It may very well be possible to become weary of traveling along the Great Ocean Road, but if that is so, I have yet to discover it. After completing my fourth trip in two months this past Sunday, I would happily hop into the car for another journey tomorrow. I had promised the kids that we would take the shortest route to Apollo Bay last Friday, and much to their dismay it turned out that the shortest route was in fact the winding road the hugs the coast of southern Australia.
In spite of being the sole adult with four young passengers, I pulled over numerous times to soak in the scenery, ignoring the escalating groans from the backseat. James was the only one who did not participate in the chorus of "Mom! You promised you wouldn't take any more pictures!" For the record, I would never promise such a thing, except perhaps under extreme duress.
By the time we finally reached our destination, all three older children had been complaining of carsickness for the previous thirty minutes. I frequently offered to pull over during the last part of the journey, but strangely they felt that stopping the car would only make things worse. Fortunately their symptoms completely disappeared when it became apparent that pizza was available for those feeling well enough to consume it. Never underestimate the power of calories to restore grumpy spirits when traveling!
After enjoying our surroundings in Apollo Bay throughout the day on Saturday, in the evening we drove down the road to the Cape Otway Lighthouse, all eyes peeled for koalas in the trees. The children were the first to spot them.
We enjoyed peering through the trees at mob of kangaroos from behind the fence shown below, but Katie and Cameron were horrified shortly afterward when they discovered leeches on their ankles. I pulled over as soon as I heard the shrieking, and we got rid of them in a hurry.
Sunday afternoon Ross drove his parents to see the Twelve Apostles, which his dad affirms to be the highlight of his visit down under. He has seen them in pictures, he explained, numerous times, but even so was unprepared for the beauty of seeing them in person. I learned just today that there have never been twelve of them. Up until 1922, the limestone rock stacks were known as the Sow and Piglets, after which time they were renamed the Apostles. Eventually they came to be called the Twelve Apostles despite the fact that they only ever numbered nine. In 2005 one of the apostles collapsed, leaving the eight that remain today.
We have spent the past two days quietly at home. Ross's parents have declared that the Great Ocean Road more than met their expectations, and gave them enough to reflect upon for quite some time to come. James, meanwhile, has been soaking up the time with them, and it has been a joy to watch the bonds strengthened between them. They will be greatly missed when they leave us on Thursday.
Christie, of course, as always I loved all the pictures. But I especially love the one of Ross with James on his shoulders. So glad you all have been able to spend time w/ family. What a blessing. You've been on my mind....missing you.
Posted by: Deborah | 03/30/2011 at 01:09 AM