riverECHO

4,203 kilometers around Australia
Tonight’s Home – Gilbert Park Tourist Village

Just before entering the town of Cloncurry at the end of a scorching day in the van, the monotonous landscape of flat golden grasslands with the occasional cow or dry creek bed suddenly transformed into small rolling hills with shrubs and trees and the air was immediately cool. It was hard to believe the sign we saw as we drove into town claiming the national record for a high of 127 °F (53.1 °C) in 1889. Quoting Wikipedia: “Recent investigations have revealed that this temperature was measured in an improvised screen made from a beer crate and that it equated to 47–49 °C under standard conditions.” We hopefully won’t be here to break another record as the cool desert night is already settling in.

A complimentary lesson on outback social skills for your enjoyment:

Have you ever noticed the low subtle wave that two motorcyclists exchange as they pass each other on the open road? Well prepare yourself to learn about the Outback White Van Wave. I probably shouldn’t even be sharing this so if anyone asks, you didn’t learn this from me. Keep in mind that you also have to be driving a white van for this to work properly. Here it goes.  If you see another white van approaching you along an Australian outback road, remain still until you are just about to pass. At that moment, jump as far forward in your seat as you can and thrust your hand forward with fingers spread so that it almost touches the windscreen. Shake if vigorously, which is the wave portion of the Outback White Van Wave, and smile. There you have it. Now if you pass any other car, rig, or road train, keep your hand on the steering wheel and acknowledge the passing driver by lifting your index finger.