Volcano Scenic Drive

Today we were supposed to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (a 7 hour hike between two volcanos) but there was snow in the mountains making crampons and icepicks a necessity... obviously we were unprepared for such a hike!  Instead, we drove around Lake Taupo, and explored the mountains from the comfort of our car.

Looking across Lake Taupo to the mountains in the distance.  The lake itself was created after a supervolcanic eruption about 26,000 years ago. 

Stopping at a beach along the way.  Chris checking if the water is hot.  It is not.  :(

Our little car, stopped to look at the scenery.

Mount Doom!  (Otherwise known as Mount Ngauruhoe.)

  Not quite so scary when covered in snow.

Picnic lunch.

Imprevement?

Chris showing off his new undershirt.  He's convinced it will protect him from Orc blades.  (I keep trying to tell him it's pronounced "Merino" not "Mithril." :) )

Starting to see some snow as we get higher in the mountains.  These roads were closed yesterday after a snowstorm, but today it was gorgeous.

Now we're really in the mountains.

Skiiers loving it!

Chris is jealous.

Not sure why Chris wants to head to that mountain... he keeps babbling about some ring he needs to destroy?  (I apologize for all the LOTR references.  But that's MOUNT DOOM!  :) )

Looking back down to the green plateau.

Stopped at a waterfall along the way. 

Ahh, much warmer down here.

Bye bye, mountains.

To warm up we stopped at some thermal pools.

Only $10 for a private spa.  This had a constant flow of water coming from the hot spring, and flowing out into the river below.  No chemicals, just natural spring water.

Ahhhhh.....