Omanawanui (Beginning of the Hillary Trail)

Lance Here:

Trying to crank out some these posts from the last few months to get them done before both Maggie and I are back in the States.

As many of you have seen from our prior posts we absolutely love the Hillary Trail and the Waitakere Ranges, just about half hour west of Auckland.  So of course when Maggie found the Department of Conservation video on it (featured in earlier post) we saw a part of it that we hadn't done before that looked really beautiful.  Wanting to make sure we soaked it up, we linked up with our local guides, the Bruffys over here to go for a beautiful Sunday hike.  Kevin had apparently done the trail a few times before, and someone has been holding onto this little gem until we forced his hand.

So off we went, with the kids in the packs, it was a great day for a hike.  The trail is on the far southern tip of the Waitakeres right across Manukau harbor from Manukau heads.

I'm not really going to write too much about the hike because it was just a really fun day with friends and the kids.  The views were incredible.  When we were walking it, I was kind of disappointed that it took us so long to find this track as I think it was one of the most beautiful hikes we've done around Auckland / North Island.  We had a nice little picnic lunch at the summit of the track and enjoyed of the best placed I've ever eaten a PB&J.

The Bruffys standing and looking at the beauty in front of them, and probably thinking, man we're really going to miss Lance, Maggie and James, but mostly Lance.

Pulling up the chains for the last push to the peak

Group shot at the final peak

Me and my boy doing what we do best.

Alright, he really likes his mom too.

Gotta give Kevin credit, Elliot is pretty big for his age.

Dadda Jump

 Me Jump

 Elliot having a good old time with James running up and down the final hill.

I was out in front on the way back, and caught Maggie bring up the rear.

Correction, make that Kevin bringing up the rear.

And finally, the kids had a blast just hanging out with each other at the end and climbing on top of things.

Adorable, and Go Tigers!