Seppos Invade the 'Stralian' Bush- Day 1 Fri 17th

Thursday 16th was a chill out/prep day.  No pics today.  Slept in a bit, washed clothes, went to the store.  Leah invited us over for a cookout at her and Andrews home.  Gorgeous home.  We had BBQ, sausages, slaw, cheese, crackers and some adult beverages.  Thanks Leah and Andrew for great food and company.

Friday 17th
I feel like I have to explain a little, the title.  Seppos. The Australians (though no our friends) feel as though we Americans are full of shit.  Not sure where that came from, but it is a known fact.  They refer to us as Yanks.  Not as in yankees but perhaps as yanking their chains so to speak.  Yank rhymes with tank, which was shortened (as they rhyme and shorten EVERYTHING) from septic tank, which is full of shit.  The septic tank then got shortened to Sep or Seppos.  Thus we are the Seppos, invading the Stralian bush.  They actually say it as 'Straya'.  David thinking this funny came up with the Ride or rally's name and had a t-shirt made (with our feedback and some help)  Of course he used the CRM shirts for advertisement on the front and the rides slogan on the back.  So you will see us wearing these shirts in pictures from time to time.

Rode about 260km to Bairnsdale.  We took a break for lunch. Some decided to take a 15 min nap in the park.  In each town, I have noticed that they consist of what we call strip malls.  Each side of the street is lined with shops.  There is usually a public spot or park in the center.  Each shop does not have public bathrooms so you have to use the public toilets located in the park area.  Sometimes these parks consist of just benches and picnic tables and sometimes they are full on parks with swing sets etc.  

Rode the Great Alpine Road through the Alpine Mountain range passing Swifts Creek, Omeo, Mt. Hotham, Bright to Mount Beauty.

570km day on some of the best roads in Australia.  150km was nothing but tight twisties, then about 150km of not so tight twisties and sweepers.  The rest was just gorgeous.  My arms are on fire (tennis elbow/ulnar nerve).  Our butts are sore.  Sweaty and exhausted.  Fantastic day!