Meet Scott, Michele, Kenzie, and Sasha from Queensland, Australia

Michele is originally from Upstate New York, but now resides with her husband and children, in Australia. Michele has visited Howe Caverns many times since she was young and it has now become part of their family tradition to visit when they are in the U.S. visiting family. (Check out Scott’s sweatshirt from a past trip)

They talked about the differences between where they live in Australia and Upstate New York. They said measurements and temperatures are all different (metric system) and everything must be converted. They laughed about how complicated it is to figure out the temperature outside and what they should wear for the day. Upstate New York is much more green and lush, than where they live in Australia, where it is very dry. The plants and trees there are more drought tolerant, less green, and less full. They are also lower to the ground which makes everything here seem massive and soaring- as if trees are towering over them. They are loving the squirrels here!

Squirrels don’t live in Australia so they are fascinated by these little devils running everywhere here! They said it’s important to appreciate the little things; beauty, nature, and environment. Everyone’s surroundings are not the same and every place has its charm. If Upstate New Yorkers were to move to the dryland of Australia, we would certainly miss the simple things but especially, the beautiful lush green landscape of summer. We might even miss the squirrels “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” -Mary Davis