Courage

Someone said to me the other day, that my scheduled trip sounds scary and a little daunting.  I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little nervous.  While training over these last few months, I have had many moments where I've said "oh crap, I'm fifty."  At times I don't want to strap on the pack and walk five miles to work at 7 am, knowing I'll be doing the same thing again at the end of the day.   Then I realize that nothing I'm doing is as daunting as what my daughter has had to deal with every day for the last nine years.  From the age of ten she was dealt a hand that she didn't ask for and yet she has never let if beat her or stop her from doing anything.    

Her courage and love of life is an inspiration for me.  Since her diagnosis of type 1 (juvenile diabetes) almost ten years ago, I have spent to much time asking her what her blood sugar is and what she ate today.  Instead I should have just told her that I love her and that I am amazed by how she lives her life with such courage, enthusiasm and affection for her friends and family.

The Nine Great Walks

My journey across New Zealand will hopefully encompass the completion of all nine 'Great Walks.'  The Great walks were established as some of the most spectacular walks in the country and certain ones such as the 'Milford Track,' The Tongariro Northern Circuit,' and the 'Routeburn Track,' are said to be some of the most spectacular walks on the planet.  

The nine walks actually include a river journey in which I will attempt to paddle 145 kilometers.  The walks will be completed in this order.  Lake Waikaremoana, the Tongariro Northern Circuit, the Whanganui River Journey, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Heaphy Track, the Milford Track, the Routeburn Track, the Keppler Track and the Rakiura track.

Assuming that all goes relatively well I will end the New Zealand leg of the trip sometime at the beginning of March and then hopefully fly to Tazmania and on to the Australian mainland.