Destination west - red rocks and waterfalls......................

When I started pulling out clothing appropriate for my upcoming trip to Australia I ended up with the hodgepodge shown here on the rack. Speaking of which, this item is a most useful and inexpensive buy from The Container Store - I'm loving it. I used it to organize the last few trips, setting it up in the guest room, then collapsing it and packing away in the storage area until now. I must admit that the above clothes have been changed several times since this photo was taken a few weeks back. Remember now, I don't mind packing, it's the choosing part that's so hard for me!

Of course editing will have to happen, no way can I get all this in that one duffel I plan to haul - shoes and boots for walking, riding, climbing, paddling (OMG, why do I always want to take so many), hats for shading red hair under the blazing midday sun, hiding wet hair if I decide to swim in a waterfall, along with the teetering pile of miscellany gradually growing underneath the rack. At least I can see what's there, much easier than working out of the hidden depths of a dark closet and numerous drawers.

Hey, wait a minute, did I just say Australia?

Sure enough I'll be heading there soon with Paula. I'll be meeting her in California, we'll fly to Sydney, then across that vast continent to Broome. This coastal area of Western Australia is called The Kimberley. To see the awesome scenery a boat is required to follow, and access, the coast north toward Darwin.

It's a thrill knowing that we'll be on the ORION again, the beautiful small expedition ship we took last year to visit the Sub-Antarctic Islands. We journeyed from Auckland, New Zealand to Hobart, Tasmania, many, many nautical miles across an empty ocean, didn't pass a single ship on the way, but had such a wonderful expedition to islands such as the Antipodes and Macquarie.

It was late afternoon when I gazed across Hobart's waterfront from my hotel window watching Orion sail away.....I stayed until she passed from view and felt quite sad. The expedition to the Sub-Antarctic Islands had been such a thrilling experience. I didn't think I would ever have the chance to board this perfect small ship again.

I'll share more of this trip soon. If you've visited 

The Kimberley and have any tips for me, I'd love 

to hear from you. Please be kind and don't mention the heat, 

the size of the crocodiles, or the many venomous snakes, 

thanks so much!!