 Missi Hirt - Missi333 | All Comments |
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| 14th May 2007 devin | love seeing the grafitti - From: Shuffling through Melbourne! it's amazing what people are up to around the world. |
| 11th May 2007 Rob_n_Lorenza | - From: Reflections on my Journey Looks like you had a great time - always nice to see people have enjoyed visiting our country. I reall y like the Nanacy Willard quote! Lorenza |
| 7th April 2007 Deb | Unbounded Adventures - From: Adventures in the Sky!! The sky doesn't seem to be the limit for you gals! Kudos to you both for pushing the envelope. I sure wish I had had the chutzpah to do the things you do when I was your age. For some reason, I thought you would be winding down at this point, but I see that you're ratcheting up! Our little thrill-seekers are still at it. Bunkin says, "Eeerrr." (He sure makes some funny noises.) He hangs out with me here at the computer. He likes it when I open the blinds so he can sit on the desk and see out the window (he also likes to walk over the keyboard and lie down on the mouse). Everyday, while I'm having my coffee fix, he comes to get me to open the back door for him. Even Squeakers likes to go outside (I saw her stalking some birds the other day...it was amusing, but I called to her and scared the birds away). I trust that you'll find something (or have found something) wild to do in Christchurch today. Laissez les bontemps rollez! Love you, Deb |
| 7th April 2007 bria | Rock on ladies - From: Franz Josef Glacier Heli/Hike and Milford Sound Cruise Wow! Finally read your travel blog! What an amazing trip! I am so happy you were able to do this! Breathe it in!! |
| 6th April 2007 Dad | Amazed and Envious - From: Franz Josef Glacier Heli/Hike and Milford Sound Cruise You guys are awesome. You've packed so much into this adventure. I can't believe you were able to orchestrate all these activities as you went along. Just great! Thanks so much for sharing and allowing us the vicarious joy that you are experiencing real time. |
| 6th April 2007 Deb | Keeping Busy - From: Franz Josef Glacier Heli/Hike and Milford Sound Cruise You gals are really keeping yourselves busy! You'll need to rest up FROM YOUR VACATION when you return home. (Heh-heh.) Your adventures all sound so wonderful (some sound kind of scary to me...like spelunking in the caves). Thank you for sharing them with us via this blog site. It has been such fun to tune in. I don't know exactly when you are coming home, but I would imagine that you will be departing shortly and that you'll be sad to leave. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are all doing well; except we miss you. Squeakers and Bunken are getting pretty bold (and assertive) these days...they don't hide anymore, and they hold their own with the other cats. We are doing taxes. Chris Spooner is coming to stay with us weekend after this...we are hoping to have the taxes done by the time he gets here (they're due on Monday, April 16...hint, hint). If we don't hear from you again before you return, have a safe trip home. Love you, Deb |
| 3rd April 2007 nora | thinking of you both often - From: Scuba Diving and Baby Sea Turtles! hi girls well what an adventure you two are having.there are many reminders of your brief but very enjoyable time here with us. we have finished catering at the surf club for the summer,at the moment I am staying at this beach apartment that a friend of mine has given to me while she is in the solomon islands (she arrived the day the tsunami hit) she is ok thankfully. I got here at shelley beach (about a half hour drive north of our house) the water was the warmest I have ever felt, maybe the solomon earthquake had something to do with that.the apartment is right on the beach it is truly very beautiful. julie is home busy working on the scienic painting she is doing for a theatre play however she is coming to stay for easter we have four days off as a public holiday.I am looking forward to that even though I love the time here alone to swim read play guitar walk on the beach a few times a day, it will be great for her and I to relax together. the whales will be going by here any day now so I will be great to watch them from here.well you guys I am so happy you have had an awesome and very safe trip. I only want to say this once ...you are both very welcome to come back anytime and stay (maybe one day you could bring your boys on an adventure), anyhow, cheers for now we loved your company and send you lots of love , peace and happiness xx nora. ps will get julie to write and say hi maybe over the weekend .....bye for now |
| 30th March 2007 MOM | Fabulous Adventures!!! - From: Spelunking in Glow Worm Caves and Tongariro Crossing (11 miles)!! Sis , you and Rachelle are not holding back one iota! Wow! You guys are doing things I never even thought of doing, and you're just attacking those adventures with no holds barred. Loved hearing about the cave trip - glad you did it, because I'd never have the inclination nor the guts! Also, the hike across the volcano wilderness must have really built the old quads. I didn't hear too much about wildlife like Australia. Not so much there? Sounds like that bus pass is working out just fine, and the weather is supporting some good camping outdoors, right? Or are you in hostels every night? Can't wait till the next blog, wherever/whenever you find an internet cafe. Seen any native peoples at all? Great to hear from you - thanks a lot!!! Love and hugs - Mom |
| 23rd March 2007 Mom | Keep on keepin' on - From: Barossa Valley, Blue Mountains, and Sydney Your vivid images help me see what you're experiencing. Having spent two weeks in Spain with you, I know how relentless you are in pursuit of the great adventure and the most beautiful sight. btw - to your dad: Bob - well said re: how Missi got concerned when you went AWOL during your Kenyan tour. Genuine caring is what caused the concern - I don't know about a "panic button" here in the States. Familial connection is what it's all about, and what makes this blog so very special. Looking forward to the next entry. Hugs from the sunny vineyards of Sonoma - Mom |
| 23rd March 2007 Chris Wagner | Australia down, New Zealand to go - From: Barossa Valley, Blue Mountains, and Sydney It sounds like you guys packed your Australia trip as full as you could. I'm sure you'll have plenty of interesting stories and pictures to share. Lots of love, Chris. |
| 23rd March 2007 Chris Wagner | Captain Cook - From: NEW ZEALAND!! Captain Cook stopped in Mercury Bay in 1769, as part of his great expedition. During his stay he traded with the natives and made astronomical observations of the Transit of Mercury. That is where the bay got it's name. I'm not sure if you heard about this bit of history during your great expedition, but I thought I'd just mention it and send you some love. Lots of love, Chris. |
| 22nd March 2007 Dutch | Blowfish in Auckland - From: NEW ZEALAND!! Be sure to stop by the new Blowfish in Auckland. Jason Tiplitsky is my partner in Thump Radio and also owns Blowfish. He is currently in NZ so ask about him and say hi from me if you should go to Blowfish Sushi. |
| 20th March 2007 Dad | Green as the Hills with Envy - From: NEW ZEALAND!! I really, really wish I could do what you're doing. I've always wanted to see New Zealand. I didn't realize the North Island was beautiful also. Enjoy yourselves. I hear the Kiwi's drink even more beer than the Aussie's. Miss, you already experiences all the great beer drinkers in the world since you've seen the Czechs and the Irish. I did my annual field trip to Honey Lake and Eagle Lake this weekend and had spectacular weather and great birds (Sage Grouse, Eagles, and mountain specialities) and mammals as well (Pronghorn, BT Deer, YB Marmots, and Coyotes). Miss you. Dad. |
| 18th March 2007 Aunt Mary Beth | Platypus sighting. - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING Hi Missi, You sure are having a great trip. I envy you that you can see all these great sights and have this great experience. I am looking forward to reading the rest of your comments and seeing the pictures. I am going to share your blog with Stephanie and Matt. Matt will be so jealous--he likes to travel. Stephanie will too. She is anxious to travel to Florida over Easter break. Have FUN and ENJOY!!! Love , Aunt Mary Beth in Michigan |
| 14th March 2007 Dad | Welcome Back to Civilization - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING I know now why you were worried about Deb and me when we lost phone contact in Kenya for two or three days in November. We lost you for eight days. I wasn't worried since you are such a saavy traveler but I have really been enjoying your blogs and missed them. This one was great. I am envious of your experiences in the natural world. Kangaroo Island sounds wonderful. I must try it on my next trip to Australia. Love Dad. |
| 13th March 2007 Mom | Great Platypus Story - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING WOW! It's Tuesday, March 13 here in San Francisco. It was 81 degrees F. here yesterday - a record - till the fog moved in. Meanwhile, I read your last blog entry with eyes agog. The tale about the platypus siting reconfirmed how closely you and Rachelle are in rythm with Nature right now. I especially liked that you thanked the critter for showing itself to you. I'm sure he/she felt it! also love the adventure with the penguins. They are so cute - they look like little people tottering around, don't they? It's hard to imagine a scene so chocked full of diverse life. Makes me think of Steve Irwin, the aussie naturalist who died from a sting ray wound, and why he was so devoted to promoting respect for wildlife. He grew up in the environment you're enjoying right now. I'm glad Australia is isolated enough that it helps keep its wildlife protected for future generations. We know that after your trek through the mountains you'll be turning in the Britz -- which I'm sure has been a wonderful home on wheels -- and heading for New Zealand in a few days. More totally excellent adventures full speed ahead! Look forward to hearing from you! Love and hugs, Mom |
| 13th March 2007 Deb | Laissez les bontemps rollez - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING Shazzamm! Only YOU could come away with a sighting like that! When I visit Australia and New Zealand, I want to travel with YOU! The platypus is one of (if not THE) most wanted animals on my list. Its secretive nature is legendary. You're the only ones I know who have seen it in the wild. I am now convinced that you have a golden aura around you when (and where) it comes to attracting fun and interesting experiences. That platypus was no match for your magnetism. Keep in touch lest we all start to worry (and let us know ahead of time if you plan to be out of touch for 10 days again). You know how easy it is to push the panic button back here in the States... Bunkin and Squeakers say, "Meow." Squeakers is on my lap now, trying to convince me to pet her rather than type this message. You go, Girls! Love you, Deb |
| 13th March 2007 Dutch | Great story - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING Nicely written! I wish I was along for the trip. Sounds magical. Keep safe. Holding down the fort in SF> d |
| 13th March 2007 Chris | Wow! - From: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Isand and PLATIPUS SIGHTING You are a pair of lucky girls. I am incredibly jealous. It sounds like you are taking advantage of every opportunity and soaking it all up. It sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. Love, Chris |
| 9th March 2007 Dad | Melbourne - From: Shuffling through Melbourne! I'm so glad you ran into friends in Melbourne. Sounds like you are having a blast. Are you heading up to the outback or down the coast next? Phillips Island yet and the Blue Penguin parade? I think they have Koala's too. Wilson's Promontary (Southeast of Melbourne) is where we saw Emu's and Yellow and Black Cockatoos. If you go the other way down the coast (west) I hear the Twelve Apostles are beautiful. If you head up into the outback, Wyperfield had lots of Grey Kangaroos and even a few Malleefowl. You can't go wrong. Love to you and Rachelle. Enjoy. Dad. |
| 7th March 2007 The Fong | southern hemisphere shout outs - From: Shuffling through Melbourne! Yay! I heart Alison - I met her @ UCSC when we shared a mailbox together and have been friends ever since. Brad is pretty rad, too! Say hi and big hugs from me, pretty please :) |
| 5th March 2007 Mom in San Francisco | Life is good, keeps getting better & better! - From: Koalas and Outback Hey Y'all Down Under! Seems we're all burning up the airways and byways with our collective travel! I just went to Houston,TX for the first time this weekend and it was awesomely huge, expansive and HOT! Even in winter, you can feel the humidity and warm air just hovering. I ended up at the Houston Galleria, which I understand is one of the grandest (big European boutique names like Fendi, Chanel, etc.) and largest (next to the Mall of America in Minn.). Wow! Then trained about 40 teachers at the new school district office. That building was about as big as a Sears dept. store! Now I know what they mean by Texan tall tales, everything there being on a BIG scale, etc. Yes, for those reading this blog - which I hope is soon added to with more adventure stories - Rachelle is a bit of a celebrity in her hometown in the Sierra foothills. The Sat. before she and Missi departed, her long-time partner took her to dinner, then outside onto the main street and told her to look up. There, on the town theater marqui was a personal message loud and clear, "I love you, Rachelle. Will you marry me?" I understand a photo of the message and the newly betrothed, beaming Rachelle appeared in the local paper. Later, people stopped her on the street and asked if she was Rachelle - the one on the marquis? Indeed she is! So, there's the story. A happy beginning to a new one. Meanwhile, glad to see that Deb is caring for the phone and other technical details while Missi is out adventuring. She'll need new brakes when she gets home, but for now we're storing her car off the street in a safe place. For now, all she needs to be concerned about is that reverse-side of the road factor in Australia. Be careful - as I know you are! Missi drove our little stickshift car all over Southern Spain in Nov, and did a great job squeezing through insanely narrow archways over medieval streets and winding up hills to former fortresses. Also, while in Spain Missi and I went to the Rock of Gibraltar, which I've been wanting to see since childhood. There, the Barbary apes run freely throughout, and are quite accustomed to humans. They keep a save distance, but have no fear about grabbing packs and sacks because they know food is inside. Weeeeell..... a large male jumped on MIssi's back and started forcing his little paws into her backpack zipper. As I was trying to shoo the brazen bugger away, I felt a resounding THUMP on my back, and, before I knew it, another little ape had jumped onto my back and was grabbing my shoulder bag off from behind! She even reached around to the front, grasping my neck for leverage so she could rip open my bag! We were eye-to-eye. Even as I was swatting at her, I kept after the one on Missi's back because he was big and aggressive. Meanwhile, the large male on Missi's back was making headway and had several small items from her bag strewn onto the ground. He resisted my authority as long as he could, but at last he realized I was bigger and gave up, scampering away shamelessly with his female cohort, who also realized the futility of her efforts and scrambled off my back. She and I were both startled, because they really took us by surprise, but none the worse for the experience. The Koala that Missi was embracing seems to have an altogether different disposition than those Barbary apes at Gibraltar! It's wonderful that she got to hold the little fella --- and he didn't even seem to be grabbing for anything! I want to hear stories about kangaroos, and I want a leaping kangaroo pegatina for my bumper! The roo can be leaping toward the charging bull from Spain on the opposite side of the bumper! Gotta run. Can't wait to see more. Hope you run into an Internet cafe soon. Love and kisses, Mom |
| 4th March 2007 Chris | Shuffling, eh? - From: Shuffling through Melbourne! That's awesome that you found the Aussie sister cities to San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Not too surprising to hear that you guys found some place to dance, especially in a SF-like place. You'll have to show me your Melbourne dance moves when you get back. Love you, Chris. |
| 4th March 2007 MOM | Wonderful Stuff - From: Shuffling through Melbourne! YO Sis- LOVE the photos! Totally wonderful -especially holding the little koala guy. Oh, what a cutie! You look so at home sitting in front of your camper, which, I'm glad to say, looks in good shape and you say is perfect for you and Rachelle. Keep up the happy travels and keep us posted. BTW - that kangaroo sign looks like a perfect PEGATINA for our bumper, opposite the pegatina del toro. See if you can bring us back a few!!! Love, Mom |
| 4th March 2007 Dad | Cockatoos - From: Koalas and Outback Glad your having a great time. You saw either the common Galahs (aka Rose-breasted Cockatoos) which are more grey and rose pink or an extremely rare and valuable bird ($1,000 and up) called a Major Mitchell (or Pink) Cockatoo which are white with pinkish-red in the crest when flipped up and an overall pinkish blush in the white body and head feathers. The latter is also larger...the size of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. If you haven't seen wild marsupials try a night drive in the outback. Drive slowly..they come out of nowhere. Deniliquin area has Red Kangaroos and the western slope of the Blue Mountains is good for Wombats. |
| 1st March 2007 MOM | Bring us back a PEGATINA - From: Scuba Diving and Baby Sea Turtles! Yo Sis - I just thought of something cool! How about bringing us back a cool PEGATINA (Spanish for sticker) that would look neat with my bull pegatina from Spain on the back of my trunk? Like, a turtle pegatina, or dolphin, or kangaroo or kuala -- something that symbolizes your neat experience? I'd stick it opposite the bull pegatina! anyway, leaving for Houston tomorrow morning to do an in-service for teachers there on SAT. All my next 3 Saturday's are taken up with this job. You say life is good - so true! And at my age, there's another dimension --- Life is SHORT! So let's grab all the gusto we can while our hands can still do the grabbin'. Sooooo - grab me a pegatina! Love lots, Mom |
| 1st March 2007 Deb Hirt | What an Adventure - From: Scuba Diving and Baby Sea Turtles! Hey, Missi... I sent a comment a couple of days ago, but it wasn't posted, for some reason. So here goes again... It sounds like you two are having a wonderful time. I'm getting my vicarious kicks from hearing about your adventures. We're thrilled for you and Rachelle; and secretly envy you this adventure you are sharing. You both deserve to have a wonderful time. We know you will always cherish the memory of this trip, and never regret taking it. Of course, we think about you lots (and tell everyone--whose ear we can bend--about your current travels). We send you loads of love and wishes for more exciting experiences. Hugs and kisses, Deb, Dad, and Jon |
| 1st March 2007 Mr. Fong | g'day - From: Scuba Diving and Baby Sea Turtles! Rockit down unda', m'ladies! Everything sounds amazing so far and I'm jealous in SanFran w/ the cold and all ;P Give Rachelle aka "the ice cream girl" a big hug for me and save some nice big embraces for Alison/Brad in Melbourne. Our hearts are with you from afar and we wish we were there with you. Pleez save ze turtlez!! |
| 27th February 2007 MOM | Truly awesome - From: Scuba Diving and Baby Sea Turtles! Whoa- I sounds like you two haven't wasted a minute since you got there. You are just doing exactly what you said you wanted to do! Love you - more later - I'm in DAllas and my ride is here - mom |
| 22nd February 2007 Mom/Mom II | Hello there! - From: Sydney Hi Chelle and Missi! This travel blog is great and so are the pictures. The one with you and the kangaroos must be a backdrop of some kind, but are the kangaroos real? You both look like you're having a wonderful time. Thank you for doing this blog so we can all keep track. Love and kisses, Mom ;-} |
| 21st February 2007 Chris | Hello Sydney Lovers! - From: Sydney Hey Guys, That was a pretty impressive picture. How long did it take you to get all those animals in place? Amazing! Glad to hear that you are having a good time and meeting some cool people. Your travel blog looks very cool. Keep it up. Lots of love, Chris |
| 19th February 2007 Deb | Good Wishes - From: LIFE IS GOOD! I'm hoping that you and Rachelle have the time of your lives! We'll miss you, but trust that you are taking good care of yourselves...and having fun! Love and kisses, Deb |
| 18th February 2007 Miss's Mom | Welcome to your new adventure! - From: LIFE IS GOOD! It's a bright, crisp beautiful Sunday morning here in Sonoma, CA. I've logged on to see if there are any comments from Sydney yet. It's 11AM here, so you have probably arrived by now after a precedent-setting 20 hour flight. I panned the route map you posted and was agog over the distance! You flew over the N Am continent, then the Atlantic, then Africa, India, SE Asia, etc. to land in "dreamland." while there, do consider that the aborigine peoples there have been found by genetic mapping to be among the first peoples out of Africa 40 - 60K years ago. Hope you run into some of them during your travels. First on your agenda is the turtle experience. Hope you get something preternaturally meaningful out of that. Let's start here: In your baby album, which I don't know if you've ever seen, I posted a photo of a turtle to symbolize your father, and of a hare to represent your mother. No coincidence that you're drawn to the turtle --- it's embossed in your psyche! Draw close to this archetype, and, as Jungian psychologist Robert Johnson says, all you have to do is touch the deep-meaning symbol for psychological transformation to occur. On a different plane, your car is safe and sound in the garage here -- mushy brakes and all. I'm leaving for a week in Oregon, ending up in Las Vegas. Will try to hit a computer to follow your bloggings! Love, love - Mom |
| 18th February 2007 Tarik | Wow - so cute! - From: LIFE IS GOOD! You ladys start taking names and kicking ass! Go go go!!! Love, KaderFamily* |
| 18th February 2007 Missi's mom | Life is wonderful! - From: LIFE IS GOOD! Yeah! My girl Missi and her good friend Rachelle, newly engaged this weekend, have much to celebrate in their young and happy lives. Can't wait to hear all the adventures from the Land Down Under. Missi and I traveled together to Southern Spain in November and had a wonderful, memorable time. Expect to see some fabulous tales appear on this site! Hey, Missi and Rachelle - savor every moment!! Lots of love to you both, Missi's Mom |
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