Thursday, January 2nd started with a bus ride to Mt. Peel Station. Along the way we made a stop along the Rakaia Gorge to view the Rangitata River which is a braided river similiar to the North Platte but much, much bigger. It was yet another gorgeous view with the mountains in the background and water that is typically a turquoise color, but at this time was kind of a cloudy gray from the glacier melt and rain. The wind along the river was strong. All day it felt like a tornado the winds were so strong.
Next, we headed onto a sheep farm back in the high, hill country along the river. The Redcliffs family was very accomodating and Willy gave a nice tour converting everything into American language (km to miles, hectares to acres, etc.). It was sprinkling on and off most of the day. As we were winding around the mountain we went from asphalt to gravel and I noticed a "road closed" sign and began to question were we were going. All of a sudden we approach a creek that was running through the road making it impassable at the time being. So we all got out and ventured around. Tasted the pure glacier water and waited for Willy to show up with the tractor to make a temporary bridge. I guess that this is a typically occurance at the beginning of the summer when the glaciers are melting, they carve their own creeks on down the side of the mountain making it difficult for farmers to pass over.
Once we finally got to Redcliffs they showed us their shearing shed which is where 40% of their income is produced through the shearing of wool from ther Merion sheep. It was abnormally clean because one of their 4 daughters is getting married and having the reception in the shearing shed on January 10th!
As much as I enjoy taking photos of the landscape and flowers, I have been getting quite antsy to photography the livestock. I finally was on the ground and able to be in a short walking distance of some sheep to snap some photos instead of through the window while the bus is moving. Katie has been taking picutres of me taking pictures because I supposedly look odd trying to get good angles.
Moving onto our next stop in Methven to eat our sack lunches and grab any supplies we were going to need for the overnight stay at the lodge on Mt. Peel. At the store I found Tim Tams which are a delicious cookie that Kelsey introduced me to back in Nebraska. She experienced these while traveling to Australia in high school. They are so good when you bit off opposite corners, stick it in some milk and suck through one corner like a straw and it soaks the inside and makes it just melt in your mouth. I shared with several people and they were quite amazed at how good they tasted so thank you Kelsey for introducing me to Tim Tams!
We continued up and around the mountains to finally arrive at Mt. Peel station for a visit with John Acland at the Holy Innocents church. His family was one of the first settlers to arrive in New Zealand during the 1850's from Europe. Now, the 6th generation is running the land and continues to operate the church as more of a historical venue but do host weddings, baptisms, and one service the Sunday following Christmas. It was quite interesting hearing about the history of the Mt. Peel area and how the Acland family made its riches by selling Ritchie Ear Tags in New Zealand. The same family operates the Rangitata River Raft were we stayed the evening and went rafting the following morning.
The lodge was up the mountain a little further and dorm style again. I stayed in a room that was 3x3; 3 bunkbeds, 3 beds high. I slept on the very top. Reminded me of MN State Fair dorms! That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner of brats, fried potatoes, salad (they don't believe in dressing), and later had some pavlova for dessert. Everyone kind of broke up and did their own things between hiking up the giant hill, playing Nerts, drinking and telling stories it was a fun evening.
DAY 6
Woke up at 6:20 a.m. and ate some corn flakes with some hot tea. It was the morning to white water raft! We were already broken the news the evening before that we would not be rafting the gorge because the water was too high, too fast that there would be a high chance of someone drowning. Instead we got to raft their backup creek. Since it is glacier water, it was going to be a bit chilly so that meant wet suits! As we all squirmed and jumped our way into our skin tight wet suits with a windbreaker jacket, life jacket, and helmet, we were ready to hit the water.
We get on the bus with the rafts and attempt to cross the small creek, but got stuck. It was quite the process to get unstuck but after about 15 minutes the rafters finally called for all of the strong, corn fed Nebraska boys to help push the bus out and away we went!
I love rafting, this was my fourth time rafting. The raft guides are always such a good time and have fun stories to tell. The creek was only going to be about at 2 compared to a 5 on the gorge so it was more of a relaxing float than actual white waters. It was still a lot of fun jumping in to swim, splashing other rafts, and on this trip we all actually stopped at a little beachy area and played some games on shore. First, was the paddle game which was similar to musical chairs. Next, was the human knot in our raft teams which mine included Katie, Kinsey, LaNae, Grant, Jared, and Logan. Lastly, was a little game of cat and mouse. Then, it was time to hit the water again.
One of the rafts did end up flipping because it had two currents from both sides coming in that sucked them down as they were all leaning one direction and over they went! No one got hurt, they actually kind of enjoyed it. A few paddles were lost to the river though!
We got back to the lodge to shower, have lunch, and then head back to LU. We stopped for ice cream on the way back. I had butterscotch peacan and gumdrop! Delicious.
Once back at LU I got on Skype, ate dinner, took a short nap, and will probably be going to the Famous Grouse with the crew tonight!
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