Last Day in Tombstone

Our last day in the park is meant to be sunny. As the sun sets we get a sprinkling of snow at the campground and a cold wind kicks up but we are quite toasty in Big Bertha.

André happens to wake up at 1.30am and looks out the window just to check for auroras. Sure enough the sky is clear and the auroras are playing outside. We quickly put on as much gear as we can, André already prepared with his camera gear to capture the amazing show.

We initially just quietly take it all in from campsite 33, but André feels with almost a full moon lighting the backdrop of the landscape for the auroras, we should go to the look out point. Never mind waking up the whole campground as we rev up Big Bertha !

We have been fortunate enough to have seen some amazing auroras in the past, but the incredible dance that happens around us at the top of the lookout is breath taking.

After about 1.5 hours of watching this in awe, we “slink” back to the campground quite frozen but beaming from ear to ear. We apologise to our neighbours in the morning for the noise we created. Graciously on hearing that it was for auroras they nod with understanding.

Although it’s 2C inside our home and a frosty -5C outside, the day looks gorgeous. We plan to hike the Goldensides trail, a steady climb to a saddle, with great views.

This is a popular track but as we start fairly early there are not many people yet. We are reminded that this is bear country again and of course as we see lots of ripe loganberries on the way we can see why.

Once on top we sample for the first time the trail mix I bought at the Alpine Bakery. OMG this is divine, and filled with such fresh nuts, dates , seeds and dried berries, it gives a huge energy boost.

It has been a great hike, but now for the serious business of how to replenish the energy. We drive to a lovely spot and out come the fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, baby carrots and bread slathered in butter and Gruyère cheese , washed down with a yummy bowl of Miso soup.

As it’s our last day in the park we go for one more walk along the river. The overnight frost has really brought on the autumn smell of the leaves and we see a brown squirrel busily preparing for its winter stockpiles.

André has chopped up a lovely pile of wood for a campfire and we sit around enjoying its warmth after our red Thai chilli dinner , munching on a piece of rye bread with peanut butter and homemade “ yummy” rhubarb jam. No roughing it here in the food department.