Can a Bad Day Occur in New Zealand?

Mally and I woke up early this morning and headed for a long walk to see Fox glacier. It was about 5 or 6km. to the glacier path, but the morning was perfect for a walk. We arrived at the path and wandered through the meandering forest walkway, out to a rocky trail (where we could not stop because of possible rocks falling down the slopes on our left), and in front of the enormous glacier. What a sight- an enourmous ice formation jutting out of the mountains. It was amazing! The spectacular views in New Zealand never stop. While there were ropes that warned us not to get any closer to the glacier without a guide, there was a large group of tourists right in front of the glacier so we decided it wasn't too dangerous, and proceeded on. We climbed right to the face and felt the cold, blue ice at the forefront of the glacier! It was quite an experience.

We headed back to the tent and decided that with a little duck tape and truing work, we could put my bike back together for the 25km ride (sans panniers) to Franz Joseph to see another glacier (we couldn't see just one!) We set out on our journey across two large climbs and one baby climb and made it about 22km. before I heard Pfshhhhhhh from my rear tire. The rim tape had a hole in it from my mediocre fix and the tube was not happy about that. After trying to repair the tube three times (each time we got a Pfshshshshhhhhhh right after putting the wheel back on the bike), we decided to walk the last few kilometers and get a bus back after seeing the glacier.

We arrived in Franz Joseph and discovered that the only bus for the day left at 5... 1hr and 35 mins away. We were told that we would not be able to make the 5km. walk to the glacier trail path, the 40 min walk to the glacier (40 min. walk back), and then get back in time. HA!!! We walked to the end of the road that led to the glacier... and then got a ride with two very friendly British girls to the trail head... then we proceded to jog/speed walk the "40" min walk to the glacier. Boy am I glad we did... this glacier was perhaps even more spectacular than the first. A brilliant stream of white snow and blue ice pouring between the mountains with a powerful glacial river rushing from the base. WoW! After filling up on the sight of the glacier, we began to run back in order to make the bus. Most of the tourists found the site of us quite amusing as they were walking their way out to the glacier. We made it back to the car park where we held out hope of finding a ride back into town, but we had no luck. So we continued to run the 5k. back to town. Overall, we had a lovely run... and we made it in plenty of time for the bus (and a couple popsicles).... where is this guy that said we couldn't see the glacier?

We took the bus back to our tent site and arrived at a somewhat misshapen tent... hmmm... I don't remember having a sharp point at the top of my tent... what happened to our home?!? Turns out that the tent pole broke - I'm going to have to have a talk with Sierra Designs. Some may say we had a rough day... breaking down on our bike ride and having three failed tube changes and having to walk into town, having to run out to the glacier in order to catch a glimpse, and coming back to a broken tent. But it is hard to have a rough day when you get to see two spectacular glaciers, take a lovely bike ride with amazing views of the Southern Alps, and go on a gorgeous run through old glacial rocks. I think we had a great day today.