The one where we fell in love with New Zealand {pt 2}

When Kelly and I started talking about a trip to NZ, we really didn't know where to start. For a minute, we thought we'd fly into Austrailia and spend a few days there....but upon further research, we found out that wasn't such a great idea. 

You really need a few weeks in EITHER country and not a few weeks in BOTH countries.

Did I mention that Linds (my youngest) was already going to be in Wellington, NZ? Well, that was the main reason for our trip and Linds already had her flight home booked, so we planned OUR trip to end where she was and to fly home together. 

We went back and forth about where to fly into NZ, what parts to focus on, etc....

After much reading, we figured the south island really had more of what we enjoyed. 

Nature and wine. 

We found a great travel site that would put together a 'self-drive' tour customized to our dates, budget, and interests. I didn't want to just go it alone....nor could you pay me to be a part of a group tour. 

Go New Zealand

I can't recommend them enough. They booked our rental car, all the hotels and some of our excursions too. Everything went smoothly; no hiccups. (aside from a weather issue-hello surprise snowstorm and one hotel that we didn't love, but because of the weather issue, we were only there for 10 hours)

We had 13 days to visit and see as much as we could and end with 3 of those days with Lindsay in Wellington. So we flew into Queenstown and spent the beginning of our trip there. 

Queenstown is a super cute small town...it has a really nice vibe to it. Lot's of outdoor restaurants, water activities, skiing in the winter and very safe for two women to be out and about. 

We walked everywhere for the most part.

Did you know that they drive on the left side of the road?

On the right side of the car? 

And they have different driving rules. Our tour package included a little book...thank goodness I read this. (after the first time I drove!) It was very helpful. 

They have mostly roundabouts there, not like our four-way intersections with traffic signals. 

They have a lot of one lane bridges. 

Both of those have specific rules and I'm proud to say I knew them by reading that little book. 

So, yes, I'm a professional NZ driver. 

The birthday boy #53

Where would I be right now if not for him?
I don't even want to think about it.
We've practically grown up together...I met him before I had teeth.
Ok, I might have had a few.

I was just about to turn 18 when we had a chance meeting/date. {it was blind actually}
I think the good Lord knew I needed some stability in my life; some normalcy. Well, not 100% normal, that would be NO fun.
I got all that and more.
I've got an amazing family.

Happy 53rd birthday to my favorite person
My main squeeze.
My blessing.

XOXOXO

Racking up those frequent flyer miles. {NZ}

I know I fell off the blog again, but with good reason.

Kelly and I had a fabulous two weeks in New Zealand.
We loved every minute; the people, the wine, the scenery, the sheep, the snow. (I wasn't expecting that!)
We were home for exactly 5 days when we again departed for 7 days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Boots, jackets and snow.....right into flip-flops, bathing suits and major heat.

Anyhoo....I'm not complaining.

At least once a day we looked at each other and exclaimed: "We're IN New Zealand!"
Something else we said at least once daily: "I wasn't expecting that".

Let's start with the flying part. I'm not a happy flyer. I generally like to avoid it, but taking a boat to NZ seemed a tad daunting.

We had a short flight out of Fort Lauderdale into Houston...from there we flew Air New Zealand for almost 16 hours into Aukland, NZ. Then another short flight (2 hrs) from Aukland to Queenstown where we would start our trip.

The longest flight actually was better than we expected. (I wasn't expecting that!) We splurged and booked business class on the way over and it was really comfortable. The flight was mostly at night...so they fed us a really nice dinner and after a glass of wine, they turned your seat into a comfy bed. I think I might have slept 7 hours total during the long haul, plus watched a few movies to kill the time. We were able to get up and move about as much as we wanted, so you never felt like a prisoner.

 Flying into Queenstown we had a birds-eye view of the Southern Alps---again, something I'd read about, but didn't know what to expect. Just gorgeous!

We learned that most of NZ is uninhabited; part of it's beauty.

I'm going to do a few posts about our trip there so I can go back and visit myself when I miss it in a minute or two.

I DO hope all my blog friends are well. I'm gonna catch up soon....but first I must unpack and pay bills.

XOXO

Helping wounded veterans is the good stuff and we enjoyed some amazing music too.

I'm having a hard time putting into words on paper (screen) what we've just experienced, what I was a small part of.

Last February we spent a week in the Bahamas attending an event called Songwriters in Paradise; it was such a fun experience. We all walked (ok, boated or flew) away with such good memories.
The following month we met up with the head of this event Patrick in Nashville. He's become a fast friend; I find this happens a lot with the Coach and our friends; we make connections everywhere we go.

Anyhoo, the Coach had this idea to bring the songwriters together for a benefit to raise funds for wounded veterans via our friends' foundation; The Kevin Popke Foundation. (Kevin is the brother/wife of our dear friends who was killed by a distracted driver less than 2 years ago;  a decorated retired Army First Seargent who served his entire adult life)

So, the idea came to the Coach in February/March and this past weekend it actually happened. The very first of it's kind: Songwriters For Veterans.


The event was on Saturday night, but on Friday we took the songwriters out to dinner and then we hit up a local bar and some of the guys got on stage and gave a little preview of what was to come the next night.
Left to right, The Coach, Our songwriters, Wyatt Durrette (writes a LOT of Zac Browns songs and currently has a number #1 song sung by Luke Combs)
James Otto (goodness, he's a giant man and I felt like a toddler next to him) He's got a slew of songs he's written and performed. My favorite that he sings is Just got started loving you and my most favorite that he's written is You should have seen it in color by Jamey Johnson. This might be the best country song ever written.....it's beautiful and patriotic.
Patrick Davis is the leader of the Songwriters in Paradise events; he's a great performer himself and has written many songs with Jimmy Buffet, Darius Rucker and more.
Channing Wilson is always a fan favorite; a big ole Teddy Bear who is so humble and talented; he writes for a slew of Nashville singers. Django Walker (his real name) is the tall cutie with the brim hat; such a sweet guy. He's actually from Texas and has his own band; you may recall his Father, Jerry Jeff Walker; AKA the singer/songwriter of Mr. Bojangles. 
Lauren Jenkins is down front with our sweet veteran friend Shawn; Lauren has her first album coming out early next year. Then we have our friend Eric (and his wife) who run a charity that gets the beach wheelchairs to deserving wounded veterans. (Other Side Of The Dunes)

This is Shawn's chair that he was given to him the night of the event. He's lived in Florida for 8 years and has been to the beach only 6 times....and he said most of those times, someone carried him to the beach, but were not there to carry him back. He should never, ever be left behind.

Now, he can get himself back and forth down the beach as much as he wants. If you could have seen his face the entire weekend; a big OLE smile plastered there....he was so happy and appreciative. 

The night of our event we were able to get one picture with all the artists and some of our main players. :) See the Coach there in the plaid shirt? He's standing in front of James Otto....my coach is a big guy and he looks small in front of James; too funny!

We had over 300 people attend this special event.

The Coach having a little heart to heart with our friend Mike who has founded the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch right here in Florida. (no association with Wounded Warriors) A lot of the funds we raised will be going to this park that is geared towards wounded veterans and their families to enjoy.

I have lots more photos and videos, but I'll just leave this right here.  We were hoping to raise a lot of money, and we did. We actually raised almost TWICE as much as we'd hoped.

Needless to say, we'll be doing this again next year.