Alone Near Alice

Book excerpt: On their second trip to Australia, Ruth and Harold met a couple during a Great Barrier Reef cruise. They and their children eventually became great friends. Lynette and Rob had lived in Washington, DC and had traveled all over the world, but they had never been to the Outback. So when the opportunity to explore it under the sponsorship of the highly respected National Trust appeared, they seized the chance and invited the Harbaughs along. The almost three week journey involved one widely traveled American couple, 14 reserved Aussies, and a driver named Dave. Together they explored deserted telegraph stations, hidden water holes, and compelling Outback attractions rarely seen by outsiders. The well educated Australians aboard were expecting a university scholar to conduct this 8,000 mile circle that included 5 of the 7 Australian States and 1 Territory, but they ended up with Dave, a mate whose favorites subjects were beer, fishing, and lame, politically incorrect jokes.