Dam, It's The Snowy Mountains Scheme

Australia is an arid country with arable land and water sources mostly close to coasts. After WWII, the country initiated a Colorado River type of dams, reservoirs and hydro power projects on the Snowy River. There's a little museum in Cooma that explains the "scheme" and its history of development.

Come on in and discover the power of water.

Map of the project and a wall of old photos, detailing construction. Old engineering objects and a display about the wonders of irrigation. "You think that cabbage just grows itself?"

Drill, baby, drill. The project required lots of mountain tunneling and men with long things that behaved unpredictably.

Real time power usage monitor map. Someone in Berridale is running their washer too much. Train set-like model of the breadth of the project, not letting any of the snowpack go to waste.

Outside the center is a lovely, sad memorial plaque dedicated to the people killed during construction. The bronze frieze has a great WPA stylistic quality to it.

Summer At Thredbo

Thredbo is Australia's main ski resort. Busy in winter, looking for work in the summer. Seems like the perfect time to visit to be alone on a bare mountain.

Chairlift station at the mountain base. No snow, no crowds. The place is popular with mountain bike enthusiasts in the summer.

Prepped for winter, a long way off. Chairlift through forest scrub. At least the lift is running, taking people near the top for some summit hiking.

Up top, paths to get you to the highest point in Australia.

Back at the base, an attempt at off-season thrills, the cute "Alpine Coaster." Hotel room art, promoting another season.

Back outside, no changes.