(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’

(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