Interestingly, no: So long South Island, bye bye Bilbo

As I flew over the Cook Straights last night, leaving the South Island for the North, I started thinking about how often lately I've actually been able to feel the emotional and existential sandshiftings that signal "transition time." I've been putting my ear to the ground for them, trying to give myself time to absorb the aftershocks, miss the old and realign to the new. It's gotten me to wondering whether life is actually moving faster and hitting harder on this trip, or whether I'm just paying more attention. Maybe life has always been changing from moment to moment with this much color and noise, but I had my eyes on a bigger picture that just hasn't existed while I'm here.

Anyway, there's a wee semi-philosophical moment for you, prompted by the emotional weight of leaving the South Island. After cozy visits with Kiwi friends, an amazing road trip with Devon and Ross, and a fabulous WWOOFing stay, Tommy and I have both made our separate ways north to start new adventures. And to make the whole transition that much more weighty, we've even left our beloved car, Bilbo, behind, where he will hopefully run free - low on battery life, but mighty in spirit - with new travelers some day. As for us, we've got our packs on our backs again, we've bid adieu to the Southern Alps, and the trip seems totally new and unknown yet again.

So I'd like to propose a toast to the South Island and to our trusty car, via some last travel photos of our final weeks in the south.