Boranup plus!

The Karri trees in the Boranup Forest part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park have long pale trunks, and can grow over 250′ tall. They are the third tallest trees in the world. We took a right off of Cave Road and started our approximately 15 miles drive on dirt roads. We had no idea what to expect. We only saw four cars on our trek along with an older couple sitting in chairs outside their caravan on one of the few pull outs. They were drinking coffee and made sure they waved and smiled at us! Don’t forget to go to the website to see this blog laid out correctly!

We stayed on the road and found a sign pointing to the “Boranup Lookout”. I guess I didn’t imagine we had gone up this high in altitude and I did not expect such a stunning view.

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As we left the lookout, I tried to take a right and head over the horizon to the beach off the dirt road but Michael and Larkin weren’t too happy to be on a four wheel drive dirt/sand road with no 4wd! I turned around after barely squeezing past the last car we saw on the dirt track.

As we came toward Caves Road on the south side of the drive, there was a nice turn out where we could take a hike in the woods. It was a delightful trail full of earthy smells. Karri trees are a type of eucalyptus but they didn’t seem to have the powerful smell of the ones America imported into the states. It might be we were used to the smells too! Sun filtered through the “rejuvenation” forest and the forest floor was full of calla lilies starting to push up through the dirt.

We want to go back next month to see the Calla Lilies in bloom. The caves along Cave road have opened but as Larkin said, next week is suppose to be all rain and it doesn’t matter if we are in a cave. The nice thing also is that they are only 30 minutes from our home. That might be our next adventure except for the ability to eat at a sit down but social distanced in a real restaurant. We have at least 4 bookings on the books! Three at lunch and one dinner. Woo Hoo…and there is zero V that shall not be named here!

Next we decided to drop by Firetail winery for our favorite rose, late discourged sparkling wine and a stunning semillion as well as a take out lunch from The Berry Farm. Even after the 30 minute drive home, the wagu beef burger was stunning! I’ve been craving a burger since we arrived in WA….

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Today was stunningly blue so when it came to the sunset I was ready for a hike to the point. Since restrictions have been lifted, folks from Perth began to stream down south as soon as Monday morning hit. They were at Firetail at 11 am on Monday morning and the streets and highways have been much busier.

I want to include a few photos of our tasting yesterday. It was a gin tasting along with lunch. We left Larkin at home since she seems to really like staying at home and Michael and I only shared one tasting. I was driving home from lunch and gin isn’t my first choice of beverages! We were their first clients in two months! They quoted W.C. Fields as saying, “Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of a snake bite..and further more always carry a small snake.” We didn’t follow his advice today! ..and we didn’t see any animals but heard a few ravens in the forest.

For the sunset hike, I was by myself but I was trying to meet up with our friends Julie and David from Lake Tahoe. Julie misplaced the car keys so I just enjoyed keeping my iPhone camera out taking photos…

Some of the kids in Western Australia learn the basics of surfing by riding on a skateboard. This kid was a hoot. If you note in the third photo of him, a bird was scooting across. The birds were going after each other like crazy. I felt I was in the Birds, the movie. It was an odd feeling!

The German Shepherd was waiting for his share of the chips. The birds were waiting to fight each other over any food left behind. The bikes have hooks to hold your surf board so you can bike it to the point. Every night a parking lot full of people of all ages await the sunset with chairs, blankets, utes backed in with tail gates open and they are all enjoying food and drinks. Life is fun in Oz land!

Another day in Oz and we are still thrilled we have at least 7 more weeks to enjoy their hospitality.. Stay safe and healthy as you catch the wave into your weekend! Hugs from the Three Martini’s Traveling!