Maui, Hawaii

I've always been very honest about my feelings for Hawaii.  It's never been high on the list.  I spent a few days many, many years ago on Oahu and really never felt the need to go back.  Apparently until 2010.

What started out as a trip with Stacy and Marc, turned into girls trip filled with hysterical laughter, amazing beauty, unforgettable moments, and an overall amazing time with three great women.

I'm a convert.  I enjoyed Maui and I'd go back.  There, I said it.  Well, I'd go back but preferably only to Hana where it's totally isolated. 

Seven days of traipsing all over the island, I can say we covered a lot of ground.  We went hiking, meandered around the shopping spots, sailed, went boogie boarding, zip lining, had fantastic meals, went to a Luau, visited a farm, dairy, winery, made the trip to Hana...and sat on the beach. (probably not as much beach time as some would have liked)  :-)

Highlights and places I'd recommend in a heartbeat -

Maui Taco
Honolulu Cookie Company
Mala Tavern
Scotch Mist - super fun guys that will take you on a gorgeous sailing trip
The blowhole and mushroom rock - south end of the island
Skyline Eco Adventures - these guys made our zip line experience perfect
Hana Hotel (a perfect deck spot for an afternoon cocktail)
Kula Lodge
Mama's Fish House - a great meal in a beautiful setting
Hamoa Beach
Slaughterhouse Beach
O'o Farm
Surfing Goat Dairy
Kamaole II - our best boogie boarding day

I know I'm forgetting some things, but those are the highlights.

Road to Hana

Road to Hana


Coconut stop - I ended up taking about 50 pictures, the guy using the machete to cut up our coconut looked a little questionable, so I kept snapping away.

Black Sand Beach - so pretty!

A religious site in Hana

Catching some small waves.

Maui - part 3

Our farm day was busy - 3 stops on the agriculture tour (organized by me)....who needs to go to the beach every day?

O'o Farm - sustainable, organic farm owned by 2 guys who operate restaurants in Lahaina.
Delicious and made for quite the interesting first part of the day. Richard, the farm manager, (also, H-O-T) toured us around, we picked veggies, learned about the operations and then sat down for an amazing lunch of veggies from the farm and fresh fish. Chef Barry was also quite the host. My travel mates were intent on making a love connection . (the whole story is best told over a martini...or several)

The lavender farm - just as beautiful as Pelindaba, only a lot warmer. We went on the self guided tour of the upper grounds. There were the most amazing tropical flowers. I have a new appreciation for Hawaii.

Surfing Goat Dairy - the BEST goat cheese! Also, they've got to have the happiest goats on earth. All natural dairy that produces cheeses for the area. So tasty and the goats were so stinking cute! Yes, we went on a tour and got to feed the babies. (Stacy and Kris stayed behind at the barn and opted for an afternoon cocktail) :-)

Rainbow over Surfing Goat Dairy.

Maui - Part deux

More of Maui

Old Lahaina Luau - so fun to do....once.

I really like the way this picture moves.  The dancers were great to watch - and the history was so interesting.

Hello sunrise- it's so good to see you since we got up at 3 a.m. to drive to the top of Haleakala.  Well worth it -although there were lots of clouds....but what a great start to the day!!  Note: I was FREEZING.  About 30 degrees at the top.  We woke up and it was about 70 in Kehei.

Tadeschi Winery - pretty grounds, not so good wine.

Maui - October

Maui Adventures

The cutest piggies we fed at the pet store in Lahaina - off the beaten path and well worth the stop - how cute is that nose!?

Blowhole - so neat! We hiked down crazy looking moon-like rocks to get a close look.....but not too close.

Ahoy - welcome to the Scotch Mist - I've been expecting you.

Don't we look totally capable of sailing this 40 footer? (Yeah, thank goodness for Captain Gene, Tony and Dennis)

Ok, technical difficulties - I'm only able to upload these pictures for the moment....stay tuned for more Maui adventures.

Hang in there....

I promise there will be new pictures and posts coming very soon.

Life has taken over and there's been no time to blog.  Although I could be blogging while I'm not sleeping at 3 a.m.....but then I'm sure the content would take a very different turn.  :-)

Praise Allah for Ambien. hee hee

p.s. Happy Birthday to Me!!! I'm 37!  Wow - that's a whole lot closer to middle age!  Eeeeeeeek!

The calm.....

Not really anything exciting to report.  It's been a frenzy at work and I'm getting ready for a much needed vacation starting next week.

I probably won't post during the trip (I'm vowing this to be a technology free (somewhat) vacation). 

A few days to relax and get organized around the house....then off to MAUI!  Whoop!

When the opportunity came up to go to Hawaii, I wasn't jumping up and down.  However, the closer I get to the trip, I'm actually getting really excited.  I've not really taken relaxing vacations.  Don't get me wrong, I think traipsing through Europe with a backpack for two weeks is relaxing... to me.....but I've never been one to want to sit by the ocean for an extended period of time.  I think it's probably because I don't want to listen to all the thoughts rumbling around the inside of my head.  But it's time.  Time I slowed down and grasped the opportunity to go to an amazingly beautiful place, walk quietly on the beach each day, and eat my weight in pineapple.

We've got some fun excursions planned, but also a lot of unplanned time as well.  I'll be zip-lining, trekking to the top of a 10,000 foot peak to watch the sunrise, go on a farm tour (this may excite me the most), snorkeling with turtles and hopefully no shark sightings. 

I'm hoping to come back feeling Zen and looking a little off-white.  I'm sure I'll be stopped by the TSA for the copious amounts of sunscreen that will be packed in my suitcase.

Warrior Dash

Warrior Dash - the craziest frickin' day of your life.

That's what it was called, and it was very true. The entire race was done on dirt trails all over Horning's Hideout in North Plains, OR.

The start was marked by two fire cannons shooting into the air - CRAZY #1

As I began the fast descent down the first hill, trying to avoid being trampled, the true fear set in.  What had I done.  With my heart beating in my throat, I made it through the first little river, completely soaking my shoes.  Awesome.  Then as I looked up, I was hit in the face with the three steepest hills EVER!  I had to stop and walk most of it, but that was OK - it meant I wasn't going to be trampled.

The first obstacle was climbing into a pond and getting over three logs that were suspended in the water.....the water was about chest height, and really cold.  With a little help from friends, I made it over without a problem.  We had lost Marc after the first hill and Stacy was well on her way ahead of me.  Onto the bales of hay, no problem!  Then the serious obstacles started.  A bungee cord maze, over a crazy wooden structure that was pretty much vertical and then after sliding down a hill, I came to two cargo nets - one vertical, the other horizontal.  That was not awesome.  Over the hill and through some more woods came jumping over three rows of wrecked out cars and then onto the final hill where a tunnel greeted me.  Through the tunnel, back down the hill to the last two obstacles....fire and mud.  Fire did me in and I chickened out.  I just couldn't bring myself to leaping over three foot flames and hope I didn't burst into flames.  I weenied out and went around....shockingly no one boo'd.  I happily jumped into the mud pit, crawling under barbed wire, swimming my way to the finish. 

 Before the race with our Warrior helmets

After the race....and after the "shower" in the pond

Mmmmm....turkey legs and beer

Definitely harder than a triathlon, but VERY excited to do it again next year.

Me and my HUGE turkey leg

The First Ladies of MAS

This was the 11th year of the MAS clan heading to Mark's cabin at Indianola.

For those that don't know (here's where I'm assuming there's more than 2 people reading), MAS stands for Mutual Admiration Society, the name given to the group years ago when we would compliment each other's attributes after each outing.  Odd, yes.  Funny - absolutely, but that's the name and it stuck.

The group changes like the tide - some years we're so big, we're bursting at the seams, other years, people have other things going on in their busy lives and there's just enough room for everyone. This year we had 8 adults and 5 kids.

It's been something I look forward to every summer....getting together with my best peeps, some we only see once or twice a year, laughing, telling stories, talking about new ventures, debating current issues (for the record...I don't think Elin deserves a dime), reminiscing about times long ago before husbands, wives,babies. 

Where the days used to consist of football games at low tide, happy hour starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until the wee hours of the next morning, lounging around the cabin with loads of trashy magazines to read, the cabin days now consist of early risers that demand breakfast at 7 a.m., constant reminders to close the door, playing with sand toys at the beach, exploring all of the tide pools and crazy sea creatures, nap time for the little one's, one eye always on the gate to the suicide stairs,  early departures from the fire to get a good night of sleep.

I wouldn't trade these days for anything.  I love seeing all of the kiddies growing up and becoming little people. I love the closer bonds of friendship that come with getting older and wiser. I guess the bottom line is I really love my peeps and consider you my brothers and sisters in our large, sometimes dysfunctional MAS family.  I'm very thankful to have you guys in my life and truly cherish the times I get to spend with you.

Race Report: Danskin

Stacy and Elena

I love race day.  Everything about it.  I always feel giddy, nauseous, super emotional.

I take that back.  I don't enjoy getting up at 4:45 a.m. to eat. 

As the sun was coming up, we drove to the race site, my nerves and doubts started to get the better of me - I didn't train hard enough on the bike, my shoulder was still bugging me, I didn't know if I could even run a block.  I need to figure out how to take those thoughts and shove them out of my mind.  While the reality was that I knew each portion of the race would have challenges, I've done this a few times and knew that I could do it, and would be perfectly happy and feel great once it was over.

After I set up my gear, we headed to the water to take a quick dip, get used to the water and see what the conditions would be.....as we got closer, you could see the large swells and the crazy choppiness of the water.  This was going to be a doozy of a swim.

My wave went at 7:45 - as we entered the chute to the water, I started looking around to find a good spot.  How I ended up toward the front and in the middle, I'll never know but I knew that once that horn blew I needed to G-O!  I must have swallowed a gallon of water before the first buoy, but boy did I have great form!  I had one slight panic moment after a big gulp....but it quickly subsided and I realized that I was just going to have to keep my head down, breathe carefully and I'd be fine for the rest of the swim.  That's until the backstroker kept getting in my way.  Who swims backstroke during a triathlon?!  I may or may not have kicked and pushed her several times.  Beat it backstroker!  My swim was strong, beat my training time by over a minute.  Yay!

Sidenote:  Why, why, why do they take your picture as your coming out of the water?  Those pictures are not pretty.  I'm disoriented, can't see, am barefoot running through a parking lot, and I look like a drowned rat.

At the transition I took it easy, slowly getting ready for the bike ride.  Mostly because I started to feel a bit nauseous, I wanted to take my time before getting on my bike.  Socks and shoes on, I ripped open a chocolate power gel, camelback on, helmet in place, I started toward the bike mounting area.  With each step I got more queasy, this was going to be a long 12 miles.  Once on my bike I felt a little better, started at a good pace and began to ride with confidence.  I hit a vertical rut and my bike slipped a little from under me....I may have peed my pants a little...it scared me!  As I hit the really narrow, really steep section of road getting up to I-90, the nausea came back with a vengence.  It was all I could do to get myself up that hill on my bike (yay! no bailing and walking up the hill).  I made it down the first hill on the freeway and had to stop.  I knew if I just got it over with, I'd feel better.  So there I was, midspan on I-90, barfing.  Awesome.  True enough, I felt MUCH better and continued the uphill and uphill battle to Mercer Island.  At the turn, I had to briefly stop and have the bike mechanic adjust my seat - my right side from my butt down to my foot went numb.  I contemplated for a split second having the medics that were standing there just load me up in the ambulance and take me back....I didn't think I wanted to go on....but I forged ahead and started the climb.  Midway through the tunnel, my chain popped off.  I was not having a good bike ride and I was pissed.  I got it back on and FINALLY made it back to the transition area to head out on the run.

My original intent was to try to run and walk.  The heat was setting in, I was feeling a little defeated, knowing I wasn't going to beat my overall time from last year.  I decided just to dig in and walk the 3.1 miles to the finish.  That last 3 miles you really see the wide range of people who are racing.  All ages, sizes and abilities are all together in this race, and it's a great feeling knowing anyone who puts their mind to it can do it.  As I made the turn, I saw an amazing thing - it was a woman who was blind, running at a good clip, using her cane to guide her along the route.  Wow.  That was amazing.

I made it up the final hill with plenty of energy and knew I could run the last portion to the finish.  As you enter Genessee Park, the path is lined with spectators cheering everyone on to the finish.  It's a great feeling, one that I can't truly describe.  I only hope that everyone gets to experience that feeling sometime in their life.  All of those people cheering you on, celebrating your accomplishment, whether it's the first time or the 20th time.  It will always be the best part of the race.....the finish.

Need soap?

I was going through some old pictures tonight and stumbled upon this........I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe! Once I stopped laughing about my obsessive need to have 12 different kinds of soap at my disposal, I realized that I was playing with the color setting on my camera....picking up only the green color.

Enjoy the photo. Laugh at me if you'd like. I'm a little odd. In a good way. :-)

New beginnings

I'm tackling a new goal.....a half ironman before I'm 40. 

1 mile swim

56 mile of butt hurting bicycling

13.1 mile run

I've got three years.

Many laps to swim.

Many miles of pedaling.

Many strides to run.

Throw in a pinch of determination, a splash of skill, an ounce of competitiveness, a sprinkle of crazy and POOF!  I'm training for a 70.3  (that's the lingo)  :-)

A camping kind of weekend

Headed out to San Juan Island on Friday for a weekend of sun, camping and relaxing with the Upstons.  As I made my way north to Anacortes I forgot about the feeling I get as I near the ferry terminal.  It literally feels as though the weight of the world is lifting off my shoulders and I'm fully able to relax and enjoy my time up in the Islands.  (this feeling quickly dissipates if you get to the terminal and find out you're not going to be on the boat you were expecting to make.....thankfully, that didn't happen this trip).

I knew I was going to spend the majority of the day alone, with the Upstons arriving in the evening, so I meandered around the island, starting out at Pelindaba for a bit of lavender time.  This is my second time to the Farm and it's still amazingly beautiful.  All of the lavender, the buzz of the bees doing their business and the yummy smell of the flowers.

After my quality lavender time, I ventured into town and I sat on the deck of the restaurant/bar overlooking the ferry landing in Friday Harbor, watching the hoards of people getting off the boat and milling about town - I laughed a little and thought.....is this the Hampton's of the West? It was funny watching everyone from the family of 6 who looked like they were from the Midwest, to the Range Rover driving couple with the Chanel sunglasses and tennis whites.

Saturday started with a little reading time at the beach, watching kayakers get prepped to head out for the day.  We then headed to Roche to meet Michael, have some lunch and hang out.  Michael kayaked from Snug Harbor over to Roche.  We had a great lunch at the pub - the people watching was spectacular!  We spotted several face lifts, eyebrow lifts, and bunches of Botox.  After lunch we meandered around the property, looking at the artisan booths, eating our weight in ice cream and stalking the wedding party that were sharing their nuptials with the everyone at Roche Harbor that day.  We headed back to Snug Harbor, spent some good reading and relaxing time at the beach (after we donned our wool hats and long johns...no joke)

 

What a great weekend!  I was sad to leave on Sunday - I wish it was easier (read: faster) to get to the San Juan's....we kept our eyes peeled for a potential single yacht owner, but didn't find one on this trip.   Thanks to the Upstons for participating in another crazy adventure. 

Gone Fishin'

Heading out to San Juan Island to go camping for the weekend! 

Here's to sunshine, relaxing and spending quality time with my peeps!

Fourth of Julivars at Klahanie Beach

The 4th was spent over on Vashon with Janet and friends at her family's beach house.  It's a small community of about 10 cabins on the water - the only way to access the houses are from a steep and curvy trail or a tram.  It was so great to spend a really relaxing day at the beach!  There were people and kids everywhere - generations who've been coming down to this spot for at least 45 years.  I was happy to get to be part of a fun family day!

Here are some pics from the beach....I can't wait to go back!

 Chris going down first with all of our stuff - it was like being in Santiago again riding the crazy funicular up to the top of the Holy Mountain!

 Good morning, it's time for bacon bloody mary's!  They were QUITE tasty.

 The Klahanie Beach community.  Janet's grandfather built most of the original cabins.

 Cookin' up some kickin' fried chicken!

 Janet, Me, Stacy

Namaste from the Beach!!!

Race Report: Cottage Lake

I felt a little rushed this morning - trying to make sure I had all of my gear, getting some food in me, loading the car and heading out.  I arrived a little later than I would have liked, but all went well and I found where to rack my bike....that's when I realized that the reason I like to get to a race really early is to stake out my spot. Space hogs.  I had to squeeze into a spot and then head to the lake for go time.

The water was really cold - thankfully I wore my rash guard over my suit, giving me that millimeter extra insulation.  Swimming felt great, I got stuck in a pack of newbies but finally broke free and found my rhythm.  Unfortunately because it was so cold, I breast stroked most of the leg, but with a quick pace.

The bike leg is my weakest.  I'm not a strong cyclist, I'm on a mountain bike, and I need to get better.  4 1/2 mile double loop and the hill got me both times.  The first, I was ready to vomit anyway - the combo of goo gel and electrolyte water didn't sit well (thankfully I didn't actually barf), the second time, my mind got the better of me and I just plain quit trying and hopped off and walked fast up the hill. As I was making the turn back into the park, one of the volunteers wasn't paying attention and crossed right in front of me, almost causing me to tumble...I won't apologize for what I said to her....she was an idiot. (yes, it involved three f-bombs - I was going fast around a corner - MOVE!)

The run/walk was good - it took me a little longer than normal to find my legs, but then my pace quickened.

As I rounded the final corner, I broke into a sprint (as much as I can call what I did sprinting)  :-)

Decent overall time.  Nice to get out there and be a part of something fun.  Made me more aware of my weaknesses and what I need to work on in the next few months.

Overall - great race put on by a great group of people. 

Wine-o report - Zillah

I was invited on a wine trip last weekend to Zillah.  Well, actually to Yakima, but Zillah is where we did most of our tasting.

It was a little sad knowing that it was going to be such a beautiful weekend in Seattle, but heading east over the mountains and to 90 degree weather sounded even better.  A little dose of warm to brighten up a chilly spring.

We started off on Friday afternoon at a few tasting rooms in downtown Yakima.

Kana - tasty reds, good whites.  A few bottles of white and red came home with me, and I can't wait to drink it.
Gilbert Cellars - really nice tasting room - we sampled wines and had yummy tapas.  The tempranillo port came home with me.  I'm not really a port drinker but this was fantastic.

Saturday morning was a whirlwind tour of a ton of antique stores which had very interesting and eclectic items.  I've never been an avid antique store shopper, but going with 5 other ladies made for an interesting morning.

Back at the hotel, the driver picked us up and drove us out for a day of good wine drinking.  We ventured to Cultura, Portteus, Maison de Paget, Knight Hill and Windy Point.  I supported the local economy and brought home about a case of wine.  It was a fun day and I look forward to heading out that way again.

Funny tidbit

I was driving to work this morning - at a stoplight, I looked over to see how many bicyclists I was going to have to avoid hitting while making my left turn onto a one way street. I did a double take because I could have sworn the guy on the bike next to me looked exactly like the mayor. As I glanced back, he smiled and waved and said an exuberant good morning.

Yes, indeed it was the mayor. Our wonderful, lovely mayor who rides his bike to work. In work clothes thank goodness - I'm not sure what I would have done if I had seen him in tight bike pants and a racing jersey. EEEEEKKKK!

I feel like I'm living in hippie trippy Ashland again.

I'm also counting the days until the next mayoral election.

Gone Fishin'

Off on another weekend adventure!

I'll be doing a lot of this - I can't wait. Full report when I return....if I return. 

Race Report: Four Seasons

Just a quick report on the Four Seasons - my brief overnight stay before the race.  It was nice, really nice.  So nice I could live there and be very happy.  I had to try really hard to squash my excitement when the sweet woman at check in said she would have to upgrade my room.......um....OK!  It's nice without being overdone.  The bed was F'ING FANTASTIC!  I want to marry that bed.  Needless to say when the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m., I almost called Stacy and said, forget it, you race without me....I'm staying in bed.

They were very accomodating because of the race (they were the host hotel) and let us have a really late check out of my room (the one with 2 BATHROOMS!), so we could shower after the race.  I can't stop gushing about this place.  It really reminds you of how service should be everywhere.  :-)  Here are a few pictures:

 Happy me in the room

 The living room

 The living room looking into the bedroom

 The city view

The pool area

If ever in the Vancouver, BC area, highly recommend staying there.  (I'll be staying there again when they have that same super duper promo rate we got for the race....until then, I'll be at my other favorite hotel.....The Blue Horizon - not as swanky, but better water views and much, much cheaper)