Fox / Franz Josef Glaciers

How do we get down to that Beach!
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Friday, January 26, 2007 (Haast to Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers)

Yep! Their coming right thru a rainforest!!

- another light travel day today (151km – 5 ½ hrs.), took our time arriving into the Franz Josef Top Ten Holiday Park. Spectacular Ocean & secluded beach views along the way, how do we get down to that beach? Pulled into Fox glacier around 12:45pm, had a quick bite to eat (fabulous having a portable kitchen everywhere we go!). Then we proceeded to undertake what turned out to be a spectacular 2 ½ - 3 hr hike along the riverbed up to the old 1932 chalet site, (where ambitious tourist stopped to have lunch before continuing their hike to the face of the glacier). You name it we crossed up and over, on or thru it! Wyatt had a little accident near the end of our hike (forgot to put one foot in front of the other I guess & proceeded to injure his knee on a good size rock, as well as a fairly entertaining and decent lip stand!). Joke was on me, however, as I ended up piggy backing the 90 pound baby a good distance back to the swinging bridge. Upon our return, a short drive later we arrived at our temporary address for the next 2-3 days. (Franz Josef Top Ten Holiday Park). Look boys, get out your allowance they have a games room. Pool, air hockey & foosball tables, better get your lessons & worksheets done! Did not take long for everyone to hit the sheets after we bar-b-que’d our sausages & veggies.

Got'a like hav'n a portable kitchen!
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Saturday, January 27, 2007 (Franz Josef Glaciers)

- as we all seemed to need a little extra sleep this morning we took full advantage of our lazy morning, (we planned another hike day, destination the “Franz Josef” glacier). After the boys completed a few lessons we went into town for lunch, then we hit the trail to the Franz Josef glacier! Not as intense a hike as yesterday, into the Fox glacier, however, every bit as spectacular! With a fair amount of apprehension (quite a few caution, danger then extreme hazard signs along the way), Wyatt and I decided to push on to the terminal face of the glacier! It was an unbelievable sight! Water running everywhere, as well as, rock and ice falling off the glacial face often landing within several feet from where we were standing. After a few pictures we quickly turned back down the valley to a safer distance…very humbling experience being up close and personal with Mother Nature at her finest! Pretty cool father son bonding activity as well. Spent a couple hours in town at an internet café, located inside an old tour bus! Then back for a couple games of pool with the boys, family hot tub “Kiwi” style, quick supper and journal time…then lights out. We sure have hit the weather over the last few days, fabulous blue skies for our hikes to the glaciers. Think we may push on up north tomorrow, no real destination in mind…we will see what feels right in the moment!

Like I said,"there coming right out of the rainforest!".
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Sunday, January 28, 2007 (travel day to ???)