Saturday Night's All Light
Mid Blue Mountains Night Trip
16th July 2005

So much for the Tuff Trips blokes eh, Josh and I concluded. Put the words hard and night together and even they stay away in their droves. But not us - oh no! We’re not so easily put off, no siree!

Off it was to the Prykes at about 8 o’clock and together we went up into the black mountains (they don’t look blue after dark!). Now given that I was so totally absorbed in the lead up to the ‘Expo, I did nothing about checking over Jil since going out with Flash on his Mt Walker escapades (see elsewhere). My roof rack is adorned with lights designed to turn inky black trails into flood-lit play arenas. However, despite them working a treat in the daylight (or as good as Lithgow gets on a wet winters day), it was a no show when I needed them most. Oh well, it just ads to the element of surprise!!

Turning off the highway, past Norman Lindsay’s place and into the bush we went. It was soon into low range and crawling up and down large rock ledges. The trail is short, but sweet as they say and after a few photos we were at the dead end and a call for supper. I thought I did pretty good organising myself a coffee in the thermos, but Lesley and Josh enjoyed steaming hot soup – impressive!

Back again we wound, again using the Maxidrives as required, ensuring our progress was smooth and steady. Back also to the highway and lookin’ for more adventure. Off to Yellow Rock and a nice little track that can be amusing in the wet, or at night. There’s a reasonable creek crossing half way along, followed by a fairly steep hill that finishes in a locked gate at the top, which requires a turn ‘round three quarters of the way up. All negotiated with ease and back down to the creek and then off down a side trail.

This side trail had a few mud holes along the way and it too is a dead end. At around midnight we returned to the tar road and pointed our bull bars towards home. A perfect way to spend a Saturday night – out with the boys and girls, playing hard!