Kings Canyon

After we left Uluru, we headed for Kings Canyon, another must see on our lengthy list from those who have been before.

The drive to Kings Canyon was very interesting.  Just the week before we arrived it was closed due to flooding so we were not sure if we would be able to see it.  The road was passable, just barely in some places.

This was one of the flood-plains that we had to drive through.  The mud about 18-22" deep.  After we made it through, Dalton got out to take a picture, we should have taken it while the vehicle was in the ruts just to see how it looked.  The next one had rocks all across the road.  People were just driving over with their 4 x 4s to flatten it out enough for the rest of us to drive over.  When this stuff dries it is just like powder.  When it is wet, just like gumbo.  Remind anyone of Saskatchewan!

We got to the campsite, checked in and then went to look at the Canyon to see what we were in for.   When you go to Kings Canyon, you have to climb it and walk the rim.  I don't know who made that rule, but it is the thing to do.  Everyone knows that I think exercise is a four letter word so you can imagine what was going through my mind when we drove up to take a look.  Everyone had told me that the first part was difficult but the rest was worth it.  Well, when we got to the bottom and I saw the sign that said 5.5 km. I knew that everyone had been lying to me.  I was quite intimidated and very nervous.  But I was there so up we both went.  Dalton was very supportive of me, and he was there to lend a hand and encouragement whenever I needed it.  I made it to the top, I know I missed a lot of the scenery on the way up, but I was so busy concentrating on not losing my balance that I kept my eyes focused on where my feet were going next.  I made it to the top, but that really was not the end of the climbing, it was basically up and down for the entire 5.5 km.  It took us 4 hours to do it in 35 degree weather with a dozen flies buzzing around your face the entire time.  But we made it and here are the pictures to prove it:

That really is me up there!

My Hero!

The view is pretty spectacular - you can see the cars below if you look closely.

The formations are really something to see and the plants growing out of the rock is rather odd.  I always though plants needed soil, who knew.

This cliff face looks like it was opened up with a shovel.  Dalton says that this is what the ground in our back yard looks like when he is digging it.  Except for the colour of course.

We really were right at the very top of this Canyon.

They call this "The Garden of Eden" because there is lots of plant life and little critters living there.  We only saw the birds and one lizard.  I didn't look to see if it was one of the poisonous ones or not.  I just kept on walking.  Isn't it beautiful, you can swim here if you wish, the water is very cold.  We didn't go in but there were three young blokes that did, they said it was coooold!