The View from DownUnder Pt. 2 '97
by Bob Gabri

With the race behind me, it was time to set off for another adventure
in this wonderful country. One last visit to my doctor on Monday
morning and I was off with my Australian friends, Graeme and Jill.

After the race they wanted to do some sight-seeing on their way home
and they wanted me to join them, and spend some time with them at
their home in Waikerie, South Australia. They had driven from their
home to Melbourne last week to work the race and it was a ten hour
drive. Our return trip would be two or three days depending on how
many stops we made and how many things we decide to see.

We drove along the south coast of Australia which is referred to as
the Shipwreck Coast. It got it's name from the many wrecks that have
occurred there in the last 150 years. Some 200 sailing and steam
powered vessels have went down against this coast and King Island just
off shore. Also along this coast is located the Twelve Apostles. These
are chunks of land which were once part of the southern coast. These
giant land masses can be as high as 200 feet and are typically within
100 feet off the shore. Millions of years of erosion have isolated
them from the coast and eventually they will disappear. They were
originally called the "Little Pigs", but a long time ago it was
decided to give them a more distinguished name to attract tourists.

We stayed the night in a motel in Warrnambool and the next morning we
visited the Maritime museum in Flagstaff. This museum displayed the
discoveries and history of the Shipwreck Coast. Along with the museum,
there was a recreated village that showed how things were at the turn
of the century. That afternoon we visited a distinct volcano called
Tower Hill. It has been extinct for many centuries and the park there
is beautiful. Lots of vegetation and animals have taken over this
place. I'm glad that the doctor did a good job of fixing my knee,
because I did a lot of climbing up the sides of this volcano. After
that we went to the Grampiens. This is a huge mountain range with
lakes, streams, falls, cliffs and a big variety of wild animals. I was
most impressed with a place called "The Balconies". This was a rock
lookout about some 3000 ft. up and looking over a valley that seemed
to go on forever. We did a lot of mountain climbing in this place and
my knee didn't give me a problem at all. On our way leaving this place
at dusk we had to keep a sharp eye out for the many kangaroos that
crossed the road in front of the car. We had a few close calls on our
way to Horsham, our next motel.

The next day we passed from the state of Victoria to the state of
South Australia. Quite different from this country, we had to go
through border inspection at this location. All fruit that you are
carrying at this point has to be surrendered there. We left them with
some apples and oranges that we had with us. Seeing the fruit sniffing
dog next to the guard shack, I didn't want to take any chances and get
into trouble like I did the previous year at the Melbourne
airport. This afternoon we arrived in Waikerie, a nice little town
along the Murray River and home to Graeme and Jill. This place is also
the Citrus Centre of Australia with vast areas of vineyards and orange
and grapefruit orchards. The products from this area supply all of
Australia. That evening we had the typical "Shrimp on the Barbie",
along with steaks and thin sliced potatoes. Wine was also an
Australian vintage.

Thursday we went Will's sheep station (Australian ranch) to ride with
him as he does his weekly check of watering holes, pumping stations
and windmills that provide the water for his herd of about 13,000
sheep and 300 head of cattle, not counting the various other
inhabitants. His station is 125,000 acres in size and his property
lines are around 32 miles apart. The land in Waikerie is somewhat arid
and the Murray River provides the farmers and ranchers with
practically all of this much needed resource. Graeme and I were riding
with Will as he did his rounds. Occasionally we scared up a kangaroo
or two and I tried to take a pictures on this bumpy ride. Will says
don't waste film, wait. As we got into the "back 40" we come upon more
kangaroos running along one of the fence lines and I started taking
pictures of the ones running 10 feet in front of us. Soon there were
about two dozen of them. About then Will taps me on the arm and points
over his right shoulder. I look and it seems like the whole landscape
is moving, everywhere things are moving, and moving with us in the
same direction and speed. Kangaroos for as far as I could see. Will
guesses the herd to be about a thousand in size and he doesn't see
them this big very often, (nice show for the visitors). I tried to
take pictures over Will's shoulder, but the ride was too bumpy and I'm
thrown around in the seat pretty good. All of a sudden I saw in the
mirror a big dust cloud and told Will I thought we might have hit
one. He took the truck out of gear, jumps out, runs around and grabbed
a Joey by the tail and picks it up. After the truck came to a stop, I
got out and go over to see what he has. It was a Joey about a foot and
a half tall. I take a couple of pictures of him holding it, but he
handed it to me, took my camera and took a picture of me. He said to
hold the legs very firm because they will kick like hell trying to get
away. Here I was trying to hold still for a picture and I've got this
little critter in my hands trying to do 40 MPH to get away from me. I
survived.

I've had heard Graeme frequently talk about going fishing for
Yabbies. From what he describes it sounded like a lobster, but he said
it wasn't. He said he would take me if I wanted, which I did to find
out what he was talking about. In two hours we catch two dozen Yabbies
and they were biting real good just as it was time to leave. I find
out they are something between a crayfish and a full grown lobster,
ranging in size from three inches to a foot. The ones we caught were
in the four inch range. And they taste just like lobster.

Saturday we went over to the airport in Waikerie. Graeme arranges for
me to get a ride in a glider there. In no time at all I'm up 2,000
feet in the air and just floating around over the town. The scene is
breathtaking, my very first time in a small plane.

Saturday afternoon we head toward Alelaide to stay with friends before
my Sunday flight home. We stopped at several wineries along the way
for visits and samples. That night the five of go out to a fancy
dinner in the city. Arthur and I have a Wallaby Fillet. Arthur says
that it is more tender than Kangaroo and I agree.

The places I visited on my second week in Australia were not on the
usual tourist route so I did not find any locations to buy
souvenirs. That meant I had to do all of my shopping in the last hour
before I got on the plane. I went through three hundred dollars in
record time, buying almost anything I touched. Saying good-bye to
Graeme and Jill at the airport brought tears to my eyes. They are
truly wonderful people, I miss them a lot. I am really looking forward
to next year's visit.

Several people gave me items to hand out to the workers at the race. I
would like to thank them tremendously, the workers loved everything
and not a single thing was left over. I know more people had things
for me which I could not get in time before the trip. Save them, I'm
going back next year.

When I got home, I was asked what I liked most about Australia. My
answer is THE PEOPLE, they are really wonderful.