Having way to much fun!!!

Hey Everyone!

Dad got home safe and sound and Clay arrived without any problems. We have been having the best time.

We spent Clay's first day here enjoying Christchurch, getting his bike put back together, buying some Icebreaker Merino Wool (great sales over here) and planning our next two weeks of cycling.

We left bright and early the next morning (Friday) by bus to Cromwell, which is in the center of NZ in the high country. We started our biking adventure with an atomic tail wind and pouring rain, but we were so stoked to be together and on biked that we had a blast riding in nature's elements. We rode to the town of Clyde where we started the Otago Rail Trail. A 100 + mile rail to trail ride that took us through old mining towns and some beautiful scenery. Fall is peaking over here and the colors are spectaular. Our first night was spent at the Chatto Creek Tavern, where we enjoyed ourselves with the locals (including a pet pig) until late... (the tavern was our night's lodging as well)... Details to come on this gem of a place!

Saturday was an all day ride on the trail. We went through tunnels, across aqueducts, and enjoyed many a vista as we made our trek to the little town of Wainaka (sp?) where we bedded down at an adorable homestay that offered us their caravan for the night... Once again, more stories to come on this adventure! I fell in love with a goat, a dog, sheep, peony gardens and more...

Sunday we rode aggressively on some tough rocky terrain in order to meet our train (an old vintage stream train) that took us to the historic, college town of Dunedin. It was a thrilling ride and Clay and I had so much fun riding in tandem on the railtrail.

Monday afternoon we bused to Te Anau to enjoy the fjorlands of the south island.

Today we spent the day on a boat, cruising the fjords of Doubtful Sound. It blows our mind that glaciers created this amazing place!

Tomorrow we bike south....

Happy Trails!