Hike Day 10. Endings

February 23, 2010
The Browns Boutique Hotel
Queenstown, NZ

Trip Day 17 (a retrospective of Hike Day 10)

So yesterday was the Backroads' breakup day. It happened quickly at the Queenstown airport. Some sadness and promises of keeping in touch, but people already had their eyes on flight schedules, hotel pickups and other things so suddenly we found ourselves going our separate ways. No pictures.

No doubt some lasting friendships were born over the past week and a half. We certainly got to know one another, and David, our appointed 'cruise director,' had us do an exercise at our farewell dinner to show just how much. Our task began by drawing a name from a hat. No one could have his or hers, of course, nor one's partner. During dinner we were to choose a single word that described a positive quality of the person whose name we had drawn. Over desserts and coffee, we went around the table: elegant, fun loving (ok, so that's two words), ebullient, eclectic, courageous, thoughtful, enthusiastic, gentleman, kind, caring and resourceful were some of the words offered. Many drew applause.

Our hoped for "Plan C" to get a flight to Milford Sound didn't happen. The weather had not improved. Milford Sound will have to wait for another trip. We were all disappointed. Those who had not signed on for Milford did a short but vertical hike up Iron Mountain early and were back at the resort in time for a shower and breakfast before our departure for Queenstown.

The ride was quiet. All of us were alone with our thoughts. Most of the group had flights to catch, so that weighed on their minds…there's always some stress associated with getting on a plane. The rest of us were simply wondering what Queenstown would hold for us. Much, we hoped.

We did pass A.J. Hackett's bungee jumping center. Where it all began. We had planned to stop and watch, but a road construction project created a traffic backup and we needed to stay on schedule. Then came the vineyards on the outskirts of Queenstown, the remarkable Remarkables (mountain range) and there we were: the airport. Handshakes and hugs all around and it was over.

Now starts Chapter 3