Monday 19/7/2010 Finke Gorge to Palm Valley

(Finke Gorge to Palm Valley)
It was a mild night. I'm now sick with a sinus infection. Col and I are both on antibiotics, which are working well for him, he's almost better.
We're heading to Palm Valley via Kings Canyon and Mereenie Loop. Revisiting old tracks (we did Mereenie Loop in 2002). We have to get a permit from the service station.
Just saw 3 wild donkeys.

Change of plan again. Now we plan to head east instead and follow the Hugh River through Owen Reserve and attempt to get to Palm Valley tonight. We sent texts of our new route via HF radio.
Met another Landy on our way out of Finke Valley. He had the same plan as us. Told him our story and that you can't get through (single man with 3 young boys, on their own, towing a trailer, I don't think so), but worth the drive to the river. He plans to camp where we did and then do the same detour.

Stopped at Henbury meteor craters then Dinky the dingo played the piano and sang for us while eating lunch at Stuart's Well (a little bonus).
Owen Springs Rd is closed as the Hugh River is not passable. At least there is a sign this time. Around to Palm Valley via Alice. It turned into a long day on tar.

Dingo Boy (Jack) strikes again, spotting 2 dingos on Larapinta Drive. We should make it to Palm Valley.

I rang the tourism desk while we had signal near Alice. "Road open to Palm Valley, but Finke Gorge impassable" (we know).

It's a beautiful drive into Palm Valley, driving along the river bed (ie in water) in parts. It is nowhere near as deep as the south end of the gorge. There are 5 other campers here. Natural beauty, but not remote like the southern end of the gorge. There were gas BBQs, flush toilets and "hot" showers, although I heard from another lady that they weren't very warm. (I had a "swim" in the Finke River yesterday anyway). The kids are playing around, climbing trees and interviewing each other on video.

There is so much water around. The riverbed drive into the gorge is usually on dry riverbed. The gorge walls are amazing, orange, jagged shapes. We go further in and explore near the palms tomorow.
So far we think we've spent about $1,168 on fuel, and driven 6,863km in 18 days (a long way).
Had a lovely chat with 2 other groups of campers around a communal fire. One family with twin 3 year old boys, just started a 6 month trip.