After abandoning us in a foreign country for a week, Dad has finally returned from the Land of Kiwi (New Zealand). Dad took part in helping craft New Zealand's new 5 year wildfire strategy in Hamner Springs, which Dad says is quite beautiful. Dad then was taken on a tour of the South island of New Zealand by Dave Hunt of the Department of Conservation. This tour was nearly 3 days and involved a great deal of hiking (Lake Rotoiti, red/mountain,black beech forests as well as the geographic center of NZ in pix), plant and wildlife identification (Kea and a daisy tree in pictures), and wildfire discusions with various Rural Fire Service programs as well. Dad stayed in places like Christchurch, Hamner Springs, St. Arnaud and Nelson. Dad is promising to take us back to New Zealand before we head back home to the US. We will be holding Dad to that promise! Love, Cameron.
