The Hike

The hike started just like any other hike. We started at Redbank Gorge and hiked to the Orche Pits (approximately 70 km away). The desert was absolutely beautiful and we only had a few hiccups, mainly blisters. I think the best think about the hike was the fact that we were the only two people on the trail. We didn't see another living soul except at the beginning, the end and one camping spot that have a sealed road to it and a ranger station. It was wonderful knowing that you were the only people around for km/miles. The other thing you realize is that you will do anything for water. As you look at the pictures you are see the diversity of the desert we hiked. No two days were the same, except the noon day sun.

The start of the 6 day hike across a small very diverse part of the red center.

Hill Top lookout. What do you see?

The view from Hill Top lookout. Mt Sonders.

Day three on the trail. Everything looks burnt.

The end of day three. Ormiston Gorge. Huge pools of water but no rain and no flowing creeks or rivers.

Day Four on top of the world.

Day Four

The morning of Day Five at Waterfall gorge camp site. Can you believe I had Katie up at 5am.

Palm trees in the gorge.

Well it looks like these are the only ones I can download at the moment. I will post more later. I hope you enjoy the beauty of the desert as much as I did. Or maybe as much as I enjoyed the shower after 6 days. Ahhhh.

I am now in Alice Springs. It isn't quiet what I expected. There are actual hills around the town. Anyway, I have been gearing up for the trail. I have everything bought except for the trail maps and food. I found out we are the last two to start the trail. This will definitely be some adventure. But I think we will be fine.
Off to the desert park to see all the animals that will be around us for the 6 days in the bush.

Off to the Red Center

Today I'm flying out to Alice Springs to take in the desert. Saturday Katie will join me and then we are off for a 6 day hike in the dry sun soaked desert.
As we are preparing for this adventure, I realize that 10 liters of water is heavy. Luckily, things will lighten up as the days progress.

I will write and post more pictures after the major hike or before if I get to Uluru.

Well it's Monday and I'm just about over my jet lag. Saturday and Sunday Katie, roxy and I spent time along the great ocean road. We were going to camp but it was so stormy and windy there was no way the tents would have stayed down. So instead we stayed in a beautiful B&B with an amazing view. I would completely stay there again if I ever go back to the great ocean road.

Roxy having fun in the south ocean.
Roxy is a wet puppy.

A room with a view B&B. How great is it when you are at a beautiful place and you get a rainbow.

On our way back to Melbourne, we stopped by some wonderful wineries and stocked up on some great Aussie reds.

Now I'm just chillin' at Katie's place trying to get use to the time zone and set things up for Alice Springs.

First Koala to see up close during this trip to Australia.

This is just a precursor to my next adventure. I'm still in Seattle but will be taking off for the island continent soon enough. I just needed to have an extended summer this year.
I hope everyone is doing well and having a great 2009. I will be updating this blog more often starting in about two weeks.

Enjoy my ramblings.

Costa Rica during the wet season

Hello all-

I know I haven't been good about keeping my blog up and i'm getting hounded by one person in particular so here is a little summary of my work trip to Costa Rica.

It was hot (mucho calor) and humid (humido). The project was really interesting and to see how drillers operate in a 2 to 2.5 world country was really fascinating. I learned how good the drillers here have it. It was pretty crazy.

enough about work... Since I was in the tropics i decided to complete my open water portion of my scuba certification there which was great. Once you get off the coast a little ways and head to the small islands and descend to a depth of at least 30 feet the ocean comes alive with really big tropical fish and lobsters. I also saw one eel and one small white tipped shark. Besides the scuba diving, sarah (the girl I was working with) and I went to Manuel Antonio Park. We actually saw a two toed sloth move, i didn't think that really happened.

Not much else to say about Costa Rica since 7 of the 8 days I worked. But there is one thing, Quepos is a really cute little town with lots of American sports fisherman.

The two-toed sloth climbing the tree

The monkey

The scuba diving island

Quepos, CR from the air

Edwardo the best bartender in Quepos

The drums at the parade in Quepos

The drillers and the rig at the Marina Pez Vela job site

more pictures from my trip

I'm back in Seattle and have been for a while. Things have been crazy here. I've been working like mad and trying to get back into the swing of regular life. So it's cold here too but not as cold as Utah, that was just burtal. But it was a great time. I loved seeing my friends and going skiing. The sundance film was great as well.
I thought I would keep posting some pictures so everyone not excessible to me can see some of my more favorite shots. Plus I never posts the Utah ones. I know it has been ages since I posted but I promise to try to be more diligent about it. Enjoy.

11,000 km from home on the northern tip of the north island, NZ

Dolphin mom and baby in the Bay of Islands North Island, NZ

The only Kiwi I saw in NZ.

From NZ summer to the Utah snow capped Mountains, Big Cotton Wood Canyon.

Cold, Cold, Cold

Did I mention it's cold.

I made it back to the states after a very long travel day consisting of 36 hours of one day. Boy was Jan 15 a very long day. It was definitely a shock to the system to be in weather that is below freezing, why did I leave summer. But the slope are calling. And it is wonderful to see Sarah and Damon.

Last day in New Zealand...

I now have to say good bye to the stars of the southern Hemisphere.
Well it's been a long wonderful trip, I say long but now that it is coming to an end it doesn't feel long. New Zealand is a wonderful place of new discoveries around each corner. I will have to come back to finish the country, one month is not long enough. So here are a few photos of the last few days.
I'm in Auckland for the last day and will be spend it with Francois seeing Auckland, the sky tower and the harbor.

Saying Goodbye to the south Island

Francois at the thermal park

Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean converge

Beautiful sunset on the last camping day (13 Jan 08)

A perfect way to end a wonderful trip of New Zealand.

Just a quick message from Thames

So I'm on the north Island and finally found the sun after 2 days of looking. I'm travelling with a Frenchman I picked up in Rotorua. Very nice guy and we are having fun with the language barrier. Heading towards 90 mile beach today to see the everything. Hope all is well with everyone and will post again soon.
Cheers

Back in Christchurch

So I was the only one in the tour that didn't plan anything for after the tour. But no worries everything worked out. I grabbed the last bed at the YHA for 2 nights. I just spent the last 45 minutes with one of the girls at the front desk trying to find a car in christchurch... she was my savor and found what I think is the last car in Christchurch and she also booked my ferry trip to the north island. So I'm back on track. I just didn't book any of the campsites yet. But I will see what happens when the time comes.
So I'm back in Christchurch. I went back to the Bog the irish bar and hung out in with the British couple I met. Jonny the bartender remembered me and I met some of the other workers, which I don't think one of them was a Kiwi.
Anyway...
Since the last time I wrote we went to Milford sound which was spectacular. We drove in when the weather was nice and clear so we could see in the mountains and the next day for our sea kayaking trip it was raining. The Fjordlands are truly the land of a 1000 waterfalls (during the ~250+ rainy days - and we thought it rained alot in Seattle). After Fjordland we went to Mt Cook national Park hiking. The southern Alps are wonderful. Actually that isn't the right word but I don't think there is a right word to describe the beauty of the South Alps. You can try to find the word...

The view from Key Summit, Fjordland

Fjordland, Milford Sound in the rain

The south Alps and tarn

Bob just for you Jamie

So that is it for now. I will be camping for the next 2 weeks and will try to get to a town to email. I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year. I only have about 12 hours to go.

Picture time

The waterfall cross during the Nelson Lakes hike

The view from the Angelus Hut.

Me and Karin enjoying a well deserved beer after the 3 day hike

So the pictures are taking forever to upload. This will be all for now.

The past couple of days have been nice. We had some new snow on the mountains and we went to Fjordland. Fjordland was beautiful and we were able to see it both in the sun and the rain. When it rains it is truely the shadowlands and the land of 1000 waterfalls. It was amazing and the sea kayaking was loads of fun.
I will write again when I can. I hope all is well with everyone.

Happy/Merry Christmas

So much has happened since the last time I wrote. It's Christmas and a free day for us here at Queenstown. Since the last time I wrote we have been driving down the west coast of NZ. We have kayaked in a brackish lagoon (very cool), we had a big Christmas feast with a sort of pink elephant exchange at this really nice small (pop. 33) town. We taken varies hikes to beautiful spots in NZ one was to Josef Franz (i think that is the name) glacier. This glacier is approximately 20 km long, a few km deep and the terminal face is at about 180 meters above sea level (~360 ft). The glacier was amazing. It had just had a huge cave in and blow out so the glacial ice was all over the river bed.
Now on to the more recent things that I can remember:
Yesterday we arrived in Queenstown and we were all able to do what ever activity we wanted. I went horseback riding in this beautiful braided river valley ( the dart valley). I rode bob who was the biggest horse I have ever rode in my live. His back was as high as my head.
This morning (Christmas morning) 7 of us plus our guides (2) went river boarding which is basically white water rafting on a body board. It was one of the most in tense experiences I have ever had. The rapids where crazy and would just suck you down.
Tomorrow we head farther south to bike and do a bit more hiking then we get to go to the beautiful Milford sound.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and happy christmas and new year.

From Middle Earth

I don't have much time but I wanted to say hi to everyone. NZ is great. I've been in the forest and mountains for the past couple of days which has been wonderful. There are 3 people from Washington in my tour and one of them actually lives in West Seattle. What a small world.
I touched snow 2 days ago. That was the highlight of the hike well that and the beautiful scenery, faults, and glacial formations. I will post pics hopefully in a few days. Oh and I have a small sunburn. I thought I would rub it in a bite since it is nice and sunny here and most of you are still getting rain. Well have fun and I will have a drink for all of you.
Cheers

The journey begins...

Hello everyone-

Well I made it to New Zealand. It's much better temperature wise here. I'm in Christchurch, small very small city. Nothing exciting has happened as of yet. I did met a UK couple that actually live in Pennsylvania, how weird is that. Also I got to see the snow peaks outside my window of the plane. So nice to be where there are snow capped mountains again.
I leave for my tour tomorrow so I probably won't be on the net for about two weeks. I will keep you posted as I can.
Cheers to you all. Into the mountains I go.

Last day in Oz

no pictures today.

The musical was amazing. It was so funny. I even got to sing along with Eric Idle to Always look on the bright side of life, well actually the whole concert hall sang but who cares about them. It was great. Very funny musical but of course it's funny it's Eric Idle.

Yesterday in the blue mountains was very nice as well. It reminded me of Seattle it was gray and raining. Sound familiar. So I didn't get to see the 3 sisters rock formation and most of the wonderful valleys were in the clouds but it was very nice to get out of the city for a change.
I'm ready for NZ and the mountains. Clean air and snow on the peaks. Ahhh NZ here I come.

I'm heading to the aquarium today and maybe a movie. Need to get to bed early have to fly out at 8:30 am tomorrow.

Lost in the jungle

So I just spent the last hour looking for a shop to buy a nice shirt (reason why coming up). I entered in through a store and got sucked in to the maze that is the underground shopping malls here in Sydney. When I finally found an exit I was so turned around that I started off in the wrong direction to get back to my hostel. And I never got a nice shirt.


Ok for the reason I wanted a nice shirt... wait for it... wait for it...











I'm going to be seeing Eric Idle in Not the Messiah at the Sydney Opera House!!! I'm so excited. Eric Idle live in a spoof play based on The life of Brian movie. I can't believe it. And it is the last night for the show. I will be sitting in the main theatre hall of the opera house and will be seeing Eric Idle live. I just can't say it enough. (Oh and by the way there is no dress code so I really don't need a nice shirt.)


Well anyway. Here's some photos I took today.

Does this really need a title

Since when does Harry Potter live in Sydney?

I will let you all know how wonderful the show is tomorrow. Have a wonderful night everyone. heehee I'm going to see eric Idle at the Opera House. heeheehee

Other pics

Santa in the rainforest

This one is for Nicole - kangaroos hangin' in Brisbane

Happy Christmas Everyone!!

(At Alden and Nigel's place)

Sydney!!!

So I finally made it to Sydney... and guess what it is cool and gray just like Seattle. It's very nice. It was wonderful staying with Alden and Nigel and just hanging and having my own room now I'm back to a 6 bedded room. Oh well the woes of traveling.

So some random things that have happened to me in the past month:
A opossum tried to get in my tent on Kangaroo Island - scared me half to death
Was licked by a wallaby - I must have tasted like salt
Cuddled with a koala
touched a 50 yr old clam - last blog the clam is about center slightly to the right in the picture
Saw a bus take off someones bumper in Brisbane
Had multiple kangaroos jump next to my car while I was driving and then jumped out in front of me.


I think that may be it at the moment. I'm should there are others but I can't think of them. Well now for the time you all have been waiting for... here are some pics.

Cairnes from above - that is for you Mark H

The great barrier reef

Can't figure out how to rotate- no title necessary

An elephant I thought I was in Australia - is this an Australia Elephant - No - they are filming a Bollywood movie close by in Melbourne

Back in Melbourne

I'm back in Melbourne and it's nice and confortable, no sweating here. I will be off to Sydney tomorrow.

Alden and Nigel are wonderful and are taking great care of me. Nothing to exciting has happened in the past couple of days just relaxing and eating home cooked food.

Until I get the rest of my digital pictures downloaded on to CD here are a few great barrier reef

underwater pictures. The pictures are a little murky from the coral releasing their spores but hopefully you can see the wonderfulness that is the great barrier reef. Enjoy.

see the fish

see the 50 yr old clam