Queenstown Hill

So back to Queenstown.  I had a couple of hours to kill before Mark, Linda’s husband, was ready to go.  Wait, perhaps I need to fill you in.  Mark works in Queenstown.  He works for an Engineering Cost Consulting firm.  I think I have that right.  Well I was to drop my pack off at his office once I got into town so I could walk around unencumbered.  Well I went by his office but the door was locked.  I had spoken to him the day before and he had told me something about the door and how to know if he was there.

So I went back again at 10, 10:30, 11, finally gave up and dropped my bag at the hotel across the street.  So wondering around around 12 I hear someone call my name, well it is Mark.  He had been there the whole time.  But I had been going to the wrong door.  “Sorry Mark,” I say, “but I can’t always understand your accent.”  And that is the truth.  He has a full on Kiwi accent and I struggle sometimes to get what he is saying.  He also talks quite swiftly.  He is a lovely jolly person and brilliant. 

So back to the hike.  So Mark and I had some lunch and then he had to go back to get some work done, so I had some time to kill.  So given that I feel like a fat slob since Fiji since I couldn’t do too much in the heat and given my foot, I decided to do the hike closest to town.  Well I get to the trailhead, after walking up what seemed to be a 90 degree incline, phew!, and the sign says 1.5 – 2.5 hours round trip. 

So I figure, given the speed with which I walk, it should be about 1.5.  I only have 2 hours before I have to be back.  So up I hoof it.  And it is a mountain.  And I didn’t bring any water, and my foot still hurts.  But needless to say, I did make it to the top in just under an hour.  What a view.  What a wind.  I had to lean into it not to be blown away.  The Douglas Fir trees were huge – bigger than any I’ve seen in B.C.  but B.C. has big trees in it’s virgin forest that are of different species.

Almost near the top is the Basket of Dreams.  A plaque nearby says:

The Basket’s spiral of steel follows you

inwards to reflect, to draw inspiration from the mountains, lake and from those who are with you

outward to dream for the future

Time flies, eternity awaits

Add to that the spectacular mountain scenery.  Well it was a good hike and good exercise.  Made it down in 1/2 hour.  Needless to say my butt cheeks were stiff the next day.