Abel Tasman

Wow. I'm truly having the time of my life in New Zealand. I just completed a drive up the west coast to see the pancake rocks and baby fur seals. I stayed in the bike-friendly community of Nelson for a night before heading into Abel Tasman for a four-day hike. It was gorgeous. Absolutely perfect weather. Not a cloud in the sky and 70s everyday. They might as well call this trek the friendliest trek on earth. I met an array of people from all over the world.

Pancake Rocks

Inquisitive Kea on top of Avalanche Peak

These Kiwi kids are who I slept with in a hut. They were fascinated by my ipad and took at least 30 pictures with it. When the huts are near capacity it's like a slumber party every night. I love it. I actually sleep better when the hut is more snug. The dad of these wonderful children saved my backpack one night...my backpack was by my head and a mouse decided to nibble through the netting for some rubbish. The dad got his light out and moved my backpack. Thankfully, I slept through it all.

Abel Tasman :)

Lots of love from Sassy Cow!

Crow Hut

Hello!  

Sorry for the delay in blog entry, I have been out tramping and internet is not free in NZ!  I am currently at Punakaiki Beach Hostel.  Punakaiki is the home of pancake rocks, which I will be hitting up tomorrow on my way out.  A lot has happened over the past several days.  I cannot possibly keep up with blog entries detailing the things I have seen or the people I have met.  I will, however, share with you a journal entry from last night at Crow Hut.  

1/21/13

I can't find many words to describe what I'm feeling right now.  Today was extremely challenging on many levels.  I was at extreme highs and lows emotionally.   Let's just say  I'm happy to be alive and well in Crow Hut.  It's lonely yet peaceful at the same time.  This space allows me to reflect on the many amazing relationships I have in my life.  At times today, I was a little nervous for my well-being and started thinking about the many people that love  me, want the best for me, and want me to come home in one piece.  It is vitally important to hit the reset button by escaping into the wild, however, and like usual, I took it to the extreme.  I am alone in Crow Hut in New Zealand.  I had to navigate using a compass and my perception of distance.  I ran into several people climbing Avalanche Peak, as it's a popular one-day hike.  However, I have not seen a single person since the summit.  Besides a few rock formations and patted down areas, Avalanche Peak to Crow River (not the Crow that runs through Wright County!!!) is unmarked.  I have one word for this voyage:  SCREE.  Yes, I've decided today that I hate it.  After five hours of of climbing my legs and mind did not handle the steep decent in scree.  I realized that scree comes in many different forms and I hate them all.  Because of it's variety, I find scree to be quite dangerous.  I tried several techniques and if it weren't for my heavily-over-loaded-for-one-night bag I could have flown down the scree.  I tried squatting on my near-rump and sliding.  I also tried multiple karaoke skandasanas (yoga pose) and for the most part that worked the best. 

 Have I mentioned the weather?  It was absolutely perfect.  Not a cloud in the sky and mid 70s.  Being outside in this marvelous weather for 7 hours with no shade in New Zealand sun was a little much for my pale skin.  I applied sunscreen a minimum of 5 times, and of course, I still got burned in some places.  Oh and water became a bit of a factor.  And I had to figure out the best place to cross the river.  But the best part of this e-mail is that I'm alive to tell of my adventures!  I will definitely tone it down from here on out.  I promise. 

As I type in the dark of Crow Hut (Yes, on my Ipad. Pathetic, I'm well aware.  That conversation is for a future blog entry) I ponder my intentions of this solo hike.  Why did I do this particular hike and why did I want to do it alone?  Was it to prove myself of something?  Was it to prove to others that I'm not all talk when I say I love the outdoors and could live outside? That I am "tough" or "strong?" The only answer I can manifest right now is that this has been in the back of my mind for quite sometime.  I wanted to have a short solo stint "Into The Wild" and I'm in the midst of it.  It feels empowering and invigorating.   I had to be patient with myself and breath through difficult moments of complete exhaustion and fear.  

On a lighter note, I was greeted at Crow Hut with 15+ fly friends.  I kept a few alive for company before bed.  I must use my NZ West Coast magazine to swat my last friends.   Good night my friends.  Tomorrow awaits a new adventure.   

Geraldine

Today was spent exploring the big city of Geraldine by foot.  Truth is, Geraldine is a small village and I needed to break in my hiking boots.  Why Geraldine?  A friend of mine connected me with a lovely couple, Bev and Walt.  I am staying with them for a few days to get my feet grounded and to map out the rest of my time in New Zealand. 

I went for a breathtaking run this morning.  I call it breathtaking because although the countryside of New Zealand is beautiful, it is also extremely hilly.  My little jogs on River Road did not prepare me for New Zealand's terrain.  As Walt frequently says, so be it. 

One of my first stops in the village was a fruit stand.  Ohhh the excitement I get at the sight of fresh fruit!  I'm not sure if it is the "Minnesota nice" aura I give off, but the lady gave me a deal on my blackberries to watch her fruit stand.  Yes please!  I was definitely in my niche!

Num Num!

I quickly found the local's coffee shop of choice.  Below is my tasty lunch from Verdes Cafe and Deli. 

Venice Beach

I need to back up a bit to my 12-hour layover at LAX.  After much debate, I decided to spend my time at Venice Beach.  I was a sight to see on the public buses with my brand new hiking boots attached to my brand new backpack along with two other bags.  I quickly made friends with the bus drivers, who most likely thought that I was crazy when I told them I was heading to New Zealand.  Nonetheless, I made it safely to a brisk sunrise overlooking the ocean where surfers were attempting to catch lame waves and dolphins were showing their dorsal fins in the distance. 

Venice Beach was my first attempt of many to start my blog. I was indecisive as to which blog site to use and simply couldn't find a template I liked.  Maybe it was my lack of sleep from the night before or my pure excitement for the arrival of Devs, my good friend from college, that stunted the development of my blog. 

It was great to catch up with Devs over delicous food at Figtree Cafe.  We walked many miles along the boardwalk and came across some rather unique individuals.  She graciously gave me a ride to the airport in her sweet lowrider Camero.  I experienced the car's quick accelarion in LA traffic. What a thrill!

 

Welcome!

My morning run in Geraldine, New Zealand.  

Hi there!  This is Melissa.  You are most likely reading this blog because you know me through one of many avenues of life.  I want to thank you for your support as I embark on this amazing adventure.  I wouldn't be here now, in New Zealand, if it weren't for your continued love and encouragement.  That being said, let's get started with things.                   

Why the blog name?

Seward Co-op once stocked "Sassy Cow" milk.  I thoroughly enjoyed their whole milk in my oatmeal and coffee.  On several occasions it was noted that my level of sass increased while consuming "Sassy Cow" milk.  Maybe Minneapolis became too sassy, as the co-op no longer carries their milk.  This Minneapolis sassy cow is "on the loose."  I was set free from the heard in Minneapolis to explore the countryside of New Zealand, Thailand, and Nepal.  This would not have been possible without my fabulous nurse manager granting me a 10-week leave of absence...without having a baby!  I am very grateful for this rare opportunity.  

Why travel?

I love to travel off the beaten path!  Traveling provides more opportunities for growth and self-discovery than a routine life in homogenous Minneapolis can offer.  Meeting people and understanding their way of life gives light to new perspectives.  My hope is that these new perspectives will develop a deeper awareness of my own beliefs and thoughts.  

Traveling alone provides it's own bag of challenges.  Using my "people" instincts, reading maps, and driving on the other side of the road while reading maps are a few that come to mind.  But I'm excited for these challenges, as they can only increase my appreciation for the great life I have in Minneapolis.  

Why New Zealand, Thailand, and Nepal?

Ugh.  I hate to say it, but the seed was planted while reading "Eat Pray Love."  The seed started growing when I sat next to a lady at Birchwood Cafe one morning to watch the Tour De France.  We both share the love to travel and exchanged stories of biking in the French Alps.  She went on to say that her favorite place of travel was New Zealand, where she stayed with a family and worked on their farm.  I was sold.  I'm actually going to the same farm in a couple of weeks.  

I wanted more diversity in my travels, so I added Koh Samui, an island off of Thailand for my beach /yoga time, and Nepal for more more trekking and hopefully some volunteer work.  

I will disclose that this blog will not be just pictures and sentences of where I've been.  I presume that I will ramble about the meaning of life and post way too many pictures of good real food.  I will make no promises to blog frequently or to respond promptly to e-mails and comments.  I want to be present with my new friends.  I also want to read, journal, and floss my teeth every day, all of which will take up substantial time! ;) Much love to all!

~Melissa