Call me adventurous but I really wanted to hit the road. I wanted to introduce kuttyma to the pleasures of stopping along the way and just observing how landscape and places transform. We had to travel from Brisbane to Gladstone and we decided to drive instead of taking a flight.

Coming from Texas meant I was used to wide open spaces but Australia surprised me – miles and miles of emptiness

Kuttyma had not been on a carseat for nearly 2 years and it was going to be a 8 hour drive. Yes reckless would be a better term to describe me than adventurous. But then it was not really a road trip per say but something new for kuttyma. We decided to break it into 4 hour segments and hit the road.

We stopped along the way and explored as usual.

I was quite amazed how easily she adapted and how it was just like old times.

This is what we did

Day 1 – Brisbane > Ginger Factory, Yardina > Hervey Bay

Day 2 – Hervey Bay > small town stops (3-4 of them) > Gladstone.

The only trouble from kuttyma was on Day 2 during her nap time, she wanted me to sit next to her and pat her as she slept in her car seat. No ipads, iphones,DVDs were used. Few books and some assorted toys kept her busy. We did keep a constant stream of conversation going on to keep her occupied. We also made sure all our stops were kid-friendly.

We laughed and played in almost deserted stretches of beaches, walked and skipped along the way. It was a family time – much needed and perfect.

It was “off-season” and the beaches were deserted – it was spectacular – blue skies, clean sands and just us

I would do it all over again! The family is ready for the road.

We left footprints on the sand – they wash away but the ones we carry within us will never