December 27th
Mount Lee Reserve Campground(896.2)-Palmerston North(917.5)
Mileage: 21.3mi/34.3km
Campsite Elevation: 108ft/33m
Elevation chart courtesy of Guthook Hikes Te Araroa App.
Today was another day of road walking. It was mostly paved, so my body was feeling it much more than yesterday’s gravel roads.
It’s been a good month and a half since I’ve had some solo time to walk. It was much needed for me to reset after being around such a large group for such an extended period of time on the river. It was just what I needed and I felt the exhale of all of it immediately. Anyone that knows me knows how draining large groups can be for me. The people I’ve been with the last couple weeks are actually some of the nicest people I’ve ever met on trail, and I have appreciated spending time with such great people. The solo time is nothing against anyone. It’s just what I needed to reset and recharge.
I actually spent much of the day in silence just walking. Much of the walking was on little used roads, so it was nice and quiet. The road walk was uneventful, but I welcomed that to really zone out and just decompress.
I’m keeping this entry short as I really want today to be restful, so I’m glad that it was uneventful and I have less to write about. There was one classic TA stretch where the road came to a dead end, and for 15mins or so, I had to go over stiles and through tall wet farmland grass just long enough to get wet feet before being spit back out to the road. Classic.
I got to Palmerston North around 11:30am and went to the grocery store along the trail to grab a few things for the next couple days to Levin. While there, the rain and wind kicked in, and I ate lunch at the grocery store waiting for it to pass.
Fortunately, the rain was short lived, and I only had to contend with strong wind the final couple hours of the day. While at the grocery store, I saw Ned, who caught up after setting a fast pace today. I had been leisurely walking and didn’t realize how leisurely until I saw him, but it was still what I needed today. Just to be on a low level cruise control. I overlapped with Ned a bit at the end of the day when he caught up to me on the final section along the Manawatu River Pathway. It was a great stretch along the river with trees and grass, and even went on top of a stop bank. We’ve walked on these before, but through farmland that has long grass and uneven terrain with divots from cattle. This one was paved and so much easier to walk on!
I had arranged the last two spots at a homestay (pay by donation) next to the trail. Brian and Claire kindly host hikers since there isn’t really anywhere to camp unless people just pop up along the river pathway, which is more of a community walkway. I arrived at 2:30pm, and just one other hiker (Matt from NZ) was there in a bunkhouse out back. They have an adorable little backyard with gardens and various fruit trees.
THANK YOU Claire and Brian!!!
I got to relax for the rest of the day, take a shower, and charge things. Best of all, I finally watched the Survivor finale and it was a great one from possibly one of the best seasons ever on Survivor. The next season looks to be awesome and starts in March, so there may still be more Survivor watching to come on the TA.
Becky arrived around 6:30pm well over road walking. My body didn’t like it either after three days, and tomorrow will have more dirt or gravel hiking track I think, so that’s good. Well, that’s about it. I feel much better after getting that much needed time to recharge today!
What a diverse journey you have been on. I just binge watched your last 5 days as didn’t have the time with all the Christmas preparations. The canoe portion was certainly a different experience for you but as usual you took it in stride!! Loved all the pictures. Thank you and glad you had a nice Christmas
I loved this season of Survivor and the finale was incredible. Can’t wait to see the great characters on next season as well.
Glad you got some alone time to recharge. I know just what you are talking about.
I know what you mean by recharge time. Although we have been married for 30 years, often when we travel together we have solo days in which we both wonder off and do something different by ourselves. Works out well, as at the end of the day we compare each other’s different adventures.
I am so glad you took some solo time! I was getting exhausted with all the interaction you were having, and I am around the world from you!
Exactly, ha!
Nice recharge day, and finally, Survivor!
Hoorah for recharging and solo time! Hope you can find a nice balance with your great group and also taking time for yourself.
I continue to follow your adventure daily and love that you have adapted to the relaxed pace and companionship of the TA. Having followed you since the PCT, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with negative comments.
Not sure if you have heard about the continuing wet in central Australia. I saw this on Facebook this morning and thought you might be interested.
Trail Conditions: There was flash flooding across the Larapinta Trail yesterday, particularly around Section 2, 3,4 and 5, turning completely dry creeks into raging froths of powerful brown water. The image below was a completely dry creek only minutes earlier before it was taken. The team from Larapinta Trail Trek Support – LTTS (www.larapintatrailtreksupport.com.au) were resting up after a hiker evacuation when they heard a faint roar of water upstream. Within 10 minutes the empty creek rose up to 6ft of powerful flowing brown water, debris and an assortment of trunks, logs and branches tumbling by. The creek was impossible to cross safely. The LTTS team had to wait up to four hours for it to subside before they could make a safe wet crossing. Video coming shortly. Thanks LTTS for the pic.
And this crazy video of Uluru. Nine inches of rain! Glad Erin did not have to camp in that, although it might make for a good story.
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-freak-storm-created-a-bunch-of-rare-and-good-waterfalls-on-australias-uluru
I saw that, crazy!
I like the trail by the river; that looked lovely.
And I like you stayed with Brian and Claire. They have an awesome back yard.