How many People Does it Take to Count One Whale???

On Saturday, January 26, 2011, I was one of several people to participate in the official Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Count .

For the first year they have a count site in our development!  I recognized several neighbors, but was apaired up with David who was visiting from Alaska!  Unfortunately, during the official count hours (8am-12noon), the weather was poor and we only saw one whale!  And not all of the members saw that one whale!  The next counts are in February and March hopefully the weather and the count will be better!

Read more...

Green Flash!

I finally saw the "green flash" on the rising sun yesterday!  Scott tried to video tape it without success.  I think the binoculars are still the best way to see this phenomena.  You just need to have a good sun rise time so that you are not holding the binoculars for 5 minutes!

Read more...

At Least We Didn't Have to Call the Coast Guard!

Although it does not look like it from our departing photo, the seas and winds were up when we left the Florida Keys yesterday!  As a reuslt it was a wet and wild trip home!  We did spot an osprey when traeling through one of the cuts which was calme water.  I was glad when we touched land 3 1/2 hours later!

Read more...

Florida Keys

About three hours after leaving Miami Beach we reached our destination Islamorada in the Florida keys.  We were concerned about choppy seas so we took the inside passage which resulted in a fairly smooth ride!  Only a couple of times did we have to refer to the map to find our cuts through the land. We saw a bald eagle and of course several other water birds!

Later that evening we took the boat out to watch the sunset, but there were clouds at the horizon so we missed seeing it hit the ocean.  Then on to a resurant by boat. 

Below are the tarpon found in the waters at the restaurant!  Earlier there were several sharks as the resturant feeds them about sunset!

The real adventure started when we left the restaurant in the "dark"!  Although the boat has running lights, we had no light beam to see the markers back to the house!  Oh boy what fun!  The boat had a GPS system with maps, but none of us were very skilled using it!  And we had several "chiefs" aboard all with different opinions on the path back!  With a little help from the moon, common sense and trusting the GPS system we SLOWLY made ti back to the house safe and sound avoiding the 1 foot sand bars!

Read more...

Ummmmmm Good!

Went out on the boat yesterday!  It was a beautiful day!  Scott and Martha went snoreling for lobsters and Diane and I measured and holed the little buggers!  We saw dolphins and a turtle too!  A great storm in the distance and lots of activy on the water!  I got a little more sun then I care too, but oh well we are in Miami with one of the worlds best skyline!

Read more...

Shopping then Gambling!

Arrived in Phoenix on the red-eye Friday 9/10.  Not much sleep, but at least I did not have to leave the next day for S. Carolina like Scott! The temp was HOT!  I forgot how HOT, HOT is in Phoenix!

Melinda and I did some intense shopping the first three days, then we were off to Laughlin, NV for 2 nights and three days.  Lost some $$, it was still hot and got stuck for about 50 minutes in traffic from a highway accident on the way out of town! But still had sisterly FUN! :)

Golden Nugget Hotel Room

$1.99 Breakfast
2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 eggs, 2 pancakes!!!
Note: coffee and teas extra...

50 minute stand still - Yuck!

Read more...

Birthday Tuesday!

Scott celebrated his 59th on the golf course of course!  We traveled 40 minutes up the mountain to Volcano Golf Course.  The air was crisp and clear with a brisk breeze!  At times we could see the plume from the Halema'ma'u vent!

After golf we enjoyed a lovely diner at the Kilauea Lodge in Volcano.

Read more...

My Paddling Days are Coming to an End

Tuesday is my last class day for paddling the University of Hawaii 6-person outrigger canoes. We end with a pot-luck of course! Last Tuesday as I arrived, the NCL ship Pride of America was pulling into harbor and passed the University of Hawaii canoe hut.

Read more...

Big Island Tournament Pau!

We returned from the Kona side of the island late Thursday afternoon. Scott’s softball team did worse then they had hoped, winning only one of three games! But they did score quite a few runs. Unfortunately, the other teams scored more!

The opening ceremony for the Island Tournament started at 8AM Wednesday. Mayor Bill Kenoi and the Director of Parks and Recreation Robert Fitzgerald were there to provide motivation and mahalos to all of the kupuna! The Kupuna League has been going for 36 years! Wow that is a long time! Since we are not going to the state tournament in Maui, Scott’s softball season is over for the year.

In Kona, we had some down time to enjoy some food, drink and surf! But it was good to get back to the east side and home…

Read more...

The Huli Drill Got Me!

I started outrigger canoe paddling with the University of Hawaii community class a few weeks ago! Love the paddling! However, yesterday we did a huli drill - Hawaiian for flip that canoe, right that canoe, get back in the canoe and bail out the water out of that canoe! Unfortunately, I got hit in the head and shoulder by the "'iako" ( part of the ama, which is the outrigger) and ended up in the emergency room. Six metal staples and several hours later, I was home taking in the clam surf and sunshine! Staples come out Monday! Talk about a few bad hair days!

Warning the photo below is graphic. You may want to ask small children to leave the area! LOL!

PS No where in the Inherent Risks does it talk about a hard knock on the head!

Read more...

Potter's Wheel

We are off to the west side to pick-up a potter's wheel that I am buying used from a friend's niece.  No, I have never used a potter's wheel before, but the price was too good to pass up!  I have a couple of local friends who throw on the wheel.  One very experienced and one somewhat new at it.  So I will have lots of help!

Along with several others we placed an order for clay and glazes that should be here in about three weeks.  Because of the clay weight, it must come across the ocean on a "slow" boat.  LOL  I have lots of clay projects to do, mostly hand building until I learn how to throw! Fun, fun fun...

Read more...

Birthday Celebration!

Scott and I celebrated my 58th birthday with a day of activity and eating!

• Off to breakfast at Ken's Pancakes - yummmm
• Kayaking form Reeds Bay to Coconut Island in Hilo Bay.  they were setting up for canoe races!
• Back to the house to pick up our bicycles and picnic lunch.
• Picnic lunch at Pohiki watching the surfers and waves.  It was not too busy for a Saturday holiday!
• Then bicycle on the Red Road to our neighbors new house under construction.  Coming along brilliantly.
• Bicycle back to Pohiki, more hills then I remembered!  BUt not too bad.
• A stop in Pahoa to pick out my BD present. A basket from Bolga Baskets International 
• Home, burgers, beer and a movie!
• Great BD!!

Read more...

Recreational Paddling

I thought this picture from the Tribune Herald was an interesting contrast of the old and the new...


On June 8th I start a canoe paddling class taught by the University of Hawaii.  Eventually I hope to join a canoe club and compete.  Of course, I will be on one of the "Masters Teams"  55+!

Read more...

Kayaking with the Whales

Scott is off to the ocean to kayak with the whales.  He has an opportunity to go with a group that will have microphones to submerge into the water to hear the beasts!

I on the other hand am off to the local Farmer's Market and will return to study for my first Master Gardener test!  Next time I will kayak with the whales!

Read more...

It Wasn't Pretty...

The HUI O NA KOLOHE (Hawaiian for little rascals or something like that) had a double-header on Saturday 2/20/10 at Carvalho Park near Rainbow Falls.  The out come was less than desirable. However, most had fun and we all joined together for fun and eats after the games!

Read more...

Zip Line Adventure

Well, Hilo has a Zip Line Adventure to keep all of you thrill seeking tourists (and residents) happy!  The World Botanical Garden (we have yet to go) offer such an adventure.  Here is an excerpt from their website:

Tour Info
You can ride on 7 exciting zip lines and walk across the 150' suspension bridge over waterfalls that stretch as far as you can see. Our canopy tours operate from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm with our last tour departing the base at 3:00pm. Online reservations are preferable and encouraged. Customers are required to be at World Botanical Gardens Visitor Center to register 30 minutes before their tour is scheduled to depart.

We encourage "Walk-Up" customers. Tours can take up to 12 participants, but special tours can be arranged for larger groups. Exceptional rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Call 888-Zip-Isle (947-4753) for further details.

Zip Isle supplies top rated safety equipment such as harnesses, helmets and Zip Line hardware for each guest. Participants, in groups of 12 are escorted by 2 highly trained guides. Ask about Helmet cams rentals and photos of your trip which may be available for purchase.

The bad news - the adventure is very pricey over $100.  I will be on the lookout for coupons...

Come visit and lets give it a try!

Read more...

Busy "Leisure" Day Today!

At 9AM we are off to the "Old Man" softball game.  Scott is playing on a 60+ softball team in Hilo,  They allow (2) 55-60 year olds on the team and he is one of them.  Unfortunately, only one can play at a time. So neither gets in a full game if they are both present. Pot luck after the event.

Then this evening back into town for our monthly International Diner.  This one is a Caribbean theme and we will be at the beach!  Should beautiful!  Looks for some pictures tomorrow.

Read more...

Write and Self-Publish Your Own Book!???!

The link below is a great Blog posting if you have ever considered such an adventure!  I am keeping it my list of things to do!

http://tarletonink.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-publish-your-book-diy-pod-yyc.html

Lulu, one of the many self publishing websites.  Who knew?!

Read more...

New "Burger Joint" in Town

Hilo Burger Joint apparently serving grass fed local Hawaii Island beef!  We plan to check it out this week.  Will post a review.  

Read more...

First Year Anniversary Celebration!

We popped a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our first year living in Uli Kia Hale!

Read more...