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’m starting to feel a sort of fundamental tension in my shoulders and I think it is because I only have one summer and one more Fall semester before they kick me out of grad school. This spring I am defending my thesis with the rest of my cohort, but 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…
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…
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…
We drove South today for several hours, to arrive back at Auckland, by way of Omaha bay, on the Eastern shore. In Omaha, we had a lunch of “mussels” (which I would have called clams) plucked fresh from the Omaha bay by our hosts, Karen and Tony. Karen used to Read more…
Another day in Kauri forest, but today it was more of a rainforest rather than temperate woods. It seemed damper and mossier. There were a number of Kauri with fused trunks. Stan said there were more active measures being taken against possums. We saw trees set upon by fungi and Read more…
Hard to talk about beginnings without reflecting back on everything that has come before, but the Maori tell us not to rush, for we are already exactly where we need to be. I spoke at length with Stan on one of our getting lost rambles about this idea. Why is Read more…