Day 12: Trauma in more ways than one

Got up bright and early for my hour long drive to Echuca. Echuca is one of the border towns that sits on the Campaspe River which separates the state of Victoria from New South Wales.  My drive was beautiful through rural farmland.  Still haven't seen a kangaroo, but I have hope. 

 

I landed at the hospital in their Education center.  Each rural teaching site has one of these beautiful buildings which serve as the education hub for the rural students.

I helped out with Trauma Day (arguably not my specialty) but it was really fun.  We put chest tubes into dummy boxes and talked about a trauma scenario regarding a motorcycle accident and a pneumothorax.  The day was really fun.

Unfortunately, I got some terrible family news at the end of the day.  This news cut my Australia trip short and I headed back to Chicago the next day (Day 13).  Said my goodbyes to the computer lab, my POD and my room and hopped the 14 hour flight to LAX. 

I didn't have any time for personal goodbyes to all the many wonderful people I've met along the way.  I will miss Australia dearly as I just felt like I was getting into the swing of things, but there is hope for a return trip in the future.






One positive for the final day - I finally saw my first kangaroo.  They were in the fields off to the side of the road on the way to Melbourne.  I couldn't believe it - I was treated to two packs of wild kangaroos.  Going too fast for a photo, but really splendid animals! 

Thanks for reading.  I do hope that you all enjoyed my blog.  Don't worry - Steve and I made a promise to ourselves to head back to the outback for a true sight-seeing trip - perhaps we'll hit up Australia AND New Zealand.

Day 11: Shepparton by Bicycle

There is nothing quite like a day spent on the back of a bicycle to remind you of being a kid.  Today, I borrowed a bike and helmet and started off to explore Shepparton.  I've been running around so much that I haven't had time to explore, plus I needed a few essentials at the grocery store.


Headed down to the visitor center around Victoria Park.  Turns out that, just like Chicago, Shepparton has painted cows completed by local artists which are dotted throughout the town.  The folks at the visitor center hooked me up with all the local maps and goodies and I headed off on a bike loop around Victoria Park Lake.

Victoria Park Lake is beautiful and a wonderful place to spend the afternoon.  Check out these weird birds - I think they are Ibis, but no one in Australia seems to think them unusual.

After circling Victoria Park Lake, I crossed the river and headed to Mooroopna (more-oop-na), a neighboring town, for lunch.  Ate my packed lunch by the river next to my sweet ride - check out the bike!

 

The day was beautiful and not too unbearably hot.  Headed back into town for a little window shopping and supply stock up for the upcoming weekend.  Then it was back to the POD for a little lecture prep and some R&R.
 

Day 10: Lecture time...

Today started with a 9AM - 1PM lecture slot.  It was my choice what to speak on to a group of 7 Extended Rural Cohort (ERC) students here at Shepparton.  The students were from all over Australia, but mostly the state of Victoria (Bendigo, Melbourne, etc).  Two students were from Queensland.  I started the day with a lecture on the US Medical System from the perspective of how we train our doctors.  This also gave me an excuse to show some great Seattle photos. 

 
Then, I lectured on Palliative Care, the "Death with Dignity Act" and how to perform a death exam.  We finished the day with a brief tutorial on "reading CXRs" with classroom participation required.  The students, Katie, Gary, Andrew, Brody, Michael, Cary, and Torr seemed at least a bit interested.  I couldn't believe it...only 1 girl in the group! They were flabbergasted at how little we make as residents and fellows - as their "registrars and fellows" make significantly more than we do.  Often, however, you have to be out in a rural area to do so. Sadly, almost all of the students want to ultimately live and work in and around Melbourne.



  

Day 9: Working and playing in Melbourne

Today was a catch up day.  A nice lazy sunday, where I got up early, took my luggage to the train station storage locker and headed back into the city of Melbourne.  I grabbed a quick bite to eat to Brunetti's this outdoor italian cafe.  Their Earl Grey tea was excellent.  Then it was off to Federation Square to catch up with family via Skype as well as work on my upcoming talks for lecture tomorrow. 

I happened to be sitting next to this space where a group of Chinese women came to work on their traditional dance and drums for Australia Day (January 26th).  

Inside Federation Square, there was also a model train exhibition...caught a bit of this with the other tourists.

Hopped on the train to Seymour and had to switch to the bus for the final push.  Got into Shepparton a bit early and then headed back to the POD to work on my lectures for tomorrow.  Overall, a mellow day as I prepped for tomorrow's teaching.

Day 8: Sheffield, Cradle Mountain NP, and back to the mainland

Started the day with a quick breakfast in Launceston, a trip to the “post” and petrol station and then it was off west to the national park.  I stopped in Sheffield, a town of murals, for a quick coffee and some fudge (yes, the name of the store).  The murals proved a pleasant surprise. 

 



This was one of the older murals in the town - check out that artwork!

Then it was off through wicked windy roads to Cradle Mountain National Park – one of the most famous National Parks in Tasmania.  This first picture is of Mount Roland on the way west from Sheffield. 

 

Arrived at Cradle Mountain National Park and took a quick bus ride to Dove Lake.  The weather turned downright nasty – 11`C/51`F with driving misty rain.  Come to think of it, it reminded me of Seattle...

Hiked up literally crazy stairs plastered onto the sides of mountains, past Lilla Lake to Wombat Pool.  Crested the mountain in gale force winds and could barely stand at the top.  Met some lovely Aussies who took my picture at the top.  Then it was up over the crest down towards Cradle Lake. 

Lilla Lake...looks like something coming out of the mist.

Wombat Pools. I was supposed to have seen a bunch of wombats (as they are native to the park).  Even they thought the weather was terrible and stayed in their boroughs. 

Cresting at the top.  Supposedly on a good day you can see Cradle Mountain from here.  No such luck for me today, but spectacular views, nonetheless.

Cradle Lake

Past the lake, I hiked down these crazy wooden stairs through and literally in the trees on the Overland Track.  Overland track is a 5-9 day hike from Cradle Mountain in the north to Lake St. Clair in the south crossing the entire National Park. About 100 people embark on the path each day throughout the bush-walking season. I then came upon Cradle Falls and out onto more walking paths, for a brief time walking THE Overland Track.  Supposedly there are wombats out there, but none came out to play.

Cradle Falls on the way down from the peak.  Then it was back to Launceston to fly back to Melbourne.  Arrived late and crashed in the hotel…back to Shep tomorrow.

Day 7: Touring Tasmania – Launceston to the East Coast and Back

 

The day started with a run through town to the Cataract Gorge, up these crazy steps.  Started rainy, but refreshing as it was a warm rain.  Headed out to the Pool and Alexandria Suspension Bridge before being pleasantly surprised by my first Australian fauna...

...wallabies (think kangaroo, but smaller and less aggressive) and a peacock.

 

The Gorge is a beautiful place, but the Tamar River that runs through the center is always murky and very muddy. Saw some chaps rocking climbing on the Gorge wall run back.

Started by heading east to Scottsdale through the forest. After a quick stop, I pushed through to Pyengana – a working dairy farm that makes delicious cheese, YUM! Stopped for lunch at Banjo’s in St. Helens before making the final push to the coast.

Had spectacular views down the coast past the chain of lagoons – check out that gorgeous blue-green water.  Breezed through Bicheno and headed into Freycinet (Fre-sin-eh) National Park.  Spied my only bush fires (small wisps in the distance) which were well controlled on this coast. Tasmania has been ravaged by bush fires recently as has mainland Australia.

Hiked up the Wineglass Bay trail (literally straight up a ton of steps) to the overlook.  Surprisingly beautiful views of Coles Bay (first pic in the floppy hat) on the way up only to be blown away with views of Wineglass Bay at the top. 

 

This view hasn’t been rivaled yet!

 

Just past Cranbrook,  headed west again on B34 to Campbell Town.  Was treated to some spectacular views crossing the valley, as well as more sheep and cattle than I could count.  Unfortunately, there was tons of wallaby road-kill as well as they are more prolific and brazen than our deer on the east coast. The day ended back in Lauceston with an early bedtime after 10 hours of driving! 

Day 6: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

Today began with a meditative walk called the labyrinth, led by Dr. Helen Malcom (in the white hat). “The labyrinth is one of the oldest symbols; it depicts the way to the unknown centre, the mystery of death and rebirth, the risk of the search, the danger of losing the way, the quest, the finding and the ability to return.” – Edward Whitmont. 

Google the "worldwide labyrinth locator" for more information.

Then it was off on my first mode of transportation, the V-line train from Shep to Melbourne.  This train serves as the lifeline for residents out in the more rural parts of Victoria to get to Melbourne.  As always, the train travel was lovely in first class ;).

It was then off to Tasmania on Jetstar, Australia's version of Southwest.  Forty minutes later, I landed at this crazy two-bay airport in Launceston (Lawn-ches-ton, with the emphasis on Lawn).  Had to embark and disembark on the tarmac.  

Picked my up sweet ride  - a baby blue Toyota Corolla and headed into town.

 

Arrived at the Kilmarnock House, an Edwardian Accommodation (their phrase not mine).  House was old and fantastic with lots of nooks and crannies and bedspreads from a wild floral period (see below).  Yes, I had a wrought-iron bed with 2 sitting chairs, a wardrobe and a kitchenette.  Owners were lovely folks. Met their son who was probably my age and talked my ear off, but gave some good recommendations for dinner...

http://www.kilmarnockhouse.com.au/ 

 

Took out the car into town, (always an experience driving on the left) and had dinner (the roast special – Lamb) at the Royal Oak Pub. 

Headed out on the town after a quick schooner (small pint) of Boag Draught, the local brew.  Hit up Prince’s Square with this fabulous fountain (yes that's me in the blue jacket playing with the auto-timer again), multiple churches including...

...this one which was “desanctified” in 1981, needs a lot of love, but is gorgeous.

 

 

As the light faded, I finished my walk around town – hitting up more graffiti art, the town hall, and the town chimes celebrating the first 100 years of Launceston’s existence (1806 -1906).