Friday, 10 Feb.  Found more colorful street art.  Saw more results from the devastating earthquake.  Visited “The Museum”.  At least that’s how everyone refers to it.  Very nice.  Visited the Botanical Garden, which had an amazing meadow surrounded by very large trees from throughout the world.  It was fascinating to consider the genius who, decades ago, thought to plant the saplings.

In the afternoon I did a wine tour.  Four places with varying results.  The third one had wines that tasted incredibly similar to California wines.  Honestly, after the first two wineries, it was kind of disappointing. (I can’t believe I just wrote that.)  The drive was great.

Had pizza with lamb topping.  Excellent.  Back was sore from all the walking, so I passed on another night of bar hopping.

It’s worth noting that the reinforcing structure was installed after the first earthquake. The damage came from the second one.

The only problem with this statue is . . . .

It’s not there.

I don’t know.

A Tree Museum.

Outdoor church

Winery

The most beautiful street in New Zealand. Or so they say.

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Departed LAX at 11:30PM on Tuesday, after a “suspected mechanical issue” was checked out. I worry about the motivation to get the plane airborne when these arise.  But we got to Fiji okay.  The continuation to Christchurch was fine.  While landing, the first live creature I saw was a sheep.  (There’s a sheep shearing contest this weekend, but too far to attend.)  I’m 21 hours ahead of San Diego time.  At no time was I on the ground on Wednesday.

I’m using a new passport with a new photo, which is horrible.  Christchurch has a streamlined entry process, which apparently uses a computer to compare the passport photo with the holder.  I flunked.  Not surprised.  New Zealand is very antsy about biodiversity.  They don’t want pesky foreign biological anomalies getting into the country.  Such things as camping gear and even golf shoes are inspected.

Driving on the left isn’t a problem.  Using the turn signal is.  I turned on the windshield wipers about six times.  The rental company gave me an unannounced upgrade to a bigger car.  I was too tired to argue, but my gas budget is blown.

The city had a devastating earthquake six years ago.  A lot of the city is new, other parts are being repaired, some are just sitting in destruction.  Lots of contrasts, but overall I think it’s got a very positive attitude.  Found a wine bar and had some excellent wine.  Had perhaps the best burger ever.  BBQ bacon cheeseburger.  Juicy.  Talked motorcycles.  Everyone is incredibly friendly.

Note the wagon attached. Cool idea.

New Zealand was the first nation to give women the right to vote.

This are mini-donuts with a hard coated shell, Delicious doesn’t do the taste justice.

Reminders of the deadly 2011 earthquake. Some areas of the city are new and beautiful.

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Saturday, 4 Feb.  On Feb 7th I depart for New Zealand.  That country is a whopping 21 hours ahead of me, meaning I arrive on Thursday afternoon.  I’ve created an itinerary and reserved cabins/hotels for each night.  February is their August (14 hours of sunlight), so it’s a busy time.  I was hoping to be a little less rigid in my travels, but I’m not interested in spending my days worrying about available lodging.  I’ve bought a tour guide to help find places of interest, which regretfully lists far more locations than I’ll be able to visit.  I had considered doing some camping, but rain is a high probability.  I’m renting a car, GPS and cell phone.  All the modern conveniences.  Getting lost is unlikely since the island is about half the size of California with 3% of its population.

NZ’s population is 4.7 million. At last count there are 39 million sheep. This is about half of their historical peak.  Surprisingly, dairy production is now their No. 1 industry.  Wine has also become a big thing.  Some people who know me might say I’m going for the wine, but putting a trip to NZ on my bucket list long predates my love of the grape.  Though, to be sure, I’m now also going for the wine.

I’m arriving in Christchurch and will circle the South Island clockwise.  I’ll take a ferry across to Wellington on the North Island and stay two nights.  My return flight has a five hour layover in Auckland which I hope use productively.  Total time in the country will be 15 days.

I’ll also spend three nights in Fiji.  My flights are on Fiji Airways (of questionable customer service reputation) and during the reservation process I realized I could schedule a long layover there for only a few dollars more.

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TestWednesday, 28 September.  Darkness.

I began the drive at 3AM for two reasons.  First, to avoid morning rain in AZ and afternoon heat in CA.  Also wanted to get home before spouse left for afternoon work.  Because I routinely avoided nighttime driving, the 3 hours of darkness exceeded the combined previous times!  But being in the morning, traffic wasn’t bad at all.  Sure was dark though.  Moose Crossing Signs were in abundance.  Not comforting sights.

In 1977 I first came to CA on the same route (I40 to Barstow, I15 to San Diego).  Nothing was familiar except for the McDonalds in train cars in Barstow (I ate at Denny’s this time).  Lots of referrals to Route 66 now.  I can’t say for sure, but I’ll wager that there is now a lot more traffic.

Anyway, at 11:30 I arrived home.  27,580 miles.  Never dropped the bike.  Never came close to hitting an animal.  Well, I did run over a snake early in the trip, but that doesn’t count.

I will probably write a recap extolling on What It All Means.  For the moment though, it means I’m home.

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Tuesday, 27 September.  Nice weather.

Had a bad night’s sleep.  Heartburn.  Started the day late and immediately had trouble staying awake.  5 Hour Energy no real help!  By noon I began looking for a place to crash.  Rain was forecast anyway.  By 2PM I was safely tucked away in a room next to the tracks in Flagstaff.  Boy, do those trains run frequently.

Rain didn’t come until that evening when I was woken by incredibly loud thunder at about 7:30.  The only excitement all day.

 

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Monday, 26 September.  Cool.  Perfect weather.

Stopped at The Big Texan in Amarillo.  Still offers a free 72 oz steak if you can eat it (and all the trimmings) in under an hour.  To date, about 9,400 people have done it.  Opened in 1962?  Last guy did it four days ago in 38 minutes!  They have a list.

No other stops worth mentioning.  In Albuquerque.  Don’t know how far I’ll get tomorrow.  Southern California is experiencing a heat wave that has no end in sight.  Delaying my return is not an option.

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Sunday, 25 September.  Hot, then very wet for 45 minutes.

The traffic was horrible until Little Rock.  90% of the trucks then headed south to Texas.  Much better.

Again, I skipped all tourist stops.  An amazing number of bikers on the road.  Many on trailers.  Thinking there’s an event somewhere.  How they can safely drive with just glasses on in a driving rainstorm is a question.  Well, I guess the point is that they can’t do it safely, but drive anyway.

Oklahoma City is very impressive.  A great highway through town.

About 600 miles.  It’s not ironbutt territory, but for me it’s a lot.

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Saturday, 24 September.  Hot again.  I’ve posted pictures from the prior two days.  Getting caught up.

Two days ago: Gettysburg was extremely detailed.  The movie, narrated by Morgan Freeman was a little too dramatic, but still excellent.  The Cyclorama, painted in the 1880s, was incredible.  Museum covered far more than just the battle.  The bus tour, conducted by a animated guide, was worthwhile.  The number of monuments, many with commentary, are intimidating.  I’d like to read each one.

Antietam was not nearly as well presented.  It fails in comparison.  Moreover, it’s described without fully showing the scope of the battle.  Bloodiest day in American history, yet they seem to describe three skirmishes.  Maybe it was just me.

Yesterday: The Skyline Drive is indeed beautiful.  One should take it slow and easy.  I was pressed for time, which is the absolute worst way to drive it.

Today: I just drove.  Gorgeous sunrise behind me.  There are a lot of things to stop for in Tennessee, but I ignored them.  Andrew Johnson’s home, Andrew Jackson’s home, Nashville, Shiloh, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, etc.  The road was less crazy than yesterday, though the trucks were just as bad.  I have never seen so many 18 wheelers wander outside their lines.  I feared that many drivers were dozing off.  I began to speed up as I went by to minimize the risk.  Massive jam on the eastbound.  Tennessee football attracts fans from a great distance.  Anyway, I drove until the heat started getting to me.  Tomorrow promises to be cooler, though maybe wetter too.  We’ll see.

People like to pose for pictures next to Lincoln. It's just me, but I think that's a little wrong.

People like to pose for pictures next to Lincoln. It’s just me, but I think that’s a little wrong.

The actual props in front of the painting is an excellent idea.

The actual props in front of the painting is an excellent idea.

The man is dramatic.

The man is dramatic.

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Note the Maltese cross, symbol used by the 20th Maine Regiment, famous for their charge on Little Round Top.

Note the Maltese cross, symbol used by the 20th Maine Regiment, famous for their charge on Little Round Top.

Contribute money by state. California was well represented, considering distances.

Contribute money by state. California was well represented, considering distances.

Skyline Drive.

Skyline Drive.

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Friday, 23 September. Hot.

Skyline Drive was beautiful, but also slow. Not feeling too well. Turned off to the I81 for speed. Full-on focus for home. Touring will be limited.

I81 is horrible! Like the I5. Stupid drivers, heavy traffic. First time in a long time I was afraid for my safety. Quit at three. Wytheville. Woodrow Wilson’s wife’s birthplace. Start tomorrow at sunrise. Another hot day forecast.

My mother ended her six year sailing log with “Still cold and miserable.”  I may end mine with the same sentiment, except “hot”.

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