Hike 26: Seeking Snow Once More at the 'Snowies'

Did you hear the ghost?

Hello Mates,

January 20th

Less visited Snowy trail

Time to leave Jindabyne, New South Wales and give Victoria a try. But first, let’s attempt one more approach to a summit in the Snowy Mountains, we decided. All day traveling without activity makes Jen and Jeff even more dull. We packed and headed for the quaint village of Threadbo. In our next ‘life', we are thinking of asking Hashem to appoint us a place-name supervisor. We also want to be able to make up names like those in Australasia. A person could have a lot of fun in this field—what’d you say Tutukaka?
Our best hike in the Snowy Mountains

We found a hike that was partly closed because a bridge had been washed away. We checked it, finding the crossing sans bridge wouldn’t be a problem. We always feel safe when holding our editor’s hand. Yes, we did commit a transgression. However, we do think the Australians are very cautious about things like that. The hike was terrific. One of the reasons is that the trail was a regular ‘bush walk’, no luxury features included. We climbed some 1,900 feet and enjoyed spectacular views of the ‘Snowies’ again. It really is a beautiful place. We witnessed the recovering trees from previous fires in the area. They are now grey and leafless, no longer blackened. It is both attractive and haunting. Most people take the cableway from the village to the base of Mt. Kosciuszko and then hike down, an option we suppose.
Returning through recovering fire-damaged trees

Back in the car, we traveled a difficult alpine scenic route, passed Lake Hume, a wonder of water and arrived in Wangaratta for the night. The following day we left for Melbourne and found ourselves in a traffic jam twenty miles outside the city. Not that we needed the reminder, but that’s another reason for our fondness for the small towns—their traffic jams are more palatable.

Even death is attractive in nature

One cannot help but compare countries, cultures and people. However, we don’t want to be too specific because we don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge. In any case, it is not our function to render judgments—that we leave to Caesar. Nevertheless, an interesting difference we found is in the checking-in process at places of accommodation. In Australia, much like the United States, the receptionist reaches across the front desk and puts his/her hand in the pocket, seeking the credit card. An immediate charge is implemented. Whereas in New Zealand, in every place we stayed, all they want is your name. Nothing else. When you are ready to depart they ask for payment. It is very trusting which may not be ‘good business’ but it certainly makes one feel comfortable. As we said, no big deal, but a nice reflection of the hosts.
We have to admit our consciences are not clear. You see we sneaked out in the early hours of the morning from some motels and hotels, long before the front-desk opened. Not nice, we suppose. However, it gets even worse, we’re sorry to admit. We had previously checked in as Gary and Barbara Frank on one occasion and Denise and Gary Sneag on the other. That’s not the bad part though. The problem is that we can’t figure which couple to use next. Relax Mom, our friends are forgiving. Anyway, we are no longer in New Zealand.
Lake Hume

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey