December 20th: We were lucky enough to get a ride from Tom our temporary dorm mate back to where we had left off in Te Kuiti. Tom was from the UK but had been working in New Zealand for a while. While here he purchased a car, model name Demi. He referred to her as Demi Moore (the cougar version that married Ashton Kutcher). She was a very smooth ride.
Once back in Te Kuiti we deliberated on what to do from there. There was 2 days worth of road walking and crappy trails ahead of us; which neither of us wanted to do. We decided to call up a ride since hitching was the next trail head was not an option since it was so remote. We ran into the three German TA walkers crackerjack, owl, and cake. Two out of the three Germans wanted to take the ride with our shuttle from ArtDoc. We were picked up by the owner Monica who gave us a very informative tour of the Maouri aspecs of the town.
It had been getting late and threatening to rain so we all decided to stay at her B&B at a 10$ campsite instead of staying at the trailhead. Coincidentally Margret (another TA hiker) and her Dad were going to be staying there too. It turned out to be a very pleasant stay, the ArtDoc was a treasure trove of artwork and music. Maurice and monica were both artists, Monica especially. She turned out to be a semi famous and very talented Jazz singer.
Their hospitality was amazing, but the best part was learning about the alternate trail that was next to the Te araroa trail. It's called the Timber Trail and it's a new cycling trail that opened up in 2012. We were intrigued because it was supposed to be a developed trail (something we hadn't seen ages) and it was supposed to have 32 bridges. Four of which were suspension bridges, and one as long as 141 meters. It was no contest, we planned to take the timber trail and four of the other TA hikers were going to do the same thing. I think we all needed a break from the terrible trail conditions of the TA. Here is the website for the B&B that we stayed at. www.artdoc.co.nz
December 21st: We had an amazing breakfast that Monica prepared the following morning.
Then they gave us all a ride to the trailhead. We hiked till about 6pm to the first camp. Bog inn hut.
Cody skiing his way through the mud to the bog hut. Ironic.
Otherwise it was the best trail experience we've had in New Zealand.
The swing bridges were just a bonus; this was the first well manicured trail we'd been on.
December 22nd: The next day we slept in late, then had a wonderful day following the Timber Trail. Which happend to be an old rail line for logging back in the 20's.
Had fun crossing more swing bridges and even saw an eel that had some how made it from the ocean to remote waterfall in the mountains.
It took 3 years to develop an 18 mile section of the Timber Trail (54 miles total) We met the people who had done most of the grunt work along the trail while it was in development. These guys still maintain the trail on a volunteer basis. They are awesome! They're Grandad's used to work on the railroad while it was still in logging operation.
December 23rd: More swing bridges, then we ended the trail early at 1pm. We were saved the road walk and picked up by a shuttle to Taumarurnui. Probably had the most horrible post office experience I've ever had in that town. I asked for tape to reseal our bounce box, which got me sent (with tape) to the back of a very long line then the window closed practically in my face once I got to the counter. I was able to send off the box with the next teller. Merry Christmas to you too!
We had to stop in at the grocery store at the for some provisions for Christmas. Day before Christmas shopping- bad idea.
That evening we stayed at the Holiday Park and was promised a boar dinner for the 25th. All together there were 11 TA hikers at the Holiday Park for Christmas. It was starting to look like it would be a real celebration.
Once back in Te Kuiti we deliberated on what to do from there. There was 2 days worth of road walking and crappy trails ahead of us; which neither of us wanted to do. We decided to call up a ride since hitching was the next trail head was not an option since it was so remote. We ran into the three German TA walkers crackerjack, owl, and cake. Two out of the three Germans wanted to take the ride with our shuttle from ArtDoc. We were picked up by the owner Monica who gave us a very informative tour of the Maouri aspecs of the town.
It had been getting late and threatening to rain so we all decided to stay at her B&B at a 10$ campsite instead of staying at the trailhead. Coincidentally Margret (another TA hiker) and her Dad were going to be staying there too. It turned out to be a very pleasant stay, the ArtDoc was a treasure trove of artwork and music. Maurice and monica were both artists, Monica especially. She turned out to be a semi famous and very talented Jazz singer.
Their hospitality was amazing, but the best part was learning about the alternate trail that was next to the Te araroa trail. It's called the Timber Trail and it's a new cycling trail that opened up in 2012. We were intrigued because it was supposed to be a developed trail (something we hadn't seen ages) and it was supposed to have 32 bridges. Four of which were suspension bridges, and one as long as 141 meters. It was no contest, we planned to take the timber trail and four of the other TA hikers were going to do the same thing. I think we all needed a break from the terrible trail conditions of the TA. Here is the website for the B&B that we stayed at. www.artdoc.co.nz
December 21st: We had an amazing breakfast that Monica prepared the following morning.
They gave Cody a heated neck pad, he could barely move from his injury he got in the cave.
Then they gave us all a ride to the trailhead. We hiked till about 6pm to the first camp. Bog inn hut.
Cody skiing his way through the mud to the bog hut. Ironic.
Otherwise it was the best trail experience we've had in New Zealand.
The swing bridges were just a bonus; this was the first well manicured trail we'd been on.
Better trail, bigger trail markers
December 22nd: The next day we slept in late, then had a wonderful day following the Timber Trail. Which happend to be an old rail line for logging back in the 20's.
Mini railroad spike
Had fun crossing more swing bridges and even saw an eel that had some how made it from the ocean to remote waterfall in the mountains.
We found the eel in the pool behind Cody
December 23rd: More swing bridges, then we ended the trail early at 1pm. We were saved the road walk and picked up by a shuttle to Taumarurnui. Probably had the most horrible post office experience I've ever had in that town. I asked for tape to reseal our bounce box, which got me sent (with tape) to the back of a very long line then the window closed practically in my face once I got to the counter. I was able to send off the box with the next teller. Merry Christmas to you too!
We had to stop in at the grocery store at the for some provisions for Christmas. Day before Christmas shopping- bad idea.
That evening we stayed at the Holiday Park and was promised a boar dinner for the 25th. All together there were 11 TA hikers at the Holiday Park for Christmas. It was starting to look like it would be a real celebration.
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