This evening we visited Ayre's Rock (also known as Uluru to the aborigines). This 550 million year old sandstone rock is located in the heart of the Outback. Not only is it a spectacular natural formation, but a deeply spiritual place. Uluru is known the world over for its amazing sunrise and sunsets. The light turns its massive surface from ochre brown to burnished orange to intense red and all the colors in between. Our travel group was treated to a small tailgate party in one of the five viewing areas when we arrived.
As the sun went down...the rock slowly began to change as the shadows produced blue, purple, and orange tints. I took a picture every 5 minutes to catch this "phenomenon" on the Rock! You have to actually see it to believe it.
The very next day.....after the Uluru sunset party....we actually had the opportunity to CLIMB the Rock. Well, not climb to the top (it takes 2.5 hours).....but we had some time to play at the Rock. You have to be a complete idiot to go the whole way to the top....and there were plenty!!! The side of Ayre's Rock is so steep that I chickened out before I even got half way.....yes I did! The scary part wasn't the climb, it was coming back DOWN! Our tour guide said over a hundred tourists lose their LIVES every year climbing this rock. Don't worry......the Leonard's may be chickens.......but we're still alive!
