hitting a speed bump

It had been 17 days and 13 hours when Jon and I hit our first bump in the road. We were leaving Taihape after visiting Gumboot Day, which only comes around every two years. Since it was getting close to dinner time we were looking for a campsite to stay for the night. I was driving and the winds were really picking up. When a big truck would pass us on the opposite side of the road, our hippie van would rock back and forth as if we were going to tip over. I was a little nervous about the wind but also anxious to get to a site for some dinner so I was driving pretty aggressively. 

We had been driving 200 - 300 kilometers each day, which can be quite a bit considering you are doing it day in and day out. We had enough. I was stressed and tired from the drive since I can’t reach the pedal comfortably and my shoulders get tense. Jon was feeling queasy from my crazy driving and exhausted from being cooped up in the van.

To make matters worse, we played scrabble that night to pass the time and it didn’t go so well. Jon had been winning all the games while we were in Fiji but New Zealand was my territory. Needless to say, we went to bed that night in our cozy full-size bed feeling each other’s cold shoulder.

The next morning when we woke up I told Jon we just passed our first bump. He laughed and asked if that was what it was. We agreed for our sanity that we would stay in a hotel that night in Wellington before we boarded the ferry to the south island.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to have cold and hot water coming out of the same pipe in the sink and to not have to carry my clothes and shampoo when I showered. Plus, Jon got to use the internet for free and they had unlimited usage! You can bet we were downloading stuff all night. It’s really the little comforts of life that we miss.

I’m glad we passed our first but certainly not last speed bump and now know what to look out for on our path. I think next time we’ll just go around the speed bump and stay at a hotel. We’ve also switched to reading more and playing cards.

Speed limit: you define it as you go along.

Comments

[Joyce Hsiao]

it's great to hear you guys are staying positive about the speedbumps =]
considering i hit a huge ditch, it really helps to hear that.

Loving the pictures and videos, can't wait for more

[mary Lappan]

Speed bumps come with life and it is all about how you handle them. Sounds like you handled it very well. Life's little amenities should be enjoyed from time to time to be appreciated. Love to keep up on the site. More please.

[Michelle Cortes]

Thank you for sharing your travels via this blog. I find your adventures incredibly inspiring. You have gotten me to think about my own life and some of the challenges I need to confront.

Can't wait for more!

[Hilary]

Love the title of this one (and the scrabble board). Speed bumps are part of the journey and how you handle them. A positive attitude and trying to find humor in things always help. And a hot shower :) (You definitely deserved a night in a hotel.) MIss you!

[Jon]

Joyce, always good to hear from you. You are giving our friend Hilary a run for the money as the our biggest fan. Hope all is going well on your end and remember everything always works out. Hope you are having a great spring break.

Take care and look forward to hearing from you shortly.

[Jon]

Michelle, so good to hear from you. Glad to provide a little inspiration but I am playing catch up on my world travels in comparison to you. Today we climbed the steepest street in the world here in New Zealand. It is called Baldwin street, made me think of you guys.

Hope all is well.

[Jon]

Hilary, thanks for the advice. Hope the wedding planning is going well.

[Jon]

Mary, we seem to be getting along with the camper van these days.