Author: Robin Chartier

So we were off to Bar al Hikman to camp. This remote beach is located across some salt flats — no cell phone coverage and a GPS is required (since the landscape looks the same as far as you can see in all directions — no landmarks to guide your way in or out). We were following some tracks across the flat when we came upon some wet, mushy ground. The drivers got out and inspected it and decided that we could make it through without getting stuck.

While they were deciding, everyone else got out of the car to stretch their legs.  

The vibration and jarring was so strong driving across the salt encrusted ground that the screws in the roof rack worked loose. Then when we bounced through the ruts in the mud (we were bouncing hard), the roof rails came apart and the rack started to slide off the top of the car. Thankfully someone spotted it before we took off driving again. Josh was able to jack up the rack with pieces of firewood, reattach the rails and cinch everything down again. Crisis averted. 

The kids were breaking through the crust into the softer earth underneath. They had fun stomping around like it was a big snowfield. 

Pieces of the salt and/or gypsum embedded in the dirt. The kids took turns tasting it and making faces. We saw the ground glittering as far as we could see. 

Two of Camille’s favorites — Caleb (her buddy who looks out for her like a big brother) and his dog Titus. At the beginning of the trip she was wary of Titus, but 24 hours later, she couldn’t get enough of him and followed him around like she was his shadow. 

Big sheets of salt

I see water! (and this time it wasn’t a mirage)

See those big ruts in the ground? (and all the mud and salt water on the hood of our car?) It turned out that  once we got past the first mushy spot, there was a bigger one not too far past it.

photo credit: Ross Macfadyen

This time the drivers spent about 5 minutes testing the depth, seeing how much water and mud was involved, and in the end they decided that our 3 loaded down SUVs weren’t going to be able to make it without getting stuck. We still had a quite a ways to go across the salt flats and hitting water twice before we were even 1/2 way across this stretch wasn’t a good sign.

Pretty, but “mish quayas” (not good)  

Turning around. Time to switch to plan B — everyone got back in the car and headed back the way we came. Once we got back to the main road it was another 2 hours south to our new destination: Ras Madrakah. Ugh. It was a L O N G day of driving — I mean riding, since I didn’t actually do any of the driving. Thankfully I had my Tina Fey audiobook of Bossypants to keep me entertained and the headphones kept me from having to listen to the backseat drivers asking, “how much further?” every 20 minutes. 

There’s the ocean on the horizon.

A race against the sunset — we still had to set up camp before it got dark. Our initial goal was to arrive by 2pm. Because of the change of plans, we didn’t end up pulling in until after 5.

We did manage to get everything set up before the sun went down. The temperature was perfect — low 70s and no wind. We got the camp stoves and grills going and ate steak and chicken fajitas for dinner. The friends we camp with know how to do camping food right. We were happy to finally be settled.

Blogger isn’t posting photos properly at the moment, so this post will come in pieces — first, a few things that we saw on the way to our beach destination:

Freish Shoping — that’s actually a fruit/vegetable market, not a store owned by someone named “Freish.” Interestingly (to me at least), the KIA sign isn’t translated into Arabic. If you sound out the Arabic written beneath, it says “Kee-ah Moo-toorz” (Kia Motors) which is meaningless to someone who actually speaks Arabic. 

Around the animal sook — I know this is supposed to be a store that sells animal food (fodder), but I liked the extra ‘o’ that makes it says “fooder.” I’m not judging — their Arabic to English translating is WAY better than if I were translating English to Arabic. 

Photograph fail — these guys are tying up a camel outside the camel market. Probably before loading him in the back of a pickup truck. Unfortunately I snapped the picture just as a car passed going the other direction. Someday, I will get some good camel transporting photos. 

Camel herd! There is a guy leading the pack right through the center of town. He came away with quite a haul from the camel market. 

Hello goat! Off to your new home? I bet you’re glad it isn’t Eid Al Adha!

On our way to Bar al Hikman — out on the salt flats. We stopped to adjust our roof rack which almost fell off the car (stay tuned for that story) and the kids were picking up the glittery pieces of gypsum off the ground. My camera skills didn’t pick it up, but the ground was sparkling and twinkling in the sun. 

That’s what I’ve got for now — blame Picasa. As soon as it quits giving me “error” messages I’ll have more to share. 

We’re home — happy, tired, and sandy. Here are two shots from our weekend to give you a taste of what it was like:

We had miles of beach, all to ourselves . . .

Evening campfires, marshmallow roasting, dark chocolate, and good friends . . . 

There’s much more to come, but laundry, unpacking, and de-sanding the car (and ourselves!) comes first. 

It’s been over a year since we’ve been able to go to one of the boys’ soccer games and I was happy to break that streak today when we went to watch Calvin play soccer for the TAISM middle school team. We picked Caleb up after school and headed out to the soccer field to watch the Eagles play a local Omani team.

It was Crazy Hair Day at school — not a permanent look

I have high hopes for this kid and his soccer skills. He’s been a natural with a soccer ball since he could walk and he’s a scrapper. 

Yea brother!!

Beautiful green grass in the middle of the desert

They lost 2 to 1, but it was a good game, especially for the first one of the season. Calvin played forward, mid-field, and defense at various points in the game. 

I’m not going to be around for a few days because we’re heading out for another camping trip tomorrow. We have a long weekend because it’s the prophet Mohammed’s birthday so we’re venturing farther out and camping at a remote beach. I’m not looking forward to sand in my sleeping bag, but everyone says this location is worth it. Happy Mohammed’s Birthday to you!