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Blogs

 

New Zealand – The Culture and People

I shall attempt to share some personal impressions of the culture and people of New Zealand. New Zealand has a number of things that remind me of the US in the 1950’s. Traveling through the small towns and rural areas is a distinctively different experience than traveling in the larger cities. The larger cities have motorways which are similar to our limited access highways with high speed exits and entries onto the highway much like ours. There are even some access ramps in Auckland which h

tbutler

tbutler

 

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier is the name of a town and the name of the glacier itself that lies just a few kilometers from the town. We stayed at the TOP 10 Holiday Park in Franz Josef Glacier, the town. It was a pleasant enough park, clean facilities. When we got ready to go in the morning, the campervan would not start. The battery had been drawn down by the headlights so we had to call for a jump. We called the 800 number the rental company had given us. After some discussion it was determined t

tbutler

tbutler

 

Our New Thor Tuscany's Problems

My wife & I were looking forward to retirement in our new RV. We aren't experienced in the RV atmosphere, but wanted to do it right. So, we bought a brand new 2014 big rig. My wife retired in December and we were planning to leave right after the holidays. But our trip was delayed with RV tweaks and troubles. It all started with a bad window, stained furniture, a faulty side awning and remote generator hour meter that wasn't working. Our dealership worked well with us to get most of

LewisandMaria

LewisandMaria

 

Westport and the Seal Colony

It is now Tuesday, February 12 in this series that started on January 29 with our departure from the US. The actual date of this posting is later because it has taken me quite a bit of time to catch up with recording and posting these entries. The first few days kept my mind fully occupied with all the new things to absorb about this vacation. Then there were the internet challenges. We subscribed to an internet server that is common throughout New Zealand at the TOP 10 parks where we stay m

tbutler

tbutler

 

Into the Mountains to the Tasman Sea

February 11 we left Blenheim on Highway 6 which runs up the Wairau River valley. This river drains the eastern side of the mountains. Its valley is wide and straight, formed by ancient glaciers and now filled with the silt and sand of those glaciers. As we drove up the valley the vineyards gave way to sheep and cattle grazing land. We stopped at Nelson Lakes National Park to hike for a while. After the Visitors Center and gift shop, we went on to hike a trail partway around one of the lakes

tbutler

tbutler

 

Pallet Racking

Step #1: Check the Material A. Check to make certain that all materials have been received. Materials should be checked against the packing lists and Bill of Lading. B. Notify the shipper immediately of any shortages or product damage. Step #2: Check the Area: A. Clear the area where the used Ridg-u-rak pallet racking system (https://www.arkerconfig.com/product-category/pallet-racking/ridgurak/) is to be located. B. Check the area for all obstructions, such as light

Beam

Beam

 

Well We Missed Wellington

On Saturday, February 8 we woke to rain and heavy low clouds. Our plans had been to drive from Rotorua to the National Park and do some hiking and sightseeing around the mountain territory in the center of the North Island. Since the scenery would be hidden and hiking in a constant rain would not be our idea of fun, we decided to turn the day into a travel day. We needed to be in Wellington on Sunday night so we could get on the Interislander Ferry to the South Island at 9:00 a.m. on Monday

tbutler

tbutler

 

Potholes: Worst Year Rver

It’s not just the snow and ice that have been setting records in northern states and provinces this winter: So have potholes. Before setting off on a long trip south yesterday, I stopped by my local tire shop to check the air in my Roadtrek eTrek’s tires. While doing so, I noted how busy the place was. The guy behind the counter beckoned me to take a peek in the garage, where a huge pile of rims were taking up a corner of the workspace. “Potholes,” he said. “We’ve never seen so much damage,” h

Roadtrekingmike

Roadtrekingmike

 

Rotorua - Maori Ancestral Home

Rotorua is a good size town. Among its claim to fame is having a number of local boys playing on the All Blacks Rugby Team, the national team of New Zealand. The name comes from their original uniforms which were the least expensive available, all black uniforms, no stripes, no decoration, no names. The team has become a cause celebre for the nation and now are internationally ranked in the top rugby in the world. We had one objective in Rotorua and that was to learn more about the Maori pe

tbutler

tbutler

 

Gilmour Lake Park in Waihi - When life gives you lemons…

Gilmour Park was an impromptu lunch stop for us. Louise had purchased a chicken pot pie at the BP Connect Station where I fueled the campervan. While she fixed the rest of our lunch, I took a walk around the park. It turned out to be a delightful park with a nice lake, with paths around the lake and boardwalks over wetlands and a children’s playground, it was a really pleasant stop. In gathering information for this entry, I learned that the park also had hidden beauty that I didn’t apprecia

tbutler

tbutler

 

Jennifer: The Interview

Our latest interview is with …ta da … my wife, Jennifer, as suggested by various readers when I asked for ideas on who they’d next like me to interview. And in this one, Jennifer opens up and tells it like it is when she is asked not what her greatest joys are while traveling, but what bugs her the most. I asked the questions you sent me. Her chief frustrations: Finding good food on the road. A refrigerator that is too small and what to do with dirty laundry. We’re using Google Hangouts

Roadtrekingmike

Roadtrekingmike

 

just joined

Greetings from The Beastmaster. I just joined up and wanted to just say Hi. And introduce you to The Beast. A 1973 GMC 26ft motor coach that I am rebuilding from the ground up. So far the drive train from the radiator cap to the tail pipe has been replaced with new components and the rear suspension has been rebuilt and upgraded. So mileage is less than 3000 miles right now on a new engine, Olds 455 with TBI fuel injection, new transaxle as will as 3" headers and pipes. I stripped out the o

Beastmaster

Beastmaster

 

Exploring the Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is a favorite holiday area for the Auckland area. It is just a couple of hours drive from Auckland to the southern end of the peninsula. There is hardly a straight road anywhere in the Coromandel. To the west lies the Hauraki Gulf and to the east is the Pacific Ocean. So this is similar in some ways to Florida but it is also dissimilar in many ways. Primary among these is that the Coromandel is mountainous and has some indications of volcanic activity in its many ho

tbutler

tbutler

 

Our Texas/Arizona Adventure 2014!

We stayed last night at Family Motor Coach headquarters campground in Cincinnati, Ohio. It had snowed. Did I say it had snowed? Snowed enough that I was concerned that I might not get out once I got in!!! It had not been plowed. Deep snow on top of ice. But we made it in and out okay. We made a side trip to Jungle Jim's International Market. The place was huge, and overwhelming. with more than 200,000 square feet of grocery shopping!! You could spend a day there, easily. And you don't want to g

C-677946

C-677946

 

Sheep World

After our long drive from the Waipoua State Forest we pulled up for the night at Sheep World. We had seen this place on the way north, it is right on NZ Hwy 1. It looks for all the world like a real tourist trap but we were tired and it was late so there we’ll stay. The owner is a real character, elderly and quick with his mind. We had breakfast at their restaurant the next morning then stayed for the dog and sheep show at 11:00. We visited the many animals they had in pens and cages, every

tbutler

tbutler

 

Waipoua State Forest

We left the park at Russell headed west to cross the island to the west coast. We wanted to spend some time hiking in the Waipoua State Forest, site of the largest Kauri trees in the world. Kauri trees are a source of gum and an important economic export from the islands until World War II. Much of the forest is gone but several very large Kauri trees can be seen in this forest. The road to Waipoua State Forest was quite serpentine, travel was slow and we encountered frequent one lane bridge

tbutler

tbutler

 

Campskunk: The Interview

Ever wondered how Campskunk got his name? Or how it is possible for he and his wife and their cat to life full-time in a 20-foot camper van? Then click on the Campskunk interview below. It's the latest in our series of live chats via Google Hangouts. We chat for an extended period about full-timing, life on the road and how to manage grocery shopping, doctor and dentist appointments and bill paying without a permanent address. I also ask Campskunk why he chose a Roadtrek for his home. I’

Roadtrekingmike

Roadtrekingmike

 

Live from the FMCA Roadtrek International Rally in Kissimmee, Fla.

As part of our blogging, we now have the ability to do live videos and interviews with folks of interest to the Roadtreking world. With that, we can answer questions, too. The videos are broadcast as live events on the Net, but also available for later playback on demand from You Tube. The first one I did was this week with my friends Jim and Chris Guld of Geeks on Tour fame. Many of you have met the Gulds as they’ve taught technoogy at various RV gatherings around the country. Today, while t

Roadtrekingmike

Roadtrekingmike

 

Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Early New Zealand History

We left Orewa Beach Sunday morning headed north to Whangarei and beyond to Russell and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. After several days in the campervan we had a list of things we needed. Groceries were at the top of the list. Yes, despite our purchase on Friday we were in for another purchase of food. We located the Countdown Grocery and Louise went in to start shopping. I went to a housewares store, Briscoes. I thought it was going to be more like a Lowe’s than a Bed Bath and Beyond but I

tbutler

tbutler

 

New Zealand - Day 1, I learn to drive, again!

We left the rental agency with our campervan, our suitcases piled on the floor in the rear and a brand new left-side-of-the-road driver in the driver’s seat. Our first stop was to be a grocery store just a few blocks away but after negotiating several rotaries and getting totally turned around, it took us 30 minutes and a stop to get information from the brochures we had been given. We finally arrived at the Countdown Grocery which is a subsidiary of Woolworth’s, yep, the Woolworths we all rem

tbutler

tbutler

 

Our New Home

Arriving in Auckland, New Zealand, our first stop is of course to pass through customs. We filled out the arrival card answering questions about the contents of our luggage, etc. Then we face the agents and answer questions about our answers. It is all pretty routine. Next, we need to find a way to get to the rental agency to pick up our campervan. We inquire at the airport information desk and are assured that a shuttle will arrive shortly to take us to the rental agency. Within about 15

tbutler

tbutler

 

Upside Down and Backwards

We arrive in New Zealand at 6:30 a.m., two days after we left our house. Where did that day go? Crossing the date line erases a day. We are actually 19 hours ahead of Central Standard Time in the US. As I explained to our children, it means we are 5 hours behind their clock time so imagine moving the clock back five hours, and then turn the calendar ahead one day! Actually we are on the same day from midnight to 5:00 a.m. in the Central Time Zone. What about other time zones? Well, it is

tbutler

tbutler

 

Travels with the eTrek: A Photo Montage

Like a lot of RVers, I’ve been reviewing memories and photographs this winter. That’s what we do during the down time: Go back and look at our photos and thus get excited by the places we’ll be going once the weather arms up. If you’re like me, I bet you have a lot of photos of your RV. We take pictures of them in the places they take us. That got me thinking about pulling a bunch of them and putting them together in a slide show. So, here’s about 100 of them, taken all over North America ove

Roadtrekingmike

Roadtrekingmike

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