February 2016 - New Zealand - Rainy Drive, Hokitika, Beach

We left Fox Glacier in the pouring rain.
I think it was the only real rain we had on the trip. We were so blessed!
And, it didn't matter at all. We had seen everything there.

By the time we got further up the West Coast, the rain began to let up.

We found this great little walk up to a beach just south of Hokitika.
After suiting up in our rain gear, we headed out to see the beach.

It was gorgeous. Rustic. Wind swept. Isolated.

I wish I could put up the pictures from what happened next on this beach. Suffice it to say, it was one of the happiest, funnest hours of our lives! 

Since we were completely alone, and since there was a beach to be enjoyed, Mike and the boys stripped down and frolicked in their birthday suits! 

They jumped in the waves. 

They ran. 

They did handstands. 

It was pure, unadulterated joy! 

We're keeping those pictures private.
But, here's a tiny flavor!

We dried off back at the camper!

Our cute little driver!

It looks like I didn't take any pictures in Hokitika, but it was a great town!
We had lunch at a cosy cafe. They kept bees there, and you could see them at work through their glass enclosure. The boys loved that.

Afterwards, we split up and Mike and I each managed to get just a tiny bit of time visiting the art and jewelry galleries that the town is known for. The boys found a toy shop there too.

The scenery was lovely as we continued on our way.

We were planning to spend the night somewhere in Arthur's pass, just as a mid-point along the way.
Mike was a champ though, and he drove on into the night while we all slept to get us all the way to Geraldine.