Biking in Queenstown (February 2, 2026)
I blog, therefore I remember. Just for a moment consider what you were doing exactly 90 days ago (or even 60 or 30 days ago, let alone 180 days ago). This blog is like my public journal of my adventures around the world. Often, they are with my family, but sometimes it’s about the solo adventure like today.
Sweeping mountain views as seen from Queenstown bike trails
I know people who sign up for multi-week bike tours. I can see that, but I don’t believe anyone in my family would join me so I’d need to make new friends on the tour or find a fellow bike enthusiast who’d want to bike all day for fun. Yes, I can get into that zone and enjoy it even more when I’m in peak shape having trained regularly. That’s not today. Today was about a leisurely 1 hour, 8-mile ride through Arthur’s Point.
Today was slightly overcast which means the clouds were hiding the sun … which I prefer. It was warm enough at 64 fahrenheit (18 celsius) which I prefer over blazingly hot days with the direct sun light baking every part of your exposed skin. Sure, I still put on sun screen, but it was much more comfortable to go for an hour’s bike ride up and down the hills of Queenstown.
There were many friendly bikers along the way. After all, it was a beautiful day for a bike ride.
In addition to my fellow bikers, there were a number of goats eating up the grassy fields as well as a horse or two along the way. One male goat got out of the fenced in area and booked it across the busy road. He knew just where to run on the other side and used a protruding tree to jump over the other fence and into the adjacent field. For this goat, anyway, the grass truly was greener on this side of the road.
This is my happy place. Well, one of them anyway. As I maneuver up and down the rolling hills, I experience a sense of weightlessness similar to scuba diving (but with more effort up the steeper hills). I find myself zening out as I look deeply into the landscapes and experience a sort of pull into the wilderness.
As I say goodbye to Queenstown, I’m struck by how similar life is here to places like Bend, Oregon and Boulder, Colorado (to name a few). It occurs to me that I could live here. And as I say that, I realize I’ve said that about a number of cities and countries I’ve visited these past 7 months. And it’s true for all of them.
As long as I am with my family, “home” can be anywhere in the world. My friends are only a phone or zoom call away. And besides, our next house will be designed to accommodate guests. I desire to have a welcoming home where my friends from all over the world want to come and visit. So truly, home will remain where my heart is and my heart is with my family. Luckily, Elena and Violet are here with me and I feel fortunate to have this quality time with each of them.
Lego Kiwi. I haven’t seen this in stores … yet, but thought of Will today.
I don’t think Will reads my blog, but I was thinking of him today when I saw this Lego Kiwi shirt. I’ve not seen this in Lego Stores … yet. If enough fans vote something like this up, then Lego will supply a limited run. If that sells well, it can become permanent. In the meantime, it’s a cute concept and I like the T-Shirt design. Oops, I’m wrong. It DOES exist for a limited time (see details here if you’re interested).
Right after the Lego Kiwi shirt, I saw this sign next. Cool.
I’ve also been seeing a lot of “Violet” signs here in Queenstown. This is a hair design shop, but I’ve also seen a “Violet Street” while I was driving. It wasn’t placed in a convenient area where I could pull over and take a picture, but Violet was in the car with me and saw it. This one, however was caught walking around in downtown Queenstown.
Okay, onto Fiordland (specifically, Te Anau) and the Glow Worm Caves! Can’t wait. I think this is going to be quite unique and spectacular.
