In camp
Group shot
Regrouping
In the slot
In the slot
The hot trek back
Cooling down
Approaching the high point
Coffee before hitting the road
Proud artist
Final logistics
Time to load up the packs
Ready to hit the trail
Break on the way up
Two miles in
Now for a downhill section
Packing up after breakfast
Packs lighter after drinking most of the water
Time to depart
Rounding the corner
Pausing at the road intersection
One more by the road crossing
Lined up
Killing time at Inland Center Mall while the car charges
Insulated for warmer hands
Back in the corner
Back of the bus
All pretty at the first stop
Katherine and Rebecca
Thoughtful sipping
Lots of ladies
Outside at Cougar
Getting rowdy
High flying action
Mad scramble
Celebration
Jump serve
A tangle at the net
The ladies
The ladies and our cruise director
Paul Hefner
Finally getting some respect
What a classy group
Everybody
Everybody
Everybody
Getting crazy
Rebecca and Andrew, in their traditional attire
Wings for all
Dinner prep in progress
The master craftsman at work
Gearing up for the morning hike
Treking along
Up to the ridge
Red dirt trail
Dropping non-backpacks at the hotel
Fuel for the first day on the trail
Hitting the trail
Trudging down the trail, thankful for the overcast skies
Glamor shots
A campfire, when backpacking, in California!
Socks recovered from the fox thieves
Heading up on a day hike
On the trail to Starlight Beach
Return to Parsons Landing
Cooling off
Ready to catch the Cyclone back to Avalon
On a boat!
About to set sail
In the distance
The end
Chair dancing begins
At Don and Courtney's wedding
If you're not first, you're last
Quite the lineup
Rebecca wins!
The group!
The group!
The group!
Most of the ladies
Hook and Peter Pan
Watching the video
The bearded lady
The whole crew
Group shot #1
Group shot #2
Group shot #3
Group shot #5
Group shot #6
Watching the Borrego video
Cocktail hour lineup
Snack time
Ants on a log
Out in the dry, dry mountain air
Embarking on Sunset Trail, from the Meadows Trailhead
About to cross the dam at the foot of Big Laguna Lake
Taking a break
Readying to move out
Skee-Ball strategizing
Tickets galore
Heading down
Pre-dinner drinks
Celebrating the start of the trip
The people stuck in the middle start to wish for new seats
Waiting for our tents to clear the stinkbug inspection
Sniffing the flowers
A few backpacks
Inside our rental at the Star Queens Serviced Apartments
Still awake!
Settling in at the Sugar Club
Something to see!
Time to exercise the daypacks
Checking out the old mining stuff
Karangahake Tunnel Walk
Working the rails
Andrew's favorite bridge so far
Prowling the Hobbit grounds
Off to see Huka Falls
The very green Lake Ngakoro
Beers at lunch
Lunch has arrived!
Boarding the gondola
In the gondola car
At the top of the gondola ride
Helmets on for safety!
Returning to base
Final ride down
Rounding the bend
Rebecca in the lead
Stinky breezes
On the way down
Waiting for our first flight
Our neighbors
Back in San Diego, feeling fresh
Thinking about taking a dip
Quick stop at the falls
Checking out the shore of Lake Taupo
Late afternoon light
In front of Mt Doom, about to embark
Trudging up, trying to get warm
Getting resituated
Rebecca and Andrew
At our high point
About to descend toward the Blue Lake
Crater lineup
Entering some switchbacks
In the woods, trying to make the earlier shuttle
Done and with beer!
Nice to sit down for a bit
Looks like we're in for a wait
In the lounge, trying to get the WiFi to work
First wine-tasting stop
Making friends with the Bladen Winery dog
Outdoor sipping
Sitting down for a great meal at Urban in Nelson
Happy we didn't miss the departure
Unloading from the water taxi at Anchorage
Farewell, boat!
Taking stock of the gear
Ready to depart
Crossing Torrent River
Getting some gravity assistance
Pausing at the viewpoint
A little lunchtime wading at Bark Bay
Clear and shallow water
Bark Bay, with campsites in the background
A-plus shell discovery
Back on the trail
Setting up camp at Onetahuti Bay
Enjoying the beach
Serving up the feast
Boots on!
On the move again
Rolling into Awaroa Lodge
Cold drinks, what luxury
Getting ready to traverse Awaroa Bay at low tide
Walking the shoreline
Fending off the sandflies
Nice lazy start to the morning
Pausing in the field
Pause to drop off some other passengers
Happy riders
Entering Toad Hall
Drinks have arrived
And now food!
Late-afternoon reading time
Off to feed the pigs
The big ones get a little bitey
Breakfast scraps!
The South Island's longest swing bridge
Mid-span
Fortuntately not flooded now
Doing some digging
Rebecca getting strapped in
Ready to launch
Zipping
Arms out
Gliding in
Thinking it's time to slow down
Bounceback
Checking into the Punakaiki Beach Hostel
Hopping in the boats
Paddling up river
Super lush
Working against the current
Bouncing around
Passing the rapid section
Relaxing in the sun
Turnaround point
Much easier going with the current!
One more section to drag through
Chilly
Perched on the side of the path
Sunset rapidly approaches
Incoming spelunkers
Pancake stacks at Pancake Rocks
All zipped up
Cinched down
In front of the swinging bridge
Checking out the cairn collection
Trouble
On the bouncy cantilevered section
Settling in at our rental in Franz Josef Village
Early morning, stumbling toward the helicopter staging area
Soaking up the drizzle
At the end of the trail
Beers at lunch
Suiting up for the flight
Flight cancelled!
Joyous breakfast
Tromping through the swamps
Back on the gravel path
Teamwork on the puzzle
Stop at Haast Visitor Center
Picnic spot at the visitor center
Skipping rocks
Looking for the perfect skipping rock
Probably getting devoured by sandflies
A really substantial swing bridge
Back to the car
Wandering downtown Wanaka
Roasted lamb for dinner
Andrew being driven insane by the crooked squares
Trying to make friends
Picnic spot for lunch
All nice and dry
Crossing the Route Burn (the river)
Tramping like pros
Under the limit
Poking around the meadow
Our campsite, and kitchen shelter
Lazy afternoon
Nice and sunny. For now.
Sitting by the river
Escaping the sandflies
Chowing down
Packing up and enjoying the shelter
Ready and pumped
Maximum: 2
Climbing toward Lake Harris
Taking refuge in the Harris Shelter
The unrelenting rain
So warm and dry
Hunkered down
Ready to be done
Shaking off the spray
Now one with me
About to jump on the first boat
Warm and dry on the boat
Sipping our hot drinks, indoors
Bubbly on board
Cheers!
Preferring the overhang
At the stern
Lunchtime
Enjoying the cruise
Yippee
Peeping from the penthouse
Snack time
Booze cruising
All of us
Marmite taste test
Up on the top
Our AirBnB in Queenstown
Waiting in the chaotic line for ice cream
Waiting for the thief
The gateaway
Packs on and ready to move
The descent begins
Into the shade, and the gnats
Hiking down the canyon
Another clearing
Stream crossing
A bit of uphill
Our non-campsite at the trailhead
Fine dining al fresco
Taking a breather
Refilling water
Shady lunch spot
Rebecca and Lynn
Bob getting into it
The bocce players and groupies
Tossing the other way
Watching the roll
Hiding behind the sandwich
Rebecca and Andrew
The whole group attempting to get aligned
Maximum presentability
Now for some fun
In our dinner tent
Waiting for the next course
Enjoying some tasting at winery #2
Andrew and Rebecca
Approaching the summit
From the junction
Heading out
Heading out
The birthday lady
Hugs
More hugs
More ladies
Excitement!
Pinned
Working the crowd
Guest of honor
Reacting
Hitting the trail
Rebecca and Andrew
Andrew supervises the construction project
Keeping it classy
Cheers
Sitting down to dinner
Heading downriver
Zoe getting some much needed attention in the back
Rebecca takes a turn
Almost there
Another perfect slice
Watermellon water for Tesla
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