South Island Road Trip * day seven * Arrowtown and Glenorchy

Watching the bungy jumpers at Kawara River Bridge

South Island fish

Day seven we all slept in and recovered from our marathon of a day. Jonah took a morning nap, Ben went to the river with the big boys and Maggie and I stayed home and did some coloring and drawing. We had a roast for lunch and got out of the house a little after noon.

We drove a few minutes down the road to watch people jump off the Kawara River Bridge... home to the first commercial bungy site (established in 1988). The AJ Hackett Bungy museum was housed in architecturally interesting building overlooking the beautiful river. There was a short (and thrilling) video on a huge screen about the history of bungy jumping. I suppose if I were ever going to jump off a bridge this would have been the place to do it... no go.

Next we went back to the Genorchy Road... because we just couldn't get enough of it. We stopped at Bob's Cove for a short hike and some fishing. This random, unplanned, excursion ended up being a holiday memory maker. The few hours we spent at Bob's Cove were a little bit magical - encompassing so many of the things I love about our family.

Ben caught a fish... and even though it was a little guy, he made all of us smile. Jonah toddled along the waters edge (and didn't fall in) picking up little bits and pieces, throwing rocks, eating sand. Max, Maggie were fully engaged in an elaborate castle making project... gathering and dispersing - rocks, leaves, berries, flowers, moss and driftwood. The photos don't do justice - it was so creative and beautiful. There was a chapel in the town center and since it was Sunday they lead the family in a little worship service. Jude (in his typical three year old fashion) popped between all of us... checking on the fishing progress, attending the church service and throwing rocks with Jonah.

On the way home we stopped at the grocery store for a few things and then headed back for an early dinner and bedtime. Ben and I cleaned the house and packed the car so that we could get an early start in the morning.

The rock castle...