6 days down...359 to go!

Tomorrow will complete my first New Zealand week. I currently reside in the town of Katikati for two nights while my insides heal. Since my arrival, I have ridden through lovely pastures, rolling hills, quiet shorelines, the outskirts of Auckland, rails to trails of the Karangahake Gorge, tiny towns, the birthplace of lemon and paeoria soda (world famous in NZ)...through sunny skies and chilly enough rain for me to pull out my ski pants.

Advised by incredibly wonderful warmshowers hosts, Belinda and Roland, I stayed my first night at a beach named Topopokanga Regional Park. Only three other campervans, along with me-my-bike-and-my-trailer resided at this gorgeous site for the night...towering orange cliffs, a crystal clear bay with the very green and mountainous coromandel peninsula in the distance, and glorious load of new types of sea shells for me to sift through...and I was greeted by a pasture of 100's of recently sheered sheep who seemed to be curiously wondering and yet obviously avoiding my slightly overpacked trailer.

This would be my third night in the country. I was walking back to my tent on the deserted beach at sunset when an older gentleman approaches me asking what I know about RV's being allowed at this site. They weren't allowed, but we talked a bit more and I said maybe twice that I had just arrived in town a couple days earlier so I really didn't know the rules. Then I mentioned I was on a bike- the pedaling kind...and then you could see a light bulb go off in this guys head.

We had an encounter, though brief, at the airport a few days prior. He's a taxi driver for the executive types so he was in a fancy uniform...which is why I didn't recognize him at the beach. He questioned what I was doing as I was building my bike and trailer and when he found out why (to ride around the country- from the airport) the two simple words he uttered were "you're crazy!". Haha, more than likely true.

I figure running into him at the beach was a fun chance encounter and let's me know I am starting my kiwi experience in the right direction...because i do believe in that sort of thing. After I finally could pinpoint which stranger he was to approach me at the bike building area of the airport, I went to his parked for the night RV and met his wife, Sally...he told her the story and brought me along so she would believe him...

Did I mention how beautiful this beach is...and the shells! Oh my...I so look forward to making my first set of NZ made earrings :) I'll mail a pair to the first person who responds (if you want a pair).

Next stop: Tauranga

Big aloha!

The joys of being poisoned :) <--- sarcastic smile

My first rest day since being on the bike. I had a bit of an issue, gastrointestinally, due to ingestion of Milo... Which I had believed to be a chocolatey drink. Though the terrain was relatively easy and distance not very far, I arrived into Katikati purely fatigued and utterly exhausted. Strength thrown out the window. If it were up to me I would have hopped off my bike and slept for ten days in the open grassy fields - perhaps even curled next to sheep doo doo. Not an option.

Though my intent was to push on a bit and pitch the tent somewhere, I was incredibly grateful for the hostel in town. And the laundry machines.

A very short and exhausting meandering through town had me bypass a department store with a large can of Milo advertised through the window. Curious as to what the chocolately ingredients were, I tried to eye the listing only to find the giant words "MALTED BARLEY" screaming back at me. Oh sh*t. Damnit, steph, when are you gonna learn to triple check any unknown food to prevent essentially poisoning your body.

Today I am eating nothing but whole foods and am gradually getting my strength and clarity back. The sinus pressure is slowly dissapating, too, as is the other yucky gastrointestinal stuff...live and learn, Steph. Life is much to precious to live life the way I've felt the past two days. I guess I'm just surprised how it has yet to hit me 100% how much gluten rips apart my insides quite literally...and prob figuratively... and how much it deteriorates my quality of life. Not worth it.

Happy to get back on the bike tomorrow...with a healthier mind body and spirit :)

Fannie's in Auckland!

Ohhhh myyyy, how happy am I! I spent four wonderful days on the island of Fiji. Thank you Iva, Mili (x2), Seni, Orisi, Seru, Fulori, Isei, Bandi, and Manu for your wonderful hospitality and showing me what Fiji is all about. I really can't express my gratitude. And oohhh my, the food was wonderful. Fijian grown veges and meats cooked in simple yet delightful ways. Midi (raw coconut mile with diced onions and tomatoes), mmmmm mmmmm good. And thank you, Seni, for showing me around Sigatoka and Suva. I love you all! Vinaka!!!

I've since flown into Auckland. Built my bike and trailer at the airport (where they have a bike building area, and free internet kiosks!), and rode into Manurewa (just a few miles from the airport) where I am staying now with fellow tourist Belinda and Roland (they rode from Alaska to Argentina) and their family. So far, New Zealand is so lovely and I'm so happy and grateful to be here. I'm just gonna get my bearings a little bit more, pop into a bike shop, get some contact solution, repack my trailer and take off tomorrow towards Rotorua, I think :)

Let the adventures begin!

What I Learned in School

Well my attempt for returning to school was a fail. Or perhaps I will chalk it up at a learning experience. Which it was, really. I learned how to decipher my vision - as in what 20/750 really means...yes, I am blind without some artificial vision device. I learned about the wondrous world of the super duper tiny things in life - microbiology is truly fascinating stuff. In fact, I learned I would rather be a microbiologist that a nurse. But I really don't want to be either. I learned that, too.

The most significant thing I learned in my university quest is that I should embrace my wonderful skills and talent for wanderlust. I'm good at it. I certainly have a knack for it. So I will pursue it!! YES, I've finally figured out my life - HA, not. Ever-changing and lifelong - this thing we call figuring out life.

That being said, I have a one way flight booked for New Zealand for the end of October with a 1 year work visa. Wow, it feels good to have a new goal. Another thru-hike is in the works. The Te Araroa trail combines both the North and South Islands of New Zealand and covers 1800 miles. My heart craves that simplistic, living out of what's on your back lifestyle. That will be five-ish months. After that I will work wherever I can (probably a ski town in the service industry), and also work on getting a TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) certification so I can continue to better my wanderlust skills in other lands.

Long story short, I'm ready ready ready. Ready to see my family in October, too. It's been long overdue and I miss them tremendously.

My potential future...back to Alohaland!

I'm ready to be active again - like really active. An unexpected turn of events had left me confused about my future (rejection is never fun), but I have concluded that I actually will be in Salt Lake City for the winter and plan on taking full advantage of what the chilly season has to offer and hanging out with family and friends. I also really really REALLY want to do a winter Xterra race, and there is one in Utah in March!!

By springtime, I should be ready for a good long thaw and plan to move back to my favorite home ever, Hawaii. My main goal is to re-establish residency again and make myself a worthy candidate for nursing school. Yup, another degree at UH Manoa is in the works. I can't wait!

I had met so many different types of nurses throughout my trail journey. I never really gave nursing much of a thought, but through discussion and research, I have concluded the profession has so much to offer for the lifestyle I would like to live. I still have more research to do and plenty of questions because I really had no idea there were so many different avenues for nursing. But it does feel good to finally have that direction. And I won't have to work a 9-5 day after day, week after week, year after year! Excellent!

Those who know me well know not to believe me entirely when I tell them plans about my future. I understand that because I do change my mind often. But I would go nuts if I didn't. I definitely take to heart this quote by Leland Thomas:

"At every crossroad, follow your dreams. It is courageous to let your heart lead the way."

I first saw this on a card I received for my high school graduation and it rings through my brain whenever I am in a transitional place in my life. Often, it is rather difficult to decipher the messages of my heart, but enough digging and I usually can figure it out. I know when I have made the right decision when I feel like 400 pounds of weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and when my mind is no longer is a state of confusion.

Right now, I'm at peace. An hour/day/week/month/year from now, I may not be at peace with my choices and I have to go through the process all over again. And that's perfectly fine with me.

Appalachian Trail via wheels!!

It's for real this time. Officially official. I am done living out of a bag officially for a few weeks, at least. My mom, sister and I arrived back in Suwanee, GA after nearly 2 weeks on the road from Maine. From Maine til about New York, we were more or less traveling the trail again. Except southbound, and by motor, and wheels. A little faster and perhaps just a bit more pain free. Just a tad bit.

We stopped by the White Mountains and I got to check out Pinkham Notch again. We walked the trail a bit so my momma could hike the AT in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, Mt. Washington was clouded over, but not so much that we couldn't see the SNOW that dusted the lower half of the mountains. Geez, it was a beautiful sight mixed in with the glorious northeastern fall foliage. I'm so looking forward to another fall in GA...awesome two falls in one season. excellent!!

We also stopped by Harper's Ferry again before heading to NY to visit my sister, Katy. She took the train from Brooklyn for the night and we got to go to the hugest apple festival ever in an itty bitty town. I ate some Polish fried mashed potatoes and cheese. I forget what they are called. (And for the record, my appetite is slowly dying down, but I would probably still eat a bus if you put it in front of me). I probably shouldn't be eating fried mashed potatoes much longer. (and they aren't french fries..it's more like an empanada, but the polish version). yummy.

We went apple picking after the very big, busy, brain stimulating festival. Katy, the visiting sister, is gonna bake a couple apple pies with her newly picked goods.

Another stop we made to the ATC headquarters in Harpers Ferry and they were able to process my "2000 miler" patch and certificate. So I guess that makes it officially official that I hiked the entire length of the AT. Like a wacko. Not that I need a certificate to prove anything. But it is pretty.

I was super pleased to visit a covered bridge. There's loads in the northeast, yet I never took the opportunity to see one on the trail. I felt like I was time-traveled back to the olden days with monstrous dresses and horse 'n buggies. not really. I felt like I was in the present looking at a cool old bridge, actually. But it was built in horse in buggy days.

We also visited a pretty gorge in Quechee, NH (I think), and ate at the Delaware Water Gap diner again in PA.

More of the southern half coming soon...

I'm done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've officially ended my journey, as most of y'all know. We summited on the 28th of September on a gloriously foggy day in Maine. Not the ideal blue sky Katahdin pic, but it was beautiful all the same. There were ten thru-hikers total who summited on Sept. 28th. Lunchbox, Holdout, Hatchet, Hot Feet, Chewy, Goose, Creep, Ketchup, Pyrofly, and me.

Oddly enough, I don't feel like I'm able to fully comprehend that I've actually walked from GA to ME and lived on the trail for an entire 6+ months. Maybe it's not so odd. It almost feels like I was on a 2 week vacation. But then I have moments where it hits me and then I can't comprehend why on earth I'd want to do such a thing. An odd goal, really.

This is me at the summit - officially done with the thru-hike, 2178 miles. But I'm not really done because I still have to hike the 5 miles back down the mountain.

Pyrofly and me at the summit...the sign is a blowin' in the wind. It says "Pyrofly & Lucky Star Rocked the AT March-Sept 2009." Pyro's parents had the sign made which was totally awesome. Both his and my parent's (all of them) came to support us at the end. That was incredible.

This is the view we were offered once the fog lifted from the mountain later in the afternoon. The entire mountain was fogged over on our way up so we had no idea what the surrounding, incredibly difficult terrain looked like. We left the summit around 2 pm (still fogged over), and this view was probably about 1/3 the way down. The summit finally did clear by the time we reached the parking lot, but that was waaay to late to start descending at 5pm.

I guess I'm just gonna have to go back - although I won't be walking from GA again. That's not the plan, anyway. But who knows... :)

Chances are, I'll be posting more photos and entries about the hike itself, and about post-hike life. It's only the beginning regarding post-hike life and I'm curious to see how I've changed, developed, grown...

And over a week of not hiking, my feet still hurt. I hope they don't take a whole six months to heal!