Katoomba and friends

My friends Kelli and Kevin (aka Kelvin) just got married. They knew they were going to honeymoon in Fiji--and they decided to come visit me in Australia as well. I was so happy they were coming--and on my birthday too! The three of us must be astrologically linked somehow. Kevin and I share a birthday--and Kelli's is 2 days later. So, in between our birthdays, we took a trip to Katoomba.

Sydney is surrounded by national parks--and to the west is the Blue Mountains. Katoomba is the largest of the little towns in the Blue Mountains--and probably the most touristy. But, also the easiest to visit if you don't have a car.

We were lucky because the skies were gray, but it didn't rain. So, it was perfect weather for a mini hike.

I loved the orange lichen on the cliffs. It's a beautiful color on the rocks.

Ferns always make me think of Victoria. And these tree ferns were pretty awesome. (Actually, I have no idea if they are tree ferns--or if tree ferns exist--they just looked like something that should be called a tree fern.)

Here's what they look like from above.

There was a little waterfall towards the end of the hike.

I thought this cluster of mushrooms was pretty cute.

But the highlight of the trip was actually the beginning and end of the hike, when there was a great view of the Three Sisters. (See how the orange lichen makes the rockface this beautiful color?)

I've read many different versions of the legend of the Three Sisters, so who knows which is the correct one. But for me, the Three Sisters make me think of my friends Cindy and Robin. They are my sisters in spirit, and I miss them dearly.