Into the Great Wide Open

The Poem, Stop by Stop

1. 1Sydney Airportarriving in Oz
   Welcome to Oz. Off the plane. Grab a brew.Got searched for cheese passing customs; whew, now you’re through.Hop in a tiny hybrid—with driver and just room for two.Now off to Canberra with open skies full of blue.
2. 2Home in ForrestCanberra
   Stretch your legs, arriving after a bit of a drive.Home to Forrest; come on in; it’s lovely chaos with five.
3. 3National ArboretumCanberra
   Flying kites on the hillside getting muddy knees.Meandering through Cork Oaks, collecting bark from these trees.
4. 4Carolina’s and James’ baptismsCanberra
   Baptisms for the youngest two, godparents join from afar.Caravanning to each place, as we did not fit in one car.
5. 5Floriade, Commonwealth ParkCanberra
   A long walk to Floriade, across the breezy lake.On the first Ferris Wheel in Canberra, many selfies to take.Tulips and daffodils arranged like Aboriginal artAmy and Judy running home to go play their part.
6. 6Australian National Botanic GardensCanberra
   Trying to see Banksias, getting caught in the rain.Start an activity at 3pm? With kids it’s insane.
7. 7QuestaconCanberra
   A science museum, with a steep slide and playing with waterJoined by the oldest son and every last daughter.
8. 8After school, off Cotter RoadCanberra
   After school fun. Gymnastics nearly every day.In the pool; need to focus on skills, not just play.Then dodging horse poop and ponies eating hay.Just hop on Cotter Road, the car knows the way.
9. 9Four Winds VineyardMurrumbateman
   A day away while three kids are in schoolOne yammering away, the smaller one prone to drool.We had woodfired pizza, and two flights of wine.The first place was good, the second less than fine.
10. 10The Falls Mountain RetreatWentworth Falls
    Now out of school early, head to Mountains of Blue.Driving on the highway past a mob of kangaroo.So much gear and people, not one car, but twoAnd rotating a grandkid with grandparents, next time it might be you!An evening rain, a mountain lodge, warm your feet by the fire,Grandparents can take a break, in a quiet space to retire.
11. 11Wentworth FallsBlue Mountains
    Up in the morning, down the hill, to Wentworth we go.Somewhere up ahead, it must be Jack, the fastest, oldest bro.The little guy, on front, then back, is bouncing to and fro.The storm looks near—see the rain—say it isn’t so.We went fast—not fast enough—stuck out in the storm.The rain did come but quickly turned to another form.The hail was next, with thunder. We dove under a tree,And when the storm clouds eased a bit, we made a dash to be free.
12. 12The Three Sisters, KatoombaBlue Mountains
    Huge, hot baths to warm the kids, and parents tooWe try again, now Three Sisters, hiking trip “take two.”This time we got back under cover before came the hail.An early dinner, kids collapsing, a habit without fail.
13. 13A canyon 400 metres deepBlue Mountains
    Another day of sandstone, a canyon 400 meters deepBut this time was easier for the 5-month-old to sleep.Although less people, now the path was paved.And so the older four finally had what they had craved.
14. 14Scooters, then a waterfallBlue Mountains
    A biking path for CC, and scooters for the restThe first run down the hill, was just the starter test.With switchbacks and easy speed, it proved a little tricky.A small food bag in the stroller; snackers couldn’t be too picky.Leave eight wheels behind; kids march to see a waterfall.A horsetail shape, a wispy end, the drop was just that tall.The falls abound with so much rain, we couldn’t count them all.If the light hits it right, you could see a rainbow there, but small.
15. 15Mermaids Cave, BlackheathBlue Mountains
    The next day walks got shorter, but the falls didn’t stopMermaid Cave was a short hike from the parking lot up topWith stairs through a gorge and gum trees all aroundThe places for us to play, seemed to endlessly abound.Barky boats in the river were only the beginning.Whoever made it first was the one who now was winning.With leaves tossing and turning going through the water.You could see the enthusiasm of the polka-dot-clad youngest daughter.
16. 16Adelina Falls, LawsonBlue Mountains
    One final stop before heading to the city.We couldn’t forgo this one, it would truly be a pity.We had to stop by the falls that was Adeline’s namesake.So we could put her by the sign for a few photos we could take.
17. 17Mascotby Sydney Airport
    Now stopping through Sydney for swimming in a poolGood thing it was indoors, ‘cause it still was a wee bit coolRising to go to the airport now with fewer bagsThen parted with the ones that they printed up the tags.
18. 18Yulara, Ayers Rock ResortNorthern Territory
    To the Red Centre, so glad that we flew.If not, would have been 4 days driving, it’s true.Passing the salt lakes and approaching Uluru.At the start of three days, there’s so much here to do.What a morning, lots to learn, grab an ice cream to cool off.The kids are drained, an early morning, and Lorelei has a cough.A cold pool for dad and kids; it is my multi-decade fate.And then “Go Fish” at Pioneer Hotel, and chic nuggets on a plate.
19. 19Uluru at sunriseNorthern Territory
    Getting up early, before even the sun.Taking a bus, so we did not have to run.The stars are out as we pass into the park.They say it’s morning, but it still looks pretty dark.With coffee and tea we get our first glimpse of the rock.The moment seems solemn so seldom did we talk.Except of course CC, who had something to say.That was how we started, on this cool, sunny day.
20. 20UluruNorthern Territory
    The guides tell us the rock was an ancient riverbedSix kilometres wide, with a bit of iron, so it’s red.Flowing sediment down from the half billion-year-old Petermann ranges.When it oxides, it’s from grey to red colour that it changes.How it got vertical, is really what’s quite crazy.Although the rock just sitting there seems a little lazy.The sedimentary lines are erect at 89 degrees.The earth turned up this heavy rock, hardened from the pressures of the seas.Wild to imagine that this place was twice covered in waterFirst by a river, then an ocean, back when it was hotter.There likely weren’t Polar icecaps to hold up all the seasBut more recently the water dropped after a major freeze.Now the earth is colder, but Australia is dryerIn the middle of the day, the desert’s like a fryer.No activity, no animals, would venture out by day.They’re in burrows or nocturnal, is what our tour guides say.
21. 21The million-dollar dunnieson the road to Kata Tjuta
    On our way to another ancient rock formationWe make an important stop at a unique, remote stationWith dunnie drops that cost the govvies each a million bucks,We make a potty stop with the buses, cars, and trucks.
22. 22Kata TjutaNorthern Territory
    Kata Tjuta is the name for the collection of the dome.It is a mighty conglomerate where the Anangu men roam.Not for the women, but only men, this is a sacred place.Unclear what all they do, but at least the wild game they chase.
23. 23Around the base of UluruNorthern Territory
    Another morning bus ride, but starting three hours laterThis one was only transport, we had to all self-caterWe went through snacks at record pace, the bananas disappeared.That we brought tortilla chips was cause for joy; all the children cheered.The circumference of this monolith is nearly ten thousand metres.We had to go around, there was no chance for cheaters.At three hundred meters high, it would have been a rugged climbAnd, of course, this is not allowed, that was in a different time.
24. 24Yulara, the last morningNorthern Territory
    Mummy and James had a morning relaxing.An art gallery tour was slightly less taxing.In the afternoon we did a reprise of the pool.Although in a different spot, it was equally cool.Dot painting in the morning on a wombat or twoCan’t believe the hotel allowed painting on the floor with our crewSpilled my coffee on CC, but at least I didn’t drop her tooThen a flight back in the rain, goodbye to Uluru.
25. 25The RocksSydney
    Welcome back to Sydney, the rain is still hereStaying in the Rocks, seems like everything is nearEarly morning coffee and crepes, then a walkBrought the stroller without car seat, so CC wouldn’t balk.
26. 26Royal Botanic GardenSydney
    Didn’t bring the right card to see the harbour from Floor 35So went to the Gardens Botanic to see what flowers were alive.
27. 27Sydney Opera HouseSydney
    Exploring the iconic Opera House with junior-sized caution vestsLots of questions from the tour guide, he seemed to like these little tests:How many tiles are up on the roof?They say over 1,000,000 but didn’t show any proof.How many pipes does this organ use?10,000 from 5 keyboards and floor pedals for you to choose.Why does the roof look like it has a glimmer?It’s the white, bumpy tiles that gives it the shimmer.What did the upgrade do for 150 million bucks?Lots of sound equipment coming on underground trucks.How many years did it take to build?Over 16 years; with no one being killed!And what do you think, how old is the space?A half century next year, with the same chairs in place!
28. 28Manly & the Northern BeachesSydney
    Grabbing lunch downstairs and seeing the fur sealTaking a ride to Manly on a vehicle with just one wheelIt’s a solid green Ferry that takes half an hourStayed mostly inside so avoided a sea shower.A taste of Vermont on the Northern BeachesWatching the surfers and other local creaturesSeeing a rainbow warned us of what was to comeThen heading southwest, back where we came from.
29. 29Briar Ridge VineyardHunter Valley
    Next onto Hunter to check out the wineDoing lunch at the first stop, it was there by design.Singing and dancing, the girls sang, “Let it Go.”With maracas and tambourines, they then put on a show.
30. 30Comyns & Co.Hunter Valley
    The next stop had what the kids’ deemed most fun.A playmate for Jack to jump and to run.And piggyback races for the middle girls.Spinning in the grass, with twirls and with whirls.Every bottle of wine was easy to sipIt wasn’t necessary to leave them a tipSince we joined the club and bought quite a lotThen finally gathered the kids in the parking lot.Waved goodbye to Isla, Archie and ZaraSaid we’d see them the week after tomorrowThen closing the door and getting on our waySnacking through dinner time on the way to Fingal Bay.
31. 31Fingal Bay Holiday ParkPort Stephens
    It’s at the end of the road, just past the park,We pulled into the lodges well after dark.Then up in the morning to get coffee by the beachAnd a caramel slice for GJ, just a couple dollars each.A brave Adeline survives a skinned knee from a fallBefore that she and Jack were having a ballRiding scooters at top speed neck and neckJack needs to win; someone has to keep him in check.Between our adventures we played heaps of card games.Hearts, Crazy Eights, Go Fish were a few of the names.And sipped Semillon while watching Izzy or Bluey.With mint or caramel chocolate, to provide a bit of chewy.
32. 32Fingal Bay beachPort Stephens
    That didn’t stop the kids from jumping on boogie boardsJust foam strung to their wrists with long, thin, black cords.Going out deeper for waves with a bit more tractionEven Carolina got in on that action.When they’re not boogieing, digging holes in the sand.Warmer for Mummy and James sitting back on dry land.But when it was raining, Mummy was bolder with the water.Going in in her leggings with the oldest and middle daughter.
33. 33Tomaree MountainPort Stephens
    The rain paused briefly to hike up Tomaree MountainCouldn’t hold off forever, so we did get sprayed like a fountain.Caught in the rain, yet again, in our clothes.Another hot shower, we all want one of those.
34. 34Port Stephens Koala SanctuaryOne Mile
    We did take a field trip to see koalas in treesRecuperating, resting, eating eucalyptus leaves.Even escaped for an anniversary drinkNo chatter from the children, a few moments to think.
35. 35The spit to Fingal IslandPort Stephens
    One last adventure, we all braved the spitA sandbar as passage, only ankle-deep water made a splitLike the Red Sea when Moses had partedRather Shark Island than Sinai is where our voyage was charted.We dodged blue bottles galore with their tentacles intactA mighty venom they possess, which we know for a fact.Passing onto the island just after low tideHiking up a sand dune, James and CC get a ride.
36. 36Fingal IslandPort Stephens
    We made it ‘cross the island, we couldn’t bear to failAnd were rewarded when we spotted the breaching of a whaleBut quickly we returned to the place we had startedTo ensure we didn’t cross at high tide and risk joining the departed.

And to Finish