I've said it before and will probably say it again, but I am not as good a writer as I was before. I do ok, but these things used to have some very clever and amusing parts to them. I think some of that is missing these days, or it seems like they are. I am not sure if it is me, or maybe the kids are not as funny as adults, or maybe I realise it would be embarrassing if I wrote stuff about them like I used to. I don't know what it is. I know if I try to be funny, it never comes out right and I delete most of the funny parts. I used to not have to even try, but now, it is a little harder and doesn't come as easy as it once did. Probably just losing my fastball, but I still enjoy writing and this is something I really enjoy doing. The fact that I just published the last entry and started this one immediately after might indicate how much I like it. Or, I am just bored and not wanting to work anymore, so I do this in between classes. It's fun, and I expect to be doing a lot more of it when I retire. Might even start a book, but that seems a bit ambitious. I guess I will keep going, see where it takes me, and find out if it is all worth it. I hope the kids get enjoyment out of it someday. I know, since I have been back to the writing, no one is actually reading these anymore. I get a lot of views, so maybe they are, but nothing that it consistent or any kind of feedback on if they are actually good or not. Probably just people flying by in their search for something else. I don't mind. As I repeat over and over, it is for me and the kids. A remembrance of Daddy, I hope. I was here once and they are the only legacy I will ever have or need.
Now I have a show to do.
Oh, and by the way, I just got a notice that Blogger is going to start enforcing some content rules soon, or maybe they already have. I have no idea what that means. They sent me a copy of the rules. I am wondering if they are going to object to my posting pictures of the kids. I know, from other things I have read, there are restrictions on what and where you can post pictures of kids. Even from the beginning, I have always worried about putting pictures of them in this. I know how people are these days and some of the things that could happen. I have always kept this semi-private and not gone the push for views route partly because I was worried about that. I am just wondering if now, Blogger is going to flag some of my entries. I guess we will find out. I thought I would mention it in case things started to change for no reason. I don't know what it might be, but it's possible I suppose.
Once again, back to our regularly scheduled program.
We didn't get up early the next day, or they didn't. I think we got on our way around 9 or 10. First on the agenda was going to the downhill cart racing track. This is a little roadway built into the side of a hill that you take a cable car up to and then sit in the little carts and race down the hill. Didn't really need reservations for that, just show up, pay your money and ride down the hill. Turns out there were 5 different tracks you could go on, but I think one of them was closed. You can pay for sets of 1, 3 or 5 rides and you get to pick which track you want to go on. They all start from the same place and there are different exits you can turn off to go to the different tracks.
I got the set of 3 rides for me, Maeghan, William, Anna, and the boyfriend. There was no way Juanita was going to go on it, so she stayed at the top to wait for us until we finished. There were a couple of restaurants and a gift shop up there, so there was something for her to do. Each ride only took about 5 minutes and then you had to take a ski lift back to the top. We would meet back with her after about 10 or 15 minutes and then go again.
It was fun, except for the ski lift part, which was terrifying. William took off each time and raced down the hill as fast as he could go. The boyfriend kind of did the same thing so I was left to make sure Maeghan and Anna were ok. It was nice. The first time, we went down the scenic route. They had dinosaurs and cabins and other things to look at on the way down. The carts themselves were easy to drive, once you figured out how, so not a lot of problems. The only real problem occurred when I tried to get out. You are supposed to just stand up and step out, but they are so low to the ground, I had to crawl out sideways and then roll over to stand up. Several of the workers helped Maeghan each time, so that was good.
On the last trip down, William and I decided to take the fast track. It was steeper and had many more turns. A big issue was if you did not turn correctly, your cart would dig into the pavement and slow you down, or in Williams case, flip you out of the cart. That happened when I passed him and he was trying to catch up. Got going to fast and did not make the turn. He crashed into the wall and flipped his cart over. I was long gone but could hear him yelling behind me. He wasn't hurt, but now he had a big story to tell to his mother, and everyone else, that he milked it for all it was worth. I think by the third or fourth telling, he had flipped the cart and did several barrel rolls down the track before coming to rest in a giant pit on the side of the road. I am sure it would have been exciting to watch.
All in all, the carts were really fun and if Anna and her boyfriend did not have a fight, it would have been a very pleasant experience. Another place I would recommend.
I think we went to lunch next, although we might have done that later. I only mention it because we went to Wendy's. Wendy's has just opened in Australia and they all love it. Especially, William. There was one on the way to the carts and we said we were going there before we left but I am not sure if we went after the carts or for dinner that night. Doesn't matter, I just thought I would mention it. We ended up not being that impressed. It just didn't have the same feel as the new one's in Brisbane. And, they were out of chili, so that was a big disappointment. Maeghan and I love the chili. It is even mild enough for Juanita, but they didn't have any. Very disappointing.
Our next adventure was the tree walk. This was on the other side of town, but since the town is not very big, it didn't take more than 10 minutes to get there.
The tree walk is just what it sounds like. They built a raised platform between the tall trees in some forest. Kind of like the one in Tasmania that we have been on before. This one was pretty good, or it was at least longer than the one in Tasmania ( I refuse to say Tassie, which is what they call Tasmania over here) but the scenery in Tasmania is much better. And the trees are much bigger and taller in Tasmania. This one, they have put art works and stuff in the trees and most of the walkways sway slightly. We were scared to walk across the really long sections. There was a cutout point where you could end your trek early and not go on the really tall and swingy bridges. Anna and the boyfriend opted for that, although I think the boyfriend wanted to continue with us. William and Juanita went ahead as Maeghan and I took our time with each crossing. They finished about half an hour before we did.
Maeghan and I took about an hour and a half to complete the whole circuit. Juanita and William did it in about an hour. Anna finished the shortened version in about half an hour. Maeghan and I stopped several times to let people past and to sit and rest. It was a long trek, with lots of up and downs. We met several older people along the way. They were fascinated that I was from Texas and that Maeghan was 21 years old. They thought she was very brave to go all that way on her own until they found out she was a young adult. They stayed with us for a while but eventually, I think they went on ahead.
Another fun time and again, I would recommend it if you are in the area. None of these things are what New Zealand is famous for. It is the long mountain hikes and scenic roads that most people go for when they are there, but those are kind of unavailable to us. Me with the heart thing and Maeghan with the wheelchair, but what we did do was very enjoyable and I would do it again if given the chance. It was a fun couple of days in Rotorua and we ended up fairly well exhausted each day. There are other things we would have liked to do, like the heated spas and stuff coming out of the local springs. I won't go into that as much but it is really what that area is famous for. That and the sulfur smell that permeates the town. There are other things, but with only two days, I think we got a lot of memories out of it. Maybe someday we will go back, but there are so many other places to go in the world, and I am so old, I don't see it happening. Maybe, but probably not.
We do still have the drive back the next day and our one day in Wellington. I have that for the next entry. I didn't really think I would be going into this much detail, four entries if you are lucky, but I just keep typing and it keeps getting longer. This one is too long. Time I closed it out. Since it is Friday, I won't be back until Tuesday. Maybe I will type at home. I have to start doing that at some point since I plan on retiring in the next year or so. For now, it is a way to pass the time when the students are in class.
Until next time,
Later
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