New Photos from Mt Taranaki

Trav has posted some photos of what we've been up to lately on his flickr page.

Our weekend in New Plymouth for the "May Long Weekend" was great. I loved that city. It's so beautiful - on the coast, lots of parks and gardens. We didn't get the grandiose view of Mt Taranaki from the city because it was so cloudy, but the city itself was nice enough without the view.


Trees in Pukekura Park


Reflection of the Bridge in Pukekura Park

Our hike up and around Mt Taranaki was really awesome. I was really hoping that since I have been working out that hiking would be much easier. And, for the most part, it WAS a lot easier - on the way up. The way down the mountain still killed my knees and I've had to take a week to rest them up again. Hiking would be so much better if I didn't have to come back down again. We walked in the rain for probably 50% of the hike. I was as sweaty inside my coat as I was rainy on the outside. We stopped for lunch at an overnight hut, and I attempted to dry my wool undershirt before the next leg of our hike. It worked pretty well, too.

Travis walking across the highest swing bridge on the Waingongoro Hut track, Mt Taranaki

We had a wonderful time this past weekend, too, despite first thing on our Saturday outing the car's radiator decided it's life was over. However, it wasn't an ordeal - I was parking the car when it blew up. We found a mechanic within driving distance, and Travis moved the car the 2 1/2 blocks and left it there for the weekend. From there we bought a Tongan mat for our wall (it's pretty big - about 6 feet by 3 1/2 feet... still looks small on our gigantic walls). Come to think of it, it was a REALLY boring weekend - but one we both needed. I cooked, Travis uploaded pictures, I made a lot of coffee... it was AWESOME. AND we watched the entire first season of Six Feet Under.

Well, it's time for work and I just found out that my connection to the mother ship expired on Saturday. I asked for a renewal key on Thursday. This sucks. I won't be able to get any real work done today unless someone goes in and fixes it for me, which would SUCK for them. Sigh.

Lots and Lots

A lot has happened since my last post. Or since Travis's last post.

We've moved.

Many of our friends have gone on holidays, or are leaving very soon.
My coffee table was stolen out of my garage. I was working on refinishing it.
Fall is officially here, including copious amounts of rain.

However, at this moment in time, it's so awesome outside - not a cloud in the sky - I had to post this photo of me working on my front deck. :)




Later that day.... (like 2 hours later)