Where: Nobel Falls
When: May 2017
Adventure Companions: The whole MAP family and some Hike it
Baby friends, including some from the Snowy Mountains Branch (and a balance
bike).
Which weekend are you coming over?
Life is full of coincidences. One of the Hike it Baby Branch
Ambassadors from the Snowy Mountains Branch has family in Gidgegannup and she happened to be over visiting and be available for the time I had scheduled
the Nobel Falls Hike. It was like it was mean to be!
We set off down the wide, sand trail with Velcro dog zipping
around smelling all the wonderful smells. The toddlers toddled and the parents
chatted until, uh oh, the bridge was out.
Our adventurous friend from the Snowy Mountains pointed out
a log which was conveniently lying across the creek right next to the bridge. With
the options of going back the way we came, taking the long route to the next
bridge or crossing the log, all the parents decided that the log was do-able. Our
friend from the Snowy Mountains made the log crossing look super easy. Without
a wobble, she crossed with toddler in arms. Depositing her toddler (clearly,
significantly more reliable that The Giant Baby), she returned for the balance
bike. Very kindly, she then removed her shoes and waded into the thigh deep
water to help the others across. Wet Feet Count: 2
The second parent and child duo crossed without a hitch.
Mr MAP, with Mini Monkey in his arms, were up next. Mini
Monkey chose exatly the wrong moment to wriggle and into the water went Mr MAP.
Luckily the water was shallow and Mr MAP landed on his feet so Mini Monkey slightly
shaken but mostly dry. Wet Feet Count Total: 5
Giant Baby was on my back and by this point he was
wriggling a lot; first looking down at the ground on one side and then to the
other. There was no way I was going to be able to stay on that log. Having seen
the water depth, I chose to wade, rather than risk falling and hurting both of
us. Having tied my laces too tight and with Giant Baby on my back, there was no
way I was going to be able to take my shoes off and then put them back on, I
made the decision to just walk on in, shoes and all. It was a good choice as
the bottom of the stream was rocky and the banks in and out spiky. Wet Feet
Count Total: 7
Once safely across the stream, we continued on our way in
the sun. The toddlers toddled and ate snacks, the parents chatted (more) and
Velcro dog swam in the stream when she wasn’t zipping around smelling all the
smells. It was another beautiful little hike.
Website: http://gidgegannup.info/tourism/noblefallswalk.htm
Opening hours: never closed
Cost: free