From Kathy Hibler

 IN 2005, SKIP, LINDA, DIANE AND I SPENT 10 WEEKS TOURING NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. WE BEGAN ON THE NORTH ISLAND, NZ.

IT WAS IN NEW ZEALAND THAT LINDA ENTERED THE WORLD BOOGIE BOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS. SHE DISPLAYED GREAT FORM, AT LEAST AT THE START.

BUT SHE CARRIED TOO MUCH SPEED INTO THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE COURSE AND GRAVITY TOOK OVER.

WE RENTED A CAR TO DRIVE SOUTH THROUGH THE NORTH ISLAND, NZ AND STUMBLED UPON AN ICONIC ROAD SIGN

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WE WERE ALL YOUNGER THEN!!

NOW LINDA'S ATHLETIC ABILITY EXTENDED WELL BEYOND BOOGIE BOARDING. IN FACT, EVERY TIME WE PLAYED BOCCE (PETANQUE) IN NZ AGAINST THE SHIPMAN'S THEY WON AND OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE CELEBRATORY CHAMPAGNE.

WE FINISHED THE NZ PART OF THE TRIP ON THE SOUTH ISLAND AT ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS THE FOUR OF US EVER VISITED--BLANKET BAY. THERE LINDA PROVED HERSELF A GREAT EQUESTRIAN.

AFTER THAT EXHAUSTING GALLOP THROUGH THE WILDERNESS, WE TOOK A HELICOPTER OVER THE MOUNTAINS TO MILFORD SOUND(?) AND SAILED THROUGH SOME ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC SCENERY.

THEN IT WAS ON TO AUSTRALIA TO JOIN STAN AND REBECCA AND DO THE CRADLE MOUNTAIN TREK IN TASMANIA. IT WAS HERE THAT I WITNESSED FIRST HAND THE GREAT COURAGE AND FORTITUDE THAT LINDA HAD. SHE HAD BEEN FITTED WITH HIKING BOOTS THAT WERE TOO SMALL, BUT IT WAS ONLY APPARENT WHEN DOING DOWN-HILL HIKING. IN THE END, AFTER 5 DAYS OF DEALING WITH BLISTERS/PAIN/SUFFERING ALL HER TOE NAILS WOULD FALL OUT. BUT SHE PERSERVERED, SOMETIMES IN TEARS. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, BEFORE OR AFTER.

THE EARLY PART OF THE TREK WAS THROUGH RAIN AND SLEET AND VERY LITTLE SUNSHINE. HERE ARE LINDA, DIANE, AND REBECCA.

BUT THEN THE TORTURE OF THE BOOTS SHOWED THROUGH.

THE TRIP ENDED ON A MUCH HAPPIER NOTE IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA NEAR MELBOURNE.

THIS TRIP DEMONSTRATED JUST HOW TOUGH AND DETERMINED LINDA COULD BE. I SAW IT MANY TIME WHEN SHE HELMED "TSURU" BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTOS OF IT. THIS WAS ONE COURAGEOUS WOMAN.