I didn't journal last night. I was too busy enjoying "the money spot." We found this amazing place to park the van for the night, alongside a blue green, rushing river named the Cluthe River, right off the 8A outside of Luggate. This place had the prettiest red bridge I have seen in New Zealand. Set that afront the vivid blue sky of late, the orange autumn trees, the golden blanket of leaves on the ground, blue-green water, a variety of local birds, and thick early morning fog...and you have arrived at "the money spot" (which is a touch misleading since we didn't have to pay a dime to stay there :). I must have spent 2 hours last night by the river, just sitting, drinking my last 2 beers, taking in the entire length of the sunset, and every lumen it had to offer.
Yesterday was quite an excellent day. The morning hike, the Sawyer Burns, was the medication Jude had been seeking to relieve the stuffy symptoms. He said he could have spent all day up there, overlooking Lake Hawea. Luckily, we didn't, or we would have missed the beautiful water at the "Blue Pools" north of Wanaka.
The title of the place was somewhat misleading, as it was definitely more of a river or stream than a pool. Of course, the title made no difference to the sandflies, whose equation is simply "Water + Low Altitude + Tourists = Happiness." I almost wonder if the sandflies were put here on purpose as a means of tourist control - ensuring that no individual or group would overstay their welcome. Those little buggers really keep you moving :).
The sights at the Blue Pools completely made up for the color we missed at Hokitika Gorge - it's what I imagine the Gorge was supposed to look like, had we not just experienced prolonged rainfall prior to our arrival, which had muddied up the water, similar to the appearance of the glacial runoff.
I also found time for my 3rd shower since we've been in the van - just as pleasant as each before. The older man at the etablishment laughed at the sight of my pure satisfaction after using their well-above-average facilities.
Morning at the money spot brought loads of fog. For a while, we figured it was just going to be an overcast day. But as the van reached 5-10k outside the location, we could clearly see the wall of fog that developed across the entire length of the river. I was really neat looking - contrast to the bright, clear & sunny day around it.
Refueling now. The mail man/woman just pedaled by on a motored bicycle, with a red milk crate attached to the rear, filled 3/4 of the way with envelopes and small packages. I imagine my emergency money from the bank might have been delivered by such transportation.
To a wonderful final day in the beautiful countryside...
Cheers,
Ryan
