Whales -- Kiluea Trip

Here are some pictures of the Humpback Whales we saw while visiting Kilauea on March 11th.

Hopefully you can see them. Look for the white area and blow up the picture.
Enjoy!

Worth the Wait

Everyone on this flight has a story about how they missed their flight last night. I see familiar faces from the customer service line. The best part of it all, I'm in seat 3F ( leg room, leg room and more leg room). EMR, everything happens for a reason!

Overnight Delay

Silly, you need to click your heels 3 times. My flight got to Chicago 8 min before my connecting flight to Portland. I boogied from Concourse B to F with 4 min to spare. That elliptical work really came in handy. Although my plane was still grounded and the door was still open, they wouldn't let me board. Oh well, a night in Chicago. Bob do you have any recommendations?

Big Ups

Thanks to family, friends, blog viewers and acquaintances made along the way, all who made this trip possible--Big Ups!

One could say..."parting is such sweet sorrow" or "all good things must come to an end" but I say watch out for Big Wave Dave if you're gonna be surfing the break in Old Orchard Beach because I am gonna tear it up!

At the end of the day,

"There's no place like home."

Stairs

After surfing 4 hrs today, I ran the stairs of Adelaide in my slippahs with an infected big toe--Right on! There are 3 sections of the stairs. Top picture is the bottom of the stairs, then a little transition before the top portion. I felt the ole hamstrings. These stairs even have a facebook page.

Surfriders

Today I hit Surfriders Beach in Malibu. I was in that lineup. One guy dropped in on another guy's wave and they smacked right into each other. I was just bobbing in the water right next to them and I got out of there real quick. I didn't wanna get blamed (I had proper surf etiquette) and I didn't wanna be a "kook"--google it. So I went and got a lesson so I would be in that line up with a local (smart move).

So Justin (my instructor) took me out to the third point where I hit my first drop on a 4ft wave. I was stoked--still am. Then I even went after a 6ft on my own and I got tossed like a rag-doll, all good.

When I get home, Surfer Bill is gonna be upset 'cause I'm gonna snake all his waves!

Motherly Love

First Off, this is a picture of Ms. Fitts going to educate the 5th graders. Her last day before Spring Vacation. Yeah!

Aunt Doris would not let me go surfing without first going to the doctor's office. My toes and knees have been ripped up from the foam boards and Aunt Doris thought I had an infection. I visited Doctor Janice Miyakawa and told her, "I am going surfing for the next two days." She was a sweetheart and told me that was the "surfer attitude" and prescribed an antibiotic. She was so good I might have to move to Santa Monica. Thank you Dr. Janice.

With prescription in hand, I proceeded to Ventura where I surfed Mondos. Only caught 1 wave. Do you see a trend forming here? I only catch waves with instructors. Anyway, I went in the green, cold water by myself and caught a wave. I told the guy at the surf shop that my arms were spent from paddling and he said,"That's fine your paddling will be that much better for when you do catch waves". Now that's the surfer attitude.

This picture is out front of Mondos

One More From LaJolla

Check this out. This guy is a plumber. He has two boards in the back of his truck. When I was talking to him he told me, "You never know when the waves are gonna break."

No Energy Wave

This is a video from Aimee. The wave had no energy, however, I am in control of the board which is a good thing.


Seriously, I caught some waves today!

Can I get a Holla for LaJolla

Hoooooooooo!!!!
Aimee (on the left) took the pics and video and Kimi (on the right) was my instructor.
They both go to UC San Diego. Kimi has one fianl exam left and is graduating with a degree in Communications and Aimee has one semester left and she is studying Biology.

After the surf, I went to eat in Old Town (San Diego)and I got a Mexican Blanket(authentic baby). These are good for Yoga, right?


I caught a few waves today, but no pics that actually show me riding 'em. Aimee got a video of me getting up but the wave didn't have the energy. I will try and get it up on the blog.

Off to Ventura tomorrow C Street.

"I know it's only Rock 'n Roll but I like it!"

Huntington Rocks!!!

Hit Huntington Beach today. The waves there were by far the biggest and most powerful yet and I rode a lot of waves. More than anywhere else and I did it on a 9.4 board. The waves were so powerful I was tired just walking into the ocean.

Andrew, I hit one drop--it was awesome. I looked out front of me and realized I was catching the break. Unfortunately, I didn't hit the drop with commitment. Still it Rocked!

No More Fooling Around

Today I swam at Newport Beach on a 9.0 Board. Rubbish I say. I need a longer board to surf and no one here has them. I have been swimming on beautiful beaches though. Tomorrow I have a lesson setup at Huntington Beach on a 10.0 foam (floater) and Thursday I have a lesson at LaJolla. I explained my situation to the guy in LaJolla--and he told me 5 minutes and we'll be surfing.

Here is a pic out of the surfmobile of the PCH--don't tell the popo!

Quaker

At 4:00 am there was a 4.4 quake which was pretty cool. Another first

Take Two

Went swimming for 2 hours today with a board attached to my body at Manhattan Beach. I didn't get up once. I was on a 10.0 and had no luck. However, I was swimming with dolphins. Seriously, there were about 10 dolphins swimming 5 feet out front of my board--so that was AWESOME! There were also pelicans hovering abount 1" above the water all around us--also cool!

Then I went to San Onofre to surf. The ocean had no energy, no power at this site.
I got up twice, but didn't push it because I was afraid of the shallow, rocky bottom.

This is my surfmobile!

Lazy Days, They Don't Seem The Same

Whenever I post pictures, they come up in a different order than I place them. Oh well, welcome to the human zoo known as Venice Beach. The Doctor is in. I did some ab work, as promised, at the World Famous Muscle Beach(notice the slippahs). The day wrapped up at the Santa Monica Pier, Tomorrow I am off to Manhattan Beach to surf.

Lazy Sunday

It's 11:00 and I haven't done anything. I would have already been back from surfing in Hawaii. But it's all good. My Aunt Doris and Julie have the day all planned out (they are in no rush for anythinhg). I just want to hit the beach. So this picture is from Hawaii--The Crazy Chicken. These chickens were displaced to Kauai during hurricanes. They are everywhere. Because they are so disoriented the roosters "cock-a-doodle-doo" 24/7, not just at sunrise. Looks like I'm the crazy chicken right now cooped up inside.
Peace Out!

Alright, and a pic of the taro fields

Goin Back to Cali

"goin to California with an achin in my heart"

Actually I am pumped to go hit the waves in Sunny California!!!
Where one journey ends another begins.

Big Hugs

So I went around town yesterday saying Aloha to all I have met and become close with. We parted with deep, heart-felt Big Hugs! I was also introduced to Mitchell who told me my Hawaiian name which is Kawika.

Major omission

I forgot to tell you, that when I left Rocks Quarry, a beautiful beach by the way, the clouds parted revealing the sun in all it's glory and...

I immediately went into Urdhva Hastasana. As I said, it was a beautiful day!

Spanked!

We went to a different spot today, Rock Quarry. This spot was a little more aggresive with real choppy waves. I got spanked all day. I don't think I caught one ride.

"spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said, 'it ain't that easy'".

Whales

So we are out in Kilauea visiting the lighthouse and whales are breaching left and right. Quite spectacular

Sunrise

Sunrise from Hanalei Bay

Cathing A Wave

Caught a lot of ankle biters today

And finally a few more

and a few more

Photos

Here are some photos from yesterday's hike.

Na'Pali Coast Hiking Trip

We hiked the Kalalau Trail. This was amazing. It was a good trek but the conditions got real sloppy. We experienced every weather condition (except snow). Sun, Rain, Clouds, High Winds....

The trek traversed through the cliffs up and down where we ultimately crossed a river to end up on a rocky beach.

For whatever reason, blogger or the Internet Cafe is having troubles viewing the pics. I'll try to get them up and running tomorrow.

Oh yeah, I got up on a real board today

Right On

Riding Ankle Biters

Spiritual Awakening

After Terry left, We just decided to jam....and then King Earl went off. I mean this guy was speaking from an out of body experience This trip has been a spiritual awakening. I was up all night just exporing my mind. I met Ezra, who is all into Sun-tzu, or something, the following morning . Anyway this pic is just us rocking out. The pizza shop was closed and we were just chillin.

Photo Left to Right: Dave, Carlos (owner of Hanalei Pizza), King Earl, Freddie (mean guitarist), and Nanna (also in Surf Camp)

Back Track -- Terry Jacks

OK, so this was an impromptu performance at the Hanalei Pizza Pie company, where Terry Jacks just decided to chill and sing his chart topping hit from 1973 "Seasons In The Sun". This was Monday Night.

I also ran into Terry again last night before he heads back home to Canada.

Blog on hold

I have some incredible blogs to send, however we are off for a 4hr hike on the Na'Pali coast. Real quick have some great pics (surfing) and even better from last night. When I get back from the hike the Internet cafe will be closed. So we will have a lot of catching up tomorrow

Massage

Wow, I just had a massage (my first ever) and my body is all goo goo ga ga. Wow! The masseus told me, "welcome to the world of the healing arts".

On a separate note, one of my loyal follwers told me the comment section was not working. I believe the situation has been rectified. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

conform

I have to give a shoutout to my boy Pat. I've been busting his chops for years about flip-flops. Well I just bought a pair... They call 'em slippahs here.

Arrival

Finally, Hawaii! Hopping on to the surf bus and headed to the house which you have to check out on the virtual tour at www.virtualjacksonhole.com/HomeTour.aspx?LN=32 The house is sweet! I was drawn out of bed this morning by the magical sound of an exotic bird singing. Then I walked out of the house only to see this awesome view.


Hit my first surf lesson this morning and actually popped up a few times. Did not ride any waves for too long. I can only tell you it is an incredible feeling getting up. Unfortunately, I don't have any visual proof right now. Christine, Yoga teacher/surf van driver, a little spitfire, is in charge of taking the photo for when I actually ride a wave.

Layover in Chicago

Just met some young punks going to Vegas-- their first time out. I gave them some advice, don't chase. Imagine that, I'm telling the kids to play conservative.

First Leg

I am ready to begin the first leg of my journey. 17 hours of flying.
I am scheduled to arrive in Hawaii at 6 pm (11 EST) where Christine
will pick me up in the surf van. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep
during the flight. I will check back tomorrow when I hope to report
that I was catching waves.
Peace out!