21.23 The Routeburn Track in a word: Raining: (A video from Hawaii follows at the end.)
Jen negotiates a small stream in torrid conditions weighed down with a full pack. Tough girl. We headed out on another of the 'Great Walks' of New Zealand, the famous Routeburn Tramp. We packed gear, food and all the essentials but for our swimsuits. How could we forget them? Perhaps because of carrying heavy back- packs, the editor showed mercy and left them behind. However, if ever we needed them, it was for this outing. In the hut on the first night, we met a young Welsh couple. We ended up spending most of the time in the communal kitchen, conversing with them. (The kitchen was filled with hikers, boots around a fireplace, clothes hanging on every hook, nook and cranny.) When we first noticed Naomi, something struck us as odd. What was Natalie doing in New Zealand? Yes, the young woman, a little younger than our daughter, looked much like her and displayed similar expressions, too. It's nice to see Nat elsewhere, especially on a hike. Andy, her husband, p...