The Gum Tree for 2006 April 24

Louise and I left for Brisbane this morning, so after our last farewell to all the Nicholson children we were off with Lisa to meet the Nicholson Grandparents (John and Julie) half way. The half way point was Cunningham's Gap which is situated by Main Range National park; which is Australia's version of America's Great Divide. We hiked the roughly 4 Kilometers to the peak of one of the mountains through beautiful rainforests. I snapped some fifty pictures; some where close up and others were wide scenic shots, and we had fun. When we came back down Louise's Parents were there waiting (as before mentioned). We said our last goodbye to Lisa and were off.

Lunch was next on our Itinerary. We went to a country off-the-highway cafe and fruit stand. I had a huge hamburger with the works (including egg, beetroot, and buttered buns). After our satiating lunch we were off again on the road to Brisbane. The trip was uneventful except for a random stop in which the police had John breath into a Breathalyser--which read 0.00, and I commented that such a stop was likely illegal in the states. I have notice that there is much more regulation of behaviour here in Australia compared to the U.S. by THE STATE. Of course, litigation in U.S. may regulate behaviour privately just as much as it is regulated by government in Australia, but I think I prefer to have my behaviour regulated by my fellow man democratically then bureaucratically by the amorphous monolithic STATE.

In any case, we had a nice evening at Paul and Becky's place.