Monday, July 25: More Photos -- On the Road to Alice Springs

It's Monday and becoming a bit melancholy that we only have 2 more full days here in Alice Springs. This will most likely be remembered as the best segment of this journey. For the Hoovers, getting back to The Alice after some 30 years has been so special. For them it's been a time of returning to a time and place and people they cherished. And seeing them with Sammy and Carmela -- and how their family has embraced all of us and been so unbelievably generous -- is incredible.

Last night we feasted once again at Sammy and Carmela's home -- lasagna, salads, sausages, steak and prawns nearly the size of my foot. A wonderful time with more of the family -- daughter (and goddaughter fo Don & Jeannine) Anastasia, her husband Matthew and toddler Hugo; brothers Tony and Santos; son Sebastian. And of course lots of good drink! 4-5 bottles of wine, 4-5 bottles of champagne. Truly the highlight of the trip. The only disappointment was that the Younger Hoovers have been out at the rock but they return tomorrow night -- we heard from them this morning and they're having a great time.

Today was a day of more wandering around town hunting for art and souvenirs and just relaxing mostly. Madie had a blast "working" at Anastasia's shop this morning. Tonight we'll find ourselves back at Casa Nostra (mental note -- buy more wine to bring to dinner) for more laughs; tomorrow we plan to head about an hour out of town to a place where the Hoovers camped when they lived here, have lunch and just enjoy the scenery. Yesterday (I think) we went to a place called Simpsons Gap -- a slim gap/pass between two mountains -- and saw wild rock wallabies. Very beautiful place.

On Wednesday, our last day, we hope to go to the Camel Farm and ride (yes) camels. Will try to squeeze a round of golf in that afternoon.

My photos have now loaded so I'll wrap this up.

All the best from the Outback!

--Big Daddy

P.S. The pictures above are from the trip to Alice -- baby Sydney, the 3 "drivers, the must have road sign photo and a glimpse of the 1-lane "highway" we grew to love/hate.