In the morning we had a look at the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.  We then drove toward Graymouth.  The Group did a 1 1/2 hour walk along the coast on the Point Elizabeth Walkway.  Meanwhile Jenni and Ralph went to the Graymouth hospital for a checkup x-ray.  Then there was time to walk around the town.  Then we drove to   the old gold mining town of Hokitika, now a center for local crafts, where many of us purchased items made of jade, greenstone. This evening we arrived in drizzle and fog at the Shining Star Log Chalets   where we spent the night. After dinner a number of us visited the Glow Worm Dell across the street from our Chalets.   (Day total: estimate 3-4 mi.; Jenni and Ralph 0 mi.)

We're off to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. In drizzle and then clearing we followed a path to the foot of the Franz Josef glacier.  Meanwhile Jenni and Ralph kept Jenni's arm dry by visiting the visitor center. In the afternoon we did the short but wonderful Minnehaha Walk through a temperate rainforest. Overnight was at the Mt. Cook View Lodges in the town of Fox Glacier.  Dinner was nearby and included celebration of Jane's birthday..  (Day total: estimate 3-4 mi.; Jenni and Ralph 1 mi.)

After a leisurely and hearty breakfast it's on to the Fox Glacier! After being outfitted with instep crampons and appropriate boots we rode to the beginning of the trail.  We slowly climbed up the valley along side of the glacier in the rain.   After donning the crampons we followed our guide, Roger, as he cuts steps into the ice, leading us on a journey of discovery through crevasses and over moraines. Gradually the sky cleared and the sun warmed us (Roger's estimate: 6km=3.7 mi.)  After a late lunch we then walked along the beach at Gillespie. Overnight was again at the Mt. Cook View Lodges  and dinner was at a restaurant in town. (Day total: estimate 5 mi.)

Mt. Tasman and Mt. Cook