Packing and thinking and repacking and forgetting.

Ironing patches onto packs and geeking out on backpacking gear. Hmmm, OH! TP. That's what we forgot. The 3 am brain clicks of list items that can't be forgotten. The numerous trips to the stores knowing that there were in fact 3 items on our list but not knowing what they were. Because they were forgotten.

The final touches of stuff. Laughing at ourselves as we're over thinking and over thinking but enjoying every second.

Looking forward to leaving this 30 degree weather to the warm 75 degree days of NZ, and returning to this beautiful country in the spring.

It'll be just like hitting the bathroom after giving your order at a restaurant only to return to a magically transformed table of food.

Four days!

Welcome family and friends! Finally--the day is near. This Sunday we will walk off the magical kingdom atop Powell Butte with our packs on our backs and begin our month long epic adventure to the land Down Under Down Under...Middle Earth. We've spent the last 3 months researching, gathering gear, networking, planning, and training and now we are antsy to immerse ourselves in the experience.

We are flying into Auckland and out of Queenstown, with plans of taking a motorcycle up to the Bay of Islands, tramping around the Great Barrier Island, and possibly kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking the Queen Charlotte Track on the South Island. We are leaving a lot of room for the trip to unfold naturally, our only goal being to enjoy and embrace each and every day! We will update with stories and pictures when we can find an internet cafe, so keep posted!

Thanks again to all those folks who purchased holiday gift baskets from me over Christmas, it has helped make this happen!