Pleasantly surprised with the lack of cold in the town known for its fridge like climate, we woke at an alarm free hour and slowly got ready for the day.
A short drive of about 20 minutes had us firstly visiting the Storm King Dam for a look and a few ooohs and ahhs. Particularly we ahhed at transformation of this place. Having only ever seen it on TV when it was bone dry with water being trucked into town to sustain it, it was now full. Bird life had returned, deep green grass grew everywhere. The area was alive.
We cruised on for a bit, missed the turnoff to Girraween National Park, then came back. Given Girraween is hidden way out in the bush, it seems a good dollop of people seem to find it. The place was packed. We grabbed the last available car park, read the track signs, remained totally confused and set off. Today we would see the Pyramids.
Hats off to National Parks, their tracks are first class although not easy to follow. We trudged along at a brisk pace, side-tracking to the Arch, taking a few pics and kept going. More than a few rock steps greeted us as we began climbing. G noted that the steps were set just far enough apart that you used the same leg to step up each time. She was right, requiring a goose step every now and then to readjust save walking home like a lame duck.
Steps gave way to track, gave way to ‘holy big rock Batman’. At an obvious bail out spot complete with bench seat we looked up. In anyone’s language the rock in front of us was massive. Massive, totally dominant and bloody steep. Without a handrail or safety feature in sight, Peter set off following but a sporadically dotted white line towards the top. G sat contemplating what she would do with Peter’s fortune should he not make it back.
Peter trudged foot after foot ever up hill. He popped out above the chasmy thing to march across the face of a rock with only a 150m drop to rocks below for company. After about 20 minutes he emerged on top of the Pyramid to be greeted by stunning views. Stunning views and a balancing rock.
This balancing rock was no ordinary one. It was huge and balance on not more than one metre square of its base. People pushed it, lay under it, hugged it and basically played with it like it was their own. Peter could not help but think, that all of the massive rock falls in these areas happened at some time on one day in history. Do these people ever stop to think that for this balancing rock, today may be the day?
After sympathising with the bloke who was trying to console his wife because her legs were jelly with only half the journey done, Peter set off back down. The views were magnificent, the knees were on fire. By the time he got back to G, she had made friends with a growing group of people who agreed her elevation was enough for them.
Heading back to the car we did the somethingorother loop, passing around, over and through a beautiful creek with freezing cold water. We had a yarn to anyone who came out way and listened carefully to the accents each had. Peter got it horribly wrong though when he asked a Scottish gent if his accent was English. Whoops.
By now our stomachs were singing a might song with base rumbles setting the beat. Lady Google directed us to Jersey Girls. This tin shed is a quirky little place with horrible service just off the Warwick road from Stanthorpe. Its name however is a cracker as it is a cheese making enterprise. The reference to Jersey and girls is that of Jersey cows. A great play on words and a brilliant business name. We ate some nice cheese. G wined. Peter had a salty caramel hot chocolate with marsh mellows and cream. Poor service forgiven!
With not quite enough sugar swishing around in our bodies we jumped the highway to munch on home-made apple crumble and ice-cream at Suttons juice factory. It’s amazing what crossing a road does. The service was outstanding and friendly. The crumple equally so.
We waddled to the car. Moved out seats back a notch to fit and headed back to G-String. The afternoon pleasantly wore on with snoozes being in order.
As dusk set, we noticed the temperature start to dive. It must have had scuba gear on because it continued to dive and dive. Tonight would be cold. At least by sunshine coast standards. It could even get down to 20 degrees.