I somehow got this free: A Dealer Dead Ahead (Law & Carter Cozy Mysteries Book 1). I read it to the end but didn’t care for it a whole lot. It just wasn’t very good, in any way. I might read another if it were free. Maybe this author gets better as she goes along? 📚
My Tongariro National Park visit — summary
Last weekend I visited Tongariro National Park to do some short walks. The winter weather was very obliging and I had a wonderful time. My favourite was the Silica Rapids Walk, even though it was a bit misty / drizzly from time to time. If I could only do one walk in that area it would be that one.
I stayed at Riversong Retreat in Horopito. It was very comfortable and the hosts were friendly, helpful and relaxed.
One thing: it’s winter and maybe that makes a difference, but I was hoping to see and maybe take photos of lots of birds. I saw and heard very few birds. Most of the walks were silent. On the other hand, I saw quite a few and diverse fungi.
Saturday 02 July 2022
- Lake Rotokura walk near Ohakune — 4.14 Km
Sunday 03 July 2022
Silica Rapids Track — 6.8 Km (started at the bottom, went to the rapids and returned, rather than walking the loop)
Tawhai Falls Track — 1.0 Km
Mounds Walk — 0.38 Km return
Monday 04 July 2022
- Taranaki Falls — 6 Km
- Ridge Track — 1.4 Km
Tuesday 05 July 2022
- Mangawhero Forest Walk and Rimu Walk near Ohakune — 4.36 Km total
Took me a while to get to this, but then I really enjoyed The Murderer’s Son (Jackman & Evans Book 1) by Joy Ellis. Of course. Ellis is an excellent writer: 📚
a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder.
These fungi on the Mangawhero Forest Walk at Ohakune were very white.
I rounded a corner on a trail and saw a dark lump on this branch. Then I realised it had a short tail. Then I saw the eyes and pointed beak that told me it was a Ruru. I took a sec to get my phone out and it left silently. (Photo re-uploaded)
It only takes 3 and a half hours to drive home, and that includes a detour to a track. I should visit this area more often: stunning scenery, amazing short (and long) walks.
One of my favourite photos from today’s Taranaki Falls track — steps just beyond the Falls.
From the road to Whakapapa — look leftish and there’s Ngauruhoe; look rightish and there’s Ruapehu.
That was me, though at ~1200 metres, not the tippy-top: MetService:
To anyone standing on top of Mt. Ruapehu right now, there is not a single cloud within approximately 125km of you… in any direction.
Well that was a … relief. Things aren’t always so … convenient at 1200 meters altitude.
Today’s plan is to drive to Whakapapa again, walk to Taranaki Falls — 6 Km loop, then Ridge Track — 1.4 Km return. Still thinking of yesterday’s wonderful Silica Rapids walk. Here are two different blue fungi from that track.
Useful words:
Accept that the present moment is rarely unbearable. …
Accept that the past is gone and isn’t coming back. …
Accept that the future hasn’t arrived and will always remain uncertain. …
Caution road sign: Kiwi crossing at night. With Mt Ruapehu in the background.
Silica Rapids walk could be named Fungus walk. I came across black, brown, white, blue, chestnut and even gold coloured fungi. These were pretty special!
Silica Rapids on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. It was a fabulous walk through varied mountain landscapes.
My plan for today is to visit the Silica Rapids Walk and Punaruku Falls near Whakapapa Village. I won’t walk the loop, just there and back. Checking weather, roads etc as I don’t ‘do’ snow. A lot of visitors to that part of the country are there for skiing.
Mount Ruapehu appears across Lake Rotokura. I had a lovely 75 minute walk there but saw only a very few birds.
As I neared Waiouru snow-covered Mt Ruapehu made an appearance.
Today’s destination: Tongariro National Park:
Home to three active volcanic mountains, and iconic and majestic landscapes, Tongariro National Park has attracted adventurers of all ages since 1887.
On the plus side: I did manage about 5-6 hours sleep and only one of Sasha’s 3 poops in the middle of the night was indoors. [yawn] Turns out we need to be alert to the slightest hint she needs to go out. Old dog problems… 🐶