To Franz Josef then to Queenstown

February 26, 2020

Franz Josef is a town near the coast, which has the hike toward the Franz Josef Glacier. A small tourist town where the sound of helicopter could be heard every 15 minutes, as it took tourists up

to the glacier to get personal with the glacier. On the way to Franz Josef, we stopped to see if we could get a tour to the nesting of the white herons, but they were done nesting for the year. So instead we headed to Okarito. A tranquil beach where life was moving slower.




After lunch in Franz Josef, it was off to search for the glacier (glassier) Where Brian and Laura are standing was where the glacier was in 1908, it has receded over 3 km since then.  On the hike, there was a waterfall at every little crevice in the mountain sides. 



On Feb. 27 it was a rainy, cool blustery day as we did the 200+ mile day to Queenstown, the active sport, destination in New Zealand.  
We will spend 3 nights in Queenstown in a condo over looking Lake Wakatipu. Friday, we picked up Steve and Carol from South Carolina, formerly from outside Chicago to make us a group of 6.  

Arthur’s Pass and Hokitika

February 25, 2020

Our Farm Stay was a joy with Faye and Paul, a lovely couple who were built to entertain with talk and culinary delights. A 5 star on trip advisor, I’m sure. Perfect little farmette with lambs and a vegetable garden that produced more than they could ever consumed. Charming Glentunnel - quaint little village built up during the mining rush.

 

With a short stop at Sheffield for coffee & Kim’s Mocha (“a good one”), we were off to the mountains and a hike or two. The mountains are beautiful with a different texture and shape than those in the USA.

On our way to Arthur’s Pass (an old Maori route to the west coast first traversed by Arthur Dobson), we stopped at Castle Hill, a hillside of large boulders used in The Lord of the Ring trilogy.
Interesting little hike up through the rocks.

A quick lunch at the Arthur’s Pass, then up to Devil’s Punchball Falls with it’s 476 steps up (a real test for Kim’s new knee). Then we attempted a smile for the picture and rewarded ourself with a drink at the bottle shop, “womaned” by a lady from Asia who had a difficult time finding an amber beer for Brian (NZ has lots of part time immigrate employees especially during the tourist season who work here on a short visiting visa).
A very short drive to find Arthur’s Pass B&B.   Certainly an eclectic little house -  train workers home from the 1920’s.  Innkeeper - Renee was our host (the shorter lady, 5th generation Kiwi) Nothing short of a spitfire!  A unique opportunity in New Zealand is to be able to be “a helper” - a cool way to “work” your way thru NZ for a bed and food.  Claudia from Germany was the helper.

Arthur’s Pass’ residents number 30. Gotta like your neighbors!
One road in and through to the west coast. This is the same
route as the main railway line, in fact Arthur’s village was mainly constructed to house the workers during the construction of the railroad.

Hokitika was our next day’s journey, down the mountain to the west coast. 2/3 of the way to the coast we turned toward Greymouth, since the Monteith’s Brewery was there for lunch. A great place, both the town and brewery for a quick afternoon stop. Then off to Holiday Park in Hokitika where we stayed in #20 a cute little cabin with a queen bed and a bunk in a RV park. Hokitika was a lovely town famous for it jade and green stone. It also has a beautiful old Carnegie Library (1 of 18 in New Zealand)
which has been compromised by recent earthquakes. At sunset 8:30 the town or tourists turn out to watch the Sunset.

Glentunnel, New Zealand - A great farm stay

Bucket lists are always good. Going “down under” was one of them.  So off to New Zealand for the 2020 adventure.  Thirty five days with friends to explore a new culture

Friday * February 21

Kim and I are in New Zealand, after a 13 1/2 hour flight from LA and the loss of a day. We had a delightful stay in Newmarket, just outside of Auckland. We rested for a couple of hours then met Julie and David Haak (friends of Wendy & Steve from England) for a wonderful Italian dinner near where we were staying Non Sol Restaurant.

Saturday *  February 22

Early start to our day after a good nights rest - meeting Laura and Brian at the Auckland Airport for a quick trip to Christchurch on the South Island.  Driving tour starts- only a 70 kilometer drive to Glentunnel for a two night stay at a “rural stay” bed and breakfast with fabulous dinners included and easy conversation with our hosts - Faye and Paul Q.

 

Sunday * February 23
Sunday February 23
Spent the day exploring the countryside. - driving on the left side of the road was a thrill for the two in the back seat. The guys did a great job - the better part of the day was on gravel backroads.  The scenic views were spectacular!  The Glacial lakes were a deep blue, around each turn brought a new outstanding view.

Part of the “rural stays” are to enjoy the home and what it has to offer.  So the sheep were definitely part of  the fun,  Faye and Paul’s garden a delight and the big blue sky - a good start for our adventure!

2019

2019

June 10^th brought Isla Scout Hermansen into our lives.  Four grands and we could not be happier!  Her sweet smile – even the day she was born warms our heart! 

Cora is a wonderful big sister.

February was spent at a flower event in Philadelphia for the FTD World Cup – second time in the USA in over 50 years. Kim of course volunteered!  Flew back home – packed up the RV and headed south towards Arizona – Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs and a super visit with Uncle Bob and Mary Pat. We so enjoy hanging out with these two!

Flew back home – packed up the RV and headed south towards Arizona – Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs and a super visit near Mesa with Uncle Bob and Mary Pat. We so enjoy hanging out with these two! 

We drove the RV to San Jose where we met Danylle, Andy and the boys – had a couple of fun days there – they headed north on an adventure up the coast and through the redwoods in the RV. We flew to Chicago for a quick visit with Father.

Springtime in the Northwest  is “iffy” sometimes … a special Orchard Tour was planned by Laurie and Gregg near Yakima – seeing their family orchards – “the iffy” part was it had been quite cold and no fruit trees were in bloom … BUT  we were educated by Gip on the workings/ pruning/ gathering of the harvests. Next time we will go when the orchards are in bloom! Delicious food, visits to local wineries, hot dog bomb fire, just hanging out …we had a blast! 

In May we - Dad and the Dunker siblings went to Fremont to lay Mom’s ashes to rest.  It felt right to take her back to Nebraska.  Good visits with family plus a special lunch with Aunt Gladys – 99 years old. Dad and Kim returned to Nebraska for the October  celebration of Aunt Gladys 100^th birthday!

AIFD was in Las Vegas – Steve and Wendy flew home with us – a few days on the sailing boat and Wendy was hooked.  Just what we needed – peace and quiet.  Other sailing adventures in the fall included a week with Bud and Sue and a long weekend with Laura and Brian. Both were super and filled with joy.

Dale had an incredible 2 week experience in August – he was asked by Sonny and Carole to help bring their Grand Banks Trawler “Evening Star” home from Seward, Alaska.  Dale was on the 700 mile voyage – 5 days across  the Gulf of Alaska.  As they say “they had some weather” – so to say the least it was an adventure. Saw some marine wildlife, fished for halibut, and the scenery was magnificent. 

 

October is a perfect time to go to British Columbia – spent 5 days with Em and Kyle – enjoying the little girls – Kyle and Emily took turns mountain biking the slopes.  Whistler is one of our favorite places to go.

2018

2018

Love sharing the news of our third grandchild – Jude Andrew Kappler was born on May 2, 2018.

Theo is an incredible big brother and we are thrilled to have another little boy to love on !

A whirlwind is all we can say about 2018 – Kim traveled throughout the United States and British Columbia on behalf of AIFD.  Highlights – Vancouver, Philadelphia Flower Show, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Washington DC and to Indianapolis for the FFA Floriculture National competition – Plus a few other cities and flower shows.

June sailing in the San Juans – Companion was a wonderful haven for Kim to rest and for Dale to feel the wind at his back!  In September we shared her with Bud and Sue and enjoyed a week in the San Juans and at one of our favorite anchorages – Sucia Island.  We knew this year would not be a sailing year but the time we had on her was exactly what we needed!

AIFD was in Washington DC  - Kim fulfilled her obligation as President of the Association.  It was a wonderful symposium that embraced all that her committees had envision  - goals set three years prior were accomplished.  An incredibly positive experience for Kim, Dale and AIFD.

The end of July took us back across the pond.  Spent a relaxed week with Steve and Wendy exploring some new sites (Charles Darwin’s Home & Winston Churchill Home) before taking the fast train to Paris where we meet Nancy and Doug for a birthday wine/food/art/music/ scenic, Paris and a week barge trip down (which was north up) the Yonne River.  What a delightful gastronomical, history and wine immersion, with daily relaxing bicycle rides along the canal. 

A once in a lifetime experience!

 

Dale at the helm of a 1917 barge " L'ART DE VIVRE" (over 100 ft long) on the Yonne Canal.

An experience we will cherish for the rest of our lives. (Pictured above left shows how little room on each side of the barge in the locks)

Home in time for another family wedding – Scott and Kathy married in the country outside of Chicago.  Scott’s godmother had a ball designing all the florals for their special day!  To see Kim’s passion as she shares her passion is a unique experience – her heart is big!

The Fall was sorrowful … watching our sweet loving Mom become fragile was difficult.  She lost her battle on November 10^th.  Her legacy is strong – sharing her faith to the last moments and loving on her family – we gain strength from her memory.  Miss her every day!

As most of you know – Kim has always loved the Tournament of Roses Parade (instilled by her Mom’s love for it).  In March we had the biggest secret to keep – Kim was invited to be one of the three Judges for the Rose Parade.  What an honor … in September we could share the secret.  Mom knew and “was all about it!”  So we were treated to another once in a lifetime opportunity as guests of the Tournament of Roses. Kim “worked” and Dale enjoyed the benefits!  Two days of full on judging, cocktail party, gala evening, 4am wake up call for Parade morning, best seats in the house for the Parade, fabulous tailgate party and then 50 yard line seats for the Rose Bowl Game (the grand daddy of them all!) It was a first class week.  Kim smiled so much her face hurt!

 

2017

2017

Warm water and blue skies were exactly what we needed – so in January we flew to the BVI’s – sharing a catamaran with Ann and Rick, Bud and Sue – already seasoned sailors.  Adding to our  crew Laurie and Gregg – first timers to the Caribbean – it was a spectacular time!  Just enough wind to make the true sailors happy, absolutely fabulous food created, many many cocktails – plus all of the fun a catamaran offers – swimming /floating – hiking and walking.  We had a ball…. Stayed a couple of days extra for some downtime in St. Thomas.

We felt so lucky to be able to sail into Seattle for Kim’s AIFD symposium in July. It was a great start for the next couple of weeks.  We shared some boat hospitality with AIFD friends and our family.  Kim was assuming the office of the National President of AIFD – so celebrations all around.

Immediately after symposium we sat on the boat for a couple of days – regrouped and then met up with Shelter Bay Yacht Club for a South Sound sail.  One of our favorites – loved touring the cities and countryside as we sailed pass little state park islands and could witness the northwest beauty.

Sailing north with a few days rest to regroup – Danylle, Andy and Theo joined us for a sail into Canada. Our little sailor was comfortable on his papa’s lap at the helm!  Emily, Kyle and Cora ferried up to meet us for a few days of sailing and mountain biking – quite a combination of activities! 

 

October is a great time for a road trip – so again an AIFD meeting brought us down to Las Vegas where Laurie and Gregg joined us for a car trip back north  through Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks – loads of spectacular scenery, great fun and memories made.  We arrived in San Jose for an amazing visit with Ann and Rick.  Life is really really good!

2016

 2016 

Another big year – Cora Kay Hermansen was born – August 10^th.  So lucky to live close enough for a quick drive north to see this precious little gem.  

January’s grey skies led us to down to San Diego to get some sun and enjoyed a great visit with Lois and Jerry.  Walking the Coronado grounds, Midway Carrier tour and the Italian neighborhood for dining … love that city and this couple.

A bucket list was checked off by visiting our Dutch friends who had sailed for a year and a half to get to the French Polynesia Islands and Tahiti.  We took the easy way – flew there!  Spending three weeks sailing on Dual Dragons was amazing.  Night sail (180 nm) to Bora Bora was good and then a nice leisurely pace around the islands and ending up back in Tahiti for a few days.  Splendid waters – snorkeling, eating delicious food and consuming the local beer …. All good.  The locals were charming and welcoming …. Loads of dominos, reading and catching up with each other.  It was good to be with Ben and Nannie, where we found out they were heading back to the northwest.

Los Angeles in July for AIFD. Fun to go see Mickey and his pals!

Another chance to share the love of flowers for Ben and Anika’s wedding.  Felt so blessed to be able to share the passion of flowers.

We finished up the year by traveling to Washington DC for a couple of weeks.  Kim had an AIFD meeting so we added some time there … visiting the Smithsonian museums is always a learning experience and walking the city is a humbling experience.  (someday it will feel like that again)

2015

2015

Big year – we became Grandparents!  Theodore Leon Kappler was born – March 4.

That meant quite a few trips back and forth to Portland – can’t get enough of seeing that little guy!

Emily turned 30 in May and we spent a week with just her – touring Boston and New York.  Visiting her friend Celeste in Boston to see one of her opera performances, what a great city.  New York, with Mary Kay and Carol is a special time and a real treat to see Roosevelt’s Library, a visit to the culinary institute plus a trip to NYC – Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. 

Several short sail trips in the Sound – Theo had his first sail, AIFD symposium in Denver, plus a 10-day tour of Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Cody, WY with Steve and Wendy. Her request and if you can imagine her asking in her sweet British accent – “I would really like to see some “geezers” and cowboys with those huge belt buckles!”  WELL – WE DID!  

Almost immediately upon getting home – Dale took another adventure with one of his wrestlers – who became a teaching and coaching partner at West- Pat McCluskey.  One of Pat’s life missions is to support his Peace Corp village in South Africa – visiting every other year and sharing his Glen Ellyn community with his African community.  It was an incredibly special time for Dale – so proud of Pat and what kind of man, husband, father and teacher he has become. Going to the “His Peace Corp Village”, 4 days in Kruger NP (to view the BIG 5) ending up in Cape Town. What an Incredible Adventure. 

If this wasn’t enough – Dale took me to visit my “ homeland”– Czech Republic.  Taking a Danube River Cruise with Glori, Mary Kay and Carol we were able to see Budapest and all the sights up the river to Prague.  Staying a few days extra we were able to walk in the streets, gardens and churches which our ancestors had done – great grandparents childhood homes.

We now know why our family chose Nebraska to land in – we felt as if we were “coming home” when we got up to Pilsner.  And why we like beer!!!!  It was a glorious time. 

Picture of Mary Kay, Kim, and Glori is the church where their great grandparents were married.

Beginning of September brought Bud and Sue plus his brother and wife – Mark and Sharon to La Conner for a week’s sailing in Puget Sound.  Loved loved having them.  

December brought great joy as we celebrated Jessica and Tom’s wedding on December 31 – sharing the wedding anniversary of Mom and Dad – super family time!  And we can’t forget about all of the flowers!

2014

2014

Having raised the girls with a sense of adventure and then including their guys … it was a real treat and surprise when Danylle and Andy invited us to join them in her residency completion celebration; by taking a sailing trip to the BVI’s that included Emily and Kyle plus 10 of their other friends!  It was a great week of sun and fun with the wind cooperating for some real sailing!

We did not let a lot of grass grown under our feet and the adventures continued – a visit to Arizona with Laura, Brian and Pete for Spring Training with a visit to see Uncle Bob and Mary Pat.  Spring sailing, alongside Dual Dragons to the Desolation Sound in Canada, Brenna and Nathan’s wedding in Oklahoma, AIFD Symposium in Chicago, attending Kate and Rob wedding in Tonsbridge Wells, UK – even a little flower designing and assistance from us, along with a driving tour to Stonehenge then Baths and off to Scotland, with a stay in Edenborough and a small bus tour of Yorkshire and the lake district of England.  Finally, a trip to Ireland, seeing our dear sailing friend who we met in Panama – Vicki Guy from Dublin, which was a treat.  Incredibly special times.

Finishing off the fall – we headed south in our vehicle to meet Ben and Nannie who just started their next big adventure to sail to the French Polynesia Islands. … the plan was to meet them in LA so we could sail Catalina Island, then moor Dual Dragons and take a driving tour of 9 National Parks in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado– over 2500 miles.  We wanted to share our beautiful country with them – they needed to see more than just the coastline.

Family wedding in November - Katelin and Jeremy’s - concluded the year.  Quite a celebration! And of course, beautiful flowers!

The Next Step

May 14, 2012
All of a sudden - we are just two … “quiet” - it was good …. Dale and I love having guests on board - but now down to the seriousness and anticipation of the next step - it was good to be “just two.”

Sitting on the “ball” at Land Sea in Golfito - we could reflect on the past months - 21 in all - and think about where we have been and contemplate the future … and what we had to do for the” next step.”

But first things first - Over nine months ago we decided that sailing north would be an overwhelming and difficult sail - especially for the first mate - so - the decision was made.  Yacht Path - the company that hauls boats all over the world is carrying Companion to Victoria BC for us. 

We stayed in a hotel the last couple of days - so Dale checked on Companion via a kayak.

The preparation for this trip - the first trip that Companion has taken without a human at the helm - was not really difficult - just time consuming.  The good news was that Yacht Path was coming a week early - which means that she will arrive in Victoria a week earlier - good news for the Northwest family! (Didn’t happen, but at the time we wrote this we thought it would; the boat ended up over a month late)

Packed away .....

So for the time consuming part - Everything and I mean everything has been stowed away - nothing on any surface that wasn’t tied down was put in a Rubbermaid tub  … it was kind of like a major spring cleaning - and when we get her back we will re evaluate where things go - especially the “artwork” that had been purchased on our travels!!  All tanks had to be cleaned out - “pickled”.  The dinghy tied onto the table - nothing was not secured. 

The day came that Companion was hauled out - actually is was uneventful - which is a good thing - we were supposed to have been hauled at 6:30 pm - but when we got to the morning meeting - our time was changed to 9:30 am.  Nice for us - but put our friends Fred and Jack as the last ones on - it is like a big puzzle on how all the vessels get squeezed into place on the deck of the freighter.

             Fred and Jack

             SV Denali Rose

Safely secured Dale was satisfied that Companion will travel as best as she can - secured with personalized supports that will hold her safe and sound for her journey … It was nice to share this “stressful” procedure with Jack and Fred - makes life easier when someone else is going thru the same concerns and preparations. And then getting to see them in Victoria and Anacortes this summer as we will both have our boats there … so here is to a smooth sail for Companion … her Captain will be glad to see her in the Pacific Northwest!!