12.8
degrees at 8am, clear and still. After breakfast I went around to the jetty to
try for some squid. Chatted with the men fixing their boats and they said to
try the other side of the jetty where there is a big hole and I should get
whiting and salmon. One chap also said to try chicken breast. The boys came out
too but we didn’t have any luck other than one small salmon which I threw back.
After
lunch we headed off for our American River history walk.
Outside
the boat club was some information about the ‘Independence’, unfortunately they
haven’t been looking after the signs though.
Stopped
at the Oyster Farm shop where Leanne got some oysters – she can have those.
Across the road was a sign about a local pelican.
The
school had a great view across the bay.
An
anchor in memory of the crew of the brig ‘Union’ who built the ‘Independence’
here. This anchor was found near the wharf from one of the other American whaling
ships.
Pioneers
and farmers. Interesting note down the bottom - On Easter Sunday, 13th
April, 1884, Mr Boucaut carried the first hive of Italian Ligurian bees to KI
on his ketch to deliver to an American River local, Mr Buick.
Sad
to think their resting site is now being driven over.
Their
family home is now where the Post Office is.
Love
these trees.
Back
to the water’s edge to check out the bird hide. No birds to see at the moment.
We
continued along the water’s edge over lots of dead sea grass then climbed up
the bank through the scrub.
Should
have stuck with ‘tour leader’ Steve who went a bit further and up the set of
stairs!! Nice view back to the wharf.
Built
into the side of the hill are the pub, servo and shops.
Continued
along the path near the road. American River was a favourite for South
Australians to holiday at.
Across
Eastern Cove is Island Beach which is known as Millionaire’s Row. We drove
around it when we first arrived but I didn’t think it was anything special.
A
sign about pelicans – love the poem.
The
Shackies – reminds us of our Cowley Beach days.
Down
to the end of the American River village area. In the early most people lived
at this end so they had made their own jetty here.
There
is another walk continuing along the beach to the site of an old fish cannery
but there isn’t much left to see so we didn’t continue on. On the walk notes it
said Jack’s Flats was named after a local who cleared the area for house for
himself and his fiancé but it was never built as he died unexpectedly – how
sad.
Further
around is Ballast Head.
Bit
of aviation history too.
Looking
back towards the wharf – a plume of smoke in the distance, might be from that
fire yesterday.
Zoomed
in on Prospect Hill.
I
didn’t realise Ibis’ went in salt water too.
We
walked back along the beach. These rocks look like tombstones.
Back
up to the road to check out ‘The Corner’.
Nearly
back to camp and I spotted another sign next to the sporting oval.
Had
a cuppa then drove in the other direction to check out Independence Point.
Great
map on the Sanctuary sign.
We
continued around the edge of the water to the site of the Muston Wharf where
the salt from the Salt Lake we saw yesterday was brought to by train.
Interesting to read that the train was shipped from engine and built here on
the wharf in 1910.
Nothing
much left here.
Out
to the wharf area where only a few pylons are left.
Along
way out to the entrance.
We
continued along the edge of the water till we got back to Hog Bay Road where
there was a plaque about Matthew Flinders and another one about all the
pelicans they found here in 1802, hence the area was called Pelican Lagoon.
Back
on the main road we drove back around to the entrance to American River. The
fire is close by looking at all that smoke. No fire engines are screaming so it
must be under control.
Nearly
back to camp we stopped at Memorial Park.
Got
the fishing gear and headed back to the jetty for another go. The pelicans are
on lookout duty.
Mr
Dolphin swam by again. Eventually I got a King George Whiting, Steve got a WA
Salmon (I had been calling them Australian Salmon) and Rick got a Tommy Ruff
and a small trevally (which we used for bait). Steve filleted them up in the
little filleting hut. The pelicans arrived and marched up to the hut. They
stood quietly waiting for a feed while the gulls hovered around.
This
Pacific Gull decided to be the highest and landed with a thump on top of the
shelter.
Mackerel
sky overhead. A plane had gone over leaving its white trail which cast a shadow
on the clouds – very unusual.
The
birds were very happy with their snack.
As
we had dinner ready I kept the fish for lunch tomorrow.
Warmer night as the
breeze has dropped off.
A few more campers arrived and a motorhome (couple from Holland) needed power so they slid in between our two vans as we had spread out.
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