~ quick update from the Trackers

Did we ever mention that they call "hikes" "tracks" in New Zealand? So the Milford Track (seriously - read a bit about what they say about it - it's amazing to go on a hike that people have been traveling the world to do for over 100 years!) is really the Milford hike. Our group just got back from one of the most incredible nature experiences of our lives. OK, I know I'm speaking for the whole group, but I really don't think they'd disagree with me too much. It's early Monday morning now. We got back last night, did laundry, and crashed. We're heading to Stewart Island, the third biggest island in New Zealand (still much smaller than the other two), today, but we hope to take it somewhat easy there and pull together the daily updates we journaled on the hike. We have ongoing discussions about what's too much - trying to live here, and not just breathlessly slamming from one amazing experience to the next - and it's really a challenge to figure out that balance. This place is amazing, and I'm feeling so priveleged to be here. The group has been fun too - it's great to experience all this stuff with people who are so fun! That being said, words - and even pictures - don't do well at bottling this up. So I can say this truly: I wish you were here! (Especially now that we're all showered and laundered!).