|
« LifeTouch Studios at FUMA - October 9th |
Main
| Varsity Soccer Game Cancelled »
LTC Nothnagle Goes Down Under
Ltc. Chris Nothnagle, Chair of Mathematics and Woodworking Sponsor, had the chance of a lifetime this summer to visit Austrailia on an education grant from the Ford Foundation. In his own words he describes his trip to the land down under and an article will also appear in next month's issue of the international publication, Wood of World.
My Trip to Australia, Ltc. Chris Nothnagle
This summer from August 26th through September 5th I had the golden opportunity to visit the land "Down Under" for an International Woodworking Convention in Toowomba, Queensland. I arrived two days early and toured the rain forest and visited Steve Irwin's Australian Zoo. The rain forest was filled with eucalyptus trees and spectacular views amidst the endless sounds of exotic birds that were very colorful. We hiked for 4 kilometers along the Bunya mountains and viewed the giant Bunya pine tree with trunk diameters up to 6 feet and growing to near 100 feet. The trail was laden with ferns and poisonous stinging trees with warning signs of trees and plants that we could not touch. Australia is full of dangerous snakes, and the like, so I was always careful of where I stepped.
The Australian Zoo was a whole day event that included a snake show, an exotic bird show, and a crocodile show that was educational and entertaining. There I got to pet kangaroos and see koalas for the first time.
At the Woodworking Convention about 85 participants from 5 countries exhibited and gave seminars concerning their craft. The detailed seminars were on Australian wood and tree identification. This information left me with an idea of how tough it is to identify the 800 species of Eucalyptus trees, not to mention the many Acacias and Ironbarks. There was great camaraderie among Society members as they shared tips to take home and investigate. The Convention had one exhibition day when the general public came to view all the Society members' work. There we recruited a dozen new members including the first Aborigine artist. On the last day of the convention, word was spread among the convention attendees of the death of Steve Irwin and great sorrow was shared by all at their beloved animal star.
With one additional day in my schedule, I visited a rural outback 360 acre fenced in farm in which we drove cattle from one end to the other separating calves to a high pasture. I watched my every step to avoid snakes or scorpions. The farm had one shack that carried no electricity or plumbing. Underneath the porch of the shack was an 8 foot long carpet snake. I observed wallabies (a smaller version of kangaroos) close by feeding on the little bit of green grass in an otherwise dry dustbowl area.
The memories I will carry with me a lifetime. Australia is a place that is unforgettable and it is definitely worth the 23 hours of flight time you have to endure to get there.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, September 18, 2006 10:50 AM
General News
|
