Podcasts about roading

Roading crews and emergency vehicles are assessing the damage following a shallow earthquake in the central North Island this morning. The 5.9 magnitude struck south of Taumaranui just before 5am, and was felt by more than 20,000 people, some in the South Island. The Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group says minor slips have been reported in the area, and motorists should take care while driving. Kevin Milne felt the quake this morning, and he joined Jack Tame to discuss the experience. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's not pretend that this roading announcement is not a massive letdown for anyone who voted for the National Party believing it would deliver the roads it promised. It is a huge letdown. Of the 15 Roads of National Significance promised following the last election, only six have construction dates: Takitimu North Link Stage 1 in Tauranga, Ōtaki to north of Levin, the Hawke's Bay Expressway, Warkworth to Te Hana, Cambridge to Piarere and the Ōmanawa Bridge. I don't even know where that is. The rest of them? Well, good luck to you. The second Mount Victoria Tunnel, which is one of my personal obsessions because of how badly Wellington needs it, has no construction date. In fact, the pre-construction work could take us all the way through to 2037. That is incredibly disappointing. I've heard rumours for months that this was the case. I've kept asking Chris Bishop about it on this show and he has assured me the project was all go. But it's not really, is it? And remember what National said at the last election: spades in the ground in the first term. That is now a broken promise. Now, I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to Chris Bishop because he fronted up and got honest with the public about this. That can't have been easy for him to do - for his own reputation and for the political fallout facing the National Party ahead of the next election. I know he's been anxious about this day coming and it has come. I think he's handled it as well as he could.But this is a mistake that Chris Bishop and the Nats cannot blame on anyone but themselves. They cannot blame Trump. They cannot blame tariffs. They cannot blame the conflict with Iran. They cannot blame inflation. They cannot blame the Labour Party. It was obvious in 2023 that they were being too ambitious in promising all these roads. They were warned they were being too ambitious and the warnings were correct. Now there will be significant numbers of disappointed voters who will have to wait so long for the roads they were promised that - given how changes of Government work - they may never actually get them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Tuesday on Newstalk ZB) Why So Sensitive?/Cow Capping Bottom Trawlers/Sticking it to Trump/Who Gets Roads and Who Doesn't/Release the BeastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on America on the Road, Jack Nerad and Chris Teague road test and review two very different Hyundais — the futuristic 2026 Ioniq 9 battery-electric three-row SUV and the realistic 2026 Tucson XRT. They also offer details on Ford's aggressive new Explorer ST Sinister package and premium Bronco Filson edition, Lucid's major Gravity software update, Subaru's enhanced 2027 BRZ, and Audi's stunning 1,001-hp Nuvolari supercar. Our special guest is Demo Days founder BJ Birtwell with news about an exciting series of events that will unfold through the balance of the year.

So here we go - some policy, ladies and gentlemen. Labour's promising cheaper public transport. They want to cap weekly fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and $10 everywhere else. Under the plan, once you hit the cap, the rest of the trips you take that week could be free. Labour says it would save regular users about $25 a week. They reckon it would save you about $1200 a year. The policy would begin from July next year, of course depending on whether they're elected on November 7. They say it will cost $65 million a year, funded through the National Land Transport Fund. Not all services will be included, though. Inter-regional trains like Te Huia and the Capital Connection miss out, along with some longer ferries like Waiheke and cash-only bus services. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the policy is aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere says too many families are being priced out of public transport. What they didn't really say is that it might also help reduce congestion on our roads. But, you know, it's still a spending policy at a time when we're trying to reduce spending and the national debt. Now, the money will come from the transport fund, which National says is already oversubscribed, so presumably, to fund this, Labour will have to cut some of National's road projects. It is a cost-of-living policy and many people will welcome a $20-a-week commute. Their social media shows a lot of people saying this is good. But it will only appeal to those who aren't already sorted. If you've got a car - if you can afford a car, if you can afford car parking in urban areas - you won't care about this; you might not like it. But I'm surrounded in the newsroom by low-paid young people who cannot afford cars and certainly can't afford parking, and they use public transport every day. So they'll love it - but will young voters even bother to vote? And meanwhile, that cost - $65 million - does it seem low to you? It seems low to me because there are already some caps in place. And with the money coming from the National Land Transport Fund, the question is: which roading measures will be cut? Potholes, anybody? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EDITORIAL: Let's be honest now — when is enough actually enough in this city? How long have Wellingtonians been listening to the words “Let's Get Wellington Moving”? Seven years? Eight years? Longer? The project was officially launched back in 2017. Nearly a decade ago. Nearly a decade of workshops, consultations, artist impressions, reviews, counter-reviews, delays, blowouts, political infighting and endless promise for us. And what do we actually have to show for it? Seriously — what do we have to show for it? Because I walk through the start of the so-called Golden Mile redevelopment near the Embassy Theatre almost every day, and if you told a visitor from out of town that millions of dollars had already been spent there, they would laugh at you. They'd say, “Where? How? A few plants? Some shifted paving? A slightly rearranged pedestrian area? A cycleway?” That's the transformational city-shaping project we've been arguing about for the best part of a decade? Meanwhile the city struggles. Retailers are struggling. Businesses are struggling. People are worried about rates. Roading's a mess. Water infrastructure is collapsing. Construction costs have exploded. The council can barely afford what it already has on its plate. And now we're spending another FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS on another review. Another review. Not fixing anything. Not building anything. Not deciding anything. Just another group of people sitting around discussing whether previous groups of people were right or wrong. I'm with Andrew Little on this one. At some point politicians have to actually make political decisions. If you were elected to lead, then damn well lead. Stop outsourcing every difficult decision to panels, consultants, independent reviews and strategic assessments. The original Golden Mile budget was in 2020 was $78 million. Then it became $160 million. Now it's sitting around $220 million. And even Andrew Little is saying the council simply cannot afford another $60 million blowout. Hello! You wouldn't need a degree to work that one out. So here's the simple question: If we can't afford it, why are we pretending we can? Because what's happened in Wellington is death by consultation. Death by process. Death by indecision. We have become a city addicted to talking about things instead of actually doing them. And here's the worst part — this uncertainty has hung over central Wellington businesses for years. Years. People trying to invest, lease buildings, open restaurants, run cafés, survive construction disruptions, they want to employ staff — all while the city keeps changing the plan every six months. Enough. Either do the project properly, fully funded, with certainty and timelines — or pull the plug and let us move on with our lives. And now. Not in 6 months' time – now. But this endless middle ground of reviews, pauses, re-scopes and consultant reports is draining the life, confidence and energy out of Wellington. Forget it Nearly a decade in, Wellingtonians deserve an answer and now. Not another workshop, not another panel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Agency says work is being done to clear slips which have closed most of State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa, following flooding in Little River. NZTA'S Regional Manager for Maintenance and Operations for the Central and Lower South island, Peter Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A major rethink of transport links and roading into Tai Rāwhiti is needed to ensure the economic future of the region as severe weather events become more frequent. Richard Burke, former Chief Executive of LeaderBrand spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

More than 40 slips in the Waioeka Gorge have seen some residents still isolated after the recent heavy flooding. Transport Minister Chris Bishop spoke to Corin Dann.

Finally, someone to help us use tie-out stakes and "chain gangs" the right way. Industry insider and avid bird hunter Brennan Landry of CableGangz Supply makes the best gear in the category (and including roading gear, training table rigs and more) and he's here to walk us through using it right. From materials and engineering to manufacturing and the right way to hammer stakes into and out of the ground.  Brennan is a big believer in roading bird dogs so he'll explain why, and how, to get the most out of the miles. Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here). [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]

Opposition parties are slamming the Transport Agency's proposed solution to Wellington's traffic problems. Mary Argue reports.

Canterbury is paving the way for the country's first rubber road. Selwyn District Council is planning a rubber road surface trial at Glentunnel on State Highway 77 in January. Treadlite New Zealand is the only company providing the recycled rubber granules for use in pavements in the country. Chief Executive Brad Pierce told Mike Hosking this isn't new technology, it's just New Zealand catching up. He says adding 10% rubber into the road makes it quieter, last 20% longer, and takes a valuable resource out of landfill. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

http://copperplatemailorder.com                                     Copperplate Time 516                                presented by Alan O'Leary                             www.copperplatemailorder.com                            A Preview of Feile Liam O'Flynn                                          Music & Mischief 1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.  After Hours 2. Frankie Gavin's Roading 20s Orch: Rakes of Clonmel.  By Heck3. John & Jacinta McEvoy: The Coalminer/The Jolly 7/The Heather Breeze.                 The Boyne Mist 4. Gerry Hanley:    Slow Reels/Paddy Fahy's.   In The Middle of It 5. Christy Moore: The Crack Was 90.  Live in Dublin  6. Liam O'Flynn:  Humours of Kiltyclogher/Julia Clifford's.  The Piper's Call 7. Brian Hughes:  The Fly By Night/Tailor's Twist.  This Day- 20 Years  8. Laoise Kelly: Toureendarby Polka/Nell Mahoney's Polka/Buckley's Fave. Ceis 9. Sean Keane:   The Oak Tree.  Seoda Ceoil 2    10. Muireann Nic Amhlaobh/Danu:  Farewell Angelina.  When All is Said & Done   11. Mick O'Brien:  Caislean an Óir/Her Golden Hair Was Flowing own Her Back.                      May Morning Dew   12. Luka Bloom:You Couldn't Have Come at A Better Time.                 Bringing It All Back Home 13. Daithi Gormley:  Jackson's/Finbarr Dwyer's/ Henchy's Delight.                     Fiddling Without a Bow 14. Liz & Yvonne Kane:             The Jug of Punch/Fred Finn's/The Maghera Mountain.  Under The Diamond15. Gerry O'Connor: Thomond Bridge/Sean Ryan's. No Place Like Home16. Liam O'Flynn: The Gold Ring.  The Fine Art of Piping 17. Angelina & Peter Carrberry:               Girl From the Big House/The Dawn Chorus/O'Sullivan's. An Traidisiun Beo 18. Michael Banahan:  Closing Time.  Broken Heart 19. Gatehouse: The Monasteraden Set.  Heather Down the Moor20. Altan: New Rigged Ship/Monaghan Twig/Kitty the Hare. The Poisoned Glen 21. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.  After Hours

Works toward improved public transport for northwest Auckland are a step closer after an investment case was endorsed by the Transport Agency, the Minister of Transport says. The announcement on the Northwest Rapid Transit plan - which includes public transport on State Highway 16 (SH16) from Brigham Creek to the city centre and a Northwest Busway - was made by Chris Bishop earlier in the week. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new set of amendments looks to turbo charge major infrastructure projects. The Government's proposing changes to the Public Works Act to speed up acquiring land, including premium payments to private landowners. The Environment Court will be sidelined from the objections process. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking a lot of these are NZTA roading projects. He says they don't like taking land, but it's the reality if we want to build infrastructure in this country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's being described as "ancient" infrastructure legislation is in for a shake-up. The Government's pitching changes to the Public Works Act to speed up acquiring land for major projects, including premium payments to private landowners. The Environment Court will no longer hear objections, but instead relevant authorities like the Minister for Land Information. Infrastructure New Zealand Policy Director Michelle McCormick told Andrew Dickens removing the Environment Court is a big improvement. She says we all know how over-loaded the court is. McCormick says it's good to take a fresh look at how the process could be improved, to ensure we're getting the infrastructure we need faster. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robin discusses the reopening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery after a $70m makeover. Roading updates in the ongoing saga that is the Mt Messenger bypass project on SH3, as well as the multi-million dollar shortfall in New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) funding that has left the New Plymouth council short. And an Opunake farmer says a new service at Taranaki Base Hospital has changed his life. RNZ's Taranaki reporter, Robin Martin

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    Toast: 2/10  A sad example of how you lose the plot when you are down a rabbit hole. At $30b a year, health's problem is not cooked bread. So stop saying dumb things.    The Grand Tour: 8/10  It's out this time next week. I've seen it - it's worth it.    The All Blacks: 4/10  A ten-point lead should never be surrendered.    The TMO: 1/10  If it's that inept, if it gets that in the way of a good game, then what's the point?    Road funding: 7/10  Because we love roads. All roads, big roads, wide roads, roads that allow us to get places and go vroom-vroom.    Spring: 8/10  How good? A warm winter and longer days now daylight saving is coming. Life is good.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyres are set to be turned into industrial fuel, concrete mix and even roading as part of the country's first ever national recycling scheme. The Government backed scheme called Tyrewise will let tyre shops and members of the public get rid of them for free. At the moment, just 40 percent of the 6.5 million tyres imported into the country, are recycled. The scheme will be managed by sustainability group 3R. CEO Adele Rose says it's a much better option than having them illegally dumped or ending up in landfill. She says it will reduce the cost and damage of tyre fires substantially. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's roading contractors aren't given incentives to work cheaper or faster, and most of them take the path of least resistence. That's according to a new report on the city's temporary traffic management practices, commissioned by Mayor Wayne Brown as part of his war against road cones, Maia Ingoe reports.

The Government is planning to spend billions of dollars on new roads under a transport plan proposed last month. 

www.atravelpath.com https://delicioats.com?sca_ref=2606128.heLxZNHtFuUse code “PATH”   Wow! What an information-filled episode this was as we welcomed back Joe and Kalyn from Open Roading to Travel Tips! We learned a ton about Mackinac Island in Michigan, and after speaking with them, it sounds like such a fascinating place to visit. It certainly doesn't hurt that they spent a full season as Joe worked at a campground near the island (more on that in Part 1.) In this episode you'll learn all about:   Mackinac Island First of all, it is pronounced MackinAW, and Joe informed us pretty quickly that if your pronounce it they way it is spelled, the locals will be quick to correct you. The small island offers an escape from the modern world, as there are no cars on the island. Everything is either on foot, horseback, or bike.   Biking Bike rentals are a popular activity at Mackinac Island, and the eight-mile loop along the edge is a scenic and peaceful ride. They shared the tip of renting a bike on the island as opposed to renting one and bringing it on the ferry. This way, if something happens with your bike, the company is on the island to fix it. We also cover the best time to visit, nearby attractions, where to stay, and so much more! You'll definitely want to listen to this episode a few times if you plan on making a trip. And if you haven't heard of Mackinac Island or weren't considering visiting it, after listening I'm sure it will be on your list.   3,2,1 Countdown 3 Things to Bring to Mackinac Island: ·        Bike ·        Warm Clothes ·        Comfortable Walking Shoes 2 Complaints or Things You Should Be Prepared For: ·        Smell of Horse Manure ·        Dress Code at Grand Hotel ·        Bonus: Bugs 1 Thing You CAN'T Leave Mackinaw Island Without Doing: ·        8 Mile perimeter bike ride   Chapters ·        00:00 Introduction to Mackinac Island ·        05:30 How Long Should Someone Plan to Spend on Mackinac Island? ·        06:30 When is Mackinac Island Shut Down/Best Time to Visit? ·        09:15 Dog Friendly/Kid Friendly Activities on Mackinac Island? ·        11:30 Bike Rentals ·        12:30 Lodging & Transportation ·        15:00 Activities ·        16:30 Overall Cost of Mackinaw Island ·        18:45 Planning and Reservations ·        20:00 Favorite Food Spots ·        21:30 Nearby Attractions ·        23:00 Delicioats.com use code PATH ·        24:00 3, 2, 1 Countdown     Ferries ·        Shepler's Ferry: https://www.sheplersferry.com/ ·        Mackinac Island Ferry Company: https://www.mackinacferry.com/     Lodging ·        Mackinac Mill Creek Camping: https://www.campmackinaw.com/ ·        Grand Hotel: https://www.grandhotel.com/#   Restaurants/To Do ·        Millie's On Main: https://www.milliesonmain.com/ ·        Sanders Fudge: https://sanderscandy.com/pages/stores ·        Ryba's Fudge Shops: https://ryba.com/ Mackinac Family Heritage Pass (gets you into multiple locations in the area) https://tickets.mackinacparks.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=MSHP&c=3 ·        Butterfly House: https://www.originalbutterflyhouse.com/     Fireworks ·        Saint Ignace: https://stignace.com/event/fireworks-over-the-bay/2024-05-25/ ·        Mackinac City: https://www.mackinaw-city.com/mackinaw_city_events_bak.php     Nearby Attractions ·        Wilderness State Park and Beach: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=509&type=SPRK ·        Harbor Springs: https://www.michigan.org/city/harbor-springs ·        Petoskey: https://www.michigan.org/city/petoskey-area ·        Charlevoix: https://www.michigan.org/city/charlevoix ·        Drummond Island: https://www.visitdrummondisland.com/   Previous Podcast Episodes ·        Indian Lake State Park and Upper Peninsula: https://atravelpath.com/michigan-upper-peninsula/   Music ·        Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ·        https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/ready-as-ever ·        License code: WYQ2IKRBMVFP3EJS   Disclaimer *All content from atravelpath.com, including but not limited to The Travel Path Podcast and social media platforms, is designed to share general information. We are not experts and the information is not designed to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. Always do your own research and due diligence before making a decision.   Transcript Host: Hey Joe and Kalyn, welcome back to the Travel Path podcast. Thanks so much for being here again.   Guest: Thank you for having us.   Host: So, if anybody missed part one, we delved deep into your full-time travel lifestyle with your fifth-wheel RV. We covered everything from your work camping life to budgeting and all the other aspects of living on the road. Today, for travel tips, we're focusing on one particular destination. Where are we talking about today?   Guest: Yeah, we're going to Northern Michigan and specifically Mackinac Island. Surprisingly, a lot of people haven't heard of this little island up there.   Host: That's awesome. How much time have you guys actually spent on Mackinac Island?   Guest: On the actual island, I think we've done four trips, four days in total. But we spent the entire summer in Mackinac City, which is just a ferry ride away from the island. So, the entire area is kind of immersed in Mackinac City, Mackinac Island, this whole space. And as a public service announcement to your listeners, it is spelled M-A-C-K-I-N-A-C Island, but when you go there, make sure you pronounce it "Mac" or the locals will be very eager to correct you.   Host: That's a great travel tip. You always need to know exactly how to pronounce where you're going, otherwise that can happen. What made you guys want to share about this destination today?   Guest: It's actually one of my favorite places because there are no cars allowed on the island at all. So, it really feels like you're stepping back in time. Everything is either accessed by walking, biking, or taking a horse taxi. Even the "garbage trucks" are horses pulling wagons to pick up the bins. It's just a quaint little place we've fallen in love with.   Host: Sounds amazing. So, Mackinac Island is a great destination for someone who likes what type of experience?   Guest: I would say a more laid-back experience, obviously. You're not rushing from place to place because you don't have a car. But if you want to be a bit more active, there are walking and biking options. And if you enjoy quaint shops, popping into boutiques, and indulging in the fudge, it's perfect. There are around 15 to 20 fudge shops on the island. And if you're into history, there's a fort and other old structures to explore.   Host: The Grand Hotel sounds fascinating. It must be quite an experience.   Guest: Definitely. It's very old and still functioning.   Host: Sounds like a place where you'd really be stepping back in time when you visit. How long do you think someone should plan a trip for to get the full Mackinac Island experience?   Guest: You can do the full experience in a day. But something we really want to do is spend the night sometime. We hear that it's a different atmosphere after the last ferry leaves for the day. The foot traffic builds up throughout the day, but you can see everything you want in a day or even an afternoon. It's a place you want to come back to and experience again and again. I think it's not just like one and done and yeah forget about it.   Host: Perfect, so you could do it in an afternoon and just make it part of your trip to the Michigan Upper Peninsula. But of course, you could keep going back there every day, just taking the ferry over. I think it's nice to have that versatile type of trip. Now, I know that Mackinac Island does shut down for part of the year, correct?   Guest: Yeah, yeah, I believe it's October. I mean, shut down, quote-unquote, if they can get through the ice, they will run a ferry. But most people are not taking that back and forth unless they're locals. There is an airport on the island, so if you're living on the island and can't get out via ferry, you can pay, which is pretty pricey, to take a flight out. And then you have to pay weight actually in the grocery and items that you bring back, in addition to the trip.   Host: Wow. So, what would you say is the best time of year to visit to avoid the ice and flying situation?   Guest: Yeah, July and August are probably going to be my favorite. I know people are like, "Oh, go maybe in the spring or the fall to avoid crowds." But the problem with the springtime is there are these things called midge flies, and they are like clouds of black flies all over the place, specifically by the water. And Mackinac Island is surrounded by water. So, if you go in May and June, expect to have that experience, which may color your entire view of the island. July and August are really the best, and then September, it's just getting really cold because, again, it's on the water. And so that breeze coming off the water is pretty cool. And when she's saying black clouds of midge, she is not exaggerating. Like, they are clouds. And if there's any white surface, the white surface just becomes black with these flies. They don't bite, but they are just a pain. Along with the time frame though, if you really want to enjoy the island, there's two ferry companies, Shepler's and Star Line, and Shepler's is the main ferry company. And you want to get on one of the first two boats out to the island because if you jump off one of those first two boats, you're one of the first people on the island, except for anybody who's spent the night the night before. And the streets are quiet and clean and, yeah, and clean. Everything is horses. And so, you really get the peaceful downtown. And there's a courtyard in front of the castle, and you can really just kind of walk through the courtyard, take pictures, and there's nobody around. And like I said, throughout the day, the amount of foot traffic builds, everything starts getting more and more crowded. So, your most enjoyable time will be those two to three hours in the morning.   Host: That's awesome. So, don't sleep in those days. Plan to get up and get over there.   Guest: Yes.   Host: Awesome. Now, would you say it's a dog and kid-friendly place? Have you seen a lot of families there or pets at all?   Guest: Well, that's a great question. For the dogs, I'm not sure. I've seen them take smaller dogs. In fact, I know you can because they sell tickets for them to put them on the ferry. But I guess it depends on where you take your dog. If you take your dog with you everywhere, you can take them on the island. There's not going to be anything, unless they're going to scare horses. I wouldn't — that's true — if they're afraid of horses or if they're going to bark at horses, probably not a good idea. Interestingly enough, selling tickets in the campground store all summer, we sold ferry tickets, and the number of times I would see one parent come back to the campground with the kids was very high. You know, one parent would come back and the kids would be getting ready to go swimming and be like, "Oh, did you enjoy your island?" And, "Oh, my husband's still there," or "Oh, my wife's still there." But the kids weren't having a good time. There's just not a lot of kid-friendly entertainment. There's history and things like that. But if you're walking and biking and shops, yeah, not a lot of transportation where the kids are going to get a break, where they're not going to be on their feet or not going to have to walk places. However, I would say in Mackinac City, which is where you're either going to from Mackinac City or St. Ignace, you're going to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island. There are three indoor water parks in Mackinac City, and so the kids really, really loved those. So, you can still take your family to the area and enjoy Mackinac City. And it's my understanding that you can get one wristband that will go to all three of those indoor water parks as well.   Host: Oh, very cool. So that's something that you could go and like you said, go in the morning, go to Mackinac Island, take the family, and just plan to be there for maybe a couple of hours or where your kids' threshold is for being able to walk and pop in and out of shops, and then head back. And then you've got those really fun activities that they can kind of look forward to throughout the day. So, I think that's perfect.   Guest: Exactly.   Host: And we have talked about transportation. Obviously, you're either taking the ferry or you're flying over there. But do you bring your own bikes? Do they have bike rentals once you get over there?   Guest: You can totally bring your own bikes. So, I think it cost — this last year, I think $16 per bike. Okay, that was more than I remembered. But anyway, it costs you to take your own bike. You can rent them over there. There are places on the island that you can rent them from as well. But don't rent them from the mainland and then take them over. It's not going to be as cost-effective. It's not really that expensive to rent the bikes on the island. The only thing I wouldn't rent the bikes is off the island and then pay to bring them over because if they break down on the island, you don't have anyone to replace that, whereas if you rent on the island, the company will ride out to you with another bike so that you can keep going. So, that is nice to know.   Host: Wow, very good information. Yeah, that's a good tip. So, lodging. I know you said there are hotels or boutique hotels that you can probably stay at on Mackinac Island, which you haven't done yet. But where are you staying when you are going there in your camper?   Guest: Specifically for RVing, there are RV parks on the Mackinac City side, and I think there's an RV park in St. Ignace. There's also a couple of casinos in the area that allow some overnight parking. So, if you're looking just for a quick overnight, you might be able to just pop into one of the casinos and park there overnight. I do recommend — and you know I'm not a shill for them, I worked for them, I'm done — but the best campground I think in that area is Mackinac Mill Creek. They have over a mile of their own beachfront property. So, they have a beach that you can walk your dogs on, they have a beach that's dog-free, and it's just really a beautiful place to stay if you're planning on staying for more than one or two nights. Yeah, it's kind of spaced out so the spaces feel a little bit like a state park with trees and everything, so we had a look at the other campgrounds in the area, and I think Mackinac Mill Creek by far would be the most enjoyable.   Host: Awesome. And how are you getting from your campground to the ferry?   Guest: So, you can take a couple of ways. If you're taking your bikes to the island, there's actually a rail trail that goes right to the ferry parking lot that you can ride your bike to the ferry parking lot and then just jump on the ferry. Otherwise, there's ferry parking pretty close by and they will shuttle you to the ferry. Or, a lot of times, campgrounds in the area have shuttles that run from their campground again to the docks. And not a lot of people know this, but there's free parking if you can get there early enough behind the Rusted Spoke.   Host: That's specifically for that one ferry company, right?   Guest: Yeah, they're rebranding, it's hard to keep it straight. That's specifically for that one. They are very much in competition, so you don't want to park in one slot and go to the other.   Host: Very good. So, what is there to do at night? I know you guys have not stayed there and really experienced the full nightlife. I'm not sure the last ferry, so maybe what do you do right before you get on the ferry or what do you do once you get off the ferry back in the city area?   Guest: Yeah, there are a lot of different restaurants there that you can go to. But if you're staying on the island, something that we would like to do the next time that we go is they have dinner at the Grand Hotel, which is very, very pricey, and you have to really dress up for it, no jeans, like you need to be wearing suit coats. So, it's again that kind of step back in time to another era. And so, that would be like a fun date night activity that you could do at the Grand Hotel. And then as far as just general activities throughout the summer, generally every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, there are fireworks that are launched from either St. Ignace or Mackinac City. It rotates depending on the day, and you would be able to see those from the island or from either mainland.   Host: Very cool, that's awesome. So, I guess transitioning, speaking about nighttime, any good sunset spots you guys have found?   Guest: Pretty much everywhere, I think, because it's on like this, where the sun sets is kind of like on the water. So wherever you are, like on the beachfront, either on the island or over in Mackinac City, watching the sunset from one of those locations, you'll be able to get a good view.   Host: Yeah, perfect. And now, because you guys are very budget-conscious, and if you haven't listened to episode one, make sure you do that. I have enjoyed seeing all your posts on your social media every month because you keep us updated that way, so it's really nice. But would you say the overall cost is more or less than you expected when you visited Mackinac Island?   Guest: I think it's about what I expected because you are paying for the ferry and then you're paying to rent a bike, so you have to factor that in. And when you're on the island, really the only extra things that you would be paying for are activities. So, like, whether you're getting into the fort or you're paying for a horse taxi carriage ride or you're buying souvenirs from the shop. So generally, I think it was what we expected. To save probably the most amount of money and to have a good experience is to buy a ferry carriage ride combo ticket. Those are actually some pretty good deals rather than just taking the ferry and then getting to the island and deciding you want to do the carriage ride. And especially if you're not a fan of maybe biking or walking or you're not able to, that's a really great way to explore the island.   Host: Perfect.   Guest: One thing that is not budget-friendly is the Grand Hotel, like Kalyn said. You can't tour the hotel without paying, and then any meal there, anything that they have there, I mean, it's just... I think dinner was over $100 a person. Yeah, it's another level.   Host: Is that the same thing as the castle you referenced earlier?   Guest: No, you meant the fort. Oh, castle, sorry. The fort is the historical — this is a step back in time. Oh, no, no, no. Castles, forts too, though.   Host: Those are definitely a step back in time.   Guest: Yeah. And you can get a pass, I think, from any really the stores sell them, the campgrounds sell them. I can't remember the name of the pass, but I'll have to look it up and let you know, you can put it in the show notes. But it gives you access to the fort and to like a butterfly garden there, and to another place. So if you buy like the one-time pass, it's actually worth the that amount if you go to all the locations that are featured on the pass.   Host: Awesome, very good tip. Yeah, we'll definitely link that in the show notes. Now, did you guys have to make any of your reservations ahead of time or do you feel like if you were just decided you wanted to head there you could get a ferry ticket and go on the island and enjoy the day?   Guest: Yeah, you could totally buy everything day of, especially if you're getting on those first boats. Actually, if I was getting on the first boat, I'd want to buy my ferry ticket the day before. All the tickets are untimed, so you just buy it and then it's first come, first serve to actually get on the boat. So if you get there and the line is too long, you're just getting on the next boat as opposed to the first one. Yeah, and they run about every half hour to an hour.   Host: Perfect. So for campsites too, are they pretty flexible?   Guest: So, campsites, I would book further in advance if you are planning on staying for a weekend. If you can stay Monday to Thursday or Monday to Friday, you'd probably be fine booking anytime. I know Mackinac Mill Creek has 600, I believe, campsites, so they have the capacity, but they do fill up on the weekends, especially if there's any sort of holiday weekend going on. And so I think the other campgrounds fill up as well. But yeah, if you're staying Monday through Friday, you could just drive in and get a site.   Host: Very good info. So, how about food spots? What did you guys find any favorites?   Guest: Yeah, I don't know, we're not great foodies, so we eat PB&J. We do just pack sandwiches and save some money. But one of the restaurants that we did like on Mackinac Island was Millie's on Main, and we went there twice, and we got different things each time, and it was really, really good. The two fudge shops that I recommend, like I said, there's so many on the island, so you could actually just have fun sampling them all. But we really liked Sanders and Ryba's Fudge the best, so I would try those first.   Host: Perfect. I'll take those recommendations, do my own little fudge tour there. Yep, it's the humidity, right? Is it really humid there or is that not so?   Guest: So, we lived in Florida for six years, and it did not feel like Florida at all. So, it was interesting because when certain people would arrive there, it was never really got above 80 the whole summer, and there would be some people, and I can't remember where they were from, that would be complaining about the heat, and Kayla and I would just kind of look at each other and be like, "Where are these people from?" It's not hot. And so, it definitely didn't feel like if you're used to a Florida humid, it is nowhere near anything like that.   Host: They're from northern Michigan.   Guest: Probably.   Host: Too funny. Alright, and if you haven't mentioned it already, any other nearby attractions either on the island itself or outside the island maybe near your campground that you haven't mentioned yet?   Guest: Yeah, there is a Wilderness State Park, which you could stay there in an RV, but we found I liked the beach there the best. It was the quietest. It didn't seem like a lot of people knew it existed. So that is one place I would go. If you want more quaint towns, you can go a little bit further south of that into like Harbor Springs and Petoskey and Charlevoix. They're cute, just lakeside towns that you can visit. And then if you want to go north, kind of to the east side, we visited Drummond Island, which not a lot of people have heard about. It's very outdoorsy, like not as quaint as Mackinac Island but definitely more for like, what is it, four-wheelers, ATVs? Yeah, if you were into being more active. One thing too, one thing too with the Wilderness State Park and that area in general is the Wilderness State Park is a dark skies park. So if you are going to Northern Michigan and hoping to catch the northern lights, that is a good place to set up if you've seen that, you know, that, hey, the northern lights are possible tonight. It's a good spot to go.   Host: That's very cool, and if you don't get the Northern Lights, you probably get some awesome stargazing, so take that. Perfect. So I think now we'll transition to the 321 countdown. Hey, guys, I wanted to take a quick break to tell you about Delicia Oats. We've been enjoying Delicia Oats for many years, and they have helped fuel us for those extra-long hikes. They are flavored oats that come in a pouch and are very easy to set up. Just add water, give it a shake, and let it sit overnight and enjoy the next morning. Or you can add boiling water if you like them served hot. We've also added them to our morning smoothie or sprinkled some into my yogurt for some extra flavor and to help fill me up. You can make them in less than a minute, and there is no cleanup, which is huge for us on the road. Now, if you're like me, the first question you'll ask is, how much added sugar is there? And here's a big one for me, no added sugar. They come in a variety of flavors. My personal favorite is Cherry Chocolate. Enjoy them for yourself by placing an order at DeliciaOats.com and use the coupon code PATH at checkout. That's DeliciaOats.com, D-E-L-I-C-I-A-O-A-T-S.com, and use the coupon code PATH.   Alright, the final three segments of the podcast, 3-2-1 countdown. I just want to say too, you guys have rocked this interview talking about Ma Island. Thank you for being so detailed, and I feel like this is a place everyone, when they talk about going somewhere, it's out west, it's down south, but people sleep on Northern Michigan. There's a lot of cool things, fun things to do so out there. And I think we're lucky we had some insider knowledge working at a campground for a whole season. And if you're looking to go to Northern Michigan, we had it with Jim and Michelle, episode six or seven, I believe, and they talked about Upper Peninsula, and there really wasn't much overlap here. We could really listen to both episodes and have completely different things to do. So if you're going to do an extended stay there, definitely tune in. But we'll start wrapping this thing up here. So, what are three things you're packing when you're heading to Mackinac Island?   Guest: I think number one is if you do have your own bike, pack your bike because that's hands down the best way to visit the island in our opinion. Dress in warm layers because you've got sometimes a cold ferry ride out in the morning and a cold ferry ride back in the evening, and then it will warm up throughout the day. And then good walking shoes, whether you're biking or walking, make sure you're really comfy as you're getting around the island.   Host: Nice, bring your own bike, good walking shoes, and warm clothes. What are two complaints somebody might have or things they should be prepared for before visiting?   Guest: So, it's an island where the primary source of transportation for a lot of things is horses, so it's going to smell like two things on the island, especially as the day goes on. It's going to smell like fudge and it's going to smell like horse poo. So that, a lot of people, they come back and they're like, "I wasn't prepared for that." So, again, if you go early, a lot of the horse poo isn't out yet, it's been cleaned up from the day before. But as the day goes on, it's going to smell a little bit more. And along those same lines, don't step in the mud puddles because they're not water. And then the second one is the Grand Hotel. A lot of people go expecting to be able to, "Hey, we're going to get to walk around the Grand Hotel, see a tour," and whatnot, and they're surprised that A, it costs money, and B, there's a dress code. At certain, is it all day to get in the Grand Hotel? The dress code, I think it's more at night.   Host: Yeah.   Guest: But, you know, they're just surprised that they can't go in in their shorts and a t-shirt. But you can walk the grounds, like the courtyard, which is very beautiful. So, smell some of the restrictions at the hotel, maybe a bonus would be bugs if you go at a certain time of year.   Host: Yes, that's an interesting combination, horse poo and fudge, and don't get them confused which way you're downwind from. We've talked about a lot of things to do on Mackinac Island, but what is one thing, if you had to pick one thing, you could not leave without doing?   Guest: The eight-mile perimeter bike ride. Yeah, I know we keep bringing up bikes, but it truly is so enjoyable. And you start in the town, and then you kind of get out of town, and you just have trees overhanging and you're by the lake the whole time. And it's, again, with that back in time feeling with you being on a bike and not driving, the perimeter, it really helps you just slow down and savor and enjoy the experience.   Host: That's great. That does sound, I feel like it sounds like a really great place, but when you bring the factor that there's no cars, it just makes it that much more kind of alluring and desirable to go to, just to take a step out of for a little while and get on an island where you're riding bikes, it's horseback sounds like a really wonderful place.   Guest: Yeah.   Host: Well, guys, thank you for being so thorough with this podcast. We definitely want to add this to a stop at some point. And guys, if you're listening to this podcast right now, you saw, you heard how thorough they just were, and the part one was exactly the same. They shared their story on how they started out, how everything from budgeting and their entire basically their five past five years traveling full-time. So definitely tune in to that one. And Joe and Kayin, before we let you go, where can our audience find out more about you guys?   Guest: Yeah, we're on YouTube, youtube.com/openroading, and same place on Instagram at openroading. And we respond to DMs there primarily.   Host: Awesome. Alright, guys, thanks again.   Guest: Yeah, thank you so much for having us. This was a lot of fun.

Good, fast and on-budget infrastructure building shouldn't have to wait for disaster situations to swing into action.

Roading networks along the North Island's East Coast are still fragile one year after Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread devastation. State Highways are still being repaired, with many temporary fixes, such as bailey bridges still in place as stop-gap measures. The land around them is still susceptible to slips during heavy rain, resulting in more road closures, clean ups, and repairs. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acting regional manager for maintenance and operations Mark Owen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Despite all the talk of climate change and ditching gas guzzling cars, electric cars still need good roads, and our future is a mix of all transport options. But at the heart of that is a good motorway. Investing in roading infrastructure is as important as it has ever been. Don't let the greenies and the naysayers convince you otherwise..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government, Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have agreed in principle to dump the $7.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving plan. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Chris Bishop spoke with Charlotte Cook.

The Far North faces another summer without its vital lifeline, State Highway One through the Mangamuka Gorge to Kaitaia. The gorge has been closed on and off for three years due to extreme weather causing cracks and slips. That means for the past sixteen months visitors and residents have been forced to take the long way around; detouring onto state highway ten via Kerikeri and Kaeo to Awanui and then on to state highway one to Kaitaia. Due to ongoing land movement and yet more slips, Waka Kotahi recently revised the reopening date to late 2024. Andrea Panther from the Kaitaia Business Association speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6341583688112

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Tiniroto residents in Te Tai Rāwhiti just can't get a break from roading woes.  A massive landslide has shunted a section of the rural Tiniroto Road tens-of-metres off course, cutting off dozens of residents in the area, and forcing others to take even longer detours. Cyclone Gabrielle badly damaged roads throughout the region, and despite temporary measures to reopen some of them, recent heavy rain is taking a toll on the fragile land and infrastructure.  Hangaroa resident who lives on Tiniroto Road Alex Campbell spoke to Corin Dann.

The government's putting the pedal to the metal on proposed roading projects - $70 billion worth of them over the next decade. The latest transport policy statement would prioritise 14 new roads and public transport links, as well as increase spending on maintenance and resilience projects. To pay for it, petrol tax would rise four cents each year for the next three years; with funding topped up via general taxation, the Climate Emergency Response Fund, and additional loans. But being election season it's being widely criticised: by the National Party as a costly copy of their plan, by the Greens as a simply irresponsible focus on roads. Transport Minister David Parker spoke to Corin Dann.

The Detail weighs up the pros and cons of public private partnerships in big infrastructure projects.

The National Party has been busy defending its plan to reintroduce roads of national significance, a $24 billion plan the Government says faces a $10 billion hole. National Party leader Christopher Luxon says private equity will fill that supposed gap. But there's another gaping hole in National's transport announcement - how it plans to reduce transport emissions. Waka Kotahi is tasked with reducing transport emissions by 41 percent by 2035 - the period in which National plans to build, build, build. Christopher Luxon spoke to Guyon Espiner.

"Breathtakingly misleading" and "laughable at best", that's Transport Minister David Parker's take on the National Party's costing for one of its big election roading promises. The opposition party announced plans for four lane motorways from Whangarei to Tauranga with staged projects costed at just over $6 billion. And it's promised to deliver them without raising road taxes. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6332160929112

The National Party says, if elected, it will spend $6 billion linking Whangārei and Tauranga with a four-lane highway. That would include major projects between Whangārei and Port Marsden, from Warkworth to Wellsford, and further south from Cambridge to Piarere, and on State Highway 29 to Tauriko West. All this without raising road taxes, with funding coming from the National Land Transport and additional government input. The Labour Party says National's figures are woefully short. National Party transport spokesperson Simeon Brown spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The New Plymouth Council is spearheading an unusual attempt to draw attention to the nation's pothole-riddled highways. It has gained approval from Parliament for a poll asking whether the government should fund maintenance at levels sufficient to reverse the current decline in roading conditions. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

Storms and cyclones have caused major disruptions on state highways across the country this year. What's involved in fixing them up to get them back open?

I know if you are south of Auckland, you might not care. But yet again Friday and over the weekend we were reminded of the value of roads, new roads, good roads, and roads that add to the value of the country and economy. The Puhoi motorway extension was opened, ironically by the Prime Minister, who had the good grace to admit calling it the holiday highway had been a mistake. For years the Labour Party, well known road haters had stalled it, insulted it, cancelled it, and yet here they were cutting ribbons. There are questions around the future of infrastructure in this country. The New Zealand Initiative report last week very aptly pointed out, we have a massive backlog hundreds of billions of dollars worth of work and the summer storms haven't helped. It also said governments get too involved and the cost of the sticky beak ”start it, stop it” only adds to the cost. The light rail debacle in Auckland is all the proof you need. But every time a major bit of road is opened, whether it's the Waikato Expressway extension or Transmission Gully there is a mainstream fascination with it all. People get, and I think this is unique to infrastructure generally, but people get genuinely excited by roads. And as far as roads go, the Puhoi extension is magnificent. It's a great looking bit of road. It took too long, it cost more than it should, and its hold up at the end must be dangerously close to criminal. But it's open. And it will be used and used well, and that is the point, isn't it? It will materially improve the operation of this country. We will financially benefit from its presence. It will ultimately pay for itself, and more. Too much infrastructure is based on theory. Apparently, we need more buses, more bike lanes, and more trains. But the proof is people, rightly or wrongly, don't use them in a way that materially improves the country. But roads do. Having been on that road many hundreds of times, it was never a holiday highway. It was State Highway One and access to the north of the country. It was and is a vital link. And now it's gone from a second world goat track to a first world highway. That's what good infrastructure is. Tangible improvement on the way we conduct the business of the country. No one ever went to the opening of a bus lane. But roads we love, let's learn that lesson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Truckies are hoping for a big lift in road funding in this year's Budget. Roading is likely to be a big ticket item in the Budget, given flood damage costs of up to $14.5billion, half of which will be spent on infrastructure, including roads. The National Road Carriers Association is calling for a 50 year roading plan, saying the road network is in poor shape and an investment strategy is desperately needed. The Association's Chief Executive, Justin Tighe-Umbers, joins Corin Dann now.

Questions are being raised about whether the country's transport agency is putting enough focus on road infrastructure. In 2020, 400 risks were identified on state highways by Waka Kotahi, including major and extreme threats, but the agency has only started work on ten of them Transporting New Zealand Acting Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih told Mike Hosking he understands the Government's planning to divert some roading revenue away from infrastructure improvements. He says rather than being spent on roads, that money's going to go to regulatory services. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Council advocates are warning public transport and cycleways can't come at the expense of New Zealand's roading network. Newstalk ZB has obtained exclusive Infometrics analysis revealing the share of transport funding going towards roads hit a decade-low of 70 percent in 2021. It comes as the distance travelled on roads jumped from 43 billion kilometres in 2017, to 49 billion four years later. Local Government New Zealand president Stuart Crosby, who commissioned the analysis, says we can't let assets get to breaking point. He says there are challenges with our roads, including wild weather and post-Covid capacity - but we shouldn't let critical routes deteriorate. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of people have had their say in a survey on Marlborough's roading big fix, after extensive flood damage in weather events over the last two years. Stargazers are looking forward to the Omaka Observatory reopening after being closed over summer and a locally made gin has gone global, picking up a huge award and subsequently plenty of orders

The trucking industry says roads need to be king in any transport plan. The Government has announced rebuilding roads following Cyclone Gabrielle damage is now top of its agenda. Earlier, Newstalk ZB's newsroom had revealed that officials were working on a transport plan with emissions reduction as the top priority. National Road Carriers Chief Operating Officer James Smith told Mike Hosking he's glad there's been a shift in thinking because that wouldn't have worked. He says we need a robust roading network to boost our economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regions devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle are being hit by more atrocious weather, hampering clean-up efforts - and putting people on edge. Metservice has issued orange rain warnings for Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and the Coromandel peninsula until tomorrow morning.  Waka Kotahi National Emergency Response Team spokesperson Mark Owen gave Corin Dann an update on state highway conditions in and between Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.  

The Coromandel Peninsula is in major recovery mode after 6 weeks of heavy rain, with many parts being cut off following huge landslides. Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Len Salt says the whole district is under threat financially and socially.

Quick question for you - do you laugh or cry? Newly-minted Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has had some sort of road, excuse the pun, to Damascus experience by announcing we need to "get real" about our roading He says some of them will need to be moved to be more resilient. No kidding Chris, you road-hater from the political party of road-hating. The political party that killed any number of significant roading projects that would see major state highway improvements. They jettisoned them so we could have bus lanes, cycleways and light rail that is $70 million deep on consultants without a millimetre of track laid two years after it was supposed to finish. Look at the Brynderwyn mess in the third world that is Northland because the so-called holiday highway, a vital link to a region smashed yet again, can't have a roading system that looks remotely like the 21st century. Or, actually, the 20th century. A motorway north of Auckland that hits the Johnstone Hills and turns into a goat track for 20km with the replacement years overdue and millions in the red because of bureaucracy, red tape and lawyers. I am praying at some point most New Zealanders wake up to this fraud, if you haven't already. This from Chris “I-have-a-truancy-announcement-to-make” Hipkins, despite the fact, as Education Minister, he ignored the issue for years. 'But I can't make that this week because I have an emergency to deal with as Prime Minister.' 'And as Prime Minister I have seen roading in a state that it shouldn't be, despite the fact I sat in cabinet for the past five years promoting e-bikes and buses that don't turn up, because we have no drivers, because my Minister for Auckland, who is also Minister for Immigration, doesn't let anyone into the country. You can't make this stuff up. This guy is the biggest, bewildered wonk we have seen out of Wellington in many a long year. The upside is at least he is present. Jacinda in emergencies relocated to Wellington and hid. Chris at least is about the place. But the problem with that is in an emergency you see the real “them” and the frightening part of the real Hipkins is it seems he's never left Wellington and when he did he couldn't believe what he saw. The rest of us have lived it for five years and he didn't quite get the message. So, Chris - the roads are an issue are they? Who do you think has overseen that particular disaster? Spend the weekend joining a few dots.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bill to repair damage done to our roads from Cyclone Gabrielle is set to cost tens of billions of dollars. Prime Minister Hipkins is acknowledging it is time we re-think our roading infrastructure with urgency and resilience. National Road Carriers chief operating officer James Smith joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metservice and Civil Defence warn of more intense rain in the next 48 hours. A rainfall warning has been upgraded to red for parts of Auckland, Coromandel and Northland from tomorrow afternoon. It comes as the region recorded almost eight times its usual January rainfall. The Ministry of Education has instructed all Auckland schools, early childhood centres and tertiary institutions to close until February 7. The message to motorists in Auckland is still not to travel if you don't have to. Andrew Allen is in charge of all the roads in the Auckland network - he talks to Lisa Owen.  

Car trips and plane trips - they are both full! The perks of road trips are they give you flexibility to go at your own pace, stop as much as you need, and of course, pack more!! Let's talk about some things we've found to make road trips with toddlers and babies a little bit easier.     Plane Travel with Kids: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-81-travelling-with-kids-with-margaret-bradford/    What to “Play” With:  Like plane, start with nothing…look out windows, talk about what you see, play music  Then, pull out one thing at a time – no mess colouring, books, Pop-It. Some people say dollar store items. Maybe something new that's exciting  Let them choose music (or podcast)    What Stops Look Like:  It's recommended young kids aren't in their car seat for more than 2 hours at a time  Stop to stretch legs and eat  Find a park  Find a mini view point hike/nature walk  Stop at a beach  Embrace anywhere you stop!    Sleep Tips:  Play music that helps them fall asleep  Use soother with clip, so it's not easy to lose  Wool socks to keep them cozy!    Food:  Pack a cooler  You can never have too much food…we know this!    Bonus Tips:  Pack a toddler toilet!  Have a travel pack/bag/box for each person, so everything is easy to find when in the car  One adult can sit in the backseat with kid(s), if this works for you  Practise with some shorter road trips beforehand  Build excitement before you go and communicate with kids about it   Be flexible! Know that you may need to stop sooner than you would like. Naps may get messed up. Keep expectations at bay!    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today's podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today's Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Fact – Anitra used to sail with the SSS 303 Lotus, a historic motor/sail yacht (Wikipedia) now owned by the Friends of the Schooner Lotus, who are hoping to raise enough money to complete a full restoration of this 100+ year old wooden sailboat. Sponsor message – If you want help reviewing the financial part of preparing for retirement, set The post 303 – Beyond Board Games: Open Roading appeared first on The Family Gamers.