(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’

(written on February 11th from notes taken previously). Got away from my sleeping spot pretty late this morning (was almost 9:45 🙃) and headed to Hanmer Springs, which I didn't realize, was another tourist town. 😶 Really?!?! So far into the hills and seemingly away from everything?!?! [sigh] Oh well. My destination wasn't Hanmer Springs, … Continue reading 2026-01-02 (Friday) — Lake Tennyson

(written on February 11th from notes taken previously). Undisturbed. 🙏 No additional campers, no DOC workers, and no dead deer carcasses coming back to life to haunt me in the middle of the night. 🎉 After crossing the creek, I tried to follow what Google Maps told me were functional roads back toward civilization, thinking … Continue reading 2026-01-01 (Thursday) — Kaikoura

(written on February 10th from notes taken previously) I continued my experience at Lake Eltwater about how I began it--veging out. 😅 I did take some time to dispose of my trash as well as clean up some trash. 🗑️ Once I finally got my... van in gear 🙃, I started making my down the … Continue reading 2025-12-31 (Wednesday) — Seal Infiltration 🦭😎

(written on February 10th from notes taken previously) Not a very eventful day today, so not much to report. I was late getting going this morning, finally leaving somewhere around 11:30, I think 😅? before heading to the Pak 'N Save in Blenheim to stock up. I think that might be the last Pak 'N … Continue reading 2025-12-30 (Tuesday) — Rain’s Hidden Beauties

(written on the 30th from notes taken yesterday!). I'm grateful for cell phone alarms and countdown timers. 🙏 With check-in at the ferry starting at 6:15 a.m. and running I think until 7:45, I wanted to get there as early as possible, and I certainly didn't want to accidentally sleep in, so I set my … Continue reading 2025-12-29 (Monday) — A Bit South