Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/Happy Holidays

We hope that 2009 is off to a good start for everyone. For Christmas Eve, Nate and I found a carols service at St. Peter's in Queenstown, where we were able to sing Christmas carols amongst the massive number of overseas travelers as well as the locals as well. For Christmas Day, we BBQ'ed in the park and camped before taking off on the Rees-Dart track. We missed being with our families and loved ones for sure.
As for New Year's, we rung it in with Cory and Camella up in their beautiful mountain house in Makarora, just outside Wanaka (pop. 40). Nate and Cory played all his records and we cooked up a wonderful meal. Nice to be with friends in a beutiful place. Happy New Year's to all. Hope 2009 is a good one, full of adventures, laughter and memories. The first video below is from a recent track up the Cascade Saddle. The pictures following are of Cory and Camella's house in Makarora in addition to a hike we did on the 4th of Jan. Miss you all!