TRIP TO GLADSTONE -- AUGUST 2015

There are parts of Queensland that are incredibly interesting and beautiful...it was wonderful to be able to experience a drive up the A1 to visit the Elders in Gympie, the Elders in Hervey Bay, the Elders in Bundaberg and the Sisters, Senior Couple, and Saints in Gladstone.   It was an UNBELIEVABLE trip in so many ways....we loved taking a road trip together to experience this gorgeous part of the mission.   
We traveled 721.18 miles or 1160 kilometers in four days. 

FIRST STOP GYMPIE where there are rolling fields of grass, horses, vegetables and sunsets.  We love the good missionaries who serve in Gympie and the amazing members who do so much to help with the missionaries and missionary work. 
President Henderson loves his delivery of peas, beans and strawberries from Gympie each week.....THANK YOU TRAMACCHI BROTHERS!  

NEXT STOP HERVEY BAY...we didn't know it was whale watching season and so it was difficult finding a place to stay.  Luckily there was a nice couple who had a room available in their flat complex to stay the night, and it happened to be down the street from the Elders there and a block from the beautiful Dundowran Beach where we welcomed a glowing sunrise on our morning run.  

NEXT STOP GLADSTONE: 
Gladstone's primary industries are mining-related. The Port of Gladstone is the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia and the world's fourth largest coal exporting terminal. The port consists of a number of wharves and terminal facilities. Major exports include coal, alumina, aluminium, cement products, Sodium Cyanide and Ammonium Nitrate. Each year 50 million tonnes of coal passes through the port, making up 70% of the total exports.
Gladstone harbour is within the World Heritage Area of the GREAT BARRIER REEF and has historically supported a thriving seafood industry
We have had some great missionaries serving in Gladstone and we have two lovely Sisters serving there now, along with our great Senior Couple.  We had an amazing Sabbath day with the Gladstone Branch as the presidency was reorganized.  

 New Gladstone Branch Presidency August 2015

FINAL STOP BUNDABERG:  Home of the famous Bundaberg Ginger Beer and two great Elders!  

 

SNAPPING GRAVITY with the Elders ON A COOL, CRISP BUNDABERG MORNING. 

WE PASSED ROWS AND ROWS OF MACADAMIA NUT TREES 

 FIELDS AND FIELDS OF SUGAR CANE....

 HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DUCKS BY THE POND. 

 IT WAS SUCH A FUN DRIVE!

AFTER A STOP AT MAMMINO HOMEMADE ICECREAM SHOP FOR A DELICIOUS CUP OF CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA NUT ICECREAM AND A STOP AT AUSTRALIA MACADAMIA 

FACTORY FOR SOME FRESH PICKED MADADAMIA NUTS and a few dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts....WE HAD A PLEASANT, HAPPY DRIVE BACK TO BRISBANE.