Ferry to the South
11 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
We enjoyed a great visit with our friend Jamie who we spent a winter with in Steamboat ten years ago. He was quite the character then and has passed his mischievous ways down to his son who we happened to catch on his first birthday. He told us to be sure to see the waves crashing on the rocks of Punakaiki. When I asked why, he told me that good memories were made there, and soon enough we will create our own as well! I also snuck in two rides on the mountain bike specific trails within Wellington. I was shown some of the new trail that is being built for the mountain bikers of Wellington by Michael Delahunty as he gave me all sorts of information about the area. I learned where the New Zealanders gather their power as we climbed high for a view of a wind farm. He also explained why the city of Wellington is so full of strange dead ends… Blame the absurdity of the British! They laid out a street plan from afar in a rush to settle and claim the stolen lands. With strict instruction from the royalty, upon arrival to the unexpectedly, very steep hilly terrain, they forged ahead and forced the grid-like plans upon the landscape. Many streets run straight up hills or dead end at impossible banks and restart above! These sudden interruptions make for some difficult route finding with interesting architecture to accommodate the terrain. It left strips of land undeveloped where parks and trail networks are filling the gaps. From the summit of our evening ride I caught a glimpse of the mountain ranges on the south! Armed with advise and information gathered along the way we are riding our bikes onto the ferry. We board the vessel in an hour. Off we go!
