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

There isn't much to write about today. For some reason, I was again having trouble sleeping, so after a rough night and after reading more about Kerosene Creek (I don't remember why), I realized that last time I was here I hadn't really given the place a fair shake. Specifically, I didn't know that the … Continue reading 2026-04-08 (Wednesday) — The Return of Overwhelm

(written today!) With daylight losing time kicking in, I had gone to bed earlier than I usually do and thus had woken up earlier than usual this morning. 🙃 I took the opportunity, being as early as it was in the morning, to work on my journal catch-up efforts, spending most of the morning and … Continue reading 2026-04-07 (Tuesday) — Cold and Hot ‘N Cold

(written on the 7th from notes taken yesterday.) I was up relatively early this morning, veging out for a bit before venturing out of my van to call out to my freedom-camping neighbor. She had a cat that had caught its leash on the tow hitch and was looking at me meowing over and over, … Continue reading 2026-04-06 (Monday) — Taupo’s At 54%!