Franz Joseph Glacier, NZ, 2/11/17

An afternoon stroll to Franz Joseph Glacier. 

 View from afar as it is no longer possible to walk all the way up to the Glacier.  It is retreating so fast that shifting and melting ice makes for dangerous conditions.

Best zoom picture I could muster. 

Okarito Lagoon kayaking, NZ, 2/11/17

 Kayak outing on Okarito lagoon. Southern Alps in the background. 

We paddled about three hours, following a marked trail into narrower areas.  First half was easy and fun as we looked for birds and saw a couple of white herons;  return was hard work as the tide had turned! 

New Zealanders are proactive about protecting their environment.  Insect repellent was provided - no DEET allowed!   It was our first encounter with the dreaded sand flies.

Paparoa Nationa Park, NZ, 2/10/17

Jurassic Park day ... a walk through a prehistoric rain forest.  The contrast with what we are used to in our temperate forests was stunning! 

Needless to say, taking pictures in this overgrown, lush and dark forest was a challenge.

Weaving Waters hike, South Island, NZ, 2/9/17

First day of our REI hiking and kayaking 11-day tour, traveling across the South Island from the east to the west coast.  Above, one of our guides, Merisha, our comfortable minivan.

Short hike en route, a visit to Weaving Waters.  The long threads of falling white water resemble the threads of the native Mountain Flax that the Maori used to weave clothing, baskets and mats.

I was delighted to see REI embrace no waste values: a picnic lunch with real plates, glasses and cutlery!  Food from nowhere you think? The guides brought it: there was a small fridge in the minivan. 

Of course, afterwards, we had to to the dishes :)

Eliis Trail to Upper Tram Snowshoe Hike, Sandia Mountains, NM, 12/28/16

NM Mountain Club Wednesday hike: ~ 20 of us snowshoed from Ellis trail head onto Rocky Point Trail and zigzagged on and off the trail on powdery snow to Upper Tram.  

 Trudged over and under logs and low brush.

For those of you who have lived in Albuquerque for some time, do you recognize the High Finance Restaurant at the Upper Tram?  We found it gutted, apparently to make way for a new fancy establishment that will bring in plenty of tourists.

  

Setting off again after lunch from the ski area.  This time we made our way north of Ellis trail and stopped to admire the eastern views (See picture above.)

Eye of the Sandias, Sandia Mountains, NM, 12/21/16

 Wednesday NM Mountain Club hike to the Eye of the Sandias. 

Twenty-five hikers joined this ~6-mile trek.

 The hike for views!
Started by heading north-east from the Copper trail head to the end of the Mano trail.

 Plenty of scrambling in this hike: Time for a rest and a  snack...

 Crossed over pass at the end of Mano trail. Looking south to the Manzano mountains.

Happy to discover that someone painted a new Eye of the Sandias where the old (and bigger) eye   had been painted over a few years back. Can any one guess what the tears are about? 

A different kind of trip, San Isidro Lodge, Mexico, 11/24/16

Rocks heating in preparation for our sweat lodge experience. The lodge is called a "temacal" and is completely closed off and pitch dark during the ceremony, creating a womb-like environment.  Water is sprinkled over the red-hot rocks.  Three times, fresh red-hot rocks were added to the pile in the middle of the lodge, creating more intense steam and heat each time. It was my first experience with this native American cleansing practice, and it became the highlight of my trip.

Herbs grown at the lodge ready to be used during the ceremony.