Add it to the tally. 7 days of blessed simplicity. Our tent broke in a wind storm.
Clock ticking down quickly!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
St. James Walkway; 40 Miles*
Mark down another 40 miles for team Comiskey-Ehlers. Betsy and I enjoyed another lovely tramp, set amid quite different terrain. We encountered far more flat stretches than we were used to. The mountains weren't far away, mind you, but far enough that they were cozy rather than imposing. Because of the scenery, and the type of terrain, this may have been my favorite tramp yet. It was really nice. And the weather was great.
The next four weeks will be spent tramping. This fact is almost literally true. Next is the Central Otago Rail Trail. 90 miles; mostly flat. Here we go...
*The 40 miles may be subject to scrutiny, as this latest mileage was traversed with cutting edge rain gear technology, courtesy of Dick Ehlers. It is super light and waterproof, which may be considered an unfair tramping advantage over our former very heavy, very bulky gear.
The next four weeks will be spent tramping. This fact is almost literally true. Next is the Central Otago Rail Trail. 90 miles; mostly flat. Here we go...
*The 40 miles may be subject to scrutiny, as this latest mileage was traversed with cutting edge rain gear technology, courtesy of Dick Ehlers. It is super light and waterproof, which may be considered an unfair tramping advantage over our former very heavy, very bulky gear.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Perfect
After an awesome 2+ weeks, Mr. Ehlers heads back to America today. We were sad to see him go, but the time together was much enjoyed.
To start with, that guy is an absolute treasure of a man. Of a human being. If someone told me "You're a lot like Dick Ehlers", I would consider it the highest compliment. Being in his company for two weeks was a treat. I could go on and on about how much I like this guy, how much I admire him... but he would probably prefer that I don't. Let's just say, he's the man.
The visit was awesome. Betsy and I flew to Auckland, slept in the airport to save money (eat your heart out Lee), and then joined Dick right off the bat to start the festivities. We toured Auckland for a day, saw the boats (the Ehlers' never miss a chance to see some boats in the water), went to the Maritime Museum, had a couple of great meals, chatted with a model boat maker who was fun and talkative, and got an impromptu tour of a boating supplies store. Betsy and Dick like boats a lot! They ate it up. Ocean water runs in their veins.
That night we stayed in the nicest room I had seen in awhile (not saying much of course, but it was nice), then boarded a train heading South in the morning. After a nice train ride during which Betsy and Dick took lots of pictures, we arrived in Wellington. Wellington suited us more than Auckland. We spent two nights there, enjoying a quaint little Bed & Breakfast both nights. The breakfast was awesome! In Wellington we visited the Botanic Garden, and Te Papa National Museum, among other stops. As became a pattern on Dick's visit, we ate well(!), walked a bunch, and talked.
A ferry ride (much enjoyed by the Ehlers' duo), another beautifully scenic train journey, and we arrived in Christchurch. About as quicky as we could arrange it, we hopped on another train and headed to Greymouth over on the West coast, via the TranzAlpine Scenic Rail journey. That ride was really pretty.
The West Coast escapades included heading as far south as the Franz Josef glacier, and as far North as the pancake rocks in Punakaiki. The West coast was gorgeous, some of the best stuff we've seen here in NZ. The pancake rocks, and the accompanying fury of the ocean, was breathtaking. It was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. We stayed in wonderful accommodations, ate delicious food, watched beautiful sunsets over the ocean from our private balcony. Unreal. Memorable. Fantastic. Beyond words really.
The fun, the beauty, the memories continued as we headed back east through Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula. One night in Governor's Bay, then two in Akaroa. We were enjoying the water, usually only feet away, the whole time. Betsy and I took a cool ride in a kayak (I didn't get sick), and Dick went out solo in a small row boat (a dingy I believe they called it). It was all so much fun! One more night in Governor's bay on the way back was the icing on the cake.
The whole time was so darn fun, so totally enjoyable. Dick was a model guest. The guy is so pleasant to be around it's almost supernatural. Betsy and I had a great time. Dick and Betsy took lots of walks (many while I was wasting my life on the internet), and had good lots of father-daughter bonding. We all talked a lot. The talking, and the conversations, were very enjoyable. Turns out Dick Ehlers is one funny guy. He regularly had me rolling with his wit.
All and all, it was perfect.
To start with, that guy is an absolute treasure of a man. Of a human being. If someone told me "You're a lot like Dick Ehlers", I would consider it the highest compliment. Being in his company for two weeks was a treat. I could go on and on about how much I like this guy, how much I admire him... but he would probably prefer that I don't. Let's just say, he's the man.
The visit was awesome. Betsy and I flew to Auckland, slept in the airport to save money (eat your heart out Lee), and then joined Dick right off the bat to start the festivities. We toured Auckland for a day, saw the boats (the Ehlers' never miss a chance to see some boats in the water), went to the Maritime Museum, had a couple of great meals, chatted with a model boat maker who was fun and talkative, and got an impromptu tour of a boating supplies store. Betsy and Dick like boats a lot! They ate it up. Ocean water runs in their veins.
That night we stayed in the nicest room I had seen in awhile (not saying much of course, but it was nice), then boarded a train heading South in the morning. After a nice train ride during which Betsy and Dick took lots of pictures, we arrived in Wellington. Wellington suited us more than Auckland. We spent two nights there, enjoying a quaint little Bed & Breakfast both nights. The breakfast was awesome! In Wellington we visited the Botanic Garden, and Te Papa National Museum, among other stops. As became a pattern on Dick's visit, we ate well(!), walked a bunch, and talked.
A ferry ride (much enjoyed by the Ehlers' duo), another beautifully scenic train journey, and we arrived in Christchurch. About as quicky as we could arrange it, we hopped on another train and headed to Greymouth over on the West coast, via the TranzAlpine Scenic Rail journey. That ride was really pretty.
The West Coast escapades included heading as far south as the Franz Josef glacier, and as far North as the pancake rocks in Punakaiki. The West coast was gorgeous, some of the best stuff we've seen here in NZ. The pancake rocks, and the accompanying fury of the ocean, was breathtaking. It was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. We stayed in wonderful accommodations, ate delicious food, watched beautiful sunsets over the ocean from our private balcony. Unreal. Memorable. Fantastic. Beyond words really.
The fun, the beauty, the memories continued as we headed back east through Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula. One night in Governor's Bay, then two in Akaroa. We were enjoying the water, usually only feet away, the whole time. Betsy and I took a cool ride in a kayak (I didn't get sick), and Dick went out solo in a small row boat (a dingy I believe they called it). It was all so much fun! One more night in Governor's bay on the way back was the icing on the cake.
The whole time was so darn fun, so totally enjoyable. Dick was a model guest. The guy is so pleasant to be around it's almost supernatural. Betsy and I had a great time. Dick and Betsy took lots of walks (many while I was wasting my life on the internet), and had good lots of father-daughter bonding. We all talked a lot. The talking, and the conversations, were very enjoyable. Turns out Dick Ehlers is one funny guy. He regularly had me rolling with his wit.
All and all, it was perfect.
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