… and my body is sorta back in this time zone. Although, after a sleepless night last night, I’m less sure.
Unpacking, laundry and putting away has happened. The pile of mail is down to just a few items that need attention. Samples for two upcoming bookmaking classes have been created. Family contacted. Hot tub turned higher and enjoyed.
And…… the tire cozy that was finished before I left in April is now installed on the back of my car! Didn’t want to put it on earlier as I really wanted my love to use the car while I was gone. He has this thing about cozies…
… most of our time in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and loving every second of it.
Uluru/Ayers Rock is definitely a presence. So fat, tho, we’ve explored more of the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. (Pics below.) Did a short hike into a gorge area Monday afternoon, just to get our feet wet, figuratively. No water to actually get wet in, but the results of summer rains are very evident in all the flowering desert plants. One, called the upsidedown plant, has a lovely dark red flower at the base of the plant rather than at the top. And the desert oak that Penny mentioned in comments yesterday is pretty abundant. Nothing like the oaks I am used to – needles and pods similar to pines.
After a leisurely and lovely breakfast Tuesday, we spent some time at the Cultural Center in the park – fascinating, sad and hopeful history of the land and its people. Back to Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds walk. Definitely windy in areas between the big rocks, other spaces were still and potentially deadly hot in summer. We scaled rock strewn mountain sides, scrambled over boulders and generally hiked hard with lots of ups and downs to see the constantly changing beauty of the interior of Kata Tjuta. Ate lunch at the second viewpoint which was at the top of the gap in perhaps the windiest, coldest spot on the trail. And met fellow hikers from literally all over the world. A gal from Scandinavia was knitting socks at one stop.
One of the stories we heard (from a fake park ranger – good fun!) was that the rounded peaks of Kata Tjuta were seven sisters who wandered the earth. Hopefully will get the full/real story today.
Also today we plan to spend time with Uluru. This morning dawned clear and lovely (see pic of moon and morning star/planet) so we expect another lovely and warm day. Off to enjoy it!
This evening we took down the yarn bombing on Central Parkway. All the while we worked people stopped their cars and/or shouted out how much they liked what we had done and couldn’t we leave it up a bit longer?! One downtown denizen pleaded with us to leave one of the planter wraps at the corner where he ‘works’. Lots of smiles still. Makes it all worthwhile.
Just about all ready for the trip to EGLFC in NY. Will pack the car tomorrow. It’s amazing how much ‘stuff’ I just have to have for teaching when I drive vs how much actually goes with me when I fly! These folks are getting the better deal, for sure! We’ll be playing with soft sculpture twining and mudcloth – great combination.
OOOOH! Just realized this is my 300th post! Hurray for me!
I’m finding it hard to believe how much time has elapsed since my last post here! About the only thing that remains of the summer are the bug bites that still itch.
Lots has happened including a new grandson! Sebastian John is already two weeks old and growing! Such a cutie, but then I’m his grandmother – I’m supposed to say things like that.
I’ve been involved for the past 6 months with a yarn bombing movement in the Cincinnati area – check out BombShells of Cincinnati to see our handiwork! (We are also on Face Book if you want to friend us.) What was originally intended as a one project adventure now seems to be turning into a small art company! Keep tabs on us to see what we are up to next.
More immediate is some teaching this coming weekend in NY for the Eastern Great Lakes Fiber Conference. And then on to getting some work accomplished to be ready for three – count ’em – THREE! back-to-back fiber sales in November.
Add in some local basketry and book making classes and I’ll be keeping busy for the next couple months! Hopefully that won’t keep me away from this blog to much. Hoping to be more consistent with my presence.
Thanks for patiently waiting. Hope your summer went well!
