Crabtree falls

Last weekend I took a road trip, probably my last in the US (for a while at least). I picked the car up Friday night and did some shopping. It was only when I was driving it home (and the rental place was shut) I noticed the "maintenance required" light on the dash. Apparently it is to do with requiring an oil change (which they admitted it needed when I took it back after the trip). But I was very proud of myself by checking the oil. And happy when it seemed ok (using my extensive mechanical expertise and phoning dad). 

I set out very early (for me) Saturday morning and drove up to CrabTree falls, just over 2 hours away in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. 

Lots of green.

I was looking forward to seeing the falls, but decided against climbing around them after seeing this sign.

Some others were not as well warned. And it did not look safe!

The trail is 3.4 miles round trip with falls all the way along. And after the latest rain, in good flow.

Lowest falls

Unfortunately this also meant it was all up hill on the way up.

And the stairs begin

As I was on my own, I could take my time. And did. A lot was playing with my camera. It was all so pretty.

It was so hot! And after raining the night before, really humid. So I also took a lot of breaks. And random photos of the trail.

trail

 The trail was quiet for the most part and I had a lot of it to myself. Other than the butterflies.

I stopped 3/4th of the way up for my apple and iced vanilla cappuccino . Well, it used to be iced, but was still very good and bets my normal coffee view..

View with coffee

And there was lots of flowers out. I have no idea what they were but the pink ones were every where.

Blossoms

Flowers over the fall

flower strewn waterfalls  

up close

more

Flower strewn path to the last fall.

And there were a lot of good vistas. (I took a ton of photos - often as an excuse to pause.)

Looking back on a viewing platform

view from inside a path side cave.

I was originally only going to go to the 1.4 mile mark, where the last waterfall is. But decided, as I was there, I might as well go to the top. Very near the top, there was a stone platform with lots of these stacked stones. They seem to appear all over the place these days.

Stacked Stones  

Top falls

 And the view from the top was worth the effort.

Over the forest

bridge of the top of the creek

Start of the falls

I have some amazing new hiking shoes which were amazing. And for the most part had great grip. I only slipped on muddy rocks once. But I avoided injury as I landed with my butt in a very large and soft pile of mud! Luckily I had packed 5 outfits for the 2 day trip for exactly that reason. I am also surprised considering my usual grace and style that this was my only slip!

Last view of the falls on the way down

I ended up finishing the hike quicker than expected, so after changing the back of the car (go to love tinted windows) I took the long way around avoiding the interstate to Strasburg. It was a lovely drive though my SatNav/GPS had some interesting routes. And I left just in time. The rain started shortly after. 

The original purpose for the trip was to do my balloon flight but there weather was just too windy. :-( 

But I knew this could be the case, so had booked a nice old B&B a few miles away, the Hotel Strasburg.

Hotel

The rooms were old fashion and very cute, and the staff were great. Also the hotel had a restaurant (with great reviews) and a bar which was a lot like an English pub and made me a bit homesick. So after a much needed shower, I had a nice meals and spent a few hours in the bar, sipping red wine, reading my book and chatting to some of the locals - always an interesting experience. :-)

Kuranda

Tuesday I had intended to chill out on the beach during the day. However the weather forecast was not looking good so I booked a ticket on the Kuranda Scenic railway, which goes from Cairns train station to Kuranda. As it turned out the weather was beautiful but I was still really glad I went. The trip was lovely. Normally I would have come down on the Skyrail but it undergoes maintenance for 3 weeks every 20 years. And you can guess what they are doing now.

Kuranda Train

100 yr old cabins

I was really lucky as I had the carriage up pretty much to myself. (The railway is a lot less busy because the sky rail isn't running.) The carriages were the original carriages, 100-80 yrs old and very posh.

180 degree turn, to allow the train to gain speed.

The views from the railway were fantastic. The railway is 37km long, traveling to 328m above sea level, passes through the Barron Gorge National Park, and was built to move products from the gold rush. It was started in 1882, and has 15 tunnels and 37 bridges and numerous cutouts.

There are some great views over Cairns from the train. In the photo below the silvery patches are all the sugar cane fields, one of the main products of the region. The silver is a flower on the top of the cane which signals it is ready to harvest. (They are just waiting for all the rain to stop before starting.)

View of Cairns from the railway

Stoney Creek falls

On the bridge at Stoney creek falls

The commentary on the train was great, pointing out all the interesting parts and fun facts. The staff on the train were really good too, offering to take photos and pointing out anything we might have missed.

Enjoying the railway 

View over Cairns bay

 The train stops at Barron Falls for 10 mins before finishing the trip to Kuranda. The falls are quite impressive (and even more so in the wet season - apparently this is the dry season but it doesn't feel like it).

At the lookout of Barron falls

Barron Falls 

Close up

View down the platform

At Kuranda, there are lots of things to do but I was only there for half a day so decided to do the Butterfly house and some shopping. The butterfly farm was cool, though expensive (I got around it in about 15 mins).

After the farm I headed to the Heritage markets which was very cool. As usual I spent too much money. There was also an old plane wreck behind the markets.

Inside Geronimo, built 1942

 I also went to the mall markets and though they were very pretty, not much was open. So I just wondered around with a tuna sushi roll for a while.

Mall market 

Huge ants everywhere.

Hippie part

The town is quite hippie with lots of cool little shops. I found a great little cafe which sold GF crepes and cakes (I got a piece of lemon cake to take home and had it for breakfast on Wednesday - not very healthy but tasty!). I had also been recommended the Mango wine so found the shop for that. I tasted the sparkling and the liqueur and couldn't decide. So I got one of each. I am sure we can put away the sparking in Port Douglas!

The first part of the trip back wasn't as fun as I was stuck in a crowded carriage with screaming children. But at the Falls, they offered to move me (and some others) to a much quieter carriage where I got the whole booth to myself. Much nicer.