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Triking Alaska's
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October 2021
08 October 2021
October and it's almost time to start this years grain harvest. So having been to Perth to visit family and friends, visit the storage unit it was time to get out of the region just in case there is another COVID Lockdown.
Since leaving we have been to Popanyinning, Kwolyn, Bruce Rock and then onto Merredin so that I could renew my Confined Space Certification. And now floating around the wheatbelt waiting for the crops to go off and the harvesting to begin.
In our travel we found a new place to camp and enjoy, Lake Koorkoordine not far out of Southern Cross, and so spent a few nights there to enjoy the place, fly the drone and get some photography done, so here's a few images of the place.
Our Campsite on the edge of the lake.
Sunrise across the salt lake.
Clouds across the lake on the morning we are left.
So after a couple of nights at the lake (we could have stayed longer) we made our way to the small town of Bullfinch, an old gold mining town which has a small caravan park on the site of an old mining village. $10 a night for power, water and ensuite showers and toilets. Not a bad deal and one that is quite popular apparently.
DUring our stay here we took a drive up to the top of the old mine to look over the huge hole in the ground and then the next day to check out around Lake Deborahwest, about 30 kilometres away from Bullfinch. Salt lakes are everywhere out there and so the drone went up for a look.
Lake Deborahwest, dry and empty.
Then there was time to check out the Mt Woodwood bush camp, and oh my, what a beautiful spot it was, especially under the beautiful white gum tree's that we saw as we approached the campsite.
The view of the camp as you come in off of the road, just 50m beck behind.
The opposite side and facing the road.
Out the back of the Mt Woodward camp and across a small sand dune there is Lake Deborahwest again. Such a beautiful place, and with no phone signal it would remain peaceful.
Heading back to Bullfinch via a different road we found the remains of an old mine, the battery stamp lying on it's back and the old building next to it in ruins, though it still had the stove in place. The large wooden frame for the battery and it's huge wooden wheel rotting away in the weather.
According to wikicamps there was a place not far from there that was the first gold mining lease in the Eastern Goldfields, so we went off to find it. Climbing up a huge hill we found two large water tanks on the top, but no plaque. Descending down the other side and putting a few more bush striped on the paintwork we eventually found it, not far from some old soil heaps, and a nearby tunnel into the side of the same hill we had just come down from.
Heading back to Bullfinch we enjoyed an evening with friends Andrew and Allison at their home, and then settled in for a good sleep.
11 October 2021
So after three nights camped at Bullfinch we left town this morning and made the short 27 kilometre journey to Baladjie Rock. Locating a campsite we liked we settled in for s stay. Launching the drone over the salt lakes and then over the rock itself before the wind really picked up and more flights were cancelled.
One side of Baladjie Rock.
So it looks like we might stay here for a day or two because there it could be a great spot for some more photography.
Inside a cave on the side of the rock itself.
Inside the Eagle Head Rock near Sunset.
14 October 2021
So, yes, we did stay a few days at Baladjie before moving on to spend the night at the Muckinbudin RV Free Camp for a night while still waiting to hear the starters gun for this years harvest.
Then it was onto McDermott Lake where we found a great spot right on the waters edge, and so just had to spend a couple of days there as well. A few other campers came in and stayed as well, and a few left, but we were happy with our little spot.
Sunset over our camp at McDermott Lake.
17 October 2021
Still no sound of the starters gun thanks to the weather that has been coming through and the fact that the crops are not ready yet, so we moved on to stop for a night at the site of the old Burakin Hall. There's nothing there except for a few houses, a wheat bin and a weather station on the old tennis court. We stopped for the night and then moved on to Ninan Lake near Wongan Hills.
Sunset over the lake and the tree skeletons.
The Belt of Venus forms over the Ninan Lake Tree Skeletons.
So after two nights at the lake, we moved into WOngan Hills itself and were the only occupants of the free RV camp, and it was here that we saw this strange cloud formation going over as the moon rose, and of course it was another chance to make an image.
Sawtooth Clouds and the Moon passing by.
28 October 2021
Leaving Wongan Hills we made our way to Dowerin where we spent a lazy couple of days in the Shire Caravan Park. Nice concrete slabs to park the house on, a paved driveway to park the ute on, power, water and brand new toilets and showers to enjoy, and all for $20 a night. They also have a budget spot with power only at $10 a night but that was on the dirt.
So leaving Dowerin we made our way to Meckering where we spent a peaceful night in their RV free camp and then onto Bruce Rock to see what was going on and to spend the weekend on the site, because we can. But...why be there when you can go exploring so we left on Sunday and made our way towards Doodlakine and the Baandee Lakes.
Now we have often seen the lakes from the highway but never went to investigate them, but on arrival we were glad we did. We managed to grab a waterside spot and settled in on a hot 32 degree day, something we haven't experienced for a while. Then, after only one night and Joanne going for a walk, we moved to a spot in the bush away from everyone else but where we had a good view of the other salt lake out the back window.
The main lake. The campsites are along the bottom shoreline, complete with toilets.
Sunrise from our first campsite.
We then spent the next three days admiring the view, watching the weather as it went through, flying the drone and taking photos in what we can only describe as a place we both really liked.
Sunset the next day from near our new campsite.
The colours in the sky and reflections directly out from our camp.
The view up the lake using the drone.
I have always wanted one of these shots, and so I made one using the drone and a little photoshop manipulation.
Another drone shot to capture the reflections.
One of the storms and rain squalls that came through and it not only brought rain, but hail as well!
Getting the drone back to base was a bit of an effort with the weather but thankfully the wind was not quite as strong closer to the surface, though landing was a tricky affair.
So after an awesome couple of days we made our way back to Bruce Rock and have set up onsite again as we wait for harvest to start, hopefully next week.
So that was October, and we wait to see what November will bring.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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