From Grads to Nomads

Today we took a drive out to Whakawamerawa (or something like that) Forest Park to take a walk through giant Californian Redwoods. We spent an hour in the shade of the giant trees (and finally brought the beloved garden knome who has been traveling with us since Calgary along for the adventure). The trees are just massive and made for a very pretty walk throughout the forest. At the visitors center, I learned that the trees were just brought here 100 years ago, but the New Zealand climate, and thermal soil in these parts really helps the growth, so the trees are as large as though they had been growing for 200 years.

We had been planning on going to the hot springs again today but it seems summer has finally kicked in here and it is much too hot to be going to sit in 40 degree water!!! I think we are going to go this evening after dinner, and wait for it to cool down out here. It is a pleasant change for summer to finally arrive here. Lastly, for those wondering about the previous post's picture, it is of Jason and Rob fighting and wrestling, as the guys have been giving out some rounds of "pink bellies" lately.