Road Trip to Queenstown, New Zealand

We pull ourselves from the comfort of a month-long shelter in Lyttleton, to head out on a 10-day road trip to Queenstown, New Zealand. Of course we shall trek toting backpacks along the way. Must maintain “hiking shape” for the five-day excursion from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

Hiking near Lake Tekapo, its water resembles the Caribbean, if you could imagine the Caribbean with a frigid wind.

Surrounded by fields of Lupine, we find the Church of the Good Shepperd, that was built in 1935 to commemorate the early settlers.

The further south we travel, the more dramatic the scenery grows. Monster Glaciers carved out fjords between mountains years ago, making strenuous hikes more rewarding. Just stop on the trail, catch your breath, and then lose your breath again as the scenery takes it away.

Majestic Mt. Cook looks down upon us from the clouds as we leave the town of Twizel, where indeed it is forecast to drizzle.

The Hooker Track exceeds our expectations. Our favorite trek thus far. Once the morning fog lifted, “travel angels” graced us with a cloudless sky for two hours before the, you know, drizzle in Twizel descended upon us.

Oh, how fabulous the hot tub feels. Wood fires it, and cool spring water cools it. My muscles ache. Shouldn’t I be in “hiking shape” by now? Still waiting for that to happen. “Ain’t no spring chicken anymore.”

After hiking up Iron Mountain, then Rocky Mountain, and through the Clay Cliffs, just walking into town tests these aging legs, back and shoulders. But what a privilege. Just the fact that we are here doing this. We are beyond grateful.

Yes, we made it to Queenstown. Tomorrow morning, the “Milford Sound Track” calls us. Stay tuned, and we will see you in about a week as we will be without cell or Internet. It has been a long while since we have been off the grid. Looking forward to five days in the wild, remote, spectacular Fiordland National Park.

Thank you, Abundant Universe!