VACATION TO WINDY HARBOR

DAY 28 | Isaac & I got up early at 5:30 am to make sure everything was squared away with our Freelance Clients. With work taken care of, we started our journey to Windy Harbor. We followed Isaac’s friends down South for the weekend. We packed a fair amount of food, Isaac’s double swag, and lots of layers for the changing temperatures. Though the drive was fairly lengthy (4.5/5 hours), I saw some of the most adorable little towns and gorgeous countryside. I was surprised by all the town and street names; they were not easy to pronounce! For a predominately English culture (though they try not to admit it; mocking their Brittish counterparts by calling them “pommies”), I found it weird that the names were so connected to the country’s aboriginals (their native people) language. Considering America where we just take over everything, put our own spin on it, and name it as our own creation; somehow this differentiating feature still really surprises me. Among the very hard to pronounce names (Manjimup, Mullalyup, Mandjoogoordap Dr.), were Donnybrook, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Bridgetown, etc. One of the uniting factors were the focus on the arts and the amount of coffee shops!

On the drive one of the things I loved the most was the landscapes. Though most of the Earth was dried up, there were spots where rivers ran that were lush and obnoxiously green. Watching the hills turn and change was like watching the very breath of music. I think I burned the tops of my legs on the way down but I didn’t care. Sitting in the sun and seeing the Australian Landscape unfold with untold promises was something I knew I couldn’t relive. I barely had enough time to relish the excitement before we arrived. The drive went quicker the way down then it did on the way back.

After quickly setting up camp with the rest of the group that came down with us and those who were already there, we had a relaxed night hanging around the campfire. I was tired, cold, but for the most part at ease. We all decided to go for a fish in the morning on the small tin boat that Brody & Kellan (Isaac’s friends) brought. With that Isaac and I tucked in early.

DAY 29 | The fishing didn’t really go according to plan. Most everyone were pretty sluggish from the evening prior, which made us a little slow getting out on the water. After it was clear that we weren’t getting out on the waves in the boat, we decided to go exploring and see if we could fish off a beach somewhere.

Now, though warned when I left by Daniel (one of Isaac’s best mates) to bring my big camera before I left, I had made peace with leaving it at home (safe & sound). The sights I saw that day made me feel like that was one of the worst decisions of my life! Luckily I had my point and shoot at my disposal but the files look like misfits in comparison to what could have been created with my 5D Mark II. What made it worse was that all the boys we traveled with had souped up 4 wheel drives which allowed us to trek where few tourists, let alone Australians, ever even venture to.

This particular adventure we were so privileged to get to ride in Brody’s white land cruiser; supercharged, V8 beast of a 4 wheel drive. From now on I think I should call him “Captain Brody” (a title he was well deserving of, and seemed to be quite fond of). So El Capitan Brody, who doesn’t have a fear of death in his bones, held our guts in the palms of his hands (quite literally I’m afraid). This supercharged Land Cruiser took the giant sand dunes like it was a regular track. Eventually you really get used to hearing the sound of the super charger (“esque, esque, esque” I think it goes) vibrating through the trees as we gripped the sand, effortlessly throwing you back into your seat. Normally on a regular road, you know you are in danger when you hear tires squealing on pavement, but with the sand, this sound was instinctively missing. I wonder if it’s absence is what keeps Captain Brody’s impulses from clamping down in supreme caution. I can’t say I have any further desire to expound upon the genuinely gripping and adrenaline fueled experience I had (Mom, I know you are reading; no I won’t answer to what happened). I will leave your minds to expand upon the general idea of Captain Brody never being happy with an adventure unless something gets broken. Though he seemed in excellent control of the wild beast, I can’t quite wrap my head around how (esp. if you know anything about Captain Brody’s operations– a whole perplexing and complicated story of its own for another time).

So back to the landscape; these beaches were some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been too! We didn’t stay incredibly long; the boys happy enough to show off what their 4 wheel drives could conquer, but it was simply stunning. The beaches were a mix of cliffs and rocks, waves splashing up against them, and smooth sandy gradations. The swell of the waves was so grand that the ocean mist that drifted ashore created a cool fog. True to its name, Windy Harbor was much cooler and chilled your core with the ocean breezes. We decided the churn from the ocean was too strong, and headed back to camp to try fishing off the adjacent beach.

The sun was beginning to descend by the time we got back to the beach, as the landscape turned to magic hour. A few of our camp mates had stayed behind to fish during our adventure. After learning he was unsuccessful, the boys unloaded the dirt bikes and unpacked the wine and beer. Course us girls daintily sat on the beach sipping wine, and chatting about travel. It was slightly difficult conversing back and forth as our accents got in the way of each other a bit. I found my self only understanding what they were saying at the end of their words (often missing a punch line or misunderstanding a story), and tried my best to just listen while I sank into the setting sun.

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DAY 30 | We tried again this day to get up early and fish, but again, we missed the mark. Spending the morning relaxed instead and playing my first game of cricket. We left mid morning for another adventure. The day before, Cellan had found a river mouth (we were hoping to set sail and finally fish), and set off to find it. Captain Brody’s 4 wheel drive a bit of a commodity, we instead got to catch a ride with Trevor and his Dad for an equally capable, yet somehow less fueled by adrenaline, ride. The sand tracks on the way to the beach seemed pretty ordinary. Daniel’s vintage Land Cruiser ute that he’d spent the last few years fixing up was conquering its maiden voyage so far. The only ute on the trip, he had all the dirt bikes in tow while Captain Brody pulled the boat. After what seemed like 45 mins of sandy hills, bumps, and thick bush, the trees parted and we came to what looked like the longest climb down a dune in the entire world. My first thought was the Jeep caring Kyle, Jo, Mick, and Dee. It must have been on everyone’s mind as the banter between the boys came across the radio.

We stopped at the top of the huge sand dune to let air out of the tires, and to better assess the journey in front of us. It was clear that the drive down was at least a 30 minute drive. Attempting to establish some sort of foresight, we knew the climb up the sandy back of the hill was a little less predictable. We watched as other 4 wheel drives got stuck 3/4 times on the way up the trek. The more rational side of myself was aching to pipe up and advise the boys to thoroughly consider the outcomes of the situation, but with my small camera in hand I ignored my better half, and waited anxiously to fly down the hill! I brought sun screen, an Allen’s party pack, shapes, water, and cold cuts; I was prepared for the worst!

Man was my rational side boring; it was thrilling! Not knowing when the next bump was, the confidence in the sheer power beneath you, the endless rants spat over the radios, and the wind whipping through the cab was freeing. Getting to the beach, it was much like the one we visited the day prior, but without the rock faces. Instead larger dunes with smooth sandy gradations dotted the horizon. I managed to get a few 360 degree panoramas and some videos of the guys as they got knee deep in mischief. We perched ourselves on a rock ledge several K’s inland with direct access to the river. The river’s valley created an opportunity to see the hills and mountains enveloping the sky in the distance. We stayed for several hours, even tried fishing out on the river in the tin boat (caught nothing), before heading back.

Now, we know we didn’t necessarily want to go back the way we came. To my surprise Cellan new an alternate route home from his exploring the day before. beating the incoming tide, we all raced to the other side of the river mouth to the track. A relatively gradual climb until we reached the larger dunes. Coming up and over a larger one, Captain Brody was the last to climb over. You could hear the supercharger as he came barreling over the top in triumph (and who wouldn’t show off). We found out quickly that Captain Brody lost the trailer. Bordy’s reaction was wild and frantic as he went rearing over the top again (confused thanks to my difficulty with the Aussie accent). Trevor matched Trevor’s fear as he clarified that Cellan (Brody’s Brother) was IN THE TRAILER! Thankfully we found Cellan just fine, just peeved at the state of his trailer, boat, and motor.

After getting the trailer hooked back up, we continued, though rather slowly due to the axel being severely damaged. About halfway through, we got a distressed call over the radio from Captain Brody letting us know that he needed help asap. It was pretty bad; the trailer was now completely broken. Hardly phased by the situation at all; Cellan’s dissatisfaction and anger were inaudible. Erie not hearing any fighting, everyone got to work. I wasn’t incredibly aware at first, but in light of the current situation, we were in really good company. 3 out of the 7 people present were sweet mechanics! The back of Trevor’s SUV was full of tools and within minutes, the boys had cut down a tree, put the boat on top of Cap. Brody’s car, straightened the axel as much as possible, and created a new well for the wheel to ride from the timber. Taking it slow again, we got to regular dirt roads by dusk. We stopped to fill up the tires and I broke out what we had in cold cuts into half sandwiches for everyone. Taking the edge off the grumpiness, we got back on the road as soon as possible. Miraculously the trailer somehow made it home. We had dinner, Daniel made an awesome roast on the fire, and we went to bed.

DAY 31 | We got up early enough to get packed up, pay our camp site fees, and get on the road. Isaac and I had made commitments to go to the burnouts in Wagin. I can admit, I drug my feet, and dreaded the entire experience! It was actually much more fun that I thought it would be. Feeling homesick, introverted, and wanting to get home to celebrate as a couple (our first new years together), we left early. It was nice to be back, but honestly it was not as exciting as we hoped. I didn’t even stay up for the turn of the New Year.

I slept awesome in the AC snuggled up in our cozy bed.