Got up early this morning, left at around 8:30 after climbing to a rocky lookout by the hostel, per Daniel's instructions. Great view that provided a bit of meditative release from a bit of stree with Karl. Couldn't wait for the day to begin!

The goal was to make it to Launceston by 4:30, so we drove right up the coast to the Bay of Fires. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS beaches, completely abandoned since it is winter. Bluest water I've ever seen, crashing down on the whitest sands with the most interesting shells cast ashore--so I took an entire roll of photographs. Tassie in winter is every recluse's dream.

Drove onward toward Scottsdale via the main route, but began heading for the cheese factory of Pygena (sp?), which we ended up bypassing, and went on further down the small dirt road into the forest and up the mountains. We found St. Columba Falls, the "tallest falls in Tassie" at 90 metres. We took a walk deep into the temperate rainforest and found that it was cold in there!! It was one of the healthiest rainforests we've seen so far.

We headed on toward Launceston via a bumpy, steep, even more rugged dirt road. Karl's comment: "We don't go easy on our rentals, do we?" Nope! But we saw eucalyptus plantations, meant for producing paper products, according to John McLaine (I'll introduce him later). We thought about stopping at Ralph Falls, but I didn't want to risk a time crunch.

We went on through a marvelous farming valley just as the sun was getting to its magic hour, that time when it gives everything a rim of gold and turns the color into the vibrant hues that gives scenery its mystical feeling...

That night, we stayed with a friend of Doug Burgess, administrative man in the Religious Studies office at UVa. John McLaine and Doug met over Photo.net, and hearing that we were in the area, John welcomed us into his home with wonderful hospitality! Sally (his wife) and his kids, Adele and Jack were excellent as well. It proved to be a pleasant escape from hostel overnights and simple meals as well as a great time with a family.

John showed us his photos (stunning black and whites) and explained his freelance work and his aim to open an outdoors touring operation as a wilderness guide. He lived up to this aim by prepping us to go up onto Cradle Mountain!