Thank you for sharing your adventures in NZ!
I stumbled upon this website while looking for a Blog that I could use in an upcoming trip to Vietnam, and got curious about other travellers impressions of my own country! You have reminded me to appreciate all the things that I have right at my door step, so thank you for that too!
Safe travels!
great reading SJ.... I have LOVED your escapades and reading about them... your writing put me 'right there', and thanks to your mom for sharing them with me.
Thanks for taking me on your journey. Son, you have recorded a really special trip in a beautifully written form that I have so enjoyed. Thank you for taking me and others on your journey.
Come home safely. There may just be some meatloaf and sides waiting. Can't provide the girls and the money. Love mom.
Love reading it Sammy Joe,
You are doing a terrific job of describing your views and adventures. My Kelly logs on (when she comes to my house) to read more of your adventure.
She likes your grammer and the way you describe things. Keep em coming.
i'm in!!!! slopps, just set the date, school, and FH can wait i'm game! i'm so hyped about your travels that i think we could hike the whole appalachian trail in 2 months if that's all the time we had...ahah hell i've been watching the travel channel so i say we do the himalaya's...go say 'wasup' to the Dali Lama! ahah have fun
Future Ideas At this point, "future ideas" is a point of worry for this anxious Mom. You're gonna do something else crazy aren't ya! My goodness it sounds so great though. I'm proud of you and happy for you and envious all at once. Although, I can just see me now AGREEING to climb a glacier. Happy for you.
I'll raft with you, but no walking ... Hey Sammy Joe - I have enjoyed reading your blog. I want to see your pictures and your biceps. I was telling T.J. of your adventure and he said "Bob's your uncle," translated in New Zealand as "your kidding." Have fun, be careful.
Cloudy Bay I'm not much of a wine drinker but you've gotten me thirsty for some of these 12 exceptional bottles. If my name wasn't already on one, perhaps you can bring back 13? I'll share with you when we move you in! 60 mph w/ no brakes sounds a bit like jumping backwards off a falls in a cave that YOU led the group through. I think your Type A personalty came to the forefront during that flight over! Have more fun, know I miss you! Love Mom
Not Sugar Ho...LOL Forgot your grandmom's name is "Sugar" too. So will put "H" beside my name. I have to clarify that "H" stands for Hamilton, your old school teacher, and new friend. There's so much about Ho's, Ho ho's and ding dongs here. Oh, should I say that in public? Well, you're all of age! Truthfully Sammy Joe, Red is right about being a writer for a magazine, and the zany, yet dry wit is exhuberant! I know who Red is too, 'cause I asked your mom. Red, you write quite well yourself, buddy! But, of course, you both had an excellent writing teacher a-hem...Actually you had lots of good writing teachers and I can say you have the natural talent. Sammy J., your mom and I laughed ourselves to pieces last night over some. Warra a journal. You need to save this for those future chilren and grandchildren of whom you continually have visions! I talked with Theresa M. at Mass Sunday. She was full of smiles over your descriptive narrations. You've brought a lot of pleasure to us all. I get to go to an "Earth, Wind, and Fire", and "Chicago" concert in Cincinatti on Tuesday. Now! That will be the highlight of the summer as far as trips are concerned. Your journal entries have been a highlight too. We will journey on with you! This in itself is a trip! Now, I'm on vacation...don't look for any mistakes in my writing, 'cause I ain't paying attention! Be safe! Thanks, buddy! Love ya!
Sloppy HO! Sounds like you are having an awesome time, i knew you would. Keep the stories coming, it does feel as if i've been there now, even though i can't possible imagine what you going through on a day to day basis, must be pretty cool though. Just don't get too drunk so that you won't be able to remember any of these stories when you get back, aww hell with it, drink one more for me!! later.
the ONE time your not in Chicago!! Hostess DingDong!!!...hahahahahaha...holy lord...anyways your trip sounds absolutely amazing. The things you are doing down there are awesome because they are taking you completely out of your element and forcing you to adapt to the culture and surroundings in which you have placed yourself. This is one of those experiences that is not only a complete blast but will more than likely give you a new way to look at life which is outstanding and is probably what it is all about. As I can tell from my ability to read, it sounds like you are having a blast, at least what you will remember ...haha...I look forward to hearing about it from you in greater detail when you get back and stay safe the rest of you trip...By the way I am writing this message from a hotel room in Chicago...kind of ironic, huh? I'm actually up here on a business with GE. Me and my boss are conducting some training and implementing a couple of new programs at one of the distribution centers here in Chicago. It is a shame that the one time I'm actually in this city, you are not...haha Anyways have a great time and i look forward to hearing from you soon.
vicarious living slopps, you should write a magazine article or something. your short writings about your trip do indeed carry your personal flare of humor; great stuff.
i am completely enjoying your stories and entries, keep them coming. i honestly feel like i'm living vicariously through you and am experienceing NZ myself. i really don't think you ever have a bad time with anything you do, but i'm excited for you (through your entries) that you are having such a great time.
i'm staying busy goin' to the lake and learning to wakeboard (yes i can finally get up and ride the blasted thing ;-) ) take care...and put many good hard miles on my backpack...buy a patch for it any cool place you stop and feel free to decorate in that way...it needs a good record of its travels around the world. as they say in costa rica, 'pura vida!' (translation: pure life!; a spanish 'carpe diem' if you will)
blind jump vs. rope swing sammy joe i am amazed at your outa-the-box bravery that you found w/in yourself in NZ. I am puzzled however that in the company and safety of lifelong friends you took hours of pondering goin' off the rope swing at green river, yet you VOLUNTEERED! to go blindly into the cave and fell backwards into the dark down waterfalls..ahah that's awesome man...we gotta do some crazy stuff like that together sometime. have fun.
Jealous in Kentucky... Sammy Joe your trip sounds way better than just amazing! I'm so jealous of all your travels, but not sure if I would actually have the courage or the energy to do so many things in so little time. Your journals sound like something off of MTV Road Rules! Seriously! I can't wait to see all the amazing pictures and I look forward to your next entry- which has proved to be an amazingly entertaining time-passer at my office! =) STAY SAFE and have fun - it sounds like you don't need any encouraging on the fun front!
"Hearts in your eyes" I just want to know if there are "hearts in your eyes" when you look at all the beautiful women. Just kidding hon. Honestly I'm enjoying your details of your trip sooooo much. Keep it up and I want to hear all about it and see pictures when you get home. Some of our closet friends are from New Zealand and to hear your version of their country is extremely interesting. Be safe and have a wonderful time.
OMG Sam J, do you remember my response to Mammoth Cave? I WOULD be dead right now if I had done what you did. My heart is so happy you survived and I'm happy for you that it gave you so much. Be safe and know you are loved. Mom.
WHOA! Kelly driving on the opposite side of the road... if I were you, I'd a let her take a little test run alone first ;) haha Just Joking!!! Sounds like you guys are having the time of your lives! I'm jealous! This 8-5 crap is for the birds! Keep in touch - this travel blog gives me somethin to do during those boring work days! Take lots of pictures and enjoy yourself! Love ya and BE SAFE! =) P.S. I don't think Joseph has any connection to the internet right now so I am going to print these puppies off for him to read! haha
You are a great one! Though it all seems wierd, or "is" wierd, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your of your experiences and thoughts!!!! Have fun, Sammy Joe, and keep the news coming. Tell the girls that I said, "Hello!" Be happy and safe!!!
Love ya, Sugar
jealousy extends to me as well slopps you are one crazy guy...i sure hope you can make it through all this crazy fun...because i know that backpack you got can make it! let's hope you can keep up! ahah dam man what a trip, lucky you...we are having fun here as well though...so far two days on the lake and we are goin' back today for the 4th of july for our 3rd straight 9 hour day on the lake...have fun, be safe.
nervous system slopps it is great to hear from you and i enjoy this "keeping us updated" blog thing here keep it goin'...my own personal reflection; when is it that you don't get hurt somehow? or that you are actually kind with your wind? ahahah later
I'm Jealous! I am jealous of all the things you're getting to see an do! I wish I was with you! I wouldn't cramp your style at all, ha ha, I'm sure you believe that!
Love you. sugar
No Worries! I'm amazed ay my precious son going on water rafting of caves or spelunking - I'm such a scaredy cat and he's going for it. Proud of you son - call and let me know you survived it! love you.
Donna
non-member comment
Thank you for sharing your adventures in NZ! I stumbled upon this website while looking for a Blog that I could use in an upcoming trip to Vietnam, and got curious about other travellers impressions of my own country! You have reminded me to appreciate all the things that I have right at my door step, so thank you for that too! Safe travels!