Hot stuff

May 2

Fitzroy Crossing

Geikie Gorge

How could we not stop here?  We'd found a sticker for Dr. Sawfish's Hot Glass Studio on a garbage can at the giant boab tree picnic spot we'd stopped at several days ago & we were intrigued. The owner blows glass (Kimberley-related decorative items and various creatures) and also sells tires.  Jackson bought me a crocodile eye bead for a bracelet as an early Mother's Day gift. 

His sticker inspired Jackson to create "Dr. Platypus' Boomerang Emporium," with some awesome illustrations by Isee. 

We first learned about Geikie Gorge & the Fitzroy River on a "River Monsters" episode on Animal Planet many months ago. The host, Jeremy Wade, generally tells some near-fable fantastic tale he's heard about locals in faraway places losing limbs or lives by way of some aquatic beastie. On the episode, he went fishing for sawfish & glyphus shark & determined that sawfish aren't human hunters, but in fact, creatures that may thrash about & cause injury if they're caught on a hook. 

We've seen lots of kids swimming in this river as we've driven over the bridge & they don't seem to mind the sawfish, the sharks or the freshies. 

Solanum lucani at the Geikie Gorge trail head:

In the wet season, the entire sandy bank on the other side would be covered in water (and so would I). 

The gorge is another ancient limestone reef & is quite beautiful, but is exposed and offers little shade. We made the mistake of making this 5k hike midday = tourist alert!  It was broiling & the deep & soft sandy terrain was a tough walk for our boots. Whining might have transpired. 

These little buggers were the worst -- noogoora burrs (also known as G.D. Burrs). They are like miniature reverse pin cushions & they stick to everything...they are no joke!!

Post-hike selfie (I hate selfies) a little red in the face:

And mustard seed & mayonnaise tuna for lunch!  Today we chilled it in the fridge & bought day-old rolls as an extra treat.  We have become stealth Aussie supermarket shoppers & have a keen eye for grocery sales. So far, the TimTam value pack (1/2 the cost of a pack half its size!), the $3.50 bundle of broccoli, red peppers & limes & $2 liter of iced coffee are our greatest scores. 

We've determined that Jackson has a golden bladder.  Whenever that kid has to pee, a solanum is right nearby. Today we pulled over & Solanum beaugleholei was directly in front of my truck window.

We had a nice dinner with "Uncle Mike" (we'd met him camping in Kununurra) at the Fitzroy Crossing Lodge Pub. We emailed him where we'd be & he quietly drove in in the morning on his motorbike on his way to work. He told Jackson it was time to get up & get moving for the day. It was 5:45 am.  He works for the shire (township) on road crew & was wearing his navy & yellow uniform that many blue collar workers seem to wear during the workday.