3-26 Mouth of the Margaret River

 In contrast to the dark forest of the Karri Trees, we went to view the mouth of the Margaret River - also known as Surfer's Point.  It was very bright and sunny and hot!

Nicholas watching the surfers.

This was the swimming area - still lots of waves.

You can go somewhere else if you don't like the waves.

There is a statue in the middle towards the left.

the remaining photos are of the actual mouth of the Margaret River.  When we were there it was not actually running to the sea.

But stopped right here.  The River is used for Kayaking and other water sports.

I was confused at first as on some signs they called the river- Wooditchup.  That is the native Australian name for the river.

In the distance, kayakers getting ready to go the other way.

It is 1:30 in the afternoon and almost time for our lunch reservation.

3-26 Boranup Forest and the Karri Trees

 This morning we sent to see the Karri Trees which are the tallest trees in Australia.  They can get 200 - 250 feet tall.  They only grow in small areas around Perth.  The Boranup Forest where we went to see the trees is still part of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Park.  We drove past an area where there were many people an ended up at this cafe - where we had pastries and coffees.

Trees on the cafe property - not Karri trees.

Then drove back to the original trail head.  A forest fire came through this area and a lot of trees have damage on the lower part of their trunk.

No animals here because of this poison.

The inside of this tree got burnt out, but the top still had groweth.

Inside the burnt out trunk.

Across the road was this path.

We had a good hike and then headed to another tourist site.

3-25 Sunset Walk

 Lisa and Tim went to town - Tim has been getting regular messages, sound messages and doing yoga.  Nicholas did not want to go on a walk.  I think he enjoys alone time in the house by himself.  So Michael and I took a long walk on a trail that Tim and Nicholas had discovered earlier today.

At the start a little after 5pm, the surfers are out.

We first heard about this tragedy when we landed at the Perth airport.  It apparently is the worst thing that has happened in Western Australia.  The small population in this area is mainly located in Perth and along the coast.  The central part of WA is mostly empty space.

Close to the end of this walkway are steps leading down to the beach - this is a popular area for surfers.

A view back towards Grace Town.

The trail we are on leads along the coast, but has many paths heading down towards the beach.

Shadows during the golden hour!

There were many jagged rocks like this one.  It reminds one of a moonscape.

Heading back as we have been warned that it is light out - until suddenly it isn't.  And it is pitch black.  There are very few street lamps so it is dark enough to see the milky way.

Some of the surfers - done for the day.

A women sitting on a rock on the far left.

Surfers on the water.

Sunset!

Heading back on the last part of the trail.

The Leeuwin Naturaliste Park is huge.  We will go to see some Karri trees in a few days that are in this park.

The moon is rising.

One last view of the Indian Ocean.