Mt. Warning: We Should Have Known

You don't take a hike like that and also walk the next day.

We joined the Teacher Exchange League for their weekend trip to Murwillumbah - don't try to pronounce these names! The locals don't, either; it's called Murbah. Brisbane is "Brizzie," and Woolgoolga is "Whoopi." Anyway, Pat and I drove north 4 hours (Ross was at his basketball tournament nearby with his team) and stayed the night with a teacher who offered us her guest room. Her home was a villa, practically, up on the top of a small mountain looking out to Mt. Warning. Her wrap-around veranda (very Australian) was magnificent with views in all directions.

Saturday we met for the hike, 2 hours up through the rain forest with the last 100 meters involving a chain to grasp and footholds straight up. The top is a cone with views literally in all directions. It was a fairly clear day, and we could see out to the ocean of Byron Bay (see Pat's story below!!). There were probably 15 of us, Americans (Colorado), Brits, and Canadians, as well as local Australians who have exchanged in the past. Such a great group of people from all over New South Wales.

On the way down someone reported seeing two Brown Snakes (yup, the really really poisonous ones . . .), so I came down that trail very very fast. Every stinkin' root and vine on the ground was a potential Bad Boy, so I watched them all as I careened down the slippery rocks! I have the bruises to show for my fall/tumble at a not-so-graceful moment, but it was all worth it! Do you think that beer tasted good at the pub?!

We ended with dinner at the Pizza and Thai Food (!) restaurant, sitting outside in the balmy evening until late sharing stories, laughing, and making even more friends.

Sunday we were able to make it down to Ross' tournament and catch up on the drive home.