sabbatical

noun

: a period of time during which someone does not work at her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Day 61: West MacDonnell Ranges

I've updated Days 59 & 60.

Today's tour was out to the West MacDonnell Ranges.  Learned a lot about the geology of the area & a lot about how the indigenous people have lived of the land for the past 50,000 years (our tour guide was very good -- his mother is from a local Aboriginal group).

The West MacDonnell Ranges were created 300 - 350 million years ago by the Alice Springs Orogeny -- a major intraplate tectonic (mountain building) episode (I have to admit that I've never heard of an orogeny).  The ranges are mostly made up of red quartzite (a very hard rock).
  • First stop was the grave site for Rev John Flynn -- the dude who started up the Royal Flying Doctors Service
  • Second stop was a walk to the Simpsons Gap
  • Third stop was a rocky & wet walk through the Stanley Chasm
  • Fourth stop was a bush walk -- great bird viewing + some kangaroos

Weather:  very cloudy, few sprinkles, 55 - 70F
Miles Walked:  6.5
kms - Bus Driven:  129

Pic Notes:
  • 1:  Rev John Flynn gravesite
  • 2:  some caterpillar cocoon thing
  • will add more notes in tomorrow





































1 comment:

  1. That lounging kangaroo looks like he/she should be enjoying a scotch on the rocks and a cigarette.

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