Darvey & Co.: Jenolan Caves

Our camping trip was memorable. Darren captured the impressive opener already, but the rest of the week was actually great. We'd probably do it again even, and that's saying something. Here are some pictures with a few comments to flesh out the remainder of our time in the Blue Mountains.

some long, cramped, vomitous rides, but the views were great

homebase

one of my favorite moments...

this guy was such a champ, so happy and good on some long days

always creative fun to be had at camp

Lots of bed-hopping but generally good sleep overall

Dad serenaded Des to sleep each night on the guitar

We found a quiet, secluded spot deep in the mountains to pitch camp. The views were beautiful, the wildlife plentious and weather was great - rained a bit at night but enough sun and cloud cover to keep us warm, though not sweltering each day.

Annie packed without thinking of her cast - loved taking our hatchet/saw to those pants

The kids would've been happy exploring and having dance parties all day everyday at camp, but we dragged them out into the great wide open. So many hikes, lookouts, waterfalls and drives to discover. (Summer couldn't care less about the views, but always seemed to find a little place to play make believe.)

A hundred years ago this place was a hit for wedding parties and weekend getaways so it's chock full of cool old structures and carved rock pathways that give it a real natural feel.

We took a gamble on a hike to a purportedly cool suspension bridge without knowing how far it was. After about and hour and a half and 2km in, we finally turned around, mostly for poor Annie's sake. That girl was an absolute machine. And she has the bruised arms to prove it. Toughest 6 year old I've ever seen, I'll tell you what. She navigated some heavy terrain on those crutches.

Downside of the trip: the flies. Talk about slowly going insane. We finally had the bright idea of shoving branches up our hats to keep them out of our eyes and mouths as we walked. Got some strange but then knowing nods from impressed hikers who passed our troop along the way.

at the turn around point, bless Kenna's big smile

Dad saved me, Des and Annie by driving up the last leg to get us

As reward for their hiking prowess we spent the rest of the afternoon at this beautiful spot in the nearby river. Swimming holes were perfect, just wish the water wasn't quite so murky... when we got out we saw the "no swimming" sign. Oh well, we're not dead yet.

the unfortunates look on longingly

just glad to be getting her feet wet

loving the natural water slides

The drive back each night was beautiful. One thing I wish I'd photographed more were the animals. We screeched to a halt to watch an echidna cross the road before us.

the blue tongued lizard on the bridge that freaked Kenna as she opened the gate for our car

We have become so used to kangaroos I don't even pull the camera out anymore, but apparently our campsite was a gathering place. The kids had to navigate through a mob to use the toilet one night and between the mists, flashlights and shoulder-to-shoulder roos, they came back very jazzed. A possum entertained us for a half hour eating some rockmelon rind while climbing up and down the tree by our tent. And the STARS. What a night sky! We laid on our backs with hot cocoa late into the night watching those beauties.

not a bad view to wake up to

Weary from the previous day we did a lot of 4WD next and found some excellent tracks. With Christmas music blaring and wind in our hair, we'd find ourselves on some beautiful ridges. Took a couple hikes within eyesight of the car since the big kids couldn't be coerced.

I couldn't get over the incredible insect display in some areas though. It must have been mating season or something because the air was literally thick with them - like pollen in allergy season.

Unlike the flies, they left us alone.

See those black specks in the picture? Their sheer number was seriously unbelievable.

The (famous) Three Sisters

the only family photo

There were a few cases of the grumps, but nothing an ice cream run couldn't fix... we finally struck the brilliant idea to just hit a grocery store for boxes of Magnum bars rather than pay an arm and a leg at the icecream parlor. It hit the spot.

doing the double fill up - we love this car - takes petrol and LPG

Refreshed enough for one last expedition, the kids joined me on a little outcrop past one of the overlooks. It was an awesome little jaunt and a nice view of the "blue" ranges. Interesting tidbit: they appear so blue from all the eucalyptus oil evaporated in the air over the trees.

Kids were happy to stay in the tent stuffing sleeping bags as we packed up - flies were incessant that morning. I think I would've paid $100 for one of those dorky hanging cork hats I'll never make fun of again!

After a brief but exhilarating 4WD adventure (where we almost rolled the Cruiser, top-heavy with camping gear) we decided to hit the famed Jenolan Caves. They were extensive and ornate and we only took the shortest tour. This was Darren's lowpoint though: being stuck in an hour long tour deep within a mountain labyrinth navigating narrow pathways and low rock tunnels with a tantruming toddler in his pack, a nursing baby in mine and many un-amused strangers. Actually, some were very kind and helpful, but it was his own "personal hell" with literally no escape. Quite a way to cap off a memorable trip!

cheerful despite all those stairs!

Darren having his moment

When the cries drowned out the guide, we swapped babies and I distracted Sums with iphone pics. Later, once D could talk about it, he marveled at how much he can handle now compared to our younger days.

We've come a long way, baby.