Sydney opera house!

The hotel that I was staying at was in Milson's Point - in North Sydney, right next to the bridge...

The cyclists take one side of the bridge, the walkers, the other....

I have arrived....in a limo!!

2011-09-25T02:24:00.000-07:00

I have the great fortune to get an assignment to work in Canada for a view months...so, I will show you all the beautiful and amazing things that this country has to offer....

And, yes, I was picked up from the airport in a limo....yeah, baby!!! Keep in mind that I came from around of the world, and had had no sleep, so, needless to say, I am not looking my best.....but I was feeling my best riding around in the limo!

Now I feel ancient....

2011-08-24T02:15:00.000-07:00

Amazing bookstore...

My first programming book - from 1984! now I know I am ancient

I found it in the used bookstore!

2011-08-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

Fish Fry at the office!!

This is the fish we caught from the other weekend outing...

chef in the SAS kitchen!

Yummy spices!

Beautiful!

Fry it up....

fried up.... and ready to eat!

look at this smile!

Part of the SAS gang!

Friends And Good Food

2011-08-08T03:32:00.000-07:00

Out for an Asian meal with the experts!

Me, and my pretty friend, Christine

My neighbor found some Macadamai nuts and was crackin' them for us to eat.

Family!

Cat and dog...

Champage Lunch!

Suncorp friends...

Margaritas....

And more Margaritas!!

My expat friend

Race day hat....

Royal Bushwalkers...

Friends for life!!

Fishing off of Bribie Island

2011-07-29T01:22:00.000-07:00

The boat....

Glass House Mountains in the Distance...

Amazing cliffs...

Catching all kinds of fish!

Beer time!

Beautiful skys...

Morton Island off in the distance...

Stormy skys...

Sunset...on our way home....

Tequila!

2011-07-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

Pepe's Mexican!!

Tequila!

Cute bartenders!

Drink up, girls!

Yummy food!

Beautiful Fiji

2011-07-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

Dive Shop

Lets go dive.....

Our dive masters

The Real Fiji

2011-07-06T01:12:00.000-07:00

These cute kids were fishing by the hotel. The one little girl had fish bait in her pocket! I gave them some clothes that I have in my suitcase.

hoping to hitch a ride...

They sell swaths of material at all the little grocery stores, as most of the people have to make their own clothes

How colorful! In driving down the street, I have seen women in the streams, washing clothes by hand. I see the clothes hanging on the clothes line. The white clothes are so dazzling white! Wish I could get my clothes as white as they do, with my fancy washing machine and bottles of bleach.

Lots of the kids don't wear shoes, but, they are always clean and well taken care of and loved by their families.

Guys watching "footie" on the TV outside the store, as most of the homes don't have electricity, and therefore, no TV or any other such luxuries that we take for granted.

Public bus

I can fly!

2011-06-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

A dream come true....

Para Gliding!

I saw a man land on the beach, and I chased him down and asked if I could go for a ride....I was in luck, the owner was free....

To take flight, contact the amazing Jean Luc at: http://www.paraglidingrainbow.com/

The beach from the sky!

Bird's eye view of Rainbow Beach

I can fly!!

Back to the beautiful beach...

Rainbow Beach Carlo Blow Hole

2011-05-30T02:11:00.000-07:00

My favorite beach....just 2.5 -3 hours from Brisbane - Rainbow Beach

Walkway to Carlo Blow hole

Sledding down the sand hill

Beautiful beach down below....

New Zealand South Island

2011-05-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

A kayaker's dream...

Seals catching some rays...

Trying to stay warm...

Made it to the top....of this mountain, that is! On to the next one!

Happy New Year!!!

Bring on the champage! And boy...it shows!

New Zealand...welcome to the most magical place in the world!

My fabulous Horse Ranch in North Carolina is now available for rent

2011-05-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Hello to my blogging friends! My fabulous horse ranch is currently available for rent.

Check out more pictures of it at:

http://www.palmtreeinc.net/renthouse_2011

I am offering a bonus to anyone who lines up a renter for me!

Cheers,
Renee

Sacred North Island Wai-O-Tapu - New Zealand

2011-04-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

New Zealand - Milford Sound Boat Cruise

2011-03-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

our hiking group...

Seals...

New Zealand Rodeo

2011-03-14T03:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is an American flag at a New Zealand rodeo!

Flying into New Zealand

2011-03-07T01:46:00.001-08:00

I found some cool pictures that I took from the airplane when flying into New Zealand....

I didn't make it in time from the airport to the hiking kick off meeting...but, got there in time to find my travel pal....off on to the Milford Track tomorrow

New Zealand - More of The Amazing Milford Track

2011-02-22T00:32:00.000-08:00

Crystal Clear Water

Little duckies in a row....

Waterfalls glarour!

These birds are so clever and sneaky, they will go right in your knapsack and take out your food!

Gotta Court Date?

2011-02-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

I was scheduled to work at Queensland (QLD) Police. And, no, this was not court mandated “Community Service”, QLD Police is one of our clients. Since driving to work and paying for public parking requires a small chest of gold coins, and public transportation from where I live now is a major pain in the ass, I decided to walk to work, as usual. Because Brisbane is bloody hot in the summer, and I had a 50 minute walk and nowhere to change before getting to work, I decided to dress in the minimal amount of clothes for my walk in and was wearing a skirt with a singlet (“tank top” for you Americans) and then would put on a decorative top over the tank top, replace my tennis shoes (“runner’s” for you Aussies) upon arrival. As I neared the QLD Police headquarters, I stopped to get dressed. I was just pulling the top over my head when I heard someone speaking to me. As I tugged down the shirt, careful to check that I had not put it on backwards or inside out, as I am quite frequently prone to do), I turn to see who is speaking to me. A scrappy looking gay guy repeated himself, with, what I thought was going to be a variation of “brother can you spare a dime”, or more like “sista, can you spare a $20?”, but instead, he said “Gotta court date?”

It took a moment for me to register that:

     a. we were standing in close proximity of the QLD Police headquarters and
     b. that there was some sort of Magistrate court there.

I responded with:

     “No, I am actually going to work, although, I must admit, I have been to court a few times in my life, just not in Brissie.”

His earpiece buzzed and he response to someone on the other end:

      “I am on Roma Street and heading your way now”, and then clicks off the call.

      “Girl!” he flicks his wrist at me, “I been to court more times than I can count!”

      “A home away from home, ah?” I respond.

About this time, we see a group of coppers (“Cops”, for you Americans), heading toward the entrance. My new companion says:

      “Ohhhhh, look what’s headed our way! (When did he and I become a “we”? fleetingly crosses my mind).
     “That’s ok”, he continues his monolog. "I am just carryin’ a box. A box wrapped in brown paper, that’s all. They can’t stop me and search me for carryin’ a plain ole box wrapped in brown paper.”

It then registered that, indeed, he was carefully carrying a box, wrapped neatly in brown parcel paper. We walk on in silence for a few moments, and I say:
     “A box, ah? I bet it’s a special box.”

     “Yes”, he responds, “it’s a special box”.

As we continue to walk, directly towards the cops, I say: “I bet it s a very special box….”

He responds:
     “Yes, it is a very special box”.

     “And I bet that very special box, contains some very special magic fairy dust”.

     “Yes, this very special box does indeed contain some very special magic fairy dust”.
We looked at each other and grinned.
As we were all nearing the entrance, the cops from one direction, us from the other, I wished him well.   He continued down the street carefully carrying his special box, speaking to his connection on his earpiece, and I headed inside and then stopped to ponder:

      • Why do only gay men approach me and not the straight ones too?

      • Do I really look like a criminal on the way to a court date?

New Zealand - The Amazing Milford Track Post #1

2011-01-21T02:55:00.000-08:00

Having internet troubles again... more pictures coming soon...

Amazing flora - that was along the path above....

More amazing flora

Moss forest

Everywhere you look, there is another waterfall....

The lovely tea tree, or, as the Maori people call it: Manuka. The name"Tea Tree" This name arose because Captian Cook used the leaves to make a 'tea' drink.The common name "Tea Tree" is also shared with the related Melaleuca tree of Australia suggesting that both were used to make tea by Captain Cook.

Captian Cook also made beer from the tea tree. Today, in New Zealand, you can purchase Captian Cook Spruce Beer. It is Based on Captain Cook’s orginal recipe as first made in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, 1773. Flavoured with ’spruce’(rimu) and tea tree (manuka). Brewed for Heritage foods http://www.heritage%20foods.co.nz/

Manuka products have high antibacterial potency for a limited spectrum of bacteria and are widely available in New Zealand. Similar properties led the Māori to use parts of the plant as natural medicine.

Kakariki parakeets (Cyanoramphus) use the leaves and bark of Manuka and Kanuka to rid themselves of parasites. Apart from ingesting the material, they also chew it, mix it with preen gland oil and apply it to their feathers.

Manuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, is distinctively flavoured, darker and richer in taste than clover honey and has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The finest quality Manuka honey with the most potent antimicrobial properties is produced from hives placed in wild, uncultivated areas with abundant growth of Manuka bushes.

All this from one plant.....

Queenstown, New Zealand

2011-01-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

Our cheap hotel for the night....

The enterance to the Thai restaurant that we ate at...looks pretty cheesy, but, the food was awesome!!

On the drive out of town - taken through the bus window

Brisbane Flood - more pictures

2011-01-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Kayaker's paddling down the street in New Farm, where I use to live.

The enterance to our underground parking deck...(of course, i am not special enough to actually HAVE a parking space...but, if I had one, I wouldn't be able to park in it for the time being...

Buses waiting to take us off to volunteer street clean up....

Look at the line of voluneers! We were pushing and shoving to get on the buses! 23,000 people volunteered that weekend...

Bus jam packed with people - not even standing room left....

everyone wants to help out! it's really great!

Story Bridge

You can see that the water is almost up to the sidewalk..

City Cat ferries were out of service...

Our building was evactuated around 12:00 on Tuesday, January 11th and we still are unable to return to work. Unfortuantly, I do not have internet access at my home due to circumstances beyound my control, so, I am at the public library using the computer. Reminds me of being a student! I only get an hour a day. The city is blocked off so, and this is where most of the internet cafes are, so, library is pretty much the only choice.

TV News reporters ready to do a report....notice her bare feet!

TV New reporter...

Just a 1/2 block from my apartment...the water had risen from the creek and poured out into the street!

I am very fortunate, no problems here. The city is still shut down and many people are without electricity and some people have lost their homes. It is very tragic for them as most will not have flood insurance because the insurance companies refuse to offer it. Can you imagine loosing everything?

This creeks is just a few meters from the back of my apartment!

Neigbhor's gathered round for a discussion...

Needless to say, I wasn't able to take many pictures due to the rain.

Keep up the prayers ..

Donations are now being accepted through the Red Cross. I am off to do some volunteer clean up work.

NZ Milford and Routeburn Adventures!

2011-01-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

Just returned from a 9 day hike in the South Island of New Zealand....headed to the airport to catch a flight to the North Island of New Zealand to track the Tongario Crossing.....I will post pictures when I get back.

View from the airplane

Lots of great pictures coming your way! Stay tuned!

Happy New Year! Best wishes in 201!

No, I am not PREGNANT! That is my Camera bag under my jacket!

Symbols and Naked people

2010-12-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

The gang....

The beach just outside our rental house

Aboriginal symbol carved into rock

Aboriginal carvings

And, then...we stumbled upon a "nudie" beach! I covertly took some photos..

Ah....nothing like sitting in the sun, reading a good book and getting sand up your butt....

Daybreak at Royal National Park - more pictures

2010-12-14T01:46:00.000-08:00

As usual, I only had my crappy camera, as in my haste, at daybreak, couldn't locate the Nixon. But, my vow is, never to leave the Nixon behind....New Zealand Milford Track hike coming up over Christmas!

Seaweed

Time to head back....

Royal National Park - Bundeena NSW 2

2010-12-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

We took Barb for a late afternoon walk, in hopes to catch a glimpse of a Wallibee or a Kangaroo. Usually, they are hoping about everywhere, but, of course, when you want to see one, they are no where to be found.

But, as usual, they are glorious tropical birds everywhere....This is a "Galah" bird. If someone call's you a "Galah", even though they are beautiful birds, don't take it as a compliment. They are calling you stupid. :-)

Sulfur Crested Cockatoos...

Momma and her ducklings...

Time for some fishing...(don't know this guy)

This is the part of the water where we went kayaking earlier in the day, but, did not have access to our cameras....

All that walking, now it's time for a fabulous feast!

Appetizers - what a masterpiece!

Roasted lamb...what a treat!

And now...desert! And I wonder why my clothes don't fit! Umm...

Aussie Possum!

trying to make his escape

Royal National Park - Bundeena NSW

2010-11-25T00:14:00.000-08:00

Our German Tour Guide of New South Wales, Australia

Sure wish I would of brought my good camera! Here is that damn black smudge again!

The gang! Except for our dear friend Barb....cause somebody's got to take the picture!

Down we go...

The girls....

Dolphins!

Glorious Food!

Well deserved after such a long hike!

Our chef....preparing the night's meal

Roasted Lamb! What a feast we will have tonight!

Just another Day at the Beach...in Sunny Queensland

2010-11-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

Take me away... Coolum!

2010-11-15T22:20:00.000-08:00

The girls are ready for to go for a kayak ride!

Gonna take a picture!

What a shame that I had a smudge on my camera....but, no way I was taking my good camera out on the kayak!

Jojo's Birthday Bash at West End

2010-11-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

Jojo's Birthday Bash at West End

This was an international gathering...an American (me), an Irish lass, a Frenchman, several poms (including our guest of honor), and even a few Australians...

Time to fire up the barbie! And, Australians do love their barbie!

Aussie BBQ!

Beautiful trees line the Brisbane river walkway...

You can walk for miles along the Brisbane River...on either side...

You can see the city off in the distance...

The birthday girl...

Let them eat cake!

Cochroach wars....

2010-10-21T02:34:00.000-07:00

I moved into my tiny little dive apartment a few weekends ago.....No heat, no air conditioning, the refrigerator didn't work plugged into the socket behind it, so, I have had to run an extention cord across the room. The oven doesn't work, the large element on the stove only comes on one setting - extermely high. Someone had their washer hooked up to my hot water (in the communial area underneath the house), the shower sprays water everywhere, the fire alarm doesn' t have a cover on it, oh yeah, and THERE IS A BOAT PARKED IN MY PARKING SPOT! I sent an email to the rental agent, but, she was on leave for a week with no back up. Now, 11 days have gone by. No response. That's ok, I'll contact the owner directly. That will get her attention!!

My severe and chronic cockroach phobia dedicated that I get the place professional sprayed before moving in. So, I forked over $100 and assumed that I was safe for at least awhile. The guy who lived there before was a total slob and a computer gaming geek. He never opened any of the windows. Uck!!! So, I was airing out the place with all the windows and doors open. All the windows/doors have screen except for one over the kitchen sink. The apartment is on stilts, so, it never occurred to me that those lowdown scum of the earth creatures would crawl up the stilts to get to me. But, they did….. I went into the little bedroom to get ready for bed, and then went back out into the kitchen. There was 2 GIANT cockroaches racing up the curtain! I freaked out! I didn’t have any roach spray (I hadn’t even begun to unpack), so, I grabbed some toxic oven cleaner out of the cabinet and started it all over them! UCK!!!! The one raced out the window and the other one disappeared behind the stove. EWWWW!!!! So, I slammed the window shut and ran back into my room.

I got in bed and pulled up the covers, quaking on the inside. I kept telling myself, it was just because I had the window open, it was just because I have the window open!. There aren’t any more! There aren't any more! But, then a little voice inside my head said…”what if some others had crawled in? What if they came up from the drain and reinforcement troops were on their way? what about the one behind the stove???”. I leapt out of bed and jammed a row of socks along the door frame so that little monster couldn’t come after me in my sleep, then jumped back in bed and pulled the covers tight around me. I kept trying to convince myself that I should plan a surprise counter attack and leap back into the kitchen, snap on the light and see if I could catch any more and shoot them down with the toxic oven cleaner, but, I just couldn’t muster up the necessary courage. So, I huddled under my covers for the rest of the night, and, trust me, it wasn’t visions of sugar plum fairies going through my head.

The next morning, I slowly and cautiously opened the door. Sure enough, right in front of my bedroom door was the cockroach, laying flat on this back, his legs pointing up in the air. He was on his way to get me! But, I had thwarted his dastardly plan this time around! Today, at lunchtime, it was off to Big W for supplies for tonight’s battle. I bought not 1, but, two bottles of roach spray, one with a special nosal for hard to reach areas, the other, promising extra toxic poisons to be spewed into the air upon spraying. Oh goodie! Extra toxic! I topped of my arsenal with roach traps, the kind that carries the poisons back to the nest. I plan to set them up as sentries forming a protective parameter around the bedroom and kitchen. Now that I am armed and dangerous, I plan some stealth attacks, turning off the kitchen light, going into the bedroom and closing the bedroom door. Then, after a few minutes, yank open the door, sprint to the light, turn it on and blast ‘em with toxins!! Wooo hoooo! Now, if I can just get up the courage to go home.

As I stelthfully climb up the stairs to the apartment, I take out the killer toxic spray....I unlock the door and cautiously push it open. Without entering, I snake my hand around and turn on the light...my spray posed and ready for battle....

Stay tuned for the next epiosoide of...Cochroach wars!

Beautiful Binna Burra

2010-10-11T03:46:00.000-07:00

I have been to Binna Burra section of the Lamington National Park, just an hour 1/2 drive from my house. However, I have never had the pleasure of doing this hike, called the Coomera circut (17.4 km) before. Wow, what a magnificant rain forest!

Fabulous!!!

Welcome to Lamington National Park!

I just start my hike, and, I saw this little guy lumbering down the path....

It's an Enchidna! I have never seen one in the wild, only in the zoo! What a treat!

He kept burrowing his little head into the side of the embankment. I think he was trying to hide from me. I can't see you, so, you must not be able to see me!

Look out! sharp spikes! I touched them, they felt like plastic.

Lots of magnificant waterfalls...

beautiful spring flowers...

view from on high...

Check out this mushroom!

And the grand finale - the view near the end

Yet Another Mad Bike Riding Trip!

2010-10-04T01:05:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, another fine Spring day in Queensland, Australia. The day off from work, the sun is shining, off we go on another bike ride.

Having remembered the dramas from the bike trip the weekend before, I carefully check my seat pack - yep, there is a tube in there. Strange, I didn't remember replacing the tube that I used last time with a new tube, but, sure enough, there is a tube in there, so, it must of just slipped my mind.

Having learned from my mistakes from the last weekend, one being, that my tire pump does not work with the bike tube I currently have, I acted responsibly and stopped at the bike shop to purchase a new pump. Damn, the store was closed. I look up at the sun, I look at my bike, beckoning me from within my car. I have only had a flat tire a few times in my years of riding experience. What are the chances that I would get 2 flat tires in 2 consecutive weekends? Slim. Very slim. The bike beckoned. The sun shined. Heck with it, let's go ride.

Armed against swooping magpies (notice the native headdress below), I had off into the sun....

I found a lovely area to ride that has back roads, beautiful scenery and not much traffic. Some of the roads are only one lane like this one.

After a few hours, I decided to turn around and head back. As I approached Adkins Damn, I pull into the park and head toward the restrooms. When I noticed that the road had turned very rough…unless…no, it couldn’t be! It was! Another flat tire! In 2 weekends! Damn it! What were the chances. No pump. No one to call, what to do, what to do. I remember that there was a store/gas station at the entrance to the park. Maybe I could convince them to give me a hand.

I clacked into the store, wearing my biking shoes, which make you waddle like a duck. A woman with long gray hair standing behind the counter listened dispassionately to my woes. Just as she was about to dismiss me, this little old man came up and pointed to my bike. I pushed it towards him, as he began to make more gestures. It was then that I saw the hole in his throat and realized that he had no voice box and could not speak. He motioned for me to follow him. We left the building and walked back to a big workshop. He had all sorts of tools, including an air compressor. He rigged up some sort of straw that he hooked to the air compressor and then to the bike. I got my replacement tube out of my pack, only to realize that it was the blown tube. Geez! I knew I had not replaced the tube yet! So, now we had to figure out how to patch the tube. We looked at each other in dismay. Tick tock, tick tock. Then, a smile light up his face, he held up his hand, motioning that he would be right back, and he reappeared a few minutes later, triumphantly carrying a bike tire repair kick. He filed away at the tube, got some glue and patched the tube. He somehow got the straw to feed the air from the air compressor into the tube. I was making motions to show him that he was an angel – flapping my arms around and making halo motions over my head, when he pointed to my mouth and to his ear. Right. Just because he couldn’t talk doesn’t mean that he couldn’t hear. Which is good because , as I found out, it is quite difficult to gesture to someone that they are an angel, if you don’t know sign language.

Because of my angel here on earth, I was able to ride off into the sunset, smiling as I ducked and dodged, fending off magpies the whole way home.

Mt Glorious

2010-09-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

Just a short drive from Brisbane is Mount Glorious - love that name! Yet another manficiant rainforest.

The magnificant Bunyan tree...

Looking up....keep your eyes to the sky, not the ground...

Ok, so, not the most idea picnic spot...but, we had Little Creatures beers, so, we didn't mind.....

Views - aren't they glorious?

Stay tuned for some amazing pictures of a hike I did this past Sunday....

Nighttime fun in Brissie!

2010-09-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

You can go to the movies in style...put your feet up, have a cocktail, and a meal or snack and be waited on hand and foot...at the movies!

Or watch the fireworks down at the river! Riverfire display is Brisbane fireworks at their finest!

Jet fighter plane coming in....

Getting closer...

Jet fighter plane coming even closer! What a rush to feel the power!

Fireworks over Story Bridge...

The beautiful Story Bridge and the city lights...don't even need fireworks for this view!

Mad Bike Riding Adventures...

2010-09-14T02:35:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, I was off on one of my mad adventure cycling adventures…I happened upon the Queensland Rail Trail when taking a spin on my road bike. And decided that, even though it was a gravel trail, I ride it…with my road bike!

For those of my readers who are not familiar with a road bike, it’s a 10 speed looking bike, with the curved down handle bars, that looks just like those bikes we use to ride around on in the eighties. As a matter of fact, my bike is from the eighties. It’s got some really fresh rims on it though. Fat, carbonite spokes. Use to have both tires like that until one of my fellow riders fell into me. We were just standing there waiting to cross the street, and she falls into me and breaks my beautiful carbonite spokes. And since they are the eighties style, nobody sells ‘em any more. So, now my front tire is just like everyone else’s. Dull. Expect I made sure my new tires had blue strips on them to match the bike.

Anyway, kids do not try this at home. I forgot to mention the most crucial part of a road bike is that it has these skinny little tires that are pumped up to 100 psi. Needless to say, they do not do well on gravel. But, the lure of the country bike path was too strong, and I couldn’t resist. Besides, it wasn’t like I was actually attempting to go mountain bike riding with my road bike or anything. And I had a bike pump and a spare tube, and I know how to change a bike tube (well, in theory anyway), so, what could possible go wrong?

I had such a lovely time. Even had a magpie try to swoop me, even though, on that day, spring had not started to arrive. But, darkness falls early at the start of spring, so, I figured I better turn around, that, and the old rail bridge that I had to cross (or cross a creek), was enough to convince me it was time to go home. So, I reluctantly pointed my bike toward a homeward bound destination.

here is wherethe rail path included crossing this bridge, even though these brave mates decided to do it, I decided it was time to turn around and go back...

or I might end up here!

When, a few minutes later, much to my dismay, the bike started riding really rough. What could it be? Damn, a flat tire! I calculated the distance in my head required to return the car. I then calculated the amount of time that it would take me to change a tire (based on the one time I have attempted it). decided it would be faster to walk. So, clip, clap, clip, clap down the gravel road in my silly bike shoes. Note to self: next time, remember to carry a back pack with proper walking shoes, so, should this occur again, I can wear sensible shoes. Wait, should this occur again, I should probably make sure I know how to change a tube!

As I approached the next town, I saw two boys walking toward me. They were really young lads, probably around 13. I asked them if they knew how to change a tire. They said no, but, I bet they did. Ah well, who could blame them, I am sure they had better things to do. Clip, clap, clip, clap…off I go, making my way as quickly as it is possible in the silly bike shoes. Along comes another set of lads, these older, probably 15-16. I posed the same question to them, they looked at each other and shrugged and one the said yeah, he’d help. I let out a relieved sigh, I just might make it to the car before dark after all!

It was at that point in time, that I realized that I have turned into my mother. My mother will ask anyone for help. She does not know a stranger. She is the type that would be in downtown Detroit, and walk straight up to a thug, dedicated out in gang colours, sporting all sorts of prison tats, including a snake slithering up his neck, and HATE written on his right hand fingers. She’d say: “Excuse me young man, my car won’t start. Could you please see if you can get it to start?”. And hand him the keys. And you know what? the dude will go over and, instead of taking off with the car, start it for her and then open the car door for her. She would respond with “thank you, young man”. And, upon returning home, would report to everyone that he was “such a nice young man”.

Ok, so, the circumstances aren’t QUITE the same, but, you get the picture. I am turning into my mother.

Well, as it turns out, my bike pump did not work on that type of tube. One of the lads, ran all the way home to get his bike pump for me. These were such good kids! People bitch about the “kids today”, but, I tell you, I can say that I have never met a more well mannered, considerate kid these these two. Long story short, his bike pump didn’t work either! But, instead of going home, they escorted me to the gas station, where we were able to force in enough air for me to limp home.

What an adventure! Stay tuned for the next adventure when I get another flat and this time make friends with a man with no voice…

however, there was an alternate route across the creek...

Sydney - Hike

2010-09-09T01:15:00.000-07:00

Lisa, Kerri, Mei-Peng and I went hiking on Sunday at the Berowa Park less than an hour's drive outside of Sydney.

Mei-Peng and I. Don't ak me what that big lump is right above my "jumper" (fleece). It's not my stomach...really!!

What beautiful views from our first hike!

After all that excerise, it's time for a picnic!

Smoked salmon, avocado, dips, crackers, cheese....ummm!

The lovely view from our picnic table...

This lovely pelican....

Decided he was hungry too...

And came looking for a handout....

(can you believe the color of those fish? Wow!)

He took such a big piece of fish, he could hardly swallow it!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a boat moored here...

The water is so clear here.....

Off onto an afternoon hike...

Sydney - Bronte to Bondi Beach walk

2010-09-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

I was in Sydney for work a few weeks ago, and my dear friend Lisa showed me a good time! We went and saw the premier opening of: "Boy", it's a movie about a boy growing up in NZ in the 80s. It is very funny and also very tragic. You can see a movie trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch/v=MSxwnM

The writer/producer/who also plays the part of the absent father who returns was there, and "boy" was also there. There was a lot of people from New Zealand in the movie theatre, and they laughed at stuff that I had no idea what they were talking about - but, don't let that stop you from watching, it is a fantastic movie!

The next day, we walked part of the famous "Bronte to Bondi Beach" walk...

There is a large graveyard - right along the boardwalk

Creepy graveyard....

What to do if your dog takes a poo....almost reads like a line in a poem.

Lots to do at the beach....walking....

Surfing....

Fishing...he got one!

Famous Bondi Beach....in the summer this place is packed! You can't even swim between the yellow markers (the safe swim zones) because it is so packed...you just have to tread water...shouldar to shouldar with everyone else.

Lisa at Bondi Beach

POF message of the day: Joe here…interested? (and he is a 67 year old man!!!)

Beautiful Frasier Island

2010-08-25T02:21:00.000-07:00

POF profile of the day: love driving slow in fast lane, taking my time at auto teller. buying 13 or more items in express lane checkout. basically annoying people for pleasure.

No updates about the POF guy with a bit of potential, because, as you might of noticed, if you have been following my blog at all, that I have not been on line for a while, due to cirumstandes beyond my control. I will contact him tonight. Let's hope he hasn't run off and got married in the meantime. Like my ex has.

I finally got the opportunity to go to the most fabulous Frasier Island, which is about a 3 hour drive north (if you follow my directions, and don't go bush, Herbert, otherwise, you end up on roads like this....) :-) And yes, that is the sign for the road "Rainbow Beach".

...and a short ferry ride away.

Day break, and the fishermen are out...

Dingos run free....

The Fraser Island dingoes are reputedly some of the last remaining pure dingoes in Eastern Australia and to prevent cross-breeding, doges are not allowed on the island.

Ahhh....aren't they cute?? But, watch your little children...dingos have been known to eat them!

Roads through Frasier Island...only 4 wheel drives around here!

At the cross roads....

Oh, my poor, aching feet!!

Winter in Queensland - ya gotta love it! Wading through Eli Creek....

Eli Creek is the largest creek on the east coast of the island with a flow of 80 million litres per day.

Golden orb spider - look at the amazing color of that web!

Fraser Island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long, uninterrupted white beaches, glanked by striking coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes. Faser Island is the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200 metres.

The Butchulla people are the indigenous people of Fraser Island. There were six clans in the Butchulla Nation . The traditional name for Fraser Island was K'gari which means paradise. The island was named K'gari after the beautiful spirit who helped Yindingie, messenger of the great god Beeral, create the land. As a reward to K'gari for her help Beeral changed her into an idyllic island with trees, flowers and lakes. He put birds, animals and people on the island to keep her company

Captian Cook first sighted the Fraser Island Butchulla people during 1770. Captian Matthew Flinders was one of the first white men to have contact with the islanders and had a peaceful meetings with the in 1799 and 1802.

Colonization by Europeans caused great conflicts with the Aboriginal people, as the settlers did not understand or respect their bribal boundaries, their social structure or the importance of their enviornment. Land was cleared and agricultural practices established, which, in turn , disturbed the natural supply of food cycles of the native people.

Logging was started on Fraser Island in 1863 and continued until 12/1991 when the island was nominated for the Wolrd Heritage listing. For more information about the history of the island, see: http://www.fraserisland.net/, which is where this information came from.

Bark of the Squiggly gum tree

Lady Lisa's newest hair piece...

A major landmark of Fraser Island is the shipwreck of the S.S. Maheno. The S.S. Maheno was built in 1905 in Scotland as a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings. During the First World War, the ship served as a hospital ship in the English Channel, before returning to a luxury liner.

In 1935, the ship was declared outdated and on June 25, 1935 the ship was being towed from Melbourne when it was caught in a strong cyclone. A few days later, she drifed ashore and was beached on Fraser Island. During the Second World War, the Maheno served as target bombing practice for the RAAF and was used as an explosives demolition target by special forces from the Faser Commando School.

The ship as since become severly rusted, with almost three and a half storeys buried under the sand.

Lake Wabby

Lake Wabby is a barrage lake, which is formed when moving sand dunes block a watercocurse, and "window" l akes are formed when a dpression exposes park of the regional water table.

View from above Lake Wabby

Me at the sand due at Lake Wabby

Amazing sand dunes at Lake Wabby

Yes, that is a plane landing on the beach....

Good bye, beautiful Fraser Island!

Girl's Night Out

2010-08-02T02:35:00.000-07:00

POF:   Inspiring message of the day:
           hi how are you im peter i like boats to

Girl's night out.    First, a few glasses of wine, then off to a trendy Italian restaurant in the Brisbane CBC.   When we walked in they gave us each a credit card.   I was so excited, let's go shopping!! However, that wasn't quite how it worked.   Each time you go to the bar and get a drink, they swipe your card.   Same thing when you make your food selection. Then, you pay as you exit.   What I wonder is...how do they know what to charge you, if you buy your mates serveral rounds of drinks and dinners, and then just happen to loose your card?

The girl on the right is from Poland...

Me and Elissa

Little White Rock Reserve

2010-07-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

POF (Plenty of Fish) update: I actually found someone who sounds pretty cool. We will see. Haven't meet him in person yet. His profile says he is into: boats, bikes, planes, beach, ocean. He says he has done all the things that my profile talks about except for playing the flute. So, that must mean he scuba dives! He wanted to take me on a ride on his Harley up to Mt Mee over the weekend, but, I suggested we just meet for coffee next week, first. before planning to ride off into the sunset. Will let you know how it goes...

Here is a lovely nature reserve just 25 minutes or so from my house, called: White Rock. These pictures aren't dramatic, like the outback, but, still worth sharing...

Verman Bushland

2010-07-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

POF: Check out this profile of an admirer:

Let's see.   He's married, he does drugs over 3 times a week, he smokes often, he is a welder by trade, yet he has a master's degree (interesting).    The rest of his profile says that he is from: Kuala Lumpur Tasmania.   Ok, I was a bit confused by this, because Kuala Lumpur is in Malysia, so, where does the Tasmania fit in?

Right'O!   Another POF winner!!!

Australia has many reserves where they have mountain bike and hiking pathes.   These reserves are not as beautiful as the National parks made up of rainforests with waterfalls and lush folliage, but, they are more conveniently located. So, if you just want to go out for a morning hike or ride, they are perfect.   This one is 25 minute drive from my house:

Verman Bushland Reserve

New Feature: On-line dating adventures

2010-07-27T01:14:00.000-07:00

I am venturing back into the land of on-line dating....Too cheap and not taking it seriously enough to pay for a REAL dating site, I have signed up for Plenty of Fish (http://www.pof.com/). I know you never would of guessed the profile name: YankeeGalInAustralia, check it out, if you feel like it.

Here is my profile picture. I probably should update now, with a more current, fat picture.

For your amusement, I will post the day's most idiotic email, comment or profile that I see, at the top of each new blog entry.

Here's an example - a profile of someone who contacted me (by the way, "root" means "have sex"):

Interests

     bikes & bitches

About Me

     Good looking, tattooed, and adventurous. I like to ride my motorcrycle and drive my VE SS commodore, I like fishing and . I like to party I like to have fun, and do exciting things with women who enjoy the same.

First Date

root, I like to get to no the person, I like to have a connection, I like to go out high class restaurants and wine and dine.

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or from another highly eloquent speaker with excellent spelling skills:

      hi im hugh ,hope to here from you

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or another message - now, don't hold anything back......

     hi babe its john you are so hot and so so curvy wow wow wow my number is 04xxxxxxx .

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I will also keep you entertained with any dating disaster stories...so, stay tuned......