5/08/2015

taranaki countryside

I have lived in some rural places in my life. A couple of them were on dirt roads, which is understandable when there are just a few houses in the area. There was even a dirt road that was a shortcut to work (it probably had a name, but I never knew it) when I lived in Kansas, so I'm used to dirt roads.

The thing that I'm not used to--and that still makes me giggle on occasion--is the fact that the paved roads in the outlying areas sometimes just turn into dirt and gravel. I imagine the crew paving the road using up all the asphalt and just saying, 'She'll be right,' and going home.

We went down one of those today when I left the directions at the house and we were just winging it, looking around the countryside. [I do have to add that Hubby remembered most of the directions he had written down. Thank you, Hubby!]

We started and ended with a street sign naming the road we were on, but in the middle--as we went up and over a saddle (NZ word for a mountain pass)--the pavement turned to gravel and dirt. It was obviously the 'road less taken' because the sheep ran away from the car as we rode by. After we started down the other side, the asphalt reappeared like magic.

I really enjoy these rides that have no particular objective except to see the countryside around us. The hills are amazing to me and I never tire of seeing sights like this:




I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore

24 comments:

Linda Kay said...

I do so enjoy are drive out into the countryside. We will be driving from Texas to Illinois in a week, and I'm looking forward to seeing the sights.

Michelle said...

That scenery is just spectacular!!!!!

Rohrerbot said...

No your not! What an epic drive! So green and beautiful!

Hetty said...

Dear Betty, Beautiful country side. Who cares about a road? This scenery is so green and lush. thanks for shearing. Groetjes,
Hetty

amo sin blogg said...

Beatiful pictures !

Yvonne said...


Very beautiful country. I can see why you enjoy so much the rides that are just to see the scenery.

Rhonda Albom said...

Beautiful photos, and you are so on-target. Best quote from any blog this week (or maybe longer): "I imagine the crew paving the road using up all the asphalt and just saying, 'She'll be right,' and going home." That will keep me laughing for hours. I wonder if native Kiwis find it as funny as I do.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I would never tire of these beautiful green hills either! I grew up in a green mountainous area of Australia, with our farm far along many dirt roads.

diane b said...

NZ is a beautiful country.

Maude Lynn said...

What a gorgeous place!

Anita Johnson said...

Not Kansa, or Wisconsin. Wow! What a beautiful place! I love Dort road...but only when I know where I am going!

Dianne said...

Evverything is so lovely and green over there. worth mozying around with nowhere in particular to go but just enjoy.

arabesque said...

wow! such a serene and picturesque place. ^-^
i could stay with this view for hours.

Mari said...

Love those greenery. I can imagibe how fresh it feels there. It's an amazing huge scenery.

LindyLouMac said...

So much more interesting when a journey turns into a mini adventure. :)

carol l mckenna said...

What a panoramic vista! Great shot and delightful post ~

Happy Mid Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Al said...

That is beautiful countryside. Where I live, when a road turns to dirt it's a sign it will come to an end eventually, usually after climbing partway up a mountain.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

New Zealand is a spectacular country! My best friend's daughter vacationed there this year and I was amazed by her photos.

Anonymous said...

Kansas is beautiful! Am laughing too, the first time, I realized that we live on a road like this (moved last year, and was so focused on the house we bought that I even didn't see that there were other houses in the same street, let alone the asphalt - o rather, lack of it!

DougPhoto2009 said...

Wonderful countryside. Thanks for sharing.

Pauline said...

Love the hill country of inland Taranaki and you have captured it perfectly.

Sri Kri said...

Love the countryside.New Zealand is the beautiful country.Need to visit to experience this less traveled countryside.

http://srikri.com/

Anonymous said...

Love these green hills! Am glad you got out and shared your drive with us!

Annie said...

Such a wonderful sight! And great pictures, too. It must be a great pleasure to live in such a surrounding.
Have a nice weekend!
Annie