I have just received these photos from friends, Lisa and Daz who now live in Alice Springs. Last September their son, Mikie was born, and we got to spend time with this terrific little camper in December when they were back in Queensland. Anyway Lisa is a super photographer, and Daz now knows the area around the Alice very well. After the recent rains they headed out into the Simpson - firstly to Chambers Pillar (all 4WD) to check out what the rains had done.
Wonderful mulla mulla wildflowers
Chambers Pillar under a decorative sky
Daz and Mikie head to the Pillar -it's a lot bigger than it looks in this photo, that I know from our 2004 trip.
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Next they head out to Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge National Park, which is an east-west valley in the Krichauff Range, 123 klms southwest of the Alice. The area in and around Palm Valley is the only place in the world where Red Cabbage Palms survive!!!
Daz takes a break, with so much unusal green around him!
The Red Cabbage Palms
Mikie takes time out for a break, and maybe a photo!
The Red Cabbage Palms
Permanent water allows this unique area and its flora to survive today, despite the surrounding desert.
Mikie takes time out for a break, and maybe a photo!
Below is this valley in the Krichauff Range 
