Closing Gates and Crossing Borders

Posted on by Miriam

“Life isn’t about the destination. It’s about all the wild stuff that happens along the way.”

That couldn’t be more true for me at the moment. We’re currently on a road trip, Doug and I. And it’s a big one. We left Melbourne a week ago, on Friday 3 July for Mildura, staying by the Murray river before crossing the border into South Australia on the second day. From Redbank Conservation park just outside of Burra we travelled to the Flinders Ranges and there we stayed for three relaxing magical nights.

The Flinders Ranges is ancient landscape. Think towering peaks, granite gorges millions of years old, tracks that encompass dry river beds and majestic gnarly gumtrees that look as though they could talk to you.

If these trees could only talk what stories would they tell.

A TIMELESS LANDSCAPE

Our station stay at Edeowie encompassed starry nights, blazing sunsets and stunning sunrises.

One of the many highlights of our stay at Edeowie Station was a self guided 23km 4WD tour from their property giving us exclusive access to the Bunyeroo Gorge and many rocky tracks and magnificent peaks in the distance. We had lunch in the middle of nowhere. Driving through these tracks I lost count of how many gates I opened and closed.

We visited ruins of the old Edeowie township, established back in 1875. This is history, magnificent, mesmerising and utterly enthralling.

FROM THE FLINDERS TO FARINA

Where one gate (and door) closes another one opens. And on we continued. The sun was shining brightly as we left Farina. As we crossed onto the Oodnadatta Way more snd more swirly clouds in the sky appeared and it was as though the angels were following us . The puffs resembled Angel wings and I felt an incredible sense of gratitude and love for the moment. Ahead of us were unknown roads and vast horizons yet I felt an overwhelming sense that I was exactly where I was meant to be. Have you ever felt that sense of connection.

It’s a strange time to be travelling in Australia. For the first time ever there are border restrictions and a need to apply for a permit when crossing into each state. Everywhere we go the topic of conversation invariably goes to the state of play at the moment. We’ve never been checked for our permits which makes me wonder how lawful and real this actually is. Our priorities are more about real life issues like making sure we have enough fuel! Life feels very real on the road. I feel very grateful. And blessed.

At Farina we camped in the Station campground. It’s peaceful, despite many other campers here. There are basic facilities and a donkey water heater for those who want a hot shower. Good thing we have facilities in our van! The ruins are spectacular here and we spent hours exploring the history of this once thriving pastoral town. Then there’s the bakery. Run by volunteers, this underground bakery is only open eight weeks of the year during June and July and we’ve lucked it! Fresh bread, custard tarts, apple turnovers, egg and bacon pies for breakfast with coffee … we tried them all.

The mobile coverage out here on these remote tracks and roads is very poor and in most cases non existent so it’s been hard to post. The connection with nature however is strong, ever present and incredibly beautiful. Know that if you leave me a comment I’ll reply, when I can.

For the next part of the journey we’re hitting the epic Oodnadatta track, 617kms of remote driving on dirt tracks from Maree to Marla. It’s going to be a rough ride but hopefully our outback van will handle the terrain. Our aim is to get to the Northern Territory, our next border, enjoying every bumpy road along the way.

So that’s what I’ve been up to. Wherever you are in the world I wish you love, joy, peace and gratitude for this gift of life.

Love and light

This post was written and published on my phone at the William Creek hotel, on the Oodnadatta track. Our lunch stop and brief spot of phone coverage before we hit the road again and out of range.

70 thoughts on “Closing Gates and Crossing Borders”

  1. Looks like a lot of fun. With those red soils, windmill and badlands in the back ground, you could be in northern New Mexico, USA. We had border restrictions of sorts between states during the lock down. We didn’t have to get permits, but in New Mexico, for example, anyone coming into the state was supposed self quarantine for 14 days. That’s a really great policy for business and education. I’m doing research for some universities on how to deal with declining enrollments. The latest post lock down data shows that New Mexico lost more students and has some of the largest number of students that are well behind grade level in the Nation. We are basically tied with California in bad results from bad policies. The difference is California has 39.5 million people, New Mexico has a little of 2 million people, so the cumulative effect in New Mexico is rather devastating.

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  3. Miriam, it seems you are having the time of your life delving into history, communing with nature and driving on roads less take. Gorgeous pics, enjoy yourself and grateful for your reminder that there gratitude in attitude is important. ❤️

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  7. Wow what a wonderful trip to be taking – particularly at this time. It must be so good to be out in those open spaces and seeing skies full of stars every night. Safe travels. It sounds brilliant. 🙂

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  12. I can feel your excitement! It’s so interesting to see what other places are up to and how they’re dealing with everything. I love the angel cloud wings! Very original!

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  14. I greatly appreciate the photos of a land I will likely not see in real life, Miriam. A treasure to be “in the middle of nowhere.” I truly ‘get it’ on the feeling of “…an overwhelming sense that I was exactly where I was meant to be.” I know exactly where I have been when I have had this wonderful, pure, right feeling. A donkey water heater is a new concept for me. Fresh, baked goods….wonderful. Thank you for sharing your love and light.

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Erica. I’ve no doubt you’ve shared that feeling of “rightness” on many occasions. We have so much to be grateful for don’t we. 🙏😊

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    1. Yes, we’ve not been asked or stopped and everything has been easy. We’re due to enter the NT tomorrow so we’ll see how we go then. I think all the travel restrictions are lifting now so that’s proving very timely as well. 🙏😊

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  16. I’m so glad you’re off on this big trip! The photos look gorgeous, but I especially love the sense of vastness of the landscape. What a way to reconnect with nature! Enjoy the rest of your adventure, and we’ll hear from you when you get back. Take care!!

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    1. Thanks so much Ann. We’re back in civilisation today after three days off the grid and it’s been wonderful. I agree with you, that sense of vastness is so tranquil. I feel very grateful. 🙏

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    1. Thanks so much Kamal and apologies for the late reply as I only found your comment today. Yes, we’re having a wonderful trip and I’m absolutely grateful for every day. Much love to you. 🙏

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    1. Hello lovely, I found you! And yes, in my trash. How dare WP!! Anyway, yes we’re having a fantastic time and I’m very grateful for every day. Especially as back home my state is in lockdown again. Crazy times! Hope you’re well Tanya, sending you much love. xx

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  23. Hi Miriam! I commented on this post the other day but I think I am being relegated to spam on everyone’s blogs. 😳 I was nice, I swear. It has happened all week for some reason. Can you check if my comment is in spam? This one might go to spam, too, so this might not be helpful at all. Haha. I am hitting send. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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  25. awesome trip, you bring back so many memories for me … did a massive amount of caving in the Flinders! If you think the trees should speak, the caves sure do large underground lakes sparkling with calcite deposits, fairytale grottos of perfect tiny crystal universes …

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  26. Pingback: Station Stays around Australia – Out an' About

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