March 31st
Hobart
This is another short entry. We had a day off in Hobart as we wait two days for our clear weather window before we head to the Western Arthurs. I’m very much enjoying the break from detailed blogging for these couple days! We slept in and took the day to visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) museum. I’m not big on museums, but this one is very unique and on the list of must do things for people that visit Tasmania.
It had a unique way of presenting and describing the art with each person getting an iPhone with an app for the museum. There are no plaques or descriptions on the wall. The app brings up the works of art around you, and has written descriptions, audio descriptions, and even some interviews with the artists. It was pretty cool, and the maze of endless art kept us there most of the day. Here are a few photos.One of the coolest displays was this huge piece that dropped water in the form of words randomly grabbed off some online media information sites. It was one that you could see from many levels of the museum and it was constantly changing. The idea of it is how inundated we all are with media theses days and how we see words for moments yet don’t get all the information absorbed because it’s rapidly changing and coming in snippets. There are these buzz words that get repeated and this brief and interrupted feed of random information is how we are viewing the world and interacting as a whole. It was pretty cool, and has become a crowd favorite at the museum.
In the evening, we went to see Beauty and the Beast. Griggs came somewhat reluctantly when nothing else more interesting was showing. I loved it! It lived up to expectations and then some. Really great on the big screen.
Tomorrow, it will be raining in the Arthurs, where we plan to do the Western Arthurs traverse, so we will take the day to relax and then drive out there to begin the day after tomorrow. The Western Arthurs traverse is one of the more remote and challenging hikes in Tasmania, and we’ve waited all trip for a good open window. It’s pretty exciting that we are getting it! I may be out of service and unable to post while out there, but will post when I can. We expect it to take around 5 days and also hope to hit one more overnight at Mt Anne before we fly out in 10 days. We are so fortunate that weather has aligned to give us to the opportunity to do these two, and it will be a great way to end our time in Tasmania.
Hi
I am really enjoying reading your blogs and the photographs are excellent. As a result of your Overland Track description I plan to do it next summer. I was wondering if you were using a water filter and did you use one while you were in New Zealand? If so any particular brand you would recommend
I am not sure what Erin did but most water is fast flowing, clean and clear on the overland with tank water at huts and no need for treatment.
Yes, I always filter even when many don’t. Even the water tanks. We both use a Sawyer Squeeze, probably the most used filter in long distance hiking.
Erin, have you tried the mini squeeze to compare? Just going to get one of these to add to my earthquake/disaster kit (which isn’t extensive.. I got two sets of Mountain House meals, one in the condo, the other in the garage (hoping both don’t get crushed at once), I do have water in the garage, Brita pitcher inside that I use every day, some Larabars (which are gross but there they are, some little canned tuna salads with crackers, which I may raid too often to count on, I have a weber kettle in the garage with charcoal.. hmm do I have lighter .. must check.. Also got two portable grill things on closeout for a couple bucks each.. anyway, still in process.
But I think a Sawyer water filter would be an excellent addition. See, you are a teacher, even when you aren’t teaching!
I have and the mini is not good for long trips or larger amounts of water. It goes much slower and gets clogged sooner. The 1oz more for the Squeeze is worth it.
Thanks!! I will be ordering!
Great!
Really cool when a museum can be that interactive. That painting that spills out on the floor was cool. The inundation from media of rapidly changing buzz words is one of the main reasons don’t watch much tv. However, media takes on many forms so I find myself immersed anyways. Nature tells it best and your blog along with a few others beats any tv. Looking forward to the Western Arthur’s. Thanks Erin.
You are bringing back more memories. Do you have time to get out to Bruny Island? Did you see the art exhibit in the bathroom at Mona?
Turns out we are headed to Bruny as our final trip with rain inland. Griggs got the bathroom art. My stall didn’t have it:(
What a great museum!!
Didn’t Griggs get on that trampoline???
I agree, media is almost crushing these days and difficult to avoid, browsers push all sorts of screaming headlines, TV shows are interrupted with news flashes. News it self is riddled with often unwanted information, along with the wanted stuff.. but then who do you trust anymore?
Your blog is one of the places I find some sanity (and guilty wallabies and boxing kangaroos.. I guess Naked Hiker Guy was YOUR “interruption!” At least he wasn’t wearing a red hat. .
Umm, I think I speak for many of your blog followers in saying that we are uncomfortable with the impending end of this trip. We think you should do the CDT with Griggs.
Haha, no thank you! Looking forward to the break:)
Now there’s an idea; a CDT redo with Griggs!!
I really hope you are able to pull off the Western Arthurs traverse.
CDT , CDT, CDT, CDT !!!!
i will miss the updates foe sure-i save a couple of days at a time for middle of the night reading when i cant sleep. thank you for so generously sharing of yourself!
Cool, I know it’s bittersweet. Such a break for me, but then there’s nothing for everyone to read!