Valentine's Day (2-14-08)

Valentine’s Day: 5:30am… rain is beating on the roof, it was down-pouring and time to set off for the Franz Josef Glacier. Everyone rolled out of bed, loaded up the trailer and piled in the short bus traipsing in the rain; some in the clothes they slept in, some with teeth brushed (some without), some still asleep, and many of the crew sick. There was a two hour drive ahead of us and poor Matt had to stay awake. For those of you who like to look at maps, Hokitika to South Westland.

We arrive at the check in point for Franz Josef in no time (sleeping the whole way really helps). And, it was still down-pouring!! By the way, glacier tours are rain or shine. After finding a place to park and running to the check-in through the sheets of rain, we were all there. Everyone got geared up in the Gore-tex that was supplied (thank god) and we were on the bus ready to go up to Franz Josef.

Pictures are lacking due to the down pour but we hiked up through the rain forest to the glacier. It was fascinating! Rain forest with hundreds of waterfalls beside a massive chunk of ice!! We were more than soaked but super excited. Finally, we got to the ice, put on our crampons and started up. We had some great guides: Johnny, Lucas, Carlos. We were split in groups but all had a great time. Finally on the way back down the ice, the sun started to peak through. Of course, after we are off the ice, we can take pictures. Oh well!

A picture on the glacier.During the time on the ice and in the rain, Maggie was a genius in finding out that Johnny was from Delaware. Not only close from home, but he majored in horticulture at University of Delaware. Now, lets talk about SMALL WORLD!!! After returning to the main place and gear was off, we all continued to talk to Johnny. Matt invited him to lunch and before we knew it, there was a jam session (thanks to the talented Ben Wenk and Johnny’s guitars) in the sunny parking lot!! The sun came out for the amazing lunch break and soon started to rain after we loaded up and said good bye to Johnny. Johnny is excited about coming to visit Gettysburg for the Bluegrass Festival and hanging out with YGA. He is even interested in coming to work in wonderful Adams County. Johnny grew up on a potato farm and you never know, he could end up working on Potato Road.

The day ended after a lot more drying… I mean driving. We drove into the high country, by lake Wanaka, and into the Southern Alps.

Snow capped Southern Alps

We stayed in Albert Town for the night, had homemade potato soup (thanks to Mary and Liz), and crashed thereafter. That night it rained but snowed on the mountaintops.

Absolutely gorgeous.


Abby Lott