Vehicles splash through puddles along the Gunbarrel Highway!

Journal and photo by Neil Dana

Today was one of the most memorable and spectacular days of our trip so far! We are still on the Gunbarrel Hwy and in the middle of Australia's famous "Outback." We awoke to a picturesque scene of wildflowers and our camped vehicles glowing in the morning light. There was a light wind, which kept off the majority of flies, as well; it was Mother Nature giving us a helping hand.

Justin was looking a bit funky this morning…take a LOOK!! Ha ha. He also decided to throw away his oranges, which have gone bad, so we ended up playing, "Huck the orange to your buddy" game. We quickly found out who could throw and catch well, and who couldn't! It's always nice to see married couple's strengths (Chanda's arm) and weaknesses (Nick's)…ha ha.

After having some fun with oranges and taking a group picture for our mothers, since it was Mother's Day back in the U.S, we headed out west for more fun on the Gunbarrel. This road is awesome!! It is barely a road; it is more a track with one or two side tracks to choose from. We always choose the right-hand track; it is less used and more windy and fun. The dirt is red and extremely sandy, coupled with fun turns and potholes, dips, and crazy rocks, termite hills, and bumps all over the place. It is a fun park out in the wild, and we are the lucky participants who get to drive this off-road track for days and days, without another vehicle in sight. This is truly wonderland.

Along with the zany roads, there are all kinds of animals, too. We saw camels, dingoes, kangaroos, and all kinds of different-colored birds. Luckily, we haven't seen any right in front our moving vehicle yet, phew. It is actually safer on these roads, since you are moving slower due to the extreme terrain. When we see animals, we usually have sufficient time to slow down. And you should see the road signs, whenever there are any. One of them had bullet holes in it. I think we average one road sign every 200 kilometers. We are in the middle of the Outback.

We have also been filming tons recently. There are so many puddles and interesting terrain to cross, it is great for the film. We have been getting some great footage. And of course with all this great Outback, we are slowly turning our vehicles RED with dirt! We are the dirtiest we have been in a long time, and I mean the vehicles, and us. We are on our third day of dirt and sweat, and no shower, mmmn, wish you could smell me now.

Well, the Gunbarrel is much more fascinating than I had anticipated. I know a few of us had worries that it was a huge open dirt road with road trains zooming down, narrowly missing us, and having dust plumes in our face all day long. It is nothing of the sort. Like I said, the roads are narrow, windy and sandy, there is no way big rigs come down this way. It is a fun off-road adventurer's dream, and I thank Nick for setting up this experience. I hope to come back again some day when I have a sweet honey and children to bring along. Until then, cheers mate.

Neil

Logbook for May 10th, Day 192
Start: Camp Beadell, Australia
Time: 10:30
N: 26* 33.132
E: 125* 20.040
Finish Gunbarrell Highway, Australia
Time: 6:00 p.m.
N: 25* 28.067
E: 123*30.784
Mileage: 132
Notes Team continued westward past numerous monuments to Len Beadell. After crossing through the Gibson Desert and Mangkilly Claypan Nature Reserves, the team made camp in the Fame Range. Team saw more wildlife, including camels, red kangaroos, dingos, and wild birds.
(N.O.)

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