Onward HO!

Tonight is my last night here in Tuateawa where I've spent this whole year so far.  Nico and I leave tomorrow in the van to road trip all across New Zealand with the intent to get out into the wild and do as much hiking as possible.  We kinda started that yesterday with a trip to the Pinnacles.  I hiked there with everyone a little while ago, and since it was so amazing I was happy to do it again.  (see pictures here)  The weather wasn't quite as good, but it was still a great day.  It is also me finally being sure that my knee is no longer an issue.  It's still been hurting a bit, but if I feel good the day after that hike.. (which I do) then i am set.

Below is our ride for the next 6 weeks (and the dogs!):

We built the bedframe in a way that it is easy to take out and put back in so that it will always be an option for this van.  It actually took only 10 minutes to put it in or take it out.

Here to the left is the frame.  The four horizontal pieces are each individual units.  Then the three long bits are just cut to size and screwed in.  Then there are two plywood pieces that go on top and get screwed in.  The furthest horizontal bit is on an angle because the right side is the length of a sheet of plywood and the left is the length of the bed.  This gives us a nice shelf, and we have easy access to everything that is stored in the front.

Right now we have a double mattress in there fully sheeted with 4 wool blankets (we'll be comfy on those cold nights in the south island).  In the front we each have our own cloths bin and a box of stuff.  This is all easily accessed.  Then behind that is the toolbox with stuff for basic van maintenance.  There is also a bin full of camping stuff like cookware, tent, ice axes, poles, etc...  Next to that one is the bin with all the kitchen stuff; pots, plates, cookware, cutting board...  Stuffed on one side are our frame packs, and on the other side are a couple car jacks.  Then in the back from left to right is an extra 20L of fuel, the food bin, the chilly bin (cooler), dual burner gas cooker, and a can of propane.  So basically we'll have everything we need except a toilet and a shower.

I'm psyched to wander about wherever I choose to go for a while and see where we end up and who we meet.  There is also going to be no one saying what to do and when.

Although one consequence of this wandering will be a lack of internet... I'll try to write when I can, but I would guess that there wont be a lot in the next few weeks.