Out there things can happen

In fact, out there is one of the few places that things actually do happen. Others have said it before, and probably more eloquently, but adventure and excitement usually aren’t something you’ll find in your bedroom, your house, or even your own backyard. I’m not saying that you can’t be happy in those places, in fact, if you aren’t, you should probably look to change that. But what I am saying is that to experience new adventures, new sights, and new friends, you really do need to get out there.

Panorama of a fishing setup at Injidup beach at Sunset

Where is there, exactly? Well, it doesn’t really matter. It could be somewhere you’re very familiar with, like say a favourite beach, park, hike or lake. It could be somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, like a new bushwalk that you’ve been eyeing off, or a different mountain bike trail. Or it could be somewhere completely random, a real ‘let’s go this way and see where we end up’ type adventure.

In this instance, it was all three. My youngest brother and I (he’s the tall handsome one) had been planning this trip for months. Postponed twice, when it finally happened it was a case of ‘let’s just go, it doesn’t matter where’. So we went south, to the Margaret River region, and stayed at one of the campsites close to the mountain bike trails.

We only had two nights so made the most of it. After setting up camp (I heartily endorse the Swag for quick deployment) we jumped on the bikes and scoped out the local trails. We didn’t ride far, we weren’t especially fast, and we certainly weren’t as fit as we’d hoped, but we finished up with massive smiles on our faces, and most of our skin intact.

A quick turnaround and some food and we headed off to one of my favourite beaches, Injidup, for a spot of fishing, hopefully surfing, and general relaxation. Sadly the surf wasn’t quite firing the way we’d hoped, and the fish were definitely not biting, but it was amazing to just chill and be in the same space as my brother, sharing stories and just enjoying being in each other’s presence.

Sunset at Injidup beach, looking North from the point

Looking out toward the setting sun, I wondered absently if there might still be some whales finishing their migration south for the winter. And then I saw one. And another. And another. I pointed them out to my bro, my mind already doing some quick maths.

There was maybe 20 minutes until the sun hit the water. The whales were maybe 500m offshore, at the end of the point that was about 1km long. I had my camera. I didn’t have a long lense. If I was going to get the shot, I had to run. And I had to decide, fast.

30 seconds later I had my camera bag over my shoulder and was running over the wet sand of the bay, determined to make it out in time. After two minutes I was questioning if I’d make it in time. After five minutes I was wondering how I ever managed to do this for 10+ km in adventure races. In the end I made it out there, with 10 minutes of sunlight left.

Sunset over Injidup point

I was worried I’d missed them, that the whales had moved on, that the run had been for nothing. And then I saw it. From what I can gather it was a juvenile, probably several of them, all taking turns to launch themselves out of the water and breach with an almighty splash. I quickly pulled the camera out and started snapping, a sense of relief and calm washing the anxieties away.

Whale breaching off the point at Injidup

The next 10 minutes were wonderful. I knew I was probably the only person watching this display, the rest of the world continuing on behind me somewhere. And while part of me was wishing I had a longer lense, wishing I’d been out there sooner, the rest of me was soaking in the peace, the tranquility, and the wonder of my own private whale show.

Whale breaching at Injidup point

A show I could easily have missed in oblivious ignorance if I hadn’t gone. If I hadn’t gone south or picked that beach, I’d have been in the wrong spot. If I’d gone surfing or decided for another ride, I’d have missed it completely. And if I hadn’t run to make it, there’s no way it would have been as special.

Whale breaching at sunset off Injidup point as a seagull flies past

So just go. Go explore. Go to your favourite place, with someone slightly different, and then make the extra effort to see something new. It’s usually worth it.