Friday, July 10, 2009

A Morning at the Lake

John Muir admitted in his journals that "[he] shouted and gesticulated in a wild burst of ecstasy..."

It was kind of like that:

Up for the sunrise...














but someone beat me to it...














A tree to dance beneath... (need my wife around for that one)




















The boats beckon...















A Pileated moment...

5 comments:

  1. Kia ora Larry,
    Very nice, you have a great spot there! To answer your enquiry about bears in NZ, we have none. There are really no predatory large animals or snakes here at all, due to our geographic isolation when originally seperating from Gondwonoland - not sure about the spelling there. When the colonial British had finished stealing all the land from the Maori indiginous people they decided to bring in deer. Which took to the mountains and bush like ducks to water and bred prodigously, no natural predators to worry them, creating huge herds causing huge erosion and forest damage. This led to creation of the deer cullers,or men sent into the hills to simply wipe out the deer, a never ending job. What was left behind was a system of huts and tracks unequaled in the world really in such mountainous and remote terrain.
    Ah Muir! I am getting gear ready for a winter excursion into the mountains and have Travels in Alaska ready to go. A great book in front of the fire and no place to go.
    Cheers mate,
    Robb

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  2. Another early riser! Morning sunrise is the best time. Now if I only had a lake hereabouts. Would you believe I live in the only county in The Land Of Ten Thousand Lakes without a single lake. Ugh.

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  3. Robb,

    Great story! I love the history. It sounds as though it is the humans in NZ who are at the top of the food chain. Here, we only pretend to be.

    I'm fascinated by the land you describe. I am assuming that one need carry a tent as backcountry huts are ready and waiting. Sounds terrific.

    I was only at the cabin one night. Even though it was about 2.5 hours out of the way, I spent the night lakeside on the way to see The Jayhawks in Minneapolis. I have not been to the TC's in over 15 years. It was fun to go back. The Jayhawks were solid (their first show back together as a complete unit).

    I have there opening song "Wichita" on video. Problem, it is not downloading to either iPhoto or iMovie. If I figure it out I will try to send in to you.

    Take care my friend. I am looking forward to hearing about yout winter travels.

    Larry

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  4. TB.

    I have a great video of the Pileated Woodpecker that I am hoping to post within the next couple of days.

    There is only one way to describe it: I am technologically challenged. I usually figure it out but it takes awhile.

    Take care:)

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  5. Kia ora Larry,
    In summer I always carry a tent, due to both the heightened probability of seeing other people, and also the very real possibility of deciding to camp in some lovely spot. Though in the Ruahines, even at the height of summer it is relatively rare to bump into others. In winter, this upcoming trip, I will carry a two man bivvy sack for emergency shelter, as the chances of the huts being occupied are virtually nil. I have traveled in winter to huts which have seen no one for 4 months or longer. One of the benefits of living in a less populated land.
    Cheers,
    Robb

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