The Outback

   Phew!!!! We are now at the Alice Springs airport and the first internet connection we've had for several days. We actually would have been able to connect at other spots in the Red Center but we were too busy and didn't want to take the time away from what we had on our list!! We just turned in the camper from Saturday and in that length of time, we've put 1600 miles on it! But it was great. We went to Uluru first (Ayers rock) and watched the sun set on the rock along with hundreds of other people. I didn't find it all that inspiring but it did seem to change colors over the length of time we were there.
   And, Ken, we did drive at night even though you made us take a vow! We like to eat in nice places and there was a really good restaurant at one resort so we drove over there after the sunset but couldn't get in -- apparently everyone likes to eat there. We did eat in the bar however and had drinks first, so that was pleasant. I've had some really interesting mixed drinks. Chris, I found a drink that more than rivals the chocolate martini. It has Kahlua along with several other chocolate/coffee flavors. Great pick me up!!
   Anyway, we didn't hit any animals although we did see a dingo crossing the road in front of us once. Jay said he saw it snarling but I was driving and had to look straight ahead! We did see several dead kangaroos along the road but not a live one in sight. Our amazing interaction with the animal world was when I went to the restroom at King's Canyon. I'll be graphic here but it's the only way to tell the story. When I flushed the loo I thought I saw something moving so I checked it out. It was a frog!!! It was grasping the side of the tank so I went to tell the park attendant and he just said "no worries. They live there, usually under the seat rim." That made my morning.. .  I couldn't imagine a group of frogs living THERE!!!
   The hike at King's Canyon was beautiful even though we didn't do the 4 hour one. We took one look at the steep, rocky hill and decided that was not for us. The 1 hour hike was beautiful and gave a good idea of what the "Eden" center was like.
   All the camping grounds were nice but we are soooo glad we had the nets to cover our faces. The flies here are smaller than at home but they are really tenacious. They land on your face and you can't shush them off!! They try to get into your nose and ears. Yuck!!! Thank heavens for the net!
   We will be leaving for Adelaide and the south in a couple of hours so we'll have pretty constant internet connections, I think. Our main problem now is we need to buy another suitcase. It's not because we've bought so much stuff . . .  it's just we took so much that even adding a few things makes it hard to pack. We'll buy a duffel bag when we get to a bigger city. That will alleviate some of the overpacking we have. We did buy some art work in Alice Springs. .   2 pieces of Aboriginal art. We're carrying that with us too, but they are rolled and in tubes.
   Better go. Time to get a little something to eat before the flight.