(written on the 20th from notes) Why is it that most of my escapes are destructive to me in one way or another? Crap food... news, sports news, TV, movies... porn... Ok, news isn't inherently destructive... well... actually... maybe? Most news nowadays probably qualifies as destructive, because the vast majority is negative and designed to … Continue reading 2026-04-18 (Saturday) — Mental Imaging

(written on the 18th) I was up early this morning, as per usual lately. Don't think the sun was even visible yet. Really rough night spine wise last night. It's an interesting juxtaposition... wanting to sleep but also knowing that it's a rare night when I find a position that doesn't exacerbate symptoms and increase … Continue reading 2026-04-17 (Friday) — Grok Dental

(written on the 17th and 18th) Let's see... I'm struggling to remember the day... I was up early, of course. It rained on and off both last night and this morning, I think. Was kind of funny... When I got back out of the cave last night, it was pretty much a cloudless sky, the … Continue reading 2026-04-16 (Thursday) — A Facebook Problem?

I'm losing it. The hairline fractures in my fragile mind have broken open, and I'm breaking apart. But I'm a lot worse now than I was this morning. Right now I'm panicking, and I just want to die. I want to die. I want to die. ... [the following was written earlier today] I was … Continue reading 2026-04-15 (Wednesday) — I Want Out

(written on the 15th from notes) I spent most of the morning catching up on my journal. I haven't been able to get myself to actually write every day on the day, but at least I haven't been getting crazy far behind. Seems like my big accomplishment in New Zealand will be coming home having … Continue reading 2026-04-14 (Tuesday) — Van Dilemma

What a beautiful view to wake up to this morning. 😊 The little box truck motorhome that had been parked on the grass was gone, so it was just me, up early again with the early sunrise. I headed out about 8:15ish, taking a little gamble as I worked my way toward Kaiate Falls (Google … Continue reading 2026-04-13 (Monday) — Heart of a Teacher. Heart of a Father.

(written on the 13th) Not really a whole lot to say about today, as I didn't really do anything today. The wind got a little bit boisterous last night, but not super crazy. I think I experienced much worse at the Cliffs of Fortrose way down on the southern coast of the South Island. 🙃 … Continue reading 2026-04-12 (Sunday) — Chasing Vaianu

(written on the 13th from notes) I left the Kerosene Creek parking lot I think about 8:45. (hot lake on dirt road to Kerosene Creek) And stopped on the road to Hot 'N Cold to check on a possum that was lying in the middle of the road. Its eyes were open, and I didn't … Continue reading 2026-04-11 (Saturday) — Golden Springs

(written on April 14th from notes taken previously) I was up early this morning, leaving Kerosene Creek and heading to Hot 'N Cold, where I enjoyed a nice early-morning soak in the hot river before deciding to head back to Taupo. Now why would I head back to Taupo? Weeeeell... 🙃 One of the things … Continue reading 2026-04-10 (Friday) — Kerosene to Kerosene

(written on the 11th from notes) I went back down to the river pretty much first thing this morning, and ran into the British couple from yesterday. They were already parked down there as well. 🙂 Cool to see the Brits there again, and shocking to see the river. It was so low. 😶 I … Continue reading 2026-04-09 (Thursday) — Low-Water Adventures