I was so excited I hardly slept the night before. Twenty years ago O'Reilly's was the highlight of my Australian tour, and I was getting to go there again, this time with Lizzie. Lizzie had last been there in the 1960s so she was looking forward to our adventure. I knew I was going to … Continue reading O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Day 1
Nature
I work in ecological restoration in Wisconsin and Australia.
Bunya Mountain National Park
I wasn't as sore as I thought I'd be from the last Lizzie hike. I woke up full of anticipation on Bunya Mountains morning. The leech bites on my legs itched but I ignored them as I dressed in blue jeans and gray New Balance shoes, no white this time. It was 7:00 am precisely … Continue reading Bunya Mountain National Park
Birdwing Butterflies and the Leeches of Booroobin
My friend Lizzie said, "would you like to walk down the hill to the river?" I smiled, "Sure, that sounds great." I'd just managed to drive solo to her place on the other side of the valley from Long Timber through a slight drizzle. Although I couldn't see the river from her house I thought it … Continue reading Birdwing Butterflies and the Leeches of Booroobin
Hiking Long Timber
The second day I was here Lizzie a long time friend of the family came over to take me on a hike around Long Timber. We descended down the steep hill that the house sits on top. Walking down towards the creek. I thought it hasn't rained lately so hopefully, there won't be any leeches … Continue reading Hiking Long Timber
Bunya nut tree
Harvesting and cooking with a Bunya nut.
Friends at Beacon Rock
The greatest honor is for a friend to share their home with me. The greatest gift is when they share their favorite place. Today my dear friend took me on her favorite hike here near Portland Oregon. It is winter here raining and snowing at higher elevations. She said "You have to climb Beacon Rock, … Continue reading Friends at Beacon Rock
Tower Hill and the Grampians
My cousins promised me we would see Emus up close and personal at Tower Hill. Indeed they greeted me in the parking lot, eyeing me right in the car. When I got out of the car I was amazed to find a bird almost a large as myself: The amazing creature walked along the path … Continue reading Tower Hill and the Grampians
Great Ocean Road
Down the coast from Melbourne is one of the most beautiful seaside roads in the world. Curves, ocean surf, and rocks greet a driver at every turn. Luckily I had a very experienced local driver. Signs remind tourists to stay to the left. It was wonderful to stop, watch and listen to the surf pounding … Continue reading Great Ocean Road
A Rain Forest Sanctuary
One morning my cousin whisked me out of the city. We drove east for an hour to the Dandenong Range where we came to William Ricketts created a space to honor native Australian flora, fauna and people. His fired clay sculptures mounted in the rain forest are a wonder to behold. Wandering through the sculptures … Continue reading A Rain Forest Sanctuary
Bowral, Mittegong and Canberra
My uncle who wrote the letters featured in my book Visions from two Continents had four children and their children had many more who spread throughout Australia. On this trip I have been very fortunate to meet many of his grandchildren and their children. After I left Townsville, I flew back to Sydney and then … Continue reading Bowral, Mittegong and Canberra
Visions from Two Continents. 