August in New Zealand GUEST POST By: Datty Caimi

Things got a little hairy, but i'll explain.

The girls move like fireflies, often at night. Their recon is based on a biblical travel book that identifies potential sleep-spots that are clean and safe - and dicey. For example, when we saw the penguins on the coast, a swarthy bar patron asked me to go to the back of his van and look at his Bull Mastif. The girls quickly demurred. The penguins were amazing.

In Queenstown we rode beautiful horses into a paradise: the set of the Lord of the Rings films. Glacier capped mountains and turquoise streams guided us, along with a cute Kiwi horsewoman. But that damn English saddle haunts me.

We "jumped" mightily out of Queenstown, into the realm of the highest mountain in Australiasia, Mt. Cook. A three hour hike took us to the base of this giant. But to reach the mountain we had to ford a flooded stream. At some risk, I built a small walkway with nearby rocks - photos and video to follow. The stream lead to a glacial lake full of icebergs. Seriously, real icebergs, huge and floating. Later we took powered rafts and sucked the marrow from the ice?

I am pleased and satisfied with the judgment and joy these young women exhibit. Oh ... did I forget to say I'm jealous? All is well, thank God. See ya stateside. Datty