alexandriacardinals

February 28

[The No. 1-seeded Cardinal girls’ basketball team opened the section tournament by hosting the Little Falls Flyers.  Overcoming early camera gremlins (a continuation of a “disease” that has been ravaging household appliances),  I somehow got it up and running – I have no idea how . . .]

[On the floor are seniors Emma Ziegler (1), Kayla Feldhake (43), and Kiyana Miller (21).]

[The key to a first round match-up is to jump to an early lead.  Defensive pressure accomplishes that.]

[The KXRA broadcast team are beside themselves with excitement.]

[Kiyana and fellow senior Kara Thomson (23) . . . ]

[With Kendall Kohler and others, at the forefront of a trend for shorter basketball trunks – and freedom of the wheels.]

[In the absence of Macy Hatlestad (see further down), sophomore Kaye Paschke (45) had a lot of playing time, here with senior Kelby Olson-Rodel (13).]

[The bench appears aghast over another alleged sighting of Kim Kardashian.]

[Junior Emma Schmidt (25) joins the fray . . . ]

[Next year she’ll be a major fixture.]

[The aforementioned Kendall (3) got the Cards off to a fast start with 3’s . . . and free throws.]

[And Kelby chips in too.]

[The Flyers’ junior center is a player at what appears to be about 6’1″ . . . ]

[So Kayla kept an eye on her.]

[Are the Cards setting up ‘ye ole picket fence’?]

[Macy is now an acting assistant coach sitting next to her assistant coach mom.  She was our leading scorer this year but is now lost for the season with an ACL injury.  Really an unfortunate way for her to end her senior year.  The Cards are still likely to be considered the favorite to win the section, but we have to play the games.]

[We took care of business in the 1st half.]

[Micah Christenson – good halfback, good hockey player, good fan, but drummer . . . who knew?]

[Kayla with some 2nd half freebies.]

[Kaye is joined by senior Elise Stockmoe (41) and freshman Ella Grove (51) as everybody got some PT.]

[Senior Lauren Stockmoe (33) joins her sister.]

[Senior Sarah Frederick (5)]

[Ella watching to see if there’ll be an offensive rebound.]

[The last game for the seniors on their home court.]

[Next up:  Detroit Lakes in the section semifinals.]

Shooting is just like toenails. They may fall off occasionally, but you know they’ll always come back.  ~  Charles Johnson (1977)

January 21

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

[We’ve crossed the Tasman Sea from Burnie, destination the SW corner of New Zealand’s South Island.]

[After cruising the fiords, our next stop will be Dunedin on the East Coast, passing through Foveaux Strait between South Island and Stewart Island.]

[But now, the natural highlight of the trip for me – Milford Sound.  We were advised before we got here that there would be a 95% chance of rain.  Wikipedia: Climate. With a mean annual rainfall of 6,412 mm (252 in) each year, a high level even for the West Coast, Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Rainfall can reach 250 mm (10 in) during a span of 24 hours.]

[Wikipedia:  Within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve and the Wahipounamu World Heritage site has been judged the world’s top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.  Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth wonder of the world.  It runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales) – the mouth of the fiord – and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 ft), said to resemble an elephant’s head, and The Lion, 1,302 metres (4,272 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion.  Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls all year round, Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls.  After heavy rain however, many hundreds of temporary waterfalls can be seen running down the steep sided rock faces that line the fiord. They are fed by rain water drenched moss and will last a few days at most once the rain stops.  With a mean annual rainfall of 6,412 mm (252 in) each year, a high level even for the West Coast, Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Rainfall can reach 250 mm (10 in) during a span of 24 hours.  The rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls (as well as a number of major, more permanent ones) cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in length. Smaller falls from such heights may never reach the bottom of the sound, drifting away in the wind.]

[At dawn’s early light we passed Dale Point and entered Milford Sound.  Hey, we’re in New Zealand!]

[Well, it’s not raining . . . but it’s not sunny either.  “They” say it’s often better to come here when it’s raining (we’re under protection on the deck), because rain creates lots of waterfalls.]

[From our location on the back porch.]

[And now looking ahead.]

[And behind us again . . . eerily cool!]

[The Biddies are up and about.  It may be summer, but there’s a chill in the air.  After 100-degree temperatures in Australia, I thought this was great!]

[Folks were lined up on every outdoor deck for the beautiful scenery.]

[Clouds were below the level of the side cliffs.]

[Our first waterfall sighting.  There are two permanent waterfalls in the Sound – this is the first, Sterling Falls.]

[And from the “other” side.]

[The Southern Alps pretty much run the length of South Island.  In the distance here is Mt. Cook (Aoraki), the highest peak at 12,200 feet.]

[More low hanging clouds.]

[Looking toward the east end of the Sound is Mt. Cook and at water level in the distance, Lady Bowen Falls, the other permanent waterfall.]

[Coming up to Harrison’s Cove, another waterfall likely created by recent rain.]

[There were some boats (ships?) anchored in Harrison’s Cove.]

[‘Twas a quite breezy day as well.]

[Close to the end – Mt. Cook with Tasman Glacier, the longest in New Zealand (about 18 miles and beginning over 9,000 feet above sea level; Lady Bowen Falls comes into better view; and Milford Terminal and Visitor Center.]

[Same shot, less telephoto-ey.]

[Closing in on Bowen Falls.  Somewhere around here we had some passengers disembark the ship and take a boat ashore to begin an inland trek.]

[Low cloud bank ahead!]

[We must have decided it was time for breakfast . . . or at least a hot cup of coffee.  Past the inside pool to the Lido where goodies are aplenty!]

[We still had a view of the other photographers while we dined.]

[There’s Milford Terminal – we’re at the end of the Sound.]

[And Bowen Falls.]

[Then the ship spun a 360 (or was it a 720?) so we could see all from every angle.]

[Not quite a day for the pool.]

[The Biddies and Shari with front row seats.]

[Mt. Cook and Tasman Glacier.  Apparently we were very lucky as this is a sight seldom seen.]

[The Super and Shari enjoy the views of Milford Terminal from the inside . . . ]

[And the Super with Bowen Falls.]

[Kayakers!  Unfortunately, they were the only wildlife we saw.]

[Beginning our departure from the Sound.]

[Let’s see if we can work the ship into a couple of shots.]

[Good-bye Milford Sound, it was nice to meet you.  A good site mapping out the Sound:  http://milfordsoundselect.com/milford-sound/the-cruise-on-milford-sound]

[Then we were out in open water again . . . ]

[I’m really rather delighted about the lighting in this shot.]

[We next boated into Doubtful Sound (or was it Breaksea Sound) and came out Dusky Sound.]

[Entering either Doubtful or Breaksea.  I think it was the former, but looks more likely from the latter as a route out of Dusky?]

[Yes, our Maasdam is 24 years old.  She only has one year of service left.  She served us well.]

[The color and pageantry that is the international tourist.]

[As you’ll recall from our trip through Milford Sound, I believe that is called a waterfall.]

[I believe we are heading for Dusky . . . and out.]

[‘Twas a lovely day in a most gorgeous part of the planet.  We then went around the southern tip of South Island passing by Stewart Island (the country’s 3rd largest island after South and North), but it was getting dark and it was a little to far away for any photos.  So next . . . ]

[We decided to go to dinner.  I guess I ordered the fruit appetizer.]

[“This is exactly why I want to live on a cruise ship,” says the Super!]

[Yum!]

[The Biddies got the shrimp cocktail appetizer . . . ]

[So did Kathy.]

[Beef Wellington night?  Or is that ‘just’ a filet mignon wearing a hat?]

[Looks like a fruit cobbler.  I got them often for dessert.]

[Surprisingly good single performers.  This was their last night on ship – both were leaving us in Dunedin – so they both performed.  Do you think I could remember their names?  Not a chance!]

[We didn’t go to a lot of the theater performances after dinner.  They’re usually pretty good.  But some times we just went to the piano bars.  Other times, just to bed!]

Well, he’s…he’s, ah…probably pining for the fjords.  ~  Monty Python

January 19

Two Days at Sea

[We’re now steaming from Australia to New Zealand, a two-day venture across the Tasman Sea at 17 knots.]

[This is why an ocean cruise excites me not.  This is all you see.  Of course, it makes for short blog posts as I only took four photos over the two days.]

[Well, there’s always meals.]

[And you can watch the water slosh around in the pool.]

[But mostly it is a good time to catch up on one’s book readings.  I finished these two by friends with Alexandria connections and found them both to be terrific tales that were captivating.  I remember Jami reading Jess’s book through every activity she did in the house because she couldn’t put it down.  Thanks, Jess and Mike!!  🙂  ]

A tourist is a fellow who drives thousands of miles so he can be photographed standing in front of his car.  ~  Emile Ganest

January 18

Tasmania

[Arriving in Burnie, a small port city on the north coast of Tasmania with a metro population of about 27,000.]

[When we disembarked, we were all met by a woman handing out “Burnie” pins.  Turns out she was the mayor, Anita Dow.  Totally shirking my cub reporting duties, I forgot to take her picture.  This one’s from the “www.”]

[Well, if the mayor is handing me a city pin, it’s going on my hat!]

[A short bus ride (it could have been a walk, but again, it’s a working port so it’s verboten) to the city, technically to Makers’ Workshop (and information center) from whence to begin daily operations.  I found this university sign and wondered if they’re the Tasmania Fighting Tasmanian Devils?]

[Reetz explores the facilities.]

[Followed by a bus ride to the city overlook . . . ]

[The Biddies each get their shots.]

[Lumber is a major export product of both Australia and New Zealand, going mainly to South and East Asia.]

[Ground plaques, always a major photo op.]

[Are we back in West Central Minnesota?]

[The first and main tour destination – it’s internationally-renowned, we’re told.]

[Our group models . . . modeling.]

[And here we go for a walk over the 11 hectare (2 1/2 acres per hectare) gardens.]

[Artsy shot of tall trees.]

[The Super finds some flowers . . . ]

[As does Bert.]

[There are literally thousands of varieties of rhododendron – over 22,000 in this garden alone.  They are a very close relative to the azalea.  We’re here in summer and the blooming season is spring – so we just missed it by a month or so.]

[Looking back up at the welcome center.]

[Argghhhh!  I forgot to check to see if this was a Continental Bridge.  Sure looks like one.]

[Like a Japanese garden.]

[The Flowering Biddies – hydrangeas, I believe.]

[Oh, that Aussie sense of humor!]

[With our garden guide, Pete Stratford (I know that because in an upcoming photo you can read his name tag), in a volunteer-made gazebo.]

[A lovely setting, if I do say so myself.]

[The Super in the covered bridge . . . ]

[The aforementioned covered bridge.]

[Plants]

[More plants, with the gazebo in the background.]

[The gazebo and the covered bridge all in one incredible shot!]

[It must be some sort of Tasmanian word?]

[On the road again . . . ]

[To this destination.]

[A really big tree – eucalyptus, I believe.]

[A tree parasite.]

[As we begin our trail walk, signs of a relatively recent flood in the river.]

[Keep an eye out for a platypus.  Nope, unfortunately never saw one.]

[Another parasitic tree.]

[Reetz and Kathy read about what they’re looking at.]

[Onward – ferns abound.]

[The gang enjoys another scenic overlook.]

[This selfie was designed to include the Super and the entire background.  Close-up setting instead of wide angle.  Well, it could always be used as an ad for using sunscreen, as I’m peeling like an old onion.]

[Kinda what I was looking for the first time – except the Super is holding a “stuffed” platypus.]

[Reetz plays a little solitaire waiting for our ride at the end of the hike.]

[And now back at the Makers’ Workshop for a little lunch – not unlike SAWA’s wine lovers platter.  Yummy!]

The Supervisor’s Section

[The Super and Reetz are into crafting and gardening.  Thus, it only seems fair they get a whole section for their photos beginning in Makers’ Workshop, where folks work on their arts and crafts, i.e., “make” things . . . ]

[And her port shots . . . ]

[And her spouse shot.]

[Flowers!]

[Sniff!]

[More flowers . . . ]

[Pete and the folks in the gazebo.]

[There’s that funny Tasmanian word again?]

[The aforementioned Mr. Stratford and his name tag.  And he wrote a book:  Why I Sit Like This … …: The Poetry of Pete Stratford.  The Super bought a copy and had him sign it for Jami and Danny.]

[Saying good-bye to Burnie.]

Stop ye travellers as you pass by; As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, soon you shall be – Prepare yourself to follow me.  Graffiti response:  To follow you; I am not content – – How do I know; Which way you went?  ~  Tombstone epitaph in Tasmania