Wanaka

 My bucket list item for Wanaka was the Roy's Peak hike. However, that hike is for the view mostly. Its a hard, steep trail and 6 hours round trip to boot so when it turned out to be low overcast this morning, I delayed my start. That ol' weather app told me that 10am would be a sweet spot for the parting of the clouds.

Instead I went to Wanaka Lake and set my sights on an early morning Wanaka Tree visit. What is the Wanaka Tree? Why, it's Wanaka's most famous tree! A willow with the ordacity to grow all alone, out in the lake. A striking sillouette against a dramatic backdrop of lake and mountains. Everyone wants a picture of the Wanaka tree!

Eventually it was time to try that hike. I'd like to say I got to the peak, but I didn't even make it to the lookout (almost!) though, before calling it. The clouds came and went, as did the view, but mostly, I was just exhausted. Long days on the road, a steep trail and relentless cough had come home to bite me. I took my weathered self down the trail and by the time I reached the parking lot, realized my knees were also not up for this hike. C'est la vie. It's ok to revise goals! 

I changed mine to indulging in dulce de leche ice cream from the award winning Patagonia cafe and strolling through an art market before taking a seat on the pebbly beach of Wanaka Lake downtown.

Tonight, I had a room booked near here... a place to shower, food prep and get a good nights sleep. I was looking forward to a little not-camping time at Emma's house.