The Sun Came Out and It Didn't Go Away, No, It Didn't, It Didn't Go Awaaaaaay

Lazy morning in Twizel. Surprisingly the sun was out and stayed out for most of the day. Studied guide books over breakfast in search of my next destination and found it on the east coast. Will travel to Oamaru tomorrow and stay 2 days.

Rolled out of the hotel by 11 AM and just kind of drove around the area.
Twizel once was just a temporary outpost built for workers creating a large hydroelectric project. It was due to be bulldozed once the project was completed but a number of residents decided to stay and lobbied to create an actual town.

I meandered on the outskirts of town until I found the reservoir and canal which direct massive mountain runoff from the Southern Alps into a hydroelectric complex further down the line.  Followed the canal upstream for a while, taking photos until I realized I needed to return to the hotel to get my tripod if I were to steady my lens in the buffeting winds coming off the mountain range. The canal road eventually led me back to the main highway which proceeds north to Mt. Cook National Park. Weather reports indicated strong winds and periodic rain but I figured, "What the hell, that's why I'm here. What's a little rain?" And it was just the right amount of rain. Clouds make for far more interesting and dramatic images. You might say they add just the right amount of atmosphere. Literally.

Anyway, I spent the day in Mt. Cook National Park, first along the road skirting Lake Pukaki and then in the park itself. If the supposed similarity with Alaska is what helped spark my interest in traveling here, this was positive proof of just that. The landscape is huge and stupendous. I made my way to Mount Cook village where there are numerous lodges for backpackers and mountaineers who ascend into the snowy heavens. From there I hung a right onto the gravel road toward Tasman Lake.
All the maps and atlases have warning signs that say "No rental cars on this road".
Being an inveterate scofflaw I, of course, proceeded directly down that road.
When I arrived at the carpark from which numerous hiking trails proceed, all I saw were rental cars.
Guess I ain't so special after all.

Took a 15 minute hike straight up to an overlook to view Tasman Lake and the rapidly melting Tasman Glacier which in just 20 years has receded at least a couple of miles from its previous position. The best part of the hike was getting pelted with rain and hail for a few minutes. That sure made it memorable. And, of course, the unbelievably epic view of the glacier and cloud topped mountains towering over it.

From there I turned around and made my leisurely way back to Twizel.
I had a fantastic day and for those of you who think I celebrated the New Zealand November 30th as my birthday, then this certainly was a great way to do that.
But I'm actually going to wait until my legitimate North American birthday rolls around tomorrow and treat myself to a lovely dinner in the quaint coastal town of Oamaru.

OK. All for now.
Here are some pix from today.