Cradle Mountain NP 13 – 14 February 2008

We treated ourselves to breakfast at the chalet overlooking the water! Then back to the motor home to watch the Sorry Ceremony. We were pleased the day had finally come when we have a government that has the generosity to acknowledge past injustices and path the way to start to deal with the present problems. From our experiences, there are no easy answers to the multiply issues facing Aboriginal communities, so we will have to see how these new initiatives work.
After the broadcast, we had another walk down around the lake to pick blackberries and two dishes later we were off!
We drove to Cradle Mountain and as we climbed higher and higher the vegetation became distinctly alpine. We settled down in a quiet spot, had a hot lunch and went on two short walks to the Pencil Pine River/Falls and the Enchanted Walk. It was cool and fresh as expected and we found the Native pepperberry bush growing everywhere as well as moss, lichen, massive tree trunks, tree ferns and running water. Water levels are low and the melting snow must bring the most wonderful energy to the creek and river beds of smooth, rolling stones.
The night seemed very cold so we bunked down with the lot! It was 5deg outside when we went to bed! The motor home was well insulated! Up to a cold, windy but SUNNY day! Rugged up in 4 layers on top and double trousers, scarf, and beanie as it was 5deg again! Dove Lake was a wonderful sight with Cradle Mountain towering behind. The wind bit into us in the early part of the walk but settled at the half way point! It was a walk that we did not want to finish - so many different experiences in one walk. We saw a huge rock ledge scrapped smooth by a glacier, lake beaches of tiny smooth pebbles, gnarled weathered trees, old pencil pines, strange ferns recalling dinosaur landscapes, alpine ferns, sassafras, towering King Billy Pines and the iconic boat shed built from that same pine! An extra special find was the white boronia Heather found that had a lovely lemony perfume! We took our time and Heather wanted to go around again! We didn’t, but we do need to come back!
We did another walk to King Billy Forest and were in awe of these huge 40 metre trees. Visited the Parks Information Centre to learn a bit more about this unique place!By this time we had made a plan to “invade” the guest section of the Lodge - happy hour, the papers and evening snacks! Back to the motorhome to bunker down for another cold night. Clear blue skies at bed time equals cold, cloudless nights!