Alice Springs to Kings Canyon via Mereenie Loop

Hi to all again. Just a quick update on our trip. Alice Springs was a disappointment with many shops closed and restrictions on alchol purchases. The town certainly lacked the vibrancy from past tours and felt very sad to me. Alcohol restrictions: Nothing on Monday and Tuesday. When open - from 3pm - 7pm. Getting our passes (3 of them) for the Mereenie Lopp, and Central Desert Road seemed convoluted and frustrating. We had to go to two diffrent places, which were poorly marked and of course we went at lunchtime when few people were on duty. One of our newby persons became so frustrated she decided to go home and stay in the van, not getting to see any sights in Alice on offer. Others went to the truck museum, but nobody did the Desert Park, much to my sorrow. With water tanks full, fuel tanks full, we then headed out of Alice on the Namatjira Road. It was a misty rain which met us going out of Alice, so stopping to see any of the beautiful gorges was put on hold. Travelling through some magnificent scenery, with the MacDonald Ranges on both sides had us in awe. The sun finally came out and after finding Glen Helen Gorge, not open, we headed to Red Gorge where we found a sheltered spot out of the bitterly cold wind. A small walk to the river bed and back again. Only one member continued the length of the river to find the gorge. We have seen it before, so decided it wasn't necessary to continue the full walk. Back in the cars and continuing on until the start of the Mereenie Loop, which is a road, requiring a pass (as you're going through aboriginal land) which can be both great or terrible road conditions. We have had both in the past. This time it was pretty darn good, with few corrugations and dust (althought we were leading). A bit of carnage on the road, with a roof top tent, esky, taps etc. Obviously people going too fast on solid tires. The scenery was spectacular with differing vegetation throughout the trip. Ranges beside us, then open plain, colours of the outback everywhere. We did see some horses, donkeys and cattle along this road, but no native varieties. Our camp this night was a free one on top of the Ginty's lookout. Along with many other campers it was nice, once gain, to share our days journey around a campfire. We arived in Kings Canyon at about 10am, booked in (taking forever and very expensive), finding our spot in camp for the night. Walks this afternoon for all, but hopefully the wind buttons off and it warms up slightly. Walks have been completed with one member completely 'stuffed' from the 6kms rim walk. Others did the more sedate canyon walk, of which I was one. Beautiful scenery once again in this little oasis, with views of the canyon from a compeltely different stance. Well we are now off to a well earned cooking break on our tip and dining at the local Hotel here. Cheers till next time. PS - if you spot any spelling or grammar mistakes - well done you. Never has been my strength.