Wairere Boulders

Dave and the guys went fishing on Wednesday from the west coast. Jill drove over in the morning with them to do a bit of exploring on her own. First she went to the Waima Forest to see a small waterfall. There was a cute little puzzle store near the park, so about an hour was spent looking

around and playing games in this tiny little family owned shop. After lunch on the beach and being taken over by two wet, sandy dogs, it was off to the Wairere Boulders. These 2.6 million year old boulders are literally out in the middle of nowhere down a long gravel road. These basalt boulders are unique because there are so many ranging in size from small cars to huge houses in a valley in the middle of clay country. Also they have been eroded in a very uncommon way called fluting. Where did they come from and how did they end up here? Apparently they are erosion remnants from a basalt layer that used to sit high above the valley floor. Walking around the park was interesting because the path went over, under, and thru the rocks. Some of the rocks are holding each other up in ways that makes small caves or passages underneath these huge boulders. The private park has been very well kept by the owners Rita and Felix. They have built all the bridges and walkways themselves with there own money. It was very enjoyable to talk to Felix and look thru the pictures of the original work and upkeep he and his wife have done. It was certainly an enjoyable park.