Production Musings

New Zealand – Entry 1

// March 18th, 2010 // Travel

I’m back and nearly caught up with the list that patiently awaited my return. I have to give a HUGE thanks to Colin Harman and Tim Gosnell who enabled me to take such a great trip stress free by handling all of my responsibilities at Blue Ridge.

Ok, how about a few posts about the trip eh? I like pictures, so I’m including lots to look at.

Four of us went on the trip: Woody and Nan Torrence, Kellie Acuña, and myself. Despite weather delays, we all made it to Auckland within about 30 minutes of one another and were eager to drive the 5.5 hours to get us close to Tongariro National Park. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was rumored to be the “best single day hike of the North Island.” We had to see for ourselves. The morning we set out the weather wasn’t the most desirable, cold and rainy. A ranger told us to expect colder at the top and more rain but we didn’t go halfway around the world to sit and talk about whether we should hike or not. We hiked.

Life Lesson 1 – Don’t waffle because of the weather forecast. We were prepared for cold, rain or snow but we didn’t need it. By the time we reached the top of the infamous “Devil’s Staircase” the blue sky had opened up to us and the Southern Alpine sun greeted us with warmth. Mount Ngauruhoe, elevation 7,516ft and pictured below, was a beautiful volcano. It has erupted 45 times in the 20th century and was also the landscape used to create Mt. Doom in LOTR.

Looking the opposite direction and from approximately 500 feet higher was a gorgeous volcanic valley. An explosion of color:

We didn’t arrange for transport on the other end of the hike so we reached the highest point of Mt. Tongariro, about 6,490 feet, and returned from where we came. While on the South Island, a park ranger told us that we hiked the best half and for that we were thankful. At any rate, here was the view looking opposite Mount Ngauruhoe. No, I did not Photoshop or enhance the color of the lakes…they truly are the “Emerald Lakes.” Loose scree makes for tricky footwork on the way down. You’ll notice the track heading up toward the left to the “Blue Lake” as it’s called.

We made our way back with little to complain about. Woody was reminded of Brennan Manning, who, in one of his books, tells the story of an Irish priest. The priest happens upon a peasant bent over praying along the street. The priest said to the peasant, “You must be very close to God.” The peasant responded with a smile, “He’s quite fond of me.” (Paraphrased) The thought quickly became a theme or motto of our time in New Zealand. We were quite satisfied and couldn’t help but think, “He’s quite fond of us.” Yes he is.