Ohakune Snow Getaway
September 2014, by Tom
We decided to head up to Ohakune for a long weekend - our yearly pilgrimage to the snow gods. This time it was just us and Myah who was still staying with us.
It was our first road trip with both the girls, so it we were a little unsure how it would go. We decided the best approach was to pick Olive up from daycare at 12.30 and head off straight from there and make a day of it. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out that way, as I had a mission of a time trying to get the roof box to attach to our new roof rack. It turned out I needed new bolts to fit over our wider than usual roof rack. I also had to drill new holes in the roof box to fit on our more spaced out than average roof rack! After that crises was averted, we managed to hit the road around 2.30pm.
Travelling with a 2 1/2 month old is like travelling with a time bomb. You don't really know when or where she was going to go off, requiring a one hour stop for refreshments. We also had Olive, who can be a ticking time bomb of her own - luckily one that can usually be reasoned with. First stop - Levin!
The playgrounds at Levin are fantastic. There are different sets of equipment for different ages. There is even a little dog run around area. Olive loved it, so much so that getting her back into the car took some persuasion. We were only an hour out of Wellington, and by now it was after 4.30pm. So we hit the road again, not sure really where to set our sights on. Soon enough it was past dinner time, and near to when Iris has her nightly unsettled time, so we decided to stop again at Taihape Mc'ds around 6.30 for a quick dinner. Olive was tired, Iris was unsettled and didn't really want to feed and we wondered what the heck we were doing, but we managed to get both kids back in the car and back on the road - reaching Ohakune after 8pm. Phew!
With the fire lit, Olive happily off to bed in her new pink portacot, we contemplated how we could do it better on the return journey.
First day in Ohakune we decided to take the long walking route into town. It was lovely to get out and get some exercise in the fresh Ohakune air. We wandered passed the horses and cows, and ended up having a well deserved lunch at the local Utopia cafe. Both girls were well behaved and the promise of seeing the giant carrot kept Olive moving on the walk home. She loved the giant carrot - telling everyone at KCC (daycare) about it the following week.
We took a chance on the local popup pizzeria for dinner. Olive and I ventured down to place our order and watch the pizzas be expertly made. She loved seeing them flipping the dough in the air and pulling them in and out of the woodfire oven. Unfortunately she had a meltdown when I said we had to then take the pizzas home so Mum could have some too - she was determined to eat them there and then. Fantastic pizzas, despite the meltdown. Would eat again.
Our second day in Ohakune and the weather was looking promising for a trip to the snow. So we all donned our snow gear and headed up the mountain! The clouds all cleared and we were left with a beautiful blue sky day. We snuck up into the second row of the top carpark (after saying we were just dropping off). We then hired a sled and took it to the beginner slopes. We had a blast. Olive loved making a snow man, then repeatedly wanted to go on rides down the hill on the sled with both of us. It really worked out well. Iris was happy to snooze in the front back. We finished the snow experience with a picnic in the boot of the car - just relaxing in the hot sun. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Olive was pooped - and had a snooze on the way back to the house.
With a successful day at the snow, we decided to head back home the following day - leaving at a much more respectable 10am. The drive home was much better planned. We stopped at Flat Hills for a bite to eat and to stretch our legs. This is a great place to take kids as they have lots of animals to look at. Bunnies, chickens, ducks, lambs and Olive's favourite - pigs. It was a good place to break up the journey. After this stop, we managed to make it all the way back to Andy and Nicky's place in Paekakariki before Iris had had enough. Olive got to play with Ben for an hour and we got to relax with a drink on their new patio.
Another short ride, and we were home, sweet home. A lovely weekend away. Next time we will just plan the voyage there a little better!
T
It was our first road trip with both the girls, so it we were a little unsure how it would go. We decided the best approach was to pick Olive up from daycare at 12.30 and head off straight from there and make a day of it. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out that way, as I had a mission of a time trying to get the roof box to attach to our new roof rack. It turned out I needed new bolts to fit over our wider than usual roof rack. I also had to drill new holes in the roof box to fit on our more spaced out than average roof rack! After that crises was averted, we managed to hit the road around 2.30pm.
Travelling with a 2 1/2 month old is like travelling with a time bomb. You don't really know when or where she was going to go off, requiring a one hour stop for refreshments. We also had Olive, who can be a ticking time bomb of her own - luckily one that can usually be reasoned with. First stop - Levin!
The playgrounds at Levin are fantastic. There are different sets of equipment for different ages. There is even a little dog run around area. Olive loved it, so much so that getting her back into the car took some persuasion. We were only an hour out of Wellington, and by now it was after 4.30pm. So we hit the road again, not sure really where to set our sights on. Soon enough it was past dinner time, and near to when Iris has her nightly unsettled time, so we decided to stop again at Taihape Mc'ds around 6.30 for a quick dinner. Olive was tired, Iris was unsettled and didn't really want to feed and we wondered what the heck we were doing, but we managed to get both kids back in the car and back on the road - reaching Ohakune after 8pm. Phew!
With the fire lit, Olive happily off to bed in her new pink portacot, we contemplated how we could do it better on the return journey.
First day in Ohakune we decided to take the long walking route into town. It was lovely to get out and get some exercise in the fresh Ohakune air. We wandered passed the horses and cows, and ended up having a well deserved lunch at the local Utopia cafe. Both girls were well behaved and the promise of seeing the giant carrot kept Olive moving on the walk home. She loved the giant carrot - telling everyone at KCC (daycare) about it the following week.
We took a chance on the local popup pizzeria for dinner. Olive and I ventured down to place our order and watch the pizzas be expertly made. She loved seeing them flipping the dough in the air and pulling them in and out of the woodfire oven. Unfortunately she had a meltdown when I said we had to then take the pizzas home so Mum could have some too - she was determined to eat them there and then. Fantastic pizzas, despite the meltdown. Would eat again.
Our second day in Ohakune and the weather was looking promising for a trip to the snow. So we all donned our snow gear and headed up the mountain! The clouds all cleared and we were left with a beautiful blue sky day. We snuck up into the second row of the top carpark (after saying we were just dropping off). We then hired a sled and took it to the beginner slopes. We had a blast. Olive loved making a snow man, then repeatedly wanted to go on rides down the hill on the sled with both of us. It really worked out well. Iris was happy to snooze in the front back. We finished the snow experience with a picnic in the boot of the car - just relaxing in the hot sun. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Olive was pooped - and had a snooze on the way back to the house.
With a successful day at the snow, we decided to head back home the following day - leaving at a much more respectable 10am. The drive home was much better planned. We stopped at Flat Hills for a bite to eat and to stretch our legs. This is a great place to take kids as they have lots of animals to look at. Bunnies, chickens, ducks, lambs and Olive's favourite - pigs. It was a good place to break up the journey. After this stop, we managed to make it all the way back to Andy and Nicky's place in Paekakariki before Iris had had enough. Olive got to play with Ben for an hour and we got to relax with a drink on their new patio.
Another short ride, and we were home, sweet home. A lovely weekend away. Next time we will just plan the voyage there a little better!
T
Trying on Olives bear outfit
Out for a walk
And Iris of course
