Sad News.....

Although Kirby and Hoover made their 18+ hour trip in the kennel ok, they are having a difficult time adjusting to being in quarantine. After our 3rd visit they cried and cried when we left. They were so upset they wouldn't even eat special doggie treats. The owner thought it would be best if we did not come back to visit ~ AT ALL!! Devastating news for both the dogs and me. I'm marking off the days on my calendar with big red Xs. December 6 seems so far away...

Hunua Falls

Very accessible waterfall in the Hunua Ranges. No hiking (oh, sorry, tracking) required. The river looked like it would be perfect for kayaking...

Wairoa Dam and Reservoir

Almost the end of the Suspension Bridge Hike. This dam is much bigger than it appears here and is covered with a thick carpet of emerald green grass. (Those little green bushes near the Y in the road are full grown, large trees.) You can't see the sheep but they were keeping the grass trimmed quite nicely.

Steps to infinity on the Suspension Bridge Loop.

There are 83 steps here ~ didn't think we'd ever find the end of them. Very beautiful hike although we didn't see much sky. The trail is through very dense, rain forest-like flora.

The bridge on the Suspension Bridge Loop in an area called Hunua Ranges east of Auckland ~ this is by far the flatest part of the loop. The rest of the trail was straight up or straight down ~ what a work-out!!

Mt William Walkway

Our first hike (oh, one "tracks" here, one does not hike.) This is right through the cow pasture, up the hill to Mt. William Walkway. It had been raining so much that we had to abort the hike due to the very soggy, slippery, muddy trail. For farm land this is amazingly steep country. One could ski these hills if they had snow!

The welcoming Cowmmittee for our first hike. We actually went over the stile, into the pasture and up the hill. Friendly little beasties.

Heathfield Farms B & B

This is the B&B we stayed in the first several days. The spot for the house is carved out of the side of the hill! The palms trees in the lower left of the photo are full-sized palms. It is approximately 8 stories from our room (2nd floor, right side of the house) to the stream below the palm trees. This area, south of Auckland called Bombay, is farm land but it is very steep hills.

Arrival 12+ hours later.

Off we go.....