National Route 66 Museum Complex
Forest Road 525C
Overland Expo East 2018
Wallowing in Heroism in The Bay of Islands, New Zealand
It's our final day at sea. And I'm grateful for it. The sky is still relatively clear but the open ocean foretells a squall about to make windfall.
Not Quite Parrots, a Hike, and a Sunset in Paradise Bay
How can this be? A massive storm is supposed to roll in tomorrow but today is the clearest, sunniest day yet! We wake up to our own, secluded bay. I make breakfast and we are out to sea, around “The Hole In The Rock” and headed to Army Bay. Kim, our host, has explained that the best muscling is a short dingy's ride from the bay and a well established hiking path takes us across the island.
Sailing To “The Hole In The Rock” and A Secluded Anchorage in Whangamumu Harbour
I thought this was supposed to be cloudy! Yet here I am, rubbing sunscreen on my bare calves. No, I am not so bold as to bare much else. We aren't in the Caribbean. It is only in the 60s here. Yet the weather is perfect as we motor from Motuarohia Island, around Cape Brett, and out to Motu Kōkako (aka Piercy Island) and "The Hole In The Rock”.
Parrots, Motuarohia Island Vistas, And Provisioning For The Bay of Islands
We wake up anchored off of Motuarohia Island (aka Robertson Island). It is the first natural stop along the Bay of Islands with picturesque views and a short track (trail) to a vista point. It is time to explore.
On To The Bay Of Islands, New Zealand
Wandering along the Peninsula: Twizel to Christchurch, New Zealand
We only spent one night in Twizel and launched back on the road for one last bid for a rain free hike. This time we aim for Christchurch and its scenic peninsula.
Glaciers And Gails on Mount Cook, New Zealand
Leaving Queenstown is a flurry of packing and cleaning. Our next destination, Twizel, is a 3 hour drive with an additional 1.5 hour drive to reach the base of Mount Cook and our intended 3 hour in-out hike through Hooker's Valley to the base of a glacier.