(written partly on February 17th and 18th from notes taken previously). It was a tough day today. 😞 Having heard last night that the whales had restranded yet again, after we had been so hopeful because all evidence seemed to point to their having actually escaped the death zone, was... hard. But we were up … Continue reading 2026-01-12 (Monday) — Sad End

(written on February 18th from notes taken previously). Tough, exhausting, frustrating, exciting, discouraging. We were up super early this morning, somewhere around 5 or 5:30, I think? to get the news and to be ready to go to work. The news wasn't great. The biggest of all of the whales from the pod of 15, … Continue reading 2026-01-11 (Sunday) — So Close

(written on February 15th, 17th, and 18th from notes taken previously). I got a late start this morning (not leaving my little sleeping spot until almost 11:15 😅)nand badly needed to get back into town to get gas, so Tākaka was my first stop. Once I had cell signal again, I went online to see … Continue reading 2026-01-10 (Saturday) — Sonar Spoofed

(written on the 10th from notes!) Wow! What a day! I think I walked/ran for a total of somewhere around 13-15 miles today. 😶 And it was mostly because of the whales! 🤯 But I'll get to that soon. 🙃 I woke up at my little overgrown grass road that's far more vegetation than road. … Continue reading 2026-01-09 (Friday) — Pilot Error

(written on the 9th!) I actually slept in a fair bit today. I don't think I got up until after 9:00, which is pretty amazing for me. Now I just have to figure out how to get myself to go to bed at a decent hour. 🙃 I was out quickly after getting up. Didn't … Continue reading 2026-01-08 (Thursday) — Final Ford Day?

(written on February 15th from notes taken previously) I didn't sleep much after a late night veging. 😅 I stopped briefly off at Paines Ford first thing after driving back down Tākaka Hill and back toward town, though I don't remember doing anything there. Maybe I just used the bathroom? 🤷 I don't think I … Continue reading 2026-01-07 (Wednesday) — A Bit Chatty

(written on the 7th of January and also the 14th and 15th of February... I might get some chronology wrong--crazy day, full notes taken way later 😅) I got up relatively early this morning and heard the sound of voices, so I fired up the van lickety split and took off. 🙃 I doubt my … Continue reading 2026-01-06 (Tuesday) — Much More Than I Thought

(written on the February 12th and 14th from notes taken previously). I was up relatively early, as the rules at this particular freedom camping spot required leaving by 9:00 a.m., so I was up relatively early and then out just before 9. I stopped to get gas in Nelson, and then because there was another … Continue reading 2026-01-05 (Monday) — Harwoods Hole

(written on February 11th from notes taken previously). So I realized this morning that the freedom camping spot was not parking along side the pond where I and multiple others had parked: No, The Freedom camping was at the end of the pond by the hydro station. Oops. 🙃 Gratefully, nobody came by to ticket … Continue reading 2026-01-04 (Sunday) — Barrel Rider

(written on February 11th from notes taken previously). Well, remember how I pointed the nose of my van downhill just in case? 🙃 Yeah. I managed to kill my battery (I think I accidentally left my key in the on position instead of accessory while veging out last night?) and did indeed have to roll … Continue reading 2026-01-03 (Saturday) —  Here Goes Nothin’