On the road to Taihape
Trip Start
Nov 01, 2006
1
5
24
Trip End
Dec 03, 2006
Taihape, New Zealand
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Valerie here. I'm updating the blog while Steve is getting the 'what to do when you are about to drown' speech from the river rafting crew. He is about to go on a class 5 rafting trip while I sit and relax in the lodge. My horse trek was canceled because of the rain. Poo.
Yesterday we traveled south from Auckland and spent most of the day driving down to Taihape. Just beautiful country. Lots and lots and lots of green rolling hills dotted with rocks. Oh wait, those were sheep. Yep, New Zealand the land of sheep lives up to its name. On the first half of the drive I was certain they were wrong as all we saw was cows. Lots of dairy cows. Then, after lunch, poof! sheep everywhere. Really quite pretty. My only peeve was sheep sheep everywhere and not a yarn shop in sight.
Update (11/14) - As Valerie wrote the above text I was rafting down the river back to the lodge. It was a great trip with class 2,3,4, and a class 5 rapid. The was a bit of urgency to keep moving down the river as it had been raining all evening and the water up stream was raising. We were in no danger but kept pushing down the river. The first part of the trip was calm and used as our training. The guide reviewed all of the commands and tested our skills. After the class 2 and 3 rapids we had a Momo energy bar (snickers bar). Then we tested our skills on some class 4 rapids and watch another raft flip over and dumped the crew of 7 people into the river. More to come ....
Valerie
Comments
Hello from MOAB in Benicia
I'm so jealous!!! It sounds like things are going well for you, but then I haven't heard the results of the rafting trip! Somehow sitting in the lodge sounds a whole lot more like a vacation to me! Isn't it fun sitting in an airplane for 12+ hours! That's when I really want one of those tranporters like they used in Star Trek.
I actually just got back from San Antonio and San Diego on Navy Duty. Kent came down to the Mirmar for the Marine Corps Birthday ball and then I flew on out to San Antonio. I had to do the Marine Corps physical fitness test and I scored a first class! It helps to be old because they realize that the body isn't once what it was!
Right now I'm getting ready to sit down and do my homework for my class tonight. I'll be soooooo glad when I finally get everything done for my masters.
Keep your eyes open for those yarn shops - they've gotta be there somewhere. Have fun and most importantly stay healthy!
Love, MOAB
Friends and Family cheer you on!
I sent your blog address to friends and family. So far Victoria, Robin and Wendy all send you their best and will be checking in each day to see your latest entry so keep 'em coming. We're all living vicariously through this journal. Dad and I might do the same when we go to Vermont and New York next October for several weeks to enjoy the fall colors.
Love, Mom