Spring 2013 NZ

The official first day of spring in New Zealand is September 1st.  Each year the Christchurch Stake YSA go on a tubing trip to Mt. Hutt.  This will be the one and only tubing trip for the Blackwell's.  This will be our one and only spring in New Zealand.

The tubing trip was heaps of fun.  The Stake rented two vans for the trip.  The two hour drive there is very beautiful (big surprise).  The road up the mountain is gravel and very steep.  There are no trees on the top of the mountain.  Where we go is a ski resort.  Lots of people were there but we were the only ones tubing.  The kids do have the chance to go skiing or snow boarding but they have to pay for that on their own.  A lift pass is about $80 US.  Needless to say we all went tubing.

We can't begin to describe how amazing the foliage, flowers, trees, shrubs, and bushes are here.  The trees are all in blossom and many, many more with buds.  Disclaimer:  The pictures can't begin to show the real beauty.

Mt Hood is up there somewhere.

Heading up the mountain

Tube holder

Love these people

This is our second attempt.  First one not so good.

Looking down to the flat land.

Road down, unless your going up.

Mona Vale park.  Next door to Stake center.

The Church once owned this park and was where the old mission
home was.  The Church gave the land and home to the city.

Magnolia tree.  Flowers first then leaves.

Feeding the ducks.

These are probably weeds in the lawn, but pretty weeds.

Add caption

These are in front of our house.

It's like the trees are just showing off.