This blog records the life and times of five members of the Natzke family. We reside in New Zealand and are about to go on the trip of a lifetime to the USA touring around in a fifth wheeler. The Natzke family consists of dad (Chris), mum (Janine) and their three children (Sarah, Josiah and Joel).
This trip has been nearly a year in the making. The family home has been sold and Chris has taken a career break from Deloitte. We fly out from New Zealand on Sunday 24th February, arriving in LA and then onto Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. All going to plan, we will buy a pickup truck and fifth wheeler and begin travelling within a week.
Universal Studios
Mum & dad couldn't even swim in the pool watching this movie 30 years ago
Universal Studios
Shrek
SeaWorld
Shamu, the killer whale
DisneyLand
Guess who
DisneyLand
Famous shot
The Grand Canyon
A mile deep, on average 10 miles wide and 277 miles long
Crossing the Colorado River at the northern tip of the Grand Canyon
It was a long way down
Zion National Park
We were surrounded by the Zion canyon
Zion National Park
Horse & mule riding
The Raptor - saying good bye
The kids so sad but Chris is happy
Truck all packed up
2 motorbikes and everything we have with us
Dropping off the Raptor in Denver
This was our cool home for 6months
Rocky Mountain National Park
This was something else
Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake
I fought the Law....
And the Law won
Old Thrashers
Steam engine
Old Thrashers
Steam power to run the carousel
Old Thrashers
Farming the way it was
At Old Thrashers
The Hempen's Bash's Natzke's
Four wheeling
Jeff Nancy Chris Janine Tracy Kenny
The girl having fun
The eye's have it
Racing at Cedar Rapids
Joel having fun
Cedar Rapids
The boys ready to race
All the Hempens
Tracy Kenny Luke Josiah Kenny Jr Jennifer Courtney
John Deere factory, Moline Illinois
9770STS Combine with 9.0L Powertech Plus diesel with 360HP
Nickelodeon and Mall of America
Sarah and Jennifer again
Themepark inside Mall of America
Sarah and Jennifer Hempen
Coder Cooper # 902
Kiwi rider competing in the USA
James "Bubba" Stewart
No one came close to this rider
Spring Creek MX Park
Milville, Minnesota
Natzkes and Hempens
Sunday dinner
Night time swimming
Josiah Hempen's toy
Josiah (12 years of age) built it himself
Hempens
We parked the RV beside the barn
Hempens residence in Iowa
Josiah Hempen drafted a welcome board for the Natzkes
Outside City Museum St Louis
The kids loved this place
Nice day for a swim
at the zoo
City zoo
St Louis
Sarah and the Bison
In to the West I say...
Joel has a thing for bears
Run Joel run!
Janine at the exit
Will be happier at the bottom
The view from the top...
...and the bottom
Sunset from the top of the Arch
St Louis
Get in for the ride up the Arch
St Louis
They're getting closer...
Get in the truck!
Bison watching with the MacLeans
Joel, put the gun away
Land between the Lakes
Bison and Elk prairie
Land between the Lakes
Canoeing across the lake
The mechanic
Looking for the best 16th gate pick
Race one
And he's got the Holeshot!
Sister support
All the way!
The Team NZ Supporters
Michelle Kyle Tracy and Kenny
Ready to take on the world
at Loretta Lynn's
Joel with Ryan Villopoto
at Loretta Lynn's
Josiah with Ben Townley
at Loretta Lynn's
Kids with Cody Cooper
At Loretta Lynn's
A young Ricky Carmichael behind Josiah
Where champions are born
The track at Loretta Lynn's
Ready for racing
LL's house built in the 1800's
raised her family here, now on show to public
Loretta Lynn coal miners daughter
This is a replica of the house she grow up in
Joel and Jaxon
Hung out at Ponca all week
Ben in hospital with broken femur
being strong after surgery
Ryan Erin Maria Evan Chris @ Ponca
Thanks for having us stay a while back
Raptor track side
NZ flag a flying
Party in the Raptor
Janine's birthday
Look at the piece of tyre missing
3hours later...back on the road
Josiah trainning
Lean that puppy over
Joel's night race
1st place!
Nico and Justin
Eating vegemite toast
Whoop trainning
@ Dirt Bike Mikes
Buck house at camp
@ Dirt Bike Mikes
Somemores on the camp fire
Yum!
A. Schwab's store
Oldest store still trading Beale St Memphis
BB King
Blues bar Memphis
Elvis' tombstone
Layed to rest at Graceland
1968 TV special, watched by 1.25 billion people
Elvis Presley
Graceland TN
Home of the king of rockn'roll
Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch
mxnational will be 28th July
The Haleys
Chase, Kelly, Jeff and Bethany
Joel just looked in the mirror...
Run Forrest run!
Joel's favourite purchase in Nashville
Hey good lookin', what you got cookin'
Kentucky mullet
One of the kids in a Nashville souvenir shop
Hey good lookin', what you got cookin'
Josiah and Loretta Lynn (picture at top)
A star is born
Sarah in Nashville
Honky Tonk heros
Nashville
Tennessee State Capital
Nashville
Kyle offered Chris some moonshine...
even the smell of it burns the eyes
Relaxing after a long hard day
Sarah was the only 1 to make a catch
Sarah's 3rd fish
What a good night for her
Sarah's 1st catch
and Kyle made her kiss it!
River and Josiah
After a bit of riding
Josiah over a jump
At River Hancocks
Josh Jess Caroline & Alex
Thanks for having us!
Alex's 8th birthday
Happy Birthday
Joel at Cedarpoint
Dad, I'm driving this time.
Madison Ohio with Becca Leslie Kellan (Tim at work)
Great to catch up after 18yrs! Really that long No!
Chris, put Joel down....
Joel, no doubling or rides with Dad!
Niagara Falls at night with lights
Standing on Canadian soil thinking of Tiffany!
Niagara Falls up close
Maid of the mist not we got soaked!
Niagara Falls
Standing on US soil
Cedar Point rollercoaster park
The dragster and 400 feet vertical...what a rush
Tiana and Cara Cleveland Ohio
Great to catch up with the girls!
Regional Qualifier Pleasure Valley 65 7-9 stock class
Great result! Thanks to everyone who has helped us make it
Pleasure Valley Raceway regional qualifier
Josiah got the holeshot (#413, bottom right))
Amishville
Homes with and without electricity
Holmes County Ohio (Amish)
Chris reckons the wheels need spinners
You never know who you with meet in A tornada warning
Ben Larry and Liz
State Capital building Harrisburg
2 tonne lights cover in gold!
State Capital Building
Harrisburg Pennsylvania
Actiontown Dillwyn (Muddy)
Josiah got holeshot Kid left didn't
Colonial Williamsburg
On to Independence
Govenor's Mansion
Colonial Williamsburg
Civil war time 1863 The way it was
Petersburg
State Capital Richmond
Virginia
Sarah found a friend
It went toilet in her hand!
Beaver Lake
Pocahontas State Park Richmond
Into the wilderness
Pocahontas State Park
Finish jump
Rolling Hills Reidsville
Raptorville
Rolling Hills NC
Kyle, Michelle, Meadow & Sydney
The Fullwoods on a Sunday afternoon
Josh, Jess, Caroline and Alex
Hanging out beside the pool
The beach with the kids
Myrtle Beach
Our broken Joel
All strapped up
Chris x2
on the right team Dirt Bike Mike
Cory and Brok
Team Dirt Bike Mike
Golden Pines Raceway
100yards of rollers
Sarah selling T-shirt's
And it's her 12th birthday
Joel
Our human cannonball
Between States
Barges in the Mississippi
Casino Buffet
The dessert was great
Vicksburg
Floating Casino
Jaws! in Mike and Pam's pond
Joel's big catch 1st time fishing
Kevin Windham
Jump boy jump
They keep you entertained
Off with a bang
in the stands watching
Super-X in Dallas
After practice Trey Canard
Kindly stopped and let me take his photo
Super-X Dallas Cowboys stadium
In the Pitts Kevin Windham
Look two legs
You on your butt
Texas poker
The bull is the last one standing
Hold on...
No get off
Look!
No feet
Ride cowboy
Ride
Not bad Joel
Second place
Hold on!!!
Another one bites the dust
Ride em cowboy ride
The crazy ram
Joel
getting kit on to take on the mutton
Rodeo
Welcome
Rodeo
Please don't eat me
Steve Joel Dylan
The bro's
Joel
Stopppp...let me off...
Josiah
2 second wonder
Ahhh..
He's so soft
Sarah
In her element
Sarah
On Big Jack
Josiah
On Big Jake
Joel
Big Jake
Swimming
It's not too cold for the kiwi's!
Them
Us
Bellingan's
Dylan,Phillip,Pauline, Megan
Making friends. Thanks for sorting Josiah's bike!
Pat Mechanic With Liz and Drew Mitchel&Josiah
Oak Hill 7-9 65 Stock
7th place out of 57 National race
Oak Hill
More whoops
Oak Hill
2nd double
Oak Hill
1st double
Oak Hill 2 doubles
2nd
Oak hill 2 doubles
The 1st
Don't leave Gum boots out side
You might squash a mouse
Oak Hill
Over a jump
Parked on a lean
Jack it up
In the RV
Were the toys go
In the RV
Lounge & Dinning
Inside RV
Kitchen mum still makes the best burgers
In the RV
Room up top Who will be sleeping here tonight?
In the RV (fifth wheeler)
Shower and basin
In the fifth wheeler
The loo
Oak Hill mx
Whoops
Sarah and Joel
Biking beats waling
Josiah racing
fun jumping
Ready for school
but not the house work
On your marks get set...
Ready to practice
Mud
The fun way to start @ Whitney
Motox Track Lake Whitney ...no RV park NO motox park
Yes this is a motox park
Doing school work
The kids thought this wouldn't happen
Neighbours at Lake Whitney
Kenny Tracy Jennifer Kenny Jr Josiah & Luke having hamburgers together
Support crew
New Zealand rocks
Dirt Bike Mike with wife Pam
The nicest people you ever did meet
The South
NZ flag put up by Dirt Bike Mike at the motox
RV breakdown
F250 & fifth wheeler
Plantation and breakdown
14 comments:
Cool have a good trip
Hi guys - you're a great family and the Nisbet's wish you the very best for your big OE. I'm sure the Dirtstar family will read with interest your experiences in the states, and if the boys do get a chance to race - GO HARD! Talk to you soon.
Hey,
I'm looking forward to seeing you guys when I go back home ;)
Hey dirtstar family. We loved visiting with you! Thanks for all your support keep in touch.
Cara we are making plans to visit you and your family! Can't wait for some true U.S. hospitality!
Janine
All the best for the start and finish of this experience. Make sure you do and see everything and make the most of all the contacts you are given. This will enrich the experience.
Just go and enjoy doing the things you want to do.
Thanks Les and Jeanette
We will!
Hi Natzke5?
Sending you bit hugs and lots of love as you leave NZ on the big silver bird. Sitting here thinking about you all as you set off on this big adventure.
Wishing you all good luck, good health and happiness. Take care
Love from your Mum (Granny Lyn)
Hi Natzkes. Hope your travels and vehicle purchase all went to plan. It was with a tinge of envy that we thought of you all yesterday - flitting off to greener pastures, though ours are alot greener today. Looking forward to hearing how much fun you are all having.
From the Fountains.
Hi Janine Chris and co,
It will be great to hear of your adventures in the University of the world.Keep well, happy and have fun as you travel through USA. I hope you have got there OK and excited for you all!
It was nice to see you off,
Cheers
Carol
Hi Janine, Sorry I missed your visit! All the best for the trip. Let me know if you would like any contacts in Arizona, Boston, Chicago, California, Idaho, Washington State, Pennsylvania. Have fun. Natalie x
Hi guys WOW! What an adventurous start to your dream! Gr8 to hear from you... was just wondering today how you were going! We had a gr8 break and our kitchen has just gone in. Did you get my wee gift in the post Janine? Well have a great second week ahead... the RV looks fabulous... Id love to see inside! Take care of each other Missing you already Love from the McConnell Mob xx
Hi - wow love the RV. It is HUGE!!! What an amazing adventure so far. So you like the people, what about the country?
Hi guys - just been looking at the pics with Jordan. We were laughing at the pic of Josiah in a wig. He looked very pretty!!! Janine, happy birthday for Tuesday. Hope you are still enjoying life in the RV. Always envious. Lorraine F.
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