I was never so happy to get on a dirt road. After hustling down the Stuart Highway, I was looking forward to a fairly traffic-free ride again.
I’ve only been on a portion of the Oodnadatta Track when I made this post. (An internet connection is almost impossible to get, and I had to grab this chance when I found it.) But somehow, I found most of the ride fun and exhilarating.
Perhaps it was because I had just gotten off a thin, but busy highway. It gave me time to let my mind wander instead of constantly looking at my rear-view mirror. Or perhaps it was because the worst of my flu/cold bug was over and I was able enjoy my external environment again. In any case, the first three days on the Oodnadatta Track somehow renewed my joy to be out there riding again.
At first, I was a little cautious about riding this part of Australia. The Oodnadatta Track here in South Australia actually feels quite different from Western Australia’s Great Central Road which I rode to get to Uluru. It is more open. There are less plants to give you cover; you are quite exposed. But, knowing that the weather would be good, I felt less worried about the openness. In fact, I actually enjoyed the wide expanse. One could see the fullness of the sky. And this time, the sky was full of clouds in ever-changing forms, providing a dynamic moving spectacle. I know that days with clouds will not always be there, but for the first few days, I delighted in the beauty of the sky. I’m glad I chose to ride other sections of the Outback rather than just one.
I know that good days like this are not always assured, but I was going to enjoy it while I had it.