A Few Photos To Satisfy

Well, hello there. We have quite the blog coming up but unfortunately we have not had the time to sit down and put it all on paper (electronic paper). We have been up to quite a lot lately, including a killer surf trip to Byron Bay, stopping off at 5 great beaches. I surfed the whole time while Elizabeth encouraged from the beach, went for runs, swam, and read. She actually got out there with me one day and she had quite a ride.

As you know know, Cyclone Larry hit up in North Queensland about a week and a half ago. This assisted in the rather large surf that I got myself into early this week. My 9'2" mal hung in there quite well. I escaped unscathed except for the the fin from my board hit me in the head, causing some bleeding.

Elizabeth has surprised me with a camping trip this weekend down south. So for all of you who provided us with some great REI gear and other camping gear we are ever so thankful. This will be our first time out in it.

We miss y'all tons and will update this blog, litrally, very soon.

Super Mini Glossary of Terms

Pram=Stroller
Bloody=Awful

Summer Lovin'

"Grease" came alive on stage upon our first trip to the Sydney Opera House last night for the Olivia Newton-John (ONJ) concert. A huge thanks to Brooke Bussen for this great gift! The grande finale including an audience sing-along to "Summer Lovin' had me a blast, Summer lovin' happened so fast....". What a hoot! I can't shake the "Greece" tunes or "Let's get physical, physical....I wanna get physical!" from my head. ONJ boasted that "Let's get physical" was banned from the airwaves in 1982; she was proud that SHE had a song that was 'banned'! Considering the lyrics of M&M, "Let's get physical" today classifies as a lullaby! This weekend, Logan, Shannon (friend) and I pile in the Holden Astra and drive North to Byron Bay- this beautiful spot, about 6 hours away. Our friend has access to this condo on the beach. We are excited for this weekend gettaway! Logan and I have a new addition to our family .... the surfboard. Last week, on day 2, LSW sets the alarm for 4:30AM to catch a few waves before work. What love will do to a guy, right? I'm adjusting to sharing his attention :) Now last Sunday, is where it gets interesting.... We set off with friends, Meredith and Shannon, to hike in the Royal Nat'l Park. Logan decided to hike with his surf board as secluded beaches lie at end of the hike. Well, somehow, 10 minutes into the hike, we got off trail and end up bush-wacking for hours. Unable to fully depict the scene of us bush whacking, literally, you would NOT believe what we trekked through. The most painful being reeds that give you paper cuts. The density of the vegetation made it impossible to see forward or backward. The only technique to use is PLUNGING oneself forward. Next, we trekked through swamp land where Logan would occasionally climb trees to ensure we could at least see sand in the distance. The last portion (unbeknownst to us at the time) was the brush that caused a stinging sensation all over our appendages due to the cuts from the reeds! FINALLY, we arrived at the beach; I've never been SO thankful. We ate lunch and sprawled out. Logan, of course, surfed before setting off for the return, except this time, ON THE TRAIL (which felt like an 8-lane highway). This trail ended about 3 km from the car, which was all so fine considering what it could have been (ie the bush whacking). At points, we wanted to be back at the car so much we started running (yes, running, LW with his surf board in tow) and I carrying my big backpack (containing our snorkelling gear, which of course we never used!). Imagine, driving down this 2-lane road and spotting 4 random people running, and one carrying a surfboard. We're certain we made conversations in various cars that drove that road on Sunday. Clearly, none of us were really prepared for the rigors of the day!!! We were so dehydrated when we got back to the car, we dashed to this gas station and all 4 of us RAN in and starting pulling water bottles out of the cooler, opening then and guzzling. The gas station attendant was laughing at us :) We chugged 2 huge water bottles and 2 big gatorades- thirst busters! Needless to say, we arrived home, with scrapes covering the legs, very sun kissed, still thirsty, sandy, chilled from the dried sweat, stinging, and tired... but what an adventure! This beach was so beautiful, remote, and just lovely.....we'll definitely take all y'all who visit, except we will stay on the trail, ie the easy way. No question, I will not be "bush whacking" again :) Meredith later shared, after we returned safely to the car, that she saw a snake in the reeds but didn't tell anyone. Smart girl!

Nearly Two Months In and Loving OZ

That is right, we are just about two months in and truley enjoying it Sydney, Australia.

We have not had any major news to report in the past few weeks so that is why our blog has been dormant. But alas, news from around the world!!!

First thing first: Liz. She is well. Let us just say that she has been a magnificant wife and friend over here. She is up early in the morning with me, packing my lunch, to ensure I get the proper nutrients during the day. I get to drive her car to work whilst she walks, and she is allowing me to buy a surf board!!! However, that is least important to me. Probably the most exciting news on her work front is that she was surrounded at the office the other day by all of her colleagues. Why you might ask? Well, she wore her hair down for the first time and they thought she looked like Shirley Temple.

Second thing second: House. It is bare. New furniture has arrived that we bid on at an auction house but the cushions had to be tossed. The walls are concrete so I am trying to work out how to hang a few things (in the lease it says do nothing to the walls). Let me just say that the nail I tried to hammer didn't quite make it through the layer of paint. We love our blow up mattress, the condensation in the bathroom from the fans not functioning, and all of our bags stuffed in the corner because we don't have storage. But we do love our place and it is a work in progress. Probably by the time we either move, buy a place, or return to the U.S. we will have it all solved.

Third thing third: Me. I am busy. Work is great and the job description is as vast as the blue Pacific Ocean. I was covered in concrete a week ago, up to my head in paperwork shortly thereafter, and assisting the fire/police department with a gas leak that occurred onsite due to a negligent driver of an excavator. I make Elizabeth coffee in the morning, call her at work during the day, and plan fun little outings here and there.

Last but not least: Us. Married life is great. We go to bed at 9:30 PM and get up at 5:30 AM. On the weekends we hit the beach for a picnic, a run, and a swim. We hit the Blue Mountains last weekend and had a great 4 hour hike through sandstone canyons, cascading waterfalls, & tropical forests. We are planning a day trip this Sunday to the National Park south of Sydney with our good friends Shannon and Meredith followed by a surf trip next weekend.

So, who is going to be the first to come visit us????? We have camp pads!!

Cheers,

Logan

Mini Glossary of Terms:

Sheila: Lady
Flat Out: Busy
Flat White: Espress w/ milk
Stuffed Up: Messed Up