This summer I have an additional reason in that I intend to climb several mountains this year. These are, I hasten to add, mountains that one tramps up rather than attacks with pic ax and crampons!
Every year I TALK about wanting to do these mountain walks so this year I'm doing it. No more talk! Am just over a week away from the first tramp and doing everything I can to ensure I'm fit enough and that gammy knee is going to hold together for the process.
So I take the road that leads to the foot of the dam (that gray structure is the dam) until I come to ...
... the first flight of the 160 steps (I counted them once) that lead up from the bottom of the dam to the top.
At the top there is this fabulous view of Lake Whakamaru with the small mountain Kaahu in the background. The white line is a float that keeps any weed from going through the turbines.
And then out over the dam and back again, and return via a little track through the bush rather than the 160 steps again.
It's a beautiful walk and I do feel privileged to live where I can keep fit without having to breathe in city smog and exhaust fumes.
Usually see rabbits, ducks, swans, and swallows. And cows, of course! This is dairy country! I'll show you them on another post!
11 comments:
Gorgeous.
What a wonderful walk to to do.
I know you'll climb your mountains.
I expect pics. Lots and lots of pics.
Merry Christmas-- since I missed it-- and I'm loving all your cool photos. To recap: I think the pig practice is cool, gives a sporting natural chance. Good luck, boys! The lake picture's lovely, and I know you've got thighs of steel after doing those steps. Look out, mountains!
Leah - I'll certainly be lugging the camera up the mountains!
Clare2e - Thighs of steel? Pity my food willpower wasn't made of the same stuff over Christmas!
Oh wow! What a gorgeous walk. Well, except those 160 steps. Made me pause halfway up to catch my breath!
And I'm loving your new camera. Can't wait for photos of mountain walks and cows! More cows!
I wanna see New Zealand cows.
Ah yes, a kindred spirit! :) How I love climbing mountains, and I do the tramping up them thing, too. You'll love those mountain walks -- mine have become almost as essential to me as breathing. The mountains are where I center myself, refresh myself.
Those are great pictures! And I look forward to more. :)
Love the pictures and it's great to hear you're tackling the mountain walk! So glad you got the new camera; it's a treat to see all these great photos.
Happy New Year Dawn,
Thanks for gorgeous picures of what must be a very inspiring walk.
Terrie
Wow, gorgeous lake! I can't wait for more hiking photos. (I'm with Sis though, I had to stop half way up to catch my breath)
Oooh, nice pictures. :) Mountains are fun. But I kinda live in them now, so I walk around 'em all the time.
Oh, you live up there, not in Taupo. Nice. If cold.
Haven't been here for a while, have I? What can I say, I've been busy moving back to NZ (I have new blog to celebrate).
That last comment should be signed "Chris", by the way...
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