Cooma Observation Trail
Some of the fun of being at the Land Rover 60th Anniversary was the chance to meet people from all over the planet, and to be able to take part in family activities. One of these events is the Observation Trail which our Club had charge to organise. Months before the event a small committee looked at the way the event had been run during the previous 50th anniversary and it was decided to use those questions as a basis for this year.
A few weeks before the Easter weekend, Jim, Eric and Ian went to Cooma and drove a circuitous route from Cooma through to Nimmitabel and out towards Berridale then back to Cooma, mainly on gravel roads. A round trip of 130 kms taking an average 3 hours without a refreshment stop.
Obvious and not so obvious landmarks and features were noted along the route for use as questions that participants would have to answer. These were all carefully documented and then the Trial route was driven again as a final check before printing the questions forms for adding to the large goodies bag that all registered participants received on arrival in Cooma. Friday morning the circuit was driven once more to check that all questions were still relevant and that the bakery was open for business. They were and it was.
In perfect Autumn sunshine, people had two days in which to leisurely drive the circuit and many took the opportunity to do it at a time so they could be in Nimmitabel at the bakery for a coffee and yummy cake break.
The Observation Trail was the ideal vehicle for families to see the local area and to compete with each other to find the answers along the sides of the roads. All answers were obvious when related to the questions although many heated discussions were reported between family members who had different ideas on some of the answers.
One couple looking for the answer to a question at the Nimmitabel Pioneers cemetery came across a large group of local people who were gathered inside the fence at a grave site. They turned out to be cousins and distant relatives of the couple and they had not seen each other for many years.
Papers were due in at the registration centre on Saturday evening and it was interesting how many had most answers correct, and how many had used the notes as a trip, not really caring if they were right or wrong. Fortunately for the judges there was a clear winner who collected the prize of a very smart Land Rover jacket donated by Land Rover Australia at the Sunday night Gala Dinner and Awards.