Usually I set my GPS for shortest route on ass-busting drives like this one (Laramie to Phoenix) but somehow the setting was changed to stun–as in most stunning route. I took I-70 clear across Colorado. I drove over Loveland Pass and through the Eisenhower tunnel, which is also 40 this Read more…
I didn’t make it to the top of Taranaki. I didn’t even make it to the sub-summit that several members of the group made it to. But I got to the cloudline and above the treeline and had incredible views. Early on the trail, there were two women, both “nearly Read more…
We are winding down. We will spend the day after tomorrow racing from Opunake to Auckland airport. We woke up to blue, hot skies and took a walk along the south arm of the walkway–past the beach, through a well populated cow pasture, and by a lake. After lunch, we Read more…
Today’s post will be brief. It’s late here and I’m tired. Today was not exactly rejuvenating, but it wasn’t like being completely wrung out, either. We drove for much of the day, after a quick second chat with John the sheep farmer. We headed toward the mid-southwestern coast and Opunake Read more…
Today started out with promise. I was well rested, I’d done what I could to let go of the outrages of the day before, and breakfast featured protein—which is a rare occurrence on this trip. We went back to the alpine village that had freaked everyone out the day before Read more…
I am going to rant now, and when I’m done, I’ll be done. It was too cold and windy for most of the group today. So we didn’t get to hike up Mt. Ruapehu (also known as “Mt. Doom” to Peter Jackson film fans). Too cold and windy! These kids Read more…
The connection is terrible; I’m not sure if this post will upload. The photos are taking about 20 minutes per image. And yet, I persist. A sub-group of us went to a National Trout Center with a freshwater aquarium and a children’s fishing pond. It is no longer used for Read more…
I’m going to start with the good things today. We saw the amazing Huka falls and I found a yarn shop in Taupo (should get to shop it tomorrow). I’m not going to focus on the frustrating conversations with uneducated racist 20 year olds; the hot springs that were too Read more…
Rangitoto is a shield cone volcano that emerged from the sea off the coast of what is now Auckland, only 600 years ago. We took a ferry to the island today, and hiked from the wharf to a kidney fern forest, then the summit, and finally through some lava caves. Read more…
Landcare Research is more than simply an ecological or scientific organization. Their goal is “to both protect and enhance the land environment and grow the country’s prosperity.” They have a Maori elder and one of their lead researchers greeted us with a Maori song. This is a whole different way Read more…