Routeburn Track

Thursday, February 24, 2000:  Routeburn Track

We crossed the street to The Stable for another big breakfast.  Same faire.  Same portions.  Again, Gordon sat down to speak with Doug and again I polished off the offerings.  Doug got a kick out of hearing Gordon say to Isabel in the kitchen, “That little girl can eat a lot!  She ate nearly all the food!”

Today’s agenda included a day hike on the Routeburn Track, another recommendation from our mutual friends who recommended the Milford Sound.  Having done the Tongariro Crossing, what could be harder?

We came upon a suspension bridge:  Um, is this the only way across?  Yes.  Just put one foot in front of the other and don’t look down.  Hold onto the rope suspension so you don’t fall from the swaying.  Go with the bouncing, it’s easier that way.  Dang.  Such a good feeling when you get to the other side on solid ground.  Doug praised me for braving my first suspension bridge.  Okay, you live another day….

The trail was easier than Tongariro’s and a lot more like the trails I’m used to hiking back home.  We hiked almost to “The Saddle”.  It was getting too misty to see our trail, so we headed back out.  It was a long day.  Six hours on the track.

Since we were going to be on the boat for two days, we dropped off the car at National car rental, arranging to pick up another car in two days.

We walked around town, stopping to have dinner at Roaring Meg’s.  I ordered the veal shank, having never tried it before.  Absolutely delicious.

We strolled back to Number Twelve.