Falls Creek

This little video is about Falls Creek, a skiing resort in the Australian Alps about a 4 and a half hour drive north of our home in Melbourne. Paul and I go there every year, as the mountains are one of the places I find inner peace. I have been visiting the high country all my life.

Paul and I were unable to travel to Europe this year as planned because of COVID-19. We also could not go skiing. We are not complaining and are thankful for what we have. We are still alive, have food on the table, a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep in. We hate being locked in but it is for the greater public good.

Our city has experienced the worst of COVID-19 in Australia, as a devastating second wave has torn through the city in recent months. Sadly over 800 people have lost their lives. We have been living under some of the strictest lock down conditions in the world. They include night time curfews and not be allowed outside your home except for an hour to go shopping or to exercise with one other person, not being allowed to go more than 5 km from your home, police check points preventing people from leaving the city, whole industries shut down and no visitors allowed in your home.

I have been experiencing severe sleep disruption lately, related to the intersection of service-related PTSD and the lock down. Someone suggested I spend some time making short videos about places that are important to me. I thought I would start with the Australian Alps. Paul and I camp up there in summer, and in winter we ski. We don't do the party scene there as I don't like crowds much. After a day of skiing we retreat to our room, cook our own food and do exciting stuff such as reading as we take in the views of the mountain. I love it, living in the moment and just chilling.

Because I am a veteran and Paul is active duty we are eligible for the heavily discounted Epic Military Pass, which means skiing around the world (including Falls Creek) at a fraction of the cost.

I slept well after making this video. It worked!