Heckel's Adventures

August 10th started the drive to meet up for our summer hiking adventure.  Larry and I stayed in Bozeman, MT, while Jen stayed in Glendive, MT, allowing us all to arrive in Red Lodge, MT, on August 11th within 5 minutes of each other.  This was better than when we have ever tried to coordinate a meetup, and we were perhaps more relaxed in our planning this year, sharing primarily our arrival date and packing list with one another prior to getting on the road.  We had thought  perhaps we would be able to shuttle the cars on the 11th, but deep down, I thought that may be a "pipe dream" and not a reality.  However, it did become a reality. One challenging variable about the car shuttle, is that it requires traveling the Beartooth Highway.  It is gorgeous!   The only other time I had been on this road following Kevin and Chelle Buffington's wedding in Anaconda, MT, many years ago.  My mom had thought that would be the fastest route from Billings, MT...

First day in New Zealand, Saturday April 7 I arrived to Queenstown Saturday   at 9 AM  after a long duration of travel that had begun Thursday at 5:30 PM in Boise, Idaho.  Due to crossing the international date line, Friday just didn't happen.   I caught the bus to Queenstown for $10 to the center of town. I had approximately a four block walk to Southern Laughter Backpacker Hostel, where I was able to store my bags in their locked room and request an early check in.  Shoreline of Queenstown I then proceeded to town to explore.  I had a fabulous brunch on the beachfront at  The BathHouse , an eggs Benedict Florentine. Very tasty.  Fairly expensive, a trend that I would later realize on this trip. I explored some more, especially now with some strong coffee, a Café Americano, in my system waking me and helping with acclimation to the 18 hour time change.   I returned to the hostel after locating some souvenirs f...