Adventures in New Zealand - Thursday, 05/Dec/2019 - Hiking Moke Lake Loop

Hike: Moke Lake Loop, Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand; Thursday, 12/05/2019, 11:10-12:50 local time.
Distance: 3.9 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation changes
Conditions: Perfect weather! Azure blue sky.  Light breeze.  Trails in excellent  shape.  Department of Conservation even has boardwalks constructed in some of the boggy areas.  Lake was high due to recent heavy rains.  Necessitated a small ford of the upper end of the lake.  Water was a few inches over the trail surface.

Thoughts/Observations:

This area was away from the crowds.  We had this area largely to ourselves, unless you count the many sheep that grazed the hills and valleys!

Majestic views of the area mountains were had from every rise in the trail (both in front and behind you).

Gortex hikers proved beneficial as we had to ford the upper end of the lake -- was just shy of ankle deep.

This may have been the most peaceful hike of the trip!

Adventures in New Zealand - Wednesday, 04/Dec/2019 - Milford Sound (South Island)

Adventure: Nature Cruise in Milford Sound, South Island, NZ  15:15-17:00 local time
Distance: 17.2 miles (round trip from dock to Tasman Sea and return)
Rating: 5.1/5.0
Difficulty:  Surprisingly difficult due to gale force wind gusts.  Cruise was originally scheduled for 13:00hrs but was cancelled due to 100knt wind gusts!!!  That's hurricane force...
Conditions: Cloudy.  Heavy wind gusts with rain squalls.  Sound & sea was choppy except in protected areas.  Very cool, about 10degC.

Thoughts/Observations:

Another great adventure in New Zealand!  Cruised on Pride of Milford, a catamaran-hulled tour ship.  I took most of my pictures from the shelter of the superstructure on the second deck.  Rob & Diane weathered the whole cruise on the top deck, completely exposed to the elements!  I joined them for the return trip.

Close up observations of too-many-waterfalls-to-count!  Penguin and fur seal were in attendance.

As in the previous areas, this spot was like some prehistoric vista!

Took almost three hours to make the curvy mountain road trip here from Queenstown (even though it is only about 50 miles in a straight line distant).  Experienced sleet and snow in the pass before we descended down through the mountain tunnel to Milford Sound.

Met a small Kea (upland parrot) just before entering the tunnel.  He hopped right up to the car to check us out!

Last Hike of 2019 - Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends - Tuesday, 12/31/2019

Hike: Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends, near Wetumpka, AL; Tuesday, 12/31/2019, 10:00-12:00CST
Distance: 4.5 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Beautiful blue, clear skies.  Cool temps.  Light breeze.  Trails wet but not too muddy.  No significant blowdowns encountered.  A couple of mountain bikers, and two different groups of hikers encountered.

Thoughts/Observations:

We stared the morning with intense frisbee play at Overlook for about 30 minutes.  By the time we got to Swayback Gracie was ready for the trail.  She hiked the 4.5 miles without any issues - her right rear leg seems fine.  We did not play frisbee during the hike since there did not seem to be a good place with sufficient clear space. 

Gracie barked at a couple of other dogs we met during the last mile of the hike.  No significant issues with the encounter.  I am trying to "socialize" Gracie more to other dogs.  It is a work in progress!

Enjoyed meeting an otter during the first mile or so of the hike.  He was not particularly pleased to have us disturb his nap.  He "fussed at us" from off-shore as we hiked by.  Gracie looked at him but did not seem too interested in the little fellow.

Another enjoyable hike -- one to feed the spirit and energize the body.  Gracie is a wonderful trail companion!  Nice hike to end 2019 trail-time.

Hiking & Frisbee Mountain Creek - Saturday, 12/28/2019

Hike: Mountain Creek, AL; Saturday, 12/28/2019 10:00-11:30CST
Distance: 3.6 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Partly cloudy.  Light breeze.  Cool temps.  Trails wet from recent rains but not too muddy.  No significant blowdowns encountered.

Thoughts/Observations:

No one else encountered during our hike.  Played frisbee in Pine Upland area (part of horse trails).  Took it a little easy to make sure Gracie had no pain or problems with her right rear leg.  (She did not thank YOU, LORD!)

Encountered a large whitetail deer near the main trail on north side of park (near hickory trees).  I do not believe Gracie saw the deer (she heard and probably smelled it) - she did not give chase.

A great morning to soothe the spirit and exercise the body!  Gracie was excellent company, as always!

Mountain Creek Hiking/Frisbee - 14/Dec/2019

Hike: Mountain Creek Nature Trail and Pine Upland Area, Saturday, 11:00-13:00CST, 12/14/2019
Distance: 3.9 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0
Difficulty: Easy (suitable for families and dogs)
Conditions: Partly cloudy. Breezy. Cool.  Trails wet from recent rains.  No blowdowns or mud holes.

Thoughts/Observations:

Not New Zealand but a fun and thought-provoking hike nonetheless.  Gracie certainly enjoyed the time with me and the opportunity to play frisbee in one of her favorite spots.  I always love spending time with "my girl".  She always amazes me.

On the way out Gracie decided she would jump in to the water flowing out from the spring-fed water reservoir!  She was up to her shoulders but didn't seem to mind.  After drinking a little water she crawled up the slippery bank and resumed the hike.  I couldn't help but laugh a little - to which I got the "what?" look.

I actually exercised Gracie enough for her to sleep with her head on the console between our seats on the return trip home.  Of course, she was sufficiently rested to grab her blue frisbee when we got home for more play time!  The girl will not do... :)

Adventures in New Zealand - Waiau Kauri Grove - 02-Dec-2019

Hike: Waiau Kauri Grove, Coromandel Penisula, North Island, New Zealand, 02-Dec-2019 17:30-18:00NZ time
Distance: 1 mile  Rating: 5.2/5.0
Conditions:  Humid, trails wet but in great shape.  Department of Conservation has installed disinfection stations to clean boots before entry and when departing the trail head in an effort to prevent the introduction of Kauri die-back disease (fungus). 

Thoughts/Observations:

My heart is always in the forest and these forest giants touched me deeply.  They remind me of the Giant Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada.  The Kauri can live up to 4,000 years (assuming the die-back fungus does not strike them first).  Hiking under the canopy of these gentle giants was a spiritual experience.  I literally was speechless.

This was our shortest hike in distance, but deepest, most heart-felt for me.

I pray that GOD will preserve these forest giants from this latest, introduced danger.

Adventures in New Zealand - Cathedral Cove - 02-Dec-2019

Hike: Cathedral Cove and Stingray Cove, Coromandel Penisula, New Zealand; 02-Dec-2019, 10:45-13:30NZ Time
Distance: 3.6 miles  Rating: 5.1/5.0
Conditions: 71degF; moderate wind; ocean was a little rough; trails well marked and sealed for the most part.

Thoughts/Observations:

This was Diane's favorite spot next to Hobbiton!  Actually saw a few stingrays at Stingray Cove.  Cathedral Cove was straight out of Narnia!

Wonderful experience.  What a wondrous place.

Adventures in New Zealand - Rotorua North Island, New Zealand - 01-Dec-2019

Hike: Redwood Tree Walk, Mokopuna Trail, North Island, New Zealand
Distance: 3.5 miles total     Rating: 5.1/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Partly cloudy.  Light breeze.  Trails wet.  68degF.  Trail signage could have been better on Mokopuna Trail.

Thoughts/Observations:

This has been a dream of mine for many years!  It was such an exciting, humbling, and wondrous experience.  The redwoods actually came from California - the giant coastal redwoods.  Trail was made of suspension bridges and platforms anchored in the treetops!  The forest floor was filled with huge tree-ferns giving the appearance of a prehistoric land.  At any moment, one would expect to see Trex.

Mokopuna Trail was one of many trails through the Forest Park and carried us through the redwoods and giant tree ferns.  Trails were well maintained though signage could have been better.  No wildlife observed during the hike.

Hiked with Diane and Robert.

Gulf Shores Beach Hike -- 20190718 Day 03

Hike: Gulf Shores Beach from Sugar Beach to State Park Pier and Return 07:30-09:15CDT
Distance: 4.0 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Hot/humid.  Wind calm.  Light beach action.  Beach in good shape.  Beaches not yet crowded at this time of morning.
Thoughts/Observations:
Observed mother dolphin and calf fishing near shore.  Plethora of sea birds busy about their morning activities.  Noticed one gull was missing left foot (first thought was that a shark had taken it!).  Thank YOU, LORD, for this wonderful morning and place.

Ramblr link for hike!

Lake Shelby Hike Gulf SP 20190717 Day 02

Hike: Lake Shelby area  Gulf State Park  07:00-09:00CDT 07/17/2019
Distance: 4.6 miles   Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Hot/humid.  Light breeze.  Trails in good shape.  Not too crowded.
Thoughts/Observations:
Observed cottontail rabbit on Bobcat Branch Trail - would have been lunch-to-go had a bobcat been nearby!  Cattails in abundance.  Tall okra-like plant with gorgeous pink blooms line the lake shore and canals behind the cattails.  Eagle nest stands strikingly by the Canal Trail.

Link for Ramblr post on this hike.

Orange Beach Night Walk - 20190716

Hike: Beach near Sugar Beach Condos
Distance: 1.3 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy  Conditions: Low tide.  Humid.  Nice breeze. 
Thoughts/Observations:
Gorgeous display by the full moon, Saturn, and Jupiter.  Quite a few families out beach-combing with flashlights.  Small children enthusiastically chasing small crabs.  Full moon highlighting the waves of the Gulf of Mexico are mesmerizing.

Link to Ramblr page for this hike.

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Gulf State Park - 2019 Day 01

Hike: Catman Trail to Little Lake and return via Rattlesnake Ridge
Distance: 4.8 miles   Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy   Conditions: Humid and hot.  Clear skies.  Light breeze.  Trails in good shape.
Thoughts/Observations:
Day One of Summer 2019 vacation.  Enjoying the wide, paved trails of Gulf State Park.  Observed many birds, dragonflies, and one 3' alligator sunning himself at Little Lake.

Max Speed: 3.1 mph
Avg Speed:  2.5 mph
Time on Trail: 1hr 53min

Link to Ramblr post of hike.