Sept 29/30 - Pete's Dragon

Since we had arrived so late to Cradle Mountain and we had to make the ferry by 7:30pm, the boys didn't have a chance to do their 8hour hike they had planned (oh goody!!). So instead, as we drove the windy path to Dove Lake, the rain and wind picked up and I told the boys (and Kim) to enjoy their 2hr hike to the other side of the lake. Kim opted to stay with me and we went to a nice lodge (something similar to a Big Cedar Lodge) for hot cocoas while we waited. I got to drive from the lodge back to the dropsite to get the boys. As Kim and I waited in the car, it started sleeting, at which point I was really glad that I had opted out of the walk. When the boys returned, they said that it was fine on the other side of the lake, just the initial/last 15 min of the walk is nasty. Regardless, I was warm and dry in comparison - no complaints!
We got on the road to head north to the coastal city of Burnie. We really wanted to go to the penguin observatory, but it was too early for the penguins to migrate back to the beach, so we opted for Fern Glade instead. Basically, it was a nice park that had tons of ferns and platypus/pi? if they were out, but they're nocturnal so we didnt see any. Then we went to the city of Wynyard, just 15min west of Burnie, to go to the Tulip Farm and lighthouse. It was really pretty. The farm itself cost too much for us to be bothered (like $7/person), so we just got some pics at a distance - which was fine. We took a hike to the lighthouse along the cliffs overlooking the coast. There was a nice rainbow suspended over the cliffs and I got a picture of it. It was much prettier in person.
From Wynyard and Burnie, it was time to head to Devenport. We grabbed some chow and then drove to the port to line up to board. Once we were on the ferry, we grabbed some seats in the lobby to eat and play cards. I fell asleep before the others stopped hanging out. I actually slept pretty ok considering the man snoring just opposite me. I was too tired to care.
We arrived back in Melbourne at 7am and three of us slept while our driver (Jo) drove us back to campus. I started my laundry, wrote some emails, and otherwise got myself unpacked and ready for the week. I had to work the night we got back, so after a quick refresher nap... it was off to work.

Dove Lake from the parking lot... looks cold, no?

Fern babies

Rainbows are pretty.

Group photo. Last day and we still love each other. I so totally dig my self timer.

Tulips! Fields of tulips in Wynyard - city of tulips!

Lighthouse... and Kim told me she's never seen Pete's Dragon, so she has no idea why I was singing "I'll be your candle on the water..."

Coming home. Melbourne at about 6:15am.