Unaware that today was out last day in FJ Glacier (see below), we made a leisurely start down to Fox Glacier where Lester and I stepped off for a hike around Lake Matheson (my third go round on this hike). Len turned back after a short stretch with a sore muscle. The Lake walk was beautiful as always.
Lester examined the bridge construction with care as he had been involved in various bridge building efforts over his career. He was a bit surprised that the bridge loading level was not stamped into the metal but maintained his composure as always. We paused for the classic make-your-own postcard shot enabled by a labeled frame thoughtfully provided by the Lake maintainers.
After lunch al fresco at the cafe where the hike starts and ends we headed to the Fox Glacier valley trail and hoofed it up to the nice viewpoint about 1.5 miles from the parking lot,
returning by the Moraine Trail which parallels the main trail. Here moss and ferns overgrow everything near the trail .
Then it was back to the car taking in the glacial flour that turns the roaring river grey .
Returning to our rental, we found that we had only rented the place for 2 nights and not 3 as I had imperfectly remembered . Hastily packing our stuff we drove an hour and a half north to our next stop – Hokitika – and bailed into our rooms a bit after 8. What a gorgeous sunset over the pounding Pacific surf.
It was steak all around at dinner, and then I had a ringside seat for Lester and Leonard’s ice cream face-off.
I judged it a tie, and so to the earlier foregone showers and bed.
Kenway Goes South 
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