Awesome Blyderiver

How does one even begin to describe today?? We'd been building up to today and although Brenda and I had seen some facets before, we were still very excited. The plan was to do God's Window, The Pinnacle, Berlin and Lisbon falls, Blyderiver Canyon, Three Rondawels and Bourkes luck and fit in some caching and cycling.


We got going fairly early with the bikes on the car. None of us had ever seen the pinnacle before and so that was a real treat. What the guidebooks don't tell you is that there is a second pinnacle being formed just around the corner. Fortunately there is a cache there which we found and repaired. It was really misty and as we drove off to God's Window, we wondered whether we would see much and whether it would be dry enough to cycle.

When we got to God's Window it was completely misty and we couldn't see far at all. We resolved to come back in the afternoon when it would hopefully have cleared up.

At the end of the loop of road that goes to God's Window, Theo and his Dad hopped onto the bikes for a truly fantastic ride past Berlin falls and towards the Blyderiver Canyon road, descending down to Bourke's Luck and then up to Three Rondawels and then down the Blyderiver pass. It was an awesome ride with the wind minimal and about five minutes of light drizzle. What was nice for Theo was to feel some fitness returning.

There is something exhilarating about riding through beautiful scenery: one feels more connected, more deserving to be there and more involved than just a spectator. It was very humbling to cycle past scenery that we have come to love very much!

While Theo and his dad were riding, Bren, Caleb and Mom went to take closer looks at the Berlin and Lisbon falls. Both of these were a bit dodgy (security-wise) when we were here last and have now been upgraded with safety barriers, walkways, and security which makes these beautiful spots even better.

Eventually the cyclists had to stop (although it was one of those days when you feel like you can ride all day!) and we went off to find a cache at an amazing inverse sculpture of the face of Christ where it seems like the eyes follow you wherever you stand. Then we picked up some snacks at the Aventura resort and headed off to the Three Rondavel view-points. We took some amazing photos there.


It was really fun to spot the river and dam down below where Theo has hiked and where we have picnicked. We could also look up to Mariepskop at the Military Tracking Station where we had an amazing church camp. It was lovely to share these views with Theo's folks who had not seen them before and be able to experience the majesty and greatness of this canyon which ranks third largest in the world in the leagues of the Rift Valley, the Grand Canyon, etc. but is unique in that it is so green.

Next on our list was Bourke's Luck potholes and it was amazing to watch people's faces as they walked to what looks like fairly boring rocks and stuff to be met with the incredible bridges and walkways over some really amazing waterfalls and potholes.


With daylight fading, we headed back to try and complete one last quest: God's Window. As you can see from the photos, we had mist in the morning and a clear, although slightly hazy, view in the late afternoon. We have always thought that God's Window is just the one or two viewpoints near the car park, but at Caleb's insistence we went up the path to the Rain Forest. What an awesome treat! Although it is a really stiff hike up, the forest is pretty and takes you to the real-deal as far as the God's Window views go! Oh Wow!!!!

We went home tired but thrilled at the awesome day we'd had!
Caleb's face kind of says it all: