Mt. Buffalo

Mt. Buffalo is in an area of mountains known as the Victorian Alps. The foot of the mountain is about a 2 hour drive from our home in Yarrawonga. Fall was setting in and the weather was still warm and the air was cool and breezy. It was a perfect day for some exploring and hiking.

First stop along the way were the wineries beyond Mertylford where there were lines of trees along the roadside footpath. We went for a walk and took pictures of the scenery.

It was another hour or so from there to the top of the mountain where the first stop was a picnic area near a trail head that led to the old Chalet.

It was much cooler here than down in the valleys.

How much fun can you have with an old rusty chain blocking the roadway?

Heaps, apparently.

On the way to the Chalet we hiked along a trail with no railings that often led to massive drops and stunning shear cliffs. Absolutely beautiful, but not too comforting with 4 rowdy children.

Thank goodness the lookouts had railings. But it was still a bit unnerving. However the sights were breathtaking.

Mel and Maeby taking a rest and enjoying the stunning views.

Sisters are awesome!

This was at one point a popular launching point for hang gliders, and you can see why.

This is the lookout down a ways from the Chalet.

After our visit to the Chalet, we drove over to another part of the mountain and did the hike to the Monolith, a massive rock that is seemingly teetering and barely balanced on end. The hike was nice and the views were even better.

Maeby hitching a ride on her mule. She was really funny, she was driving him like a mule, yanking on his ears to tell him which way to go. They had a great time and Daddy Mule got a good workout.

Melanie coming up the last bit of the trail.

Spencer was just relaxing and taking in the view one he got to the top.

Liam was bounding over every rock and scaring the heck out of both Will and I as he edged closer and closer to a sudden fall to his death. He had to be reigned in a few times.

Maeby and Daddy on top of the world.

Lummy on top of another rock, what a surprise.

We were all tuckered out after the hike.

Back in Mertyford on the way back home we stopped at "The Phoenix Tree", a work of art there in the town center. It was pretty amazing and the kids had some fun climbing around on it.

After that, we stopped in Wangaratta for dinner then headed home. All in all a great adventurous day. How lucky we are to be here in this beautiful part of Australia.

Ward Campout Kangaroo Crossing

Each year the Wangaratta Branch priesthood would have the priesthood commemoration campout at Kangaroo Crossing at the river south of El Dorado Victoria. This year it rained pretty much the whole time. Luigi made an awesome stew in his Dutch Oven for dinner, and when it was time for bed, Spencer was super happy to be warm and dry in his spot on the back seats of our Nissan Patrol.

Liam fit nicely across the seats in the front.

Happy Camper!

Looks like Liam has had enough of the rain.

Spencer hanging out around the fire while we were cooking breakfast

Now this is a true Aussie brekky

Rod Woodford, George Woodford and our pal Luigi Bonacci in the bright coat.

Each year at this camp, we would hike up the mountain to a flat, clear outcropping, make a fire and share our testimonies. This year we did it in the rain, so fun.

We found a cool suspension bridge over the river down by El Dorado

Liam, playing it cool with our Patrol in the background.

Spence on the bridge

We took the boys (Schwabe's boys too) to the old gold mining dredge near El Dorado to explore. Spnce was really happy to take a photo.

Stong Man Spencer

More antics fom Spencer

 

Visiting Grandpa Elrey

Gandpa enjoying a family favoite and Tucson classic, Eegees slushy.

Addie and James being silly, it was so much fun hanging out with them. James was putting on a dancing show too. Fun kid.

Will captured and stuffed a Kangaroo and brought it back from Australia just for mom.

Mom (Nana) and Great Uncle Sam visiting Grandpa Bill in the hospital. Grandma, Aunt Marty, Uncle Matt and Joseph were all there too. It was quite a shin-dig. Sam and Kristen showed up too with little Owen. Joseph and Will got to sit with Grandpa and just hear stoies fom his life, it was awesome.

Nana and her daddy.

Miki and Mikey came to visit, don't be shy Miki!

Hanging out at the Elreys.

Miki and Nana.

Nana and her other kids. Mikey and Miki were always around when we were teenagers.

Larkin, little Tyler in the back, Affee and Sam, we were all hanging out at Grandma and Grandpas house after Grandpa came home fom the hospital.

Visiting with Grandpa Bill. He loved his chair, I rememeber just stopping by on any random day and finding grandpa Bill sitting in his chair listening to his Bose Soundwave Radio.

Tyler and Cody, always goofing off.

Joseph, Sam and Big Uncle Matt.

Kristen and Baby Owen.

Sam trying out the fun stuff Will brought him fom Austalia and New Zealand.