Steamy Pilbara Nights........

No, not that kind of steamy unfortunately. Steamy as in so hot that you sweat while laying in bed and you pray for just the slightest of breeze to drift through the open windows to at least give you some relief. Our $5 mini fans from Big W have served us well but they don't quite cut it on 30deg nights. Due to the heat we altered our plans to stay in Karijini National Park and instead stayed for 4 nights at Tom Price where we had power to run our little fans and a pool that was open until 9pm for a pre-bed cool off.

Our first day was spent replenishing groceries and enjoying the pool. In the afternoon we headed up the 4wd track to the top of Mt Nameless, the highest accessible mountain in WA. The view of the surrounding ranges was spectacular. We also got a birds eye view of some of the nearby mines and the exceptionally long trains they use to carry out the iron ore. We enjoyed a picnic dinner watching the setting sun give the red rock such vivid colours. Jackson added a bit of excitement to the night by wedging a small rock up his nose. After a minor panic he managed to blow it out but we suspect this will not be the first time our inquisitive boy sticks something where it is not meant to go!

Mt Nameless (view from our van)

On top of Mt Nameless, the kids were more interested in throwing rocks than the view.

Daniel checking out the mines.

Looking over the mines

When not throwing them he was using them to build.......

......and stick up his nose.

Sunset, hot chook, chilled wine and cuddles.....Lovely.

We then did day trips to see the spectacular gorges in Karijini. On our first trip in we did  two gorges (Dales Gorge and Weano Gorge), three swimming holes (Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls and Handrail Pool), three lookouts (Oxer, Junction Pool and Joffre) and over 5km of walking on some very challenging tracks. The kids did amazing as some of the tracks were rated class 5 (for experienced bush walkers). Cleary all their time rock hopping through the Kimberley has given them the experience they needed as they were super confident shimmying along rocky cliff faces, hoping over rocks to get over streams and clambering down steep ledges to get into swimming holes. We were so proud of them and their confidence and ability allowed us to get to some really amazing spots. Our favourite was Handrail Pool, a small pool surrounded by 70-80metre high red rock accessed via a narrow crevice in the the gorge then straight down the rocks holding onto a handrail (hence the unimaginative name). We had the place to ourselves and it was just magical

Mr Independent would not let Dad help on the ladder into Dales Gorge

Clambering up the rocks towards Circular Pool.

A refreshing dip was much needed after the hot walk in.

A very unusual rock formation.

Fortescue Falls

Inside Weano Gorge, on our way down a narrow crevice towards Handrail Pool.

Jackson was very taken with the camouflaged grasshopper he found.

Handrail Pool, it was so still the reflections were amazing.

The reflections of the rocks created a surreal atmosphere.

Watching pebbles create sparkly splashes.

It was a very steep climb back out.

Gorge Selfie (we don't have a selfie stick like all the tourist though so had to do the old fashioned thing of sitting it on a rock)

After our 12 hour day we spent the next morning lazily recuperating and utilising the pool (where unfortunately Jackson got bitten by a bee trying to save it from drowning) before heading to Hamersley Gorge where we spent the afternoon.

We leave tomorrow morning headed towards Mt Augustus and hopefully some cooler nights (though we've stocked the freezer with ice cream just in case!).

Braids in for a few weeks equal very curly locks.

Lunch at Hamersley Gorge

Hamersley Gorge