In camp
Regrouping
In the slot
In the slot
Approaching the high point
Time to load up the packs
Ready to hit the trail
Break on the way up
Big laughs
Two miles in
A very sad picnic table
Now for a downhill section
Here comes the cooking platform
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
Back in the corner
All pretty at the first stop
Tasting begins
Thoughtful sipping
Next stop: Cougar
Done dining, now sipping
Outside at Cougar
Front of the bus
Sensible evening wear
Paul approves
The gentlemen
The gentlemen
Everybody
Everybody
Everybody
Getting crazy
Rebecca and Andrew, in their traditional attire
Male costume winner
Dinner prep in progress
The master craftsman at work
Gearing up for the morning hike
Treking along
Up to the ridge
Ditching the telescope
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
A campfire, when backpacking, in California!
Socks recovered from the fox thieves
On the trail to Starlight Beach
Up on the top of the ridge
Checking out the hole
Ready to catch the Cyclone back to Avalon
Checking the fox distance
On a boat!
About to set sail
Moderate speed
Andrew getting roasted for Chris's birthday
The group, part 2
Hanging on the planter box
Happy at the summit
Starting our conquest of El Cajon Mountain
Final step at the top
After lunch
Andrew taking in the lake
If you're not first, you're last
The group!
The group!
The group!
Hook and Peter Pan
The whole crew
Group shot #1
Group shot #2
Group shot #3
Group shot #5
Group shot #6
View to the south frmo the top
Checking out the turret
Descending into the unwanted valley
At the table at last
Joshua Tree Saloon
Done eating
Closing down the night
Ready to hike
Those who stuck around for afternoon hiking
Room to ourselves
Strategizing on the sink cabinet
Sweeping up some of the drywall carnage
Getting our bearings
Snack time
Ants on a log
Out in the dry, dry mountain air
About to cross the dam at the foot of Big Laguna Lake
Taking a break
Taking in the view
Readying to move out
Heading down
Pre-dinner drinks
Dinnertime
Celebrating the start of the trip
On the plane, starting to make trouble
The people stuck in the middle start to wish for new seats
Waiting for our tents to clear the stinkbug inspection
Andrew and Moses
Sniffing the flowers
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
Karangahake Tunnel Walk
Working the rails
Andrew's favorite bridge so far
Off to see Huka Falls
The very green Lake Ngakoro
Decked out in green
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
Fun in the dirt
On the way down
Keeping warm
Waiting for our first flight
Our neighbors
Back in San Diego, feeling fresh
Thinking about taking a dip
Quick stop at the falls
Into the Polynesian Spa
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!
Looks like we're in for a wait
In the lounge, trying to get the WiFi to work
First wine-tasting stop
Outdoor sipping
Two great looking guys
Sitting down for a great meal at Urban in Nelson
Happy we didn't miss the departure
Unloading from the water taxi at Anchorage
Taking stock of the gear
Ready to depart
Crossing Torrent River
Getting some gravity assistance
No more than 5, please, for crossing Falls River
Bark Bay, with campsites in the background
A-plus shell discovery
Tonga Quarry area
Precious cargo
Watching the dismount skeptically
Enjoying the beach
Serving up the feast
Boots on!
On the move again
Getting ready to traverse Awaroa Bay at low tide
Walking the shoreline
Testing the waters
Fending off the sandflies
Nice lazy start to the morning
Pausing in the field
Pause to drop off some other passengers
Drinks have arrived
And now food!
Late-afternoon reading time
The South Island's longest swing bridge
Mid-span
Fortuntately not flooded now
Ready to launch
Zipping
Arms out
Gliding in
Thinking it's time to slow down
Bounceback
Hopping in the boats
Paddling up river
Super lush
Working against the current
Bouncing around
Walking over the rocks
Turnaround point
Much easier going with the current!
Winding downstream
Navigating the rapids
Sun dropping behind the ridge
One more section to drag through
Sunset rapidly approaches
Incoming spelunkers
Pancake stacks at Pancake Rocks
In front of the swinging bridge
Heading to the tower
On the bouncy cantilevered section
Gear that won't be worn by us today
Taking in the waterfall
Soaking up the drizzle
At the end of the trail
Beers at lunch
Suiting up for the flight
Tromping through the swamps
Back on the gravel path
Teamwork on the puzzle
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
Winding our way to Glenorchy
Stopping for the key lockbox at Trackhopper
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.
Wandering the flats
Sitting by the river
Escaping the sandflies
Chowing down
Packing up and enjoying the shelter
Ready and pumped
Climbing toward Lake Harris
Taking refuge in the Harris Shelter
The unrelenting rain
So warm and dry
Hunkered down
Pausing at an overlook
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
Boarding the vessel
Bubbly on board
Cheers!
Preferring the overhang
Enjoying the cruise
Cruising to our next spot
Shadowy figure in the penthouse
Peeping from the penthouse
New best friends
Free backrubs for crustaceans!
Cruising by
Checking out the cove
Emerging from the shore
And starting again
Booze cruising
All of us
Penguin seeking
Marmite taste test
Up on the top
Walking through touristland
A big kiwi
Waiting in the chaotic line for ice cream
Champion of the giant pretzel
Packs on and ready to move
The descent begins
Hiking down the canyon
Another clearing
Stream crossing
A bit of uphill
Trailhead almost sited
Our non-campsite at the trailhead
Fine dining al fresco
Taking a breather
Refilling water
Shady lunch spot
Beers all around
Trying to keep warm outside
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
Dessert arrives
Waiting in line
Enjoying some tasting at winery #2
Andrew and Rebecca
Quick stop at the overlook
At the top of Garnet Peak
Andrew at the top
Cake!
Assessing the quiz results
Assessing the results
Approaching the winner announcement
Getting an autograph
Hitting the trail
Rebecca and Andrew
Hoping the humans return alive
Andrew supervises the construction project
Keeping it classy
Cheers
Sun on the horizon
Sitting down to dinner
Zoe getting some much needed attention in the back
Watermellon slicing demonstration
The windup
Prepare to meet your doom, mellon
Victory
Going for another, blade glinting in the sun
Perfectly portioned
Offering a taste to a skeptical Zoe
Watermellon water for Tesla
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