The Dam Hike!

Monday, May 11: Rob and Leeane pick Don and I up and we're off to an area just east of Perth up in the hills, to the John Forrest National Park and the Mundaring Wier reservoir and dam. A very rugged region with huge trees, canyons, and massive rock outcroppings. Our goal is to hike out to an old railroad tunnel that was constructed to support the building of the dam and water pipeline. The dam was built in 1903 and is the water supply for Perth, and later a huge pipeline project was added to supply water to the goldmining town of Kalgoorlie, about 600 km. east.

But first, lunch at the Mundaring Wier Hotel. Another classic structure in a stunning location, I have to guess that it was built around the time of the dam, c. 1903. And by a curious coincidence, the Bibbulmun Track crosses right in front of the pub! We had agreat lunch and a couple of cold ones and enjoyed the company of the parrots helping themselves to the leftovers. And I saw my first Kookaburra!

Uncle Bob, Leeazza, and Rob at the Mundaring Wier Hotel.

The Kookaburra is actually a bird of prey and has a very strong beak. Very beautiful bird.I can now say that I walked my first few meters on the Track, only 999.9 kms. to go!