I know any mention of summer probably doesn't go over well with my family and friends in Joplin (and that whole area) because they've been buried in ice for several days now as winter rolls in. Missouri has declared a state of emergency, has thousands without power and from the pictures I saw, a lot of destruction - trees, power lines, etc. Luckily, my family is safe and (somewhat) warm and are working through the storm. Here are the pictures my mom posted.
Lucky for me, on the other side of the world, things are warming up nicely for summer! There have still been plenty of gloomy, cloudy, rainy days mixed with stretches of sun, but we've learned that that's just how things are on an island. However, the pohutukawa trees are blooming red all around and it's looking very festive for the holidays! The temperature has been steadily increasing and oddly enough, the South Island has been even sunnier and warmer... and that just happens to be where we're headed!
Tomorrow morning we leave for the Nelson region on the north coast of the South Island. On Monday we'll take the huge ferry from Wellington to Picton w/ our car in tow. The first week we're staying on a beach in Kaiteriteri just minutes away from the Abel Tasman National Park (it's stunning from the photos we've seen). For the second week we'll be in French Pass, Marlborough Sounds at a "sea safari & accommodation" resort where we hope to get up close and personal with some marine life. After Christmas there, we'll have a few more days to wander around Nelson and celebrate New Year's. We're planning lots of "tramping", sea kayaking, fishing (for Andy), and relaxing with a veiw!
We'll be missing family this year, but we're thinking of you all and wish you a Merry Christmas! Thanks to our families who sent us presents so we have something to put under our tree (if we find one). Enjoy the holidays and we'll keep you posted on our "holiday"!
It can't get any better than this.
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