The Glaciers: New Zealand
April 28, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue
For two days, the mountains wept.
Great grey skies hung low over their tear stained faces and every surfaced oozed, or dripped, or gushed; from leaf tips to lichen, from pebbles to cliff faces. We stopped counting waterfalls. Some mountain faces poured with dozens on one hillside. They ran out of rocks, they fell off of the edges of high slung creeks in the crevasses between peaks, they seemed to originate beneath the snows on top and run, never ending, towards the Tasman Sea with the wind in their teeth.
And then…
We turned the corner out of Mount Aspiring National Park towards Haarst and the sun broke beneath the clouds, cracking the sky in long golden ribbons as she dove in hot pink glory towards the sea.
The day we celebrated with the children’s first glacier explorations was shockingly warm and sunny. We’d expected cold, if not wet, and definitely buggy. It was nothing of the sort. The kids ranged far and wide over the river valley wash leading up to both Fox and Franz Josef while we wandered more slowly, talking over the next year’s plans. Ezra interrupted to ask what “rock flour” was (the dust from rocks assiduously ground by the weight of the glaciers) and to have Tony explain, for a third time, why the ice was so very blue. It’s hard to explain how ice, something most often encountered in a soda glass, can also be a living river, carving the very face of the planet. There aren’t too many places in the world where one can watch that in action. It’s a good way to spend an afternoon, if you get the chance.
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Gorgeous pics. Want to see this the next time we come!
Beautiful pictures to match your beautiful words… My first glacier was Columbia Icefield but so long ago, I’ve almost forgotten. Thanks for such an inspiring reminder:)
Love the pics especially of you and Tony! You have such a beautiful way with words explaining God`s creation ! Thanks for sharing!
Ah the glaciers! They make me miss home (the Yukon…)!
another great glacier area with countless waterfalls is Prince William Sound, caddy-corner across the pond from where you are in Alaska. I took a cruise from Whittier to Pigot Bay, and though I couldn’t get up close and personal they were still breathtaking. Next time I want to hike to the glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Austin… I would LOVE to see Prince William Sound… on the bucket list for sure!
I like the photos, especially the ones with you guys in ’em! Can’t wait to see you and give you all a BIG SQUEEZE!
Love
Grandpasgreat
We miss you too Grandpa!!