Trip to the West Coast

We were ask to take a car over to the West Coast of the South Island, and we had a lovely trip and enjoyed the beautiful country along the way. We had fun taking pictures. We went over the mountains, through Arthur's Pass going over to Greymouth (which is at the mouth of the Grey River) and then came back over Lewis Pass. The rivers and forest were beautiful with fern plants growing everywhere. We went through one "tunnel" that was one lane, so you had to stop and see if anyone was coming from the opposite side, before you proceeded, and it was also the tunnel for the train, so you had to check for trains both ways, before proceeding! Many places, you go down the highway, and come to a bridge, and it's only one lane! - so you have to wait if someone is coming from the opposite direction! We saw field after field with hundreds of baby lambs and calves - fun time of year to go to see them.

Up on top of Arthur's Pass we met the Kea bird - he's very smart and clever. He watched Kenny with a bag of cookies, and Kenny thought he was watching the cookie that he was eating - but he was wiser! The second Kenny took his hand off of the bag, the bird snatched it and took off!! We were amazed. When Kenny put the sack on his lap, the bird hopped down on the seat, to look under the table and see what he was doing. One was on a lady's car and she was trying to shoo him off, so he wouldn't peck at the rubber around the door, but the bird was not afraid of her, and calmly moved over to the other side of the car, where she couldn't reach him, and they went back and forth several times! So funny! There was a sign on the cafe, that said, "if the Kea bird gets your food, there is no re-embursment or replacement"! Click on the Sign and read about the Kea.

When we traded the Elders cars in Greymouth, we met Elder Skarkey from Utah (with a broken arm from wrestling!) and Elder Robinson from England. Good Elders!

We also found out that President and Sister Kezerian, were over there, so we met them and had KFC for lunch together, and a great visit.

It was a long ride, but we found "Joy in the Journey"!!