Donnelly River
Looking back, my brain was a total fog at this point in my life. I was in the thick of transitioning into life in Australia. New job, new car, new country. All of it.
But, at 5 in the morning, we found ourselves on the road to a forest I had never dreamt of-- a forest of dreams! I feel embarrassed to say that I never dreamt of the red dirt forest and the tall Karri trees. They are a staple of Western Australian life. And I want nothing more than to be there all the time now that we are not within driving distance.
We drove and hummed to the "chunes" of Triple J, Kendrick Lamar, and Angus and Julia Stone (classic duo serving up all the Aussie vibes). Main highways turned to narrow roads with bright red dirt and yellow kangaroo warning signs. I could hardly believe my eyes. We spotted camel farms, and I saw my first kangaroo, wildly hopping through the forest.
(full disclosure: sadly and scarily, my second kangaroo spotting was a dead one on the side of the road. this spotting was almost immediately after spotting the first happy, free one. luckily, I was on my way to hang out with them!)
A 5th year wedding anniversary of our brother & sister brought us to Donnelly River, where they were married just five years before. Almost immediately, you will notice that it's not just home to humans. No, emus, twenty eight parrots, and western grey kangaroos live here happily, raising their families there too. Within ten minutes and a little encouraging from friends, I had all of them at my fingertips! It was one of the most magical moments of my life.
