Lisa P and Patrick D - 3

Bright and early the following morning we packed our bags and headed out for our next adventure. It was now Tuesday morning and we were looking to get back home tonight, but not without some fun along the way. Continuing on a Southern course, we headed out of town aiming to reached Cape Leuwin, and the Cape Leuwin Lighthouse, the most Southwestern edge of the country.

The drive to the cape is only about 40 kilometers (25 miles) and is scarcely populated, so Lisa took over the controls to test her skill on the opposite side of the road. Sitting in the passenger seat I got the job of navigating us to the cape and to yell at Lisa to pull over to take as many pictures as possible. Our first stop was at a little pull-off right on the ocean where rocks, beach, ocean, and shrubs collide. With such a beautiful site and the Southern Ocean in view, I suggested to Lisa that she should touch the water (so she can say she's been to the Southern Ocean), but to be careful of the slippery rocks. You can see where this is heading, and the picture of Lisa's wet butt is the result. I was actually worried that she was going to slide all the way into the ocean, which would have been really bad. Laughing about it, we looked to our right to see a beach about 50 feet away, so we headed over there to take some photos and for me to touch the water. But, alas, the ocean won again as a massive wave came up the shore as I was bending down and it drenched my shoes and ankles. Very clever Mr. Ocean.

Hopping back in the car we continued down the coast line pulling over once again for some pictures and to watch a few whales. We could only see their blow-holes, but it was a pretty cool site. Our final stop was the lighthouse, which was pretty neat to see, but very overpriced to visit, so we just walked around outside the fence a bit and took some pictures in the gale force winds, which made Lisa's hair look like a bad 80s hair cut. Still though, it was pretty cool to see where the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean meet. Fully satisfied with our journey so far, we turned back North to explore Mammoth Cave before we headed home. With Lisa still in the driver seat we were headed back North through constantly changing terrain. From towering forests to open farm lands, the thick bush to flowing vineyards, the terrain was a site to behold. I think Lisa enjoyed it too, because at one point we nearly ran off the road and I had a few choice words with her. Ok ok, she didn't do that bad, but it was a bit too close for comfort for me, so she made me drive the rest of the way.

Mammoth Cave is the most Northern cave in a series of caves along Margaret River/Southwest area. Originally named "Dawn of Creation," Mammoth Cave hosts great historical significance as it holds fossils from ancient animals, fauna, and newly extinct animals. Scientists continue to visit the cave every year to unlock it's secrets and to learn more about the history of the area. We learned all about this as we walked on a self-guided tour through the cave with portable headsets describing the cave as we walked. The cave itself lies in the side of a hill in the towering Karri Forest and winds through the rock a couple hundred yards to the exit. The exit itself was formed when the cave roof collapsed, leaving a massive gap in the Earth where the only way out is up. Pretty neat and wildly beautiful.

We got home that night around 7 pm and sat on the couch to relax and enjoy some NCIS. A long day but a day well spent. Getting defeated by the ocean, whale watching, bad 80s hair styles, spelunking, and a small fight. It had it all.