Day Eleven - Death Hike, River Fire

Day 11
Woke up with a bit of a hangover and tried to cure it with some greasy McDonald’s and a huge water bottle. Didn’t really work, but it would be gone soon enough. We drove a bit to the Glass House Mountains and readied ourselves for a “hike”. We soon found out that it was pretty much climbing. Mostly vertical walls at parts, you’d have to find holds and climb up. Looking down not recommended. I was genuinely frightened for the first time in a long time. But, it was challenging and definitely rewarding with the view at the top. We stopped there, ate a snack, took some pictures, and enjoyed nature’s beauty. The climb down was very scary and slow, but not as difficult as it looked. I’ve found the cure for a hangover. Death defying climbs up mountains at a pretty good pace. We had a barbecue planned at 3 with some of Brent and Kristin’s neighbors, so we headed back and got ready for that. We met poolside at their apartment at a gathering place and we met Janet, Brooke, Allison, Carl, and Kevin. It was Allison’s birthday, and we had quite the spread so an informal gathering. Lamb kebabs, pasta salad, crackers, bread, hummus, salad, and pavlova for dessert. It was fabulous. Washed it down with my favorite new Aussie beer, Touhy’s New, and got ready to go to the yearly celebration, River Fire. We all walke a mile or so and set up chairs and blankets near the river front to watch fireworks and jets fly overhead. It was really cool, we drank a few beers, and met a couple girls next to us and had a good time. We arranged to meet at the bar later and have drinks. Tom and I met up with Hannah and Kat at the Ice Bar, and we hung out for an hour or so. It was nice. Tom called it our Aussie Independence, as it was really the first time we went out without Brent and/or Kristin. The girls had to go to a friend’s going away party, but wanted us to meet them again after. Tom and I went home, had a couple beers, and, probably due to the full day and climbing, both of us passed out.