Mangaweka Awastone (Zero Day)

Today, I woke to a overcast cloudy sky and everything outside was wet from the night’s rain. To trek or not to trek was still an unanswered decision. What a great place to have another zero day, if I had (were) to take one. I never really had to take a zero day, as it’s just whether I just felt too tired or the conditions would make it a little more challenging to trek. But taking zero days keeps me in that range of where I feel my body is more productive. Once outside that range it takes more effort to go shorter distances, and having a zero day makes it easier for me to actually go further in the long run.

I had packed all my gear and waited for Brian and Shirley to meet me here for breakfast before they went back home. Unfortunately, the cafe here had closed for the season. So, we ended up driving a few miles to the cafe at Flat Hills and had a great breakfast. As always, it felt strange being in a car again, especially driving back along the road I had walked yesterday. Seeing it from the perspective of a fast moving car reminded me of how vulnerable I am on those curves with minimal shoulders.

It had already started to drizzle when we left, but once they dropped me back off and we said our goodbyes, it started to rain fairly hard. Thinking of those curves and then adding the danger of the rain made my decision to stay another day.

It was rather strange staying here because the facilities were basically deserted since the cafe bar was closed for the season. Fortunately I had enough food. There was only one motor home here and no other campers. Their main business here is river rafting, and with the end of the season, and rain, there are few customers here for that.

As it turned out I had made the right decision because it rained most of the day, and at times it poured. Having a very private cozy cabin overlooking the river, and watching the rain through the big glass doors, while watching a movie or reading a book, was not a bad way to spend a zero day.

Tomorrow is suppose to be a clear day and I will start towards Taihape, which is fourteen miles away. It will start with almost a one mile steep climb back to the highway and then another long steep hill once back on the highway.

I look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Please excuse the typos, spelling, grammar, etc., as I am typing this on my phone, and I am probably pretty tired.