Best Outing Ever...

While scrolling through my phone to find photos for another blog post I'm writing I came across photos from one of the best outings I've ever had! A snow day!!!!!!! I live in the Hunter Valley, NSW Australia which does not get snow ever, well actually when I was snow hunting I came across an article about snow on nearby mountains {350m above sea level but don't quote me on that} from years ago which is kind of cool. Anyway I've always wanted to see snow and it only happened for the first time a few years while in Europe and then while I was living in London. The desire to see snow didn't go away when I returned home and so last year when NSW {even reaching as far as QLD} had a rather large snow season the possibility of seeing snow close to home rather excited me and I became a bit of a snow hunter. I might add that I don't enjoy snow sports such as skiing or snowboarding like my husband I just think there is nothing prettier than watching snow fall or crunching through the snow in your boots or building a snowman. Gosh I'm getting excited about it just writing this!

Anyway there was a period of two weeks where snow was falling and settling heavily in the upper Hunter region of NSW. This excited me a lot as it would have only been a two or three hour drive to see snow. However with this in mind there was a few things to consider the main one being safety, we do not have a 4WD car and so would not be able to drive on unsealed roads where most of the heavy snow was and the second being a waste of a day if we did not find any snow or have to be turned back. Because of this Aidan and I hesitated and decided not to go, but the internet and facebook are fantastic and I heard that snow could be found on Thunderbolts Way in between Gloucester and Walcha. Aidan was back at work the next day but I managed to convince my sister to come on a road trip, she wasn't working and kindly agreed. So early the next morning {Not as early as I would have liked though} we packed the car and loaded up the kids and we set off on our adventure. I really like driving while it's cloudy, drizzly, gloomy and cold and well this particular morning started out like this but after we had a small pit stop to grab some lunch the sun even started coming out and when we reached the turn off onto Thunderbolts Way we discovered a massive sign stating the road was closed. Disappointed we turned around, regrouped and decided to try heading up the Gloucester side of the Barrington Tops and if it became too hazardous we would turn around again. Well we didn't get very far at all as we discovered that the bridges were flooded with water {4WDs were able to get through though} and we headed down a dirt track that my sister said could lead us somewhere promising. Well it felt like we were driving for hours when I suggested we cut our losses turn and around and go home. I was completely devastated.

I thought I had completely missed my chance when it snowed again closer to the weekend. Aidan was trying to convince me it was a good idea and I agreed. We went shopping  late the night before and stocked up on lunch, snacks and a beanie and mittens for Aisling. At my request we left really early, I remember we stopped to get McDonald's for breakfast and they weren't even open yet so we picked up our coffee and hash browns at the next McDonald's along the way. We also stopped at Gloucester to use the bathroom and to stretch our legs. And we were off again this time there were no roadblocks and we made it onto Thunderbolts Way and headed up the mountains. I remember my ears popped. We continued driving and to my delight I spotted my first little patches of snow along the sides of the road and in fields. It continued to get thicker and thicker and we pulled over at an intersection where we could park safely and finally at last play in the snow!!

We were able to walk around in the snow, lay in the snow, make snowballs, make snow men and Aisling and Aidan even discovered a little snow cave someone else had made. After we played for a little bit the kids started to get cold so we piled back in the car turned the heater on and kept driving. The snow only got thicker and thicker, it was amazing. However the worst thing happened and my phone went dead which meant no more photos. We really need to invest in a car charger. Anyway we drove until the road was actually blocked off because the snow was covering the road. At this point we went for a walk. It was divine to hear the snow crunching under our feet and the sun was shining by this stage. We walked up a hill and then back down again and made a snow man then headed back in the car to warm up again and we drove back to our original spot where we played for as long as we possibly could before it was time to head home. We stopped in Gloucester for a hot coffee and then a little park with a bathroom to stretch our legs and for Aisling to run around. Then it was straight home.

All in all it was a fantastic day and I'm so so glad we decided to take a risk and attempt a snow day for the second time. We all had so much fun. Both the kids were little angels in the car barely making a peep. Fingers crossed that next year the snow season is just as good and another snow day will be made. I'd happily go every week. Though I'm not sure how the rest of the family would feel about that haha. Here's Aisling's snowman she found and claimed as her own!

P.S the snow actually lasted on the ground for awhile and my sister and our mum and dad actually ended up making it to the snow early the following week :-)