Winter in New Zealand: Part III

Karangahake Gorge:

It's time I finish my winter theme because it's spring here! Longer daylight hours, warmer days, birds singing, lambs growing...you get the picture.

Laura, myself and our French friend Nicolas headed over to the Karangahake gorge to explore the old mining boom town.

The mountains surrounding the Gorge were riddled with mines.

As you can see from the pictures, we saw some amazing scenery.

As we walked up through the gorge, it was hard for me to imagine the valley during the boom period. Somehow the hustle and bustle couldn't fit into the peaceful silence. Oh what a time it must've been. The cracking concrete slabs and the half buried rusted gears, shafts and pans told the story of the long ago gold rush. The vegetation would've been stripped away exposing the sheer rock faces striped with track and dotted with the mouths of hundreds of mining tunnels. When the mine was operating at capacity, there were more than 10 different levels of horizontal shafts, from three stories below the riverbed up to the lofty heights above us.

We treked up a trail called 'windows walk'. Much of the walk was actually inside a mining tunnel and the windows were shafts cut out to the gorge. The sunlight poured into the damp darkness.

A few miles up through the gorge led us to a good climb up to the level 7 trail that skirted the other side of the gorge on elevation with all the level 7 mine shafts. Occasional breaks in the radiata pine and temperate scrub showed us some panoramic scenery of the surrounding countryside. Breathtaking.

We finished back at our car by late afternoon and ate some lunch, and delicious french cheese that Nicolas shared, then back home.

Winter in New Zealand: Part II

Laura and I planned on hiking the Karangahake Gorge in the Kaimai mountain range but the raindrops on our roof told a different story. We crawled out of bed Saturday morning and debated what to do in the rain. The weather forecast showed that the Kaimai range was in clouds all day, but the west coast would get periods of sun, so we set off toward Raglan.

Stop 1: Bridal Veil Falls walk.

We reached the carpark shortly after the rain let up. There were a few Kiwi's and various tourist on the trail. Most of them were bundled up in their winter coats, hats and gloves.

The walk to the falls was very well maintained, and after only 20 minutes of walking we reached the top. The sun broke through just enough for us to see a rainbow that formed in the mist.

The path wound around to the bottom so we followed it down. Caught some great views midway and at the bottom.

After walking back to the car, we ate a brief lunch and headed in the direction of Te Toto Gorge. On the map, all the roads were marked out with the same road symbol, but Laura will tell you that they are not all equal. My adventurous spirit led our honda along a road around a montain, in hopes of seeing some good scenery.

In addition to some scenery we had to swerve around boulders in the road and drive slowly for fear that our car would break apart! Apparantly as you get away from the cities, all the roads are unpaved and rough. Laura captured this image of an escapee sheep that was on the road.

When we got to Te Toto Gorge, the wind amazed us. We wanted to hike down to the coastline, but one step against the wind made us change our minds. Te Toto gorge is along the coastline and it looks as if the whole area has just sunken into the ocean.

Stop #3- Raglan

We finally reached paved roads as we approached Raglan, but not before we forded a stream. The drive to Raglan from the Southwest takes you past some really beautiful coastline. If you google "the best left hand break in the world", many of the results will mention Raglan. Some surfers bobbed in the tide, waiting to catch the perfect wave, but our hunger drove us onward, toward town.

We finally reached Raglan and after a coffee, we took a walk along the beach. Laura also mentioned to find a playground to bring out her inner child. (not sure if the springy horsey had a weight limit, but i didn't test it)

On our way out of town, we grabbed some greasy fish and chips for dinner, but given that we had spent the day in the blowing cool weather, it was a feast.

We vowed to return when better weather returns, maybe with some visitors (did I mention it has the best left hand break in the world Brian?)

Winter in New Zealand

Greetings faithful blog followers...it really must be frustrating trying to follow our blog since updates come sparsly and sporadically. Laura tried to blog about our few hiking trips, but lost the connection...and the unfinished blog, got frustrated and hasn't attempted since.

So here I am picking up the pieces. This post will be the first of a three part series about three of our weekend adventures during winter in the Waikato.

Trip #1- Wairere falls.

Laura and I were excited to get out of the shack for our first real tramping experience. We loaded up the car with lunch, fuel and directions to Wairere falls and the Matamata hots springs (you lord of the rings followers would know this as Hobbiton). Jorg and Jackie reccomended staying off the beaten track and instead following the twisty, windey Scottsman Valley Road. The views on the way were stunning, but the journey had Laura wishing for Dramamine.

When we arrived at the base of the trail, the sign said "4 hours to the summit". We were eager to get to it after the car ride. The trail first led us up a boulder strewn fan, that jutted out from the mountains. We were surrounded by large smooth boulders, some of them nearly perfect spheres. The treck got more and more difficult as we ascended to the first view point of the falls.

As we climbed, the trek got increasingly steep and difficult. Along the way I pointed out some of New Zealand's common flora. There were several different species of Ferns, including a few varieties of tree ferns. Also a few Nikau palm trees. Because the weather pattern in the area blows the warm moist air up the mountains, the area gets huge amounts of rain so it supports a temporate rain forest. The climate changes vastly just over the summit where the air draws the moisture like a wick. I think the term is rain shadow.

Anyhow, the trail turned from steep to steeper, till Laura and I were using our hands nearly as much as our feet. We arrived at the viewpoint with muscles twitching and sweat pouring off of us. A great opportunity to breath in the cool moist air and enjoy the fantastic view of the falls.

After a few failed attmpts at a timed camera shot to get us both in, we finally got one that was adequate. The break was just enough for us to forget how tough the journey up was, and it only took a little persuasion for me to convince Laura to do the hour side trip to the falls summit. We may regret it later, but we didn't come this far just to turn back.

The trail from the view point to the summit was every bit as difficult as the journey up...possibly more, with constant handholds and switchbacks. On the way up, we caught a few glimpses of the vast grasslands of the Waikato. It streatched out below us like a giant green carpet.

The pastures bordered by fenses and a lazy river flowing through. No wonder that this area is one of the best places in the world for Ryegrass.

The path wound up and around till we didn't know if we were going toward the summit, or across the range. Soon we spotted the river. The path followed it and when we could distinguish the roar of the falls ahead Laura pumped her arms in true Rocky style.

The view from the top was amazing. The Dept. of Conservation had built a platform that stretched nearly to the edge of the falls so that we could get a good view of the water plumeting over the cliff, disapearing in a dull roar somewhere below, well out of our sight.

We enjoyed the strong breeze, and it quickly cooled us off. The view from the top was cut short when the sky let loose with a few warning drops. Laura and I decided that it was time for our decent. We clamboured back down the mountain...at a rate that could be described more of a controlled fall than a decent.

Back at the car, we dove into our lunches. We were both over ready for it. The lunch Laura had packed really hit the spot, even if it was a mite too healthy for my taste.

We drove back to Matamata and quickly found the hot pools that Jorg and Jackie had reccomended to us. We quickly figured out why they were "rarely packed". The hot pools were quite run down and sketchy, but alas it was too late. We had come too far not to try a dip. Despite the terrible condition they were in, the water was relaxing. Rain drove us, once again, back to the car.

On the way out of town we snapped a photo for all you lord of the rings fans. As we drove home, it felt good to be back in the shire.

A few musings from a new Kiwi. . .

Yes. . . Finally Laura has made her first post. It has been quite the whirlwind that brings me to the present: Jesse's homecoming, my graduation, our wedding, and the move to New Zealand. It was all great fun and a great adventure! I am glad to have it all behind us and to be able to finally settle down into some normalacy after months of planning for our wedding and Jesse being gone in New Zealand. I am really enjoying being married, and New Zealand thus far has been great. Jesse and I are still meeting people and getting adjusted to the culture. I have still have a hard time understanding some of their sayings or even following a conversation between two Kiwis. One of example is that people here call clothes' pins: pegs. In a conversation it sounds like they are saying pigs. Jesse and I were so confused, why were they hanging pigs on the line? We had to ask what they were saying. It is so interesting that even though we theoretically we both speak English; I really feel like we speak two different languages.

I am still getting used to the food here. Their dairy is a little different here which makes my breakfast eating habits to a different level. I am not used to the taste of their milk, cottage cheese, butter, ice cream, and cream cheese. Everything is a little a creamier and maybe a bit richer. It makes for a different aftertaste than what I am used to. It is not a bad thing just a little different. Sandwich meat here is more expensive especially turkey which is what I am used to eating. Turkey is just too expensive to buy, $20 US dollars per kilogram. Hence my bird food, as my family and friends lovingly call it, has taken on a different variety then in the States. Don’t worry I am still getting my daily intake of popcorn ;-).

I have been trying some of the food that is known to New Zealand. Wikipedia calls “certain items and icons from New Zealand's cultural heritage” kiwiana. There are some things that I have eaten and have that are kiwiana. The list includes chocolate fish, L&P, kiwifruit (both green and yellow), marmite (I thought it tasted terrible. I will take Nutella over marmite any day.) and ginger beer. I have eaten a Kiwiburger which is a hamburger but with a beetroot. Jesse owns a pair of gumboots. I have a pair of Paua earrings. If you want a more extensive list of kiwianas look at the website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwiana.

The New Zealand scenery is gorgeous. It is the middle of winter and everything is so green. I like the green all year round, but I am not sure that I like that it rains all the time. I can never get my laundry dry (we do not have a dryer so everything has to be lined dried). The other cool thing about all the rain is that everyone in New Zealand uses for their water. We get enough rainfall to supply all the water (the other reason is there is not many people here either). This flatlander is not used to getting to see mountains in the background of her backyard. I am also not used to the winding roads that go up and down hills/mountains, neither is my stomach. Why can’t people just have square miles like the smart people in Northwest Ohio?

Jesse and I have been on a few winter excursions. We will be sure to blog about them soon with a few pictures! Till next time. . . Cheers!

The journey across the pacific

It's long time that Laura and I take a short break from the honeymoon to bring an update to Agrizeal.

I've been trying to bring Laura in on the blogging so we've agreed that if I blog about the trip, she will make dinner! Plus as an added bonus, she will blog about our first weekend in NZ later.

So here's the story....

The sounds of a Favorite House Monday morning woke us up. We stretched, yawned and slowly willed ourselves out of bed, though we both wanted a few more hours. Time flew by as we finished the last little bit of packing. Before we knew it, Dan and Jo joined us from Wauseon to see us off. We had a scrumptious "last meal" at cap city diner, and topped it off with some strawberry shortcake dessert.

Laden down with four suitcases, a boxed up Wall-mount Grandfather Clock (assembled with love by the Bruners) and two carry on items each, we headed to the airport. We still weren't ready to say goodbye, so we all sat down for a final cup of coffee in the terminal.

Saying goodbye to the world that Laura and I had know was very difficult. Leaving all of our friends and family behind had taken it's toll on both of us in the days leading up to the departure. I'm not sure if we would've been able to manage without each other, and we certainly wouldn't have been able to without God. So after a hard goodbye, we walked through security.

When we went through security we had to get the clock weights out because the security lady "couldn't see through them" on the x-ray. After a brief consultation with her superior, they unwrapped one just to be sure, then sent us on our way. In the airport we ran into Adam Johns, flying to Uganda for a three week missions trip. We passed the time quickly talking with him even though our plan required a front tire change. We were only a little late getting into Phoenix. The desert heat was 107 and we felt it in the jet way. After a quick bite we boarded the flight to LAX and within an hour we landed.

LA airport is always a challenge and this time was no exception. The many terminals are laid out in a giant U shape, but with no secure pathways connecting them, so we were required to leave the terminal and pass back through security, again with the lengthy explanation about the clock weights. Also, nothing is clearly market and since Quantas is partners with American, we had to enter the American terminal, but were unsure that we were at the right one until we got to the gate. This lag of the trip had Laura and I initially sitting apart, but the gate agents put us in a row of three seats with the third one empty. You can imagine how relieved we were when we found out that we sitting together and that we could stretch out.

Once out of LA, it was smooth sailing. Neither of us slept soundly, but we slept nonetheless. We arrived in Auckland a few minutes earlier than expected and began the process of going through customs, and the agricultural and bio security check stations. Customs went well, then we got our bags and box. The ag agents were interested in the type of wood that the clock was made from, but they were more interested in the bag of lavender that Mom D. sent with us. After a few moments hesitation we assured them that they could keep the lavender, with the trade off being that we got through with no other problems!!!

Nicholas (our ride) was only a few minutes late, and the drive to Hamilton was a good one. Sunny and cool day helped show the best of New Zealand to Laura. The Love Shack met Laura's approval after a brief inspection!!! so we spent the day unpacking, and shopping for some necessities and groceries. That night we even could take the time to cook up a proper meal of spaghetti. After dinner, we wandered over to meet the landlords and deliver Jorg's new macbook smuggled from the cheaper consumer markets in the US. We were both surprised when they loaded us down with wedding gifts of a duvet cover set and also a few bedside stands!

After briefly talking with them we went back 'home'. The fleeting sleep we caught on the airplane wasn't enough to carry us through the days activities, so we crashed into bed for some much needed sleep.

Goodbye, Farewell & our address

Wanted to drop a quick goodbye to all. It's been a really wonderful few weeks and there are so, so many people that Laura and I would love to thank. After the whilwind subsides, we will catch up on the many other follow-up details.

We had a wonderful, brief honeymoon at the Belemere Suits in Perrysburg, the Lakehouse Inn in Geneva-on-the-lake, and the Burr House in Wauseon. We followed it up with some wonderful stays with the Bruners and the Dotterers.

Tomorrow we fly out of Columbus at 5:45pm to layover in Pheonix and L.A. then off to Auckland to arrive Wednesday morning.

But for tonight we are in Columbus with all of Laura's roomates, plus the new addition to Favorite House. We promised to post our address to several people so here it is:

Jesse & Laura Dotterer
86A Windmill Rd.
RD 3
Hamilton 3283, New Zealand

Love and Prayers to all our friends and family. Thank you all.

Also was able to add it to our sidebar so it will always be at the top and won't disapear down the page when this post does. I'm still learning.

Tomorrow!!

well folks....agrizeal has been the neglected product of an international move and a wedding, yet in the mist of the chaos, we have found a few spare moments to record a few of our thoughts.

I left New Zealand on the horizon only last friday, and so much has happened since then. The trip was excrucuating, but after a sleepless 23 hour trip, I arrived in Columbus and was literally jumped by Laura!!! We had been waiting for that moment for two months...which was two months too long.

Laura's graduation went well. The Dotterer and Bruner families joined us in Columbus for the afternoon. John Glen spoke about having a "why not" attitude, and was able to work in some good humor. Laura's name took up three lines in the program.

Laura Jo Bruner, Wauseon

Magna Cum Laude

with Honors Research Distinction

in Plant Health Management

Before leaving New Zealand, my co-workers saw me off with a "stag and doe do" instead of the traditinal "stag do" (bachelor party) they throw. Everyone in my work complex called it an early day and joined up in the tea room for snacks, beer and wine. I found it a little strange that I was drinking on the job only two months after starting. I think I'll fit in well.

This week has flown by. Laura and I spent a few days in Mansfield and now we are back in Wauseon taking care of last minute details. The Bruner's took me out for a round of golf yesterday. I think Grandpa Strayer got the worst team and he quickly found out how terrible I was at golf, but we managed to finish without throwing out our arms and we had a little fun too!

Well I gotta run Aaron to get his haircut so that's all for now. Thanks to everyone who has made this week a great week for Laura and I. We'll catch up with the blog when things settle down a little.