July 2: Ready to Roll!
I’ve never had to deal with an unexpected medical issue on a summer adventure before. But after getting an insect bite or injury on my elbow a week ago that turned into a red throbbing hot swollen expanding mess, the medical staff at two different small towns really stepped up to the plate to get me back on the road again.
In both Port Agusta and yesterday late afternoon in Kalgoorlie, the staff at the local medical clinics fit me in after just a short wait, gave me a prescription to address my problem, charged half of what I would have paid in the US, and directed me to a pharmacy within walking distance. I’m super appreciative that thanks to their kindness and compassion I can continue this once in a lifetime journey!
Adventure Baby and I set out from Kalgoorlie this morning, heading west towards Perth along route 94. We both got a little grimy, passing through several construction zones and traveling on roads covered in dirt and mud as we made our way through several mining areas.
I continued to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, filled with bright orange and red dirt on both sides of the road, several magnificent varieties of eucalyptus trees, and a beautiful blue sky dotted with puffy clouds. The white, orange, and grey trunks and limbs of the tall, graceful trees created striking silhouettes against the deep rich earth and light blue sky.
I learned to brace myself when being passed by “road trains” heading the other direction. These huge semis carry anywhere from two to five trailers behind them and depending on their shape and the wind level can either gently rock the bike back and forth when passing or blast it with a huge wake of air, much like the effect of a wet sock tumbling in a hot dryer.
As we got closer to the coast, the landscape became greener, and I noticed several colorful fields of green and yellow crops. My navigation directed me through the rolling hills on several small country backgrounds before I arrived at a small beach town on the outskirts of Perth. What a great day on the bike!
