City of Parks

Canberra is the capital of Australia similar to our Washington, D.C. It's an entirely planned city, and was chosen for its location between the bigger cities of Sydney and Melbourne (who were fighting over capital status.) One thing that makes it unique (besides being riddled with roundabouts almost to the point of dizziness) is that it's more like a city sprinkled among parks. With nature preserves throughout, there are beautiful places to explore around every corner. We visited 4 "parks" within a 1/2 mile of our house the first week we were here. In fact I almost wish I'd kept the kids home longer because there are so many more to explore. Fortunately, we'll be here a while. :) Here's a look at some of our recent outings.

This path behind our house leads up the hill to a playground and our favorite mob of roos.

Down the street is a real cool skate park with some new age exercise equipment and a nice pond with playgrounds nearby. And man, the sunsets. I don't know if it's just the season or what, but they are somethin' else.

Will attempting to float his make-shift skateboard raft.

These cute kids are a family that has been our lifesavers here. We got connected via email before the move since I had a bunch of questions about schools and such. Then providentially we were assigned housing down the street from them and they were assigned to be our "hosts" and are also LDS so it has become a great friendship. They picked us up from the airport with our house keys, stocked our fridge and made our beds ready, gave us rides everywhere and have loaned us more than just their car, so we consider them heaven-sent in easing our transition. Fortunately, their four kids are all within a year of our kids' ages too, so instant friends!