The Waterfall Hike

After almost a full year without winter, we can sense that it is approaching. We are experiencing all the classic signs: fiery colored leaves, pumpkins, cool frosty mornings, and darkness arriving earlier each day. The weird part is that these signs are appearing in April, not October. The male Kirkpatricks are doing snow dances and counting the days until ski season. I am not as anxious for cold weather. I just want to be outside hiking or riding every free moment.

The photos are from a recent hike up to the waterfall above our house. At first the boys decided it was too cold to swim. Then, at the last minute, they jumped into the icy pool, screaming and laughing. Doug and I had already tested these glacial waters on my birthday so we watched with amusement remembering the bone aching cold.

Vermin count update:
Mice: 16
Rats: 0
Possum: 3
Hedgehog: 1

Liam, Grams and Carolyn make the news

Yesterday Liam, Grams and I were interviewed at the Anzac Day service in Queenstown. Today we were in the Otago Daily Times. Despite the fact Liam and I were identified as Texans, seeing ourselves in the paper was fun!

Anzac Day 2008

25 April is Anzac (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) Day. For you Americans out there, think Memorial Day. It's a day to remember the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who fought in the bloody & protracted battle in Gallipoli, Turkey during WWI. It has also become a day to remember Australian & New Zealand servicemen and women who have been fought in subsequent wars, most recently Afghanistan.

Our New Zealand friend Judi invited the four of us and Doug's parents to attend the morning ANZAC memorial service here in Queenstown with her. It started out with a parade, led by a bagpipe corps, from the waterfront war memorial to the town memorial hall. Military vets, active military, their spouses and widows, a few transport vehicles from WWII and, finally, us civilians, weaved our way through the closed main thoroughfares of Queenstown. In the town hall, the service was led by the head of the local veterans group, the mayor and a chaplain. Although we have no relatives who fought for Australia or New Zealand, the meaning of the memorial was very familiar to us Americans. The ANZACs have fought for many of the same causes as the Americans during the 20th & 21st centuries, including WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and and Afghanistan. Australia, New Zealand & the US were geographically removed from these conflicts but they all took a stand against what they thought was right. The hymns and prayers were similar. Some of the songs were the same too, except they changed the words to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" to something about "God Saving the Queen" ;-). After the wreaths and poppies (poppies are a symbol of Gallipoli where poppies flourished) were laid, the ceremony was concluded with the firing of a WWII-era canon.

Seeing the Australian and New Zealand veterans marching with their medals today helped make our emotional visit to Gallipoli seven months ago that more vivid in our memories. It's tough to know what's going on in the heads of kids, but I think Colin and Liam understood most of the messages they heard.

Photos from hike to Sam Summers' Hut

The poem, with unknown author, was on that table in Sam Summers' hut. I took a photo of it because I too always have questions when I explore crumbling ruins. This area of New Zealand is so reminiscent of the gold and silver mining in Colorado. The characters of the mining era fascinate me. I too try to imagine the people and what their daily tasks must have been.

The trail winds through a beech forest along the river. Water falls cascading into deep clear pools. The pools were so deep and clear, they were irresistible. I even convinced Doug to take a plunge. It may have been in honor of my birthday or the fact that I said we would return on his fortieth in the dead of winter for a swim if he didn't join me on mine. Neither of us stayed in long as the water was freezing - barely melted snow! Jolie seemed unphased by the water temperature.

The day was magical. I even discovered my first fairy ring.

Friendly forty-year-old cowgirl looking for ...

This is the first blog entry I’ve dreaded writing, but Doug broke the ice for me and announced to the world that I am 40. So far being 40 is going fine, not half as bad as I have been envisioning the last couple of months. First, I had always envisioned throwing myself a huge bash with all my dearest life long friends. We don’t have many life long friends in Queenstown since we only arrived five months ago. Instead, I spent a magical day hiking with Doug followed by a silly evening celebrating with Doug, Colin and Liam. Just before I fell asleep I listened to a CD made by my cousin Bruce and sent to me by my Auntie Jean. It was a digitized recording from about 39 years ago of my grandparents. They are talking to me. My granny is feeding geese from the boat and describing each goose to me. My grandpa tells me stories, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, with his own colorful, less than traditional, descriptions. My grandparents rise early one autumn morning and put the recorder on the deck of the boat so my mom in faraway California can hear them jump into the cold Cape Cod waters. I could hear them splashing into the water, laughing and whooping. I was mesmerized by their voices, ceaseless laughter and commotion. I wondered how my mom felt listening to this same recording long ago and again more recently. Now I am the daughter that has moved far away with the grandchildren. Whoa - that’s more than enough of a trip down memory lane, even for a fortieth.

Poor Doug. He needs lots of support or relief after the last couple of months with me. Two events collided simultaneously in my life. First, I turned forty. Second, I have had a bumpy re-entry into the equine world. Remember a blog entry I wrote over a month ago about my new horse? Remember, how excited I was to have a horse once again? Well, that horse and I had a wild ride to say the least. The first vet visit, my sweet new horse spent most of the time on her hind legs, pawing the air with her forelegs. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and assumed that the alpaca were putting her on edge. But every bush we passed seemed to hide a lurking horse murderer. Okay, I thought I’ve handled many a crazy horse in my day, I can handle this one too. Then, I realized the relationship wasn’t going anywhere after three full-on, hunch-backed bronco bucks out of nowhere sent me flying literally head over heels through the air until I landed flat on my back. I lay in the dust with the wind knocked out of me and realized that I am too old for such a wild ride. I did get back on, but I knew that our relationship was over. The trust had been broken. Several days later, my new bronc returned to her former home. I think it was the first time that I have actually felt TOO OLD for something that at one time had been so natural. Riding during my teens, I never worried about falling off, getting thrown or flying through the air. I just wanted to race down the trail bareback with the wind streaming past. Now, I do worry. I think about my two boys, blah, blah, blah… For some crazy reason, I had assumed I would return to the saddle like I'd never left. Doug had to put up with my morose mood.

My horse left, just before my birthday. I admit that I have been a crazy woman. I think I have just wanted to prove to myself that I have lost the cowgirl in me. I have been looking, with more caution, for that perfect horse and driving all over the countryside to see prospective horses. I feel like I have been serial dating horses.

Just a week ago, my second new horse arrived. Over the winter, I am leasing a thoroughbred mare. She is fourteen years old and a dark bay. Based on our first few rides, she and I seem like a much better match. She could care less about the alpacas. She still has lots of go, but so far (crossing fingers) she has kept her four hooves closer to the ground. I am optimistic, however, I am taking this relationship slower. I'll keep you posted on our progress.

I feel like posting a personal ad: Friendly forty-year-old cowgirl looking for an energetic, but sensible, equine friend for long rides in the hills.

Note on the hedgehog death

Carolyn writing now:  We did not intentionally kill the hedgehog.  It seems to have died of natural causes, not by a run in with cat or dog or trap.  It may have found some poison in the rat bait station.  We like the hedgehogs and didn't mean to cause harm to any of them!

SIX

That is the number of days it took US Air & Air New Zealand to get Doug's parents their last bag. And that doesn't include the two day delay caused by American Airlines flight cancelations. Oh, and one of their suitcases was beaten up so badly that it can no longer be used. Air New Zealand did do the right thing by agreeing to replace the suitcase (unfortunately with a bag of Air New Zealand's choice) and by reimbursing Doug's parents for the clothes that had to buy while waiting for their suitcases to be delivered. Note to self: don't check that bag unless you absolutely have to.

Vermin count update:
Mice: 11
Rats: 0
Possum: 2
Hedgehog: 1