PolioPlus Ride 2003

Report 3

Today's the day we roll!

Bob's machine cleared customs and quaranteen. Walter's BMW RT1150GS arrived from the rental as did the camper van. Phil Gresham at FotoFast - Digifoto in Brisbane provided signs for the van proclaiming our reason for traveling. The gift was his idea!!

Bill's GS was due by 3PM yesterday, but because of the double holiday, it wouldn't arrive until mid-day Thursday... too late... so he opted to pick it up in Melbourne, rather than delay the start and jeopardize the schedule. The purpose for the ride remains the same:

Deliver the Polio message.

We arrived at Morgan and Wacker to pickup Bob's bike, so graciously received and stored by them. Bob also need to register it in Australia... so that was added to the schedule.

Jon's in Van, Bob, & Walter, Bill's behind the camera
seeing what you see...

The day was uneventful and the weather was fine as was the scenery. We headed south from Brisbane through New South Wales to Port Macquarie.

At several points we saw old burned woods in recuperation, Koala Crossing signs, and flood warning signs with depth markers to 2 meters. This is a wonderful country, that obviously experiences extremes from droughts and wildfires to flooding in the rainy season.

The scenery ranges uniquely similar to parts of upperstate New York, the Ozarks, and Ft. Lauderdale... growing Macedamia nuts, figs, dates, sugar cane, bananas, wine grapes, cattle, and who know what else. The people have been more than cordial to us. We did get to see the famous Big Banana and the Giant Shrimp !!

By the way, Did you know that transmission of the Polio virus is fecal-oral?

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