Category Setting off

Sunday, January 19

Jan 21.2020 / / / Setting off.

Kona, day 1

A lazy morning, sleeping late, then onto our covered patio area for a good writing session.  One of our hosts came by to join us for a coffee, and we heard his life story…moved to this island about 16 yrs ago from Idaho, with his wife and two daughters (at the time in 9th and 8th grade).  He was originally a carpenter and cabinet maker, now seems to be doing a million different little things, from silk-screening shirts, to making popsicles, making/selling bikinis (designed by one of his daughters), leading kayak trips…and lots of other things.  “This is how we make a living here,” he said, “by being flexible enough to adapt to different situations, and open enough to embrace any opportunity that comes your way.”

Nice place to stay.

The afternoon comprised ...

Read More

Saturday, January 18

Jan 19.2020 / / / Setting off.

Saturday, January 18

Oahu -> Kona (Big Island of Hawaii)

An early morning, but out on time easily.  Passing surf spots pre-daybreak, but plenty of surfers parked and waxing up their boards for a day of waves.  The drive easy, and we got the car returned, bags checked (still under 50 lbs each, even with some food we didn’t want to leave behind), and at gate with lots of time for coffee.

The easy 35’ flight got us to Kona’s airport before 10:15am, and we were surprised and delighted to see an airport without an ‘indoor’ area.  Lots of coverage for the sun, but one definitely feels “outside” the whole time.  Very pleasant. 

Kona airport

Bags in hand, easy rental car experience (Alamo), and off to the Kona Brewing Company for lunch...

Read More

Friday, January 17

Jan 18.2020 / / / Setting off.

Oahu, final day

Another day that brought unexpected broadening of perspectives our way.  We’d planned a tour of a local citrus farm—Lokoea Farms—and had a relaxing and tasty day, enjoying more after the tour with some new friends.

The tour itself was led by Noe, who runs this spread next to her father’s farm.  After time in the states teaching, then running a pet store, she took advantage of the opportunity to take over this land, build a house, and be back home on this land.

Not unlike the previous night’s time exploring a tidal pool with a marine biologist, this time spent with a small-scale farmer who’s constantly trying to find new and/or more efficient ways to get things growing most productively, trying new crops to test viability, etc...

Read More

Thursday, January 16

Jan 18.2020 / / / Setting off.

Oahu, day 5

Today a day of sleeping later than usual, catching up on correspondence and some non-writing work, and getting GoPro replacement parts—very helpful and easy customer service, happy to replace bad battery and broken handle.

Lots of writing in the afternoon felt good; but a particular passage needed multiple re-writings until getting closer to ‘right.’  Time will tell.  Seem to be maintaining about 1’/week of finished music these days; it’s ok, and a huge change over any normal semester, but I’d like to do much better.

The night brought a really eye-opening activity, as we joined a marine biologist (Don) for a few hours at Shark’s Cove, an area with a tidal pool teeming with life...

Read More

Wednesday, January 15

Jan 16.2020 / / / Setting off.

Oahu, day 4

Another early morning, as our dive in Honolulu at 9:30 meant leaving our spot before 8.  The trip is typically about 50-60’.  Alas, with bad traffic—truly as bad as anywhere I’ve ever been—we were a little late.  “No problems, brother, we’re on Hawai’I time,” was what we heard when we called at 9 to say we were stuck in a jam.

On the drive south to Honolulu, we saw glimpses of openings in the clouds, giving us hope that we might finally see the sun a bit before leaving Oahu.  In looking forward to the dive to come, Pattie and I both admitted some apprehension, and low expectations.  After yesterday’s shore dive, very young guide, and surge/current far beyond anything we’d dealt with before; we were not hoping for anything great.

We arrived about 10...

Read More

Tuesday, January 14

Jan 16.2020 / / / Setting off.

Kahe Point Beach Park (Electric Beach)

We got up early to depart before 8am for our 9am dive at Electric Beach with ECO Divers.  A very small group (Pattie, me, and a young woman from Seattle, Celeste, who is a very experienced diver).  The guide, Kevin, was nice enough; a 2019 grad from Virginia Tech who moved to Oahu with his girlfriend to take a ‘gap year’ before pursuing grad studies.  Kevin is 22, and perhaps not the most experience guide we’ve had.

Equipment issues arose quickly as Kevin’s weight belt fell apart…Celeste’s weight belt didn’t fall apart until halfway through the dive.  Pattie and I did fine with equipment, though our regulators felt a bit ‘floppy’. 

This was a shore dive, our first, so wading into the water (rather than jumping off a boat) ...

Read More

Monday, January 13

Jan 14.2020 / / / Setting off.

Hialewa, day 2

A bit less rain today, though still no full sun yet—perhaps not all week, it seems.

We headed south, to Honolulu, to take in the very popular hike up Diamondhead.  Heading into the state’s largest, and capital city took about an hour, with increasing traffic as we got closer.  [Highways are in good shape, but the other roads aren’t; lots of pothole dodging along the way.]

on the road, following the putzmeister

We parked at Kapi’olani community college near the base of Diamonhead, and strolled up to the main parking area.  Once one enters the main area, you’re inside the volcano’s crater.  The hike that follows is up to the rim.  It’s not a difficult hike, totaling less than 1.5 miles, I think, taking about 60-90 minutes...

Read More

Sunday, January 12

Jan 12.2020 / / / Setting off.

Hialewa, day 1 (to be cont’d)

After yesterday’s early morning and long hours, no surprise that a long night’s sleep felt wonderful.  Waking to birds was nice; used to it in Greenville, but wasn’t aware of it in San Diego.  Nice breezes flowing through the open windows, the fans in the room helping avoid feeling too warm, and the bird song got me up well-rested and happy to get going.

Listening to the news on the HI public radio station made clear that this weather is really severe and unusual.  On the big island they’re dealing with heavy duty flash flood warnings, alerts of areas/roads to avoid for the next 24 hours, and more.  The weather here much easier—rain, but only .3” forecast, only 5 mph gusts—and I imagine we’ll enjoy a pretty nice day, albeit cloudy.

ou...
Read More

Saturday, January 11

Jan 12.2020 / / / Setting off.

San Diego to Oahu (Hialewa, more precisely)

We got out of the apt with lots of time to spare.  Enjoyed the full moon, now setting, in a beautiful clear sky.  A great way to start the day, for sure.

moon setting…we’re heading to the bus

An easy walk to the bus, and the busses getting us to the airport in 45 minutes—more than 2 hours before our flight.

San Diego’s airport super-easy to navigate.  No line at all to check our bags; no line at all to get through security.  Sitting and enjoying a nice breakfast less than an hour after arriving at the airport. 

The flight was smooth and easy, albeit long. Hawaiian Airlines certainly showed everyone a great experience. All smiles, patience, efficiency, and humor...

Read More

Friday, January 10

Jan 12.2020 / / / Setting off.

San Diego, final day

Getting ready for departure, taking last walks around the ‘hood to appreciate where we’ve been these past few weeks.  SD absolutely a place we’ve loved exploring; our ‘hood particularly conducive to getting around, and we’ve become comfortable with walking, driving, and the bus over these days.  We’ve taken in so many nice spots, so much scenery, gardens, houses, people, and some tourist attractions, but there are still things we’ll plan to hit on a return visit.

Before dinner, i had a bit of personal grooming to take care of…

…then we had dinner at Panchita’s; the same spot we had dinner our first night here.  Good food, and a delicious way to enjoy our final eats here.

Our walk home capped with the full moon’s rise over the horizo...

Read More