The sun came back out after that pretty amazing rain storm. Wind and torrential rains and five minutes later, sunshine. Wow!

Since the day looked to be a good one, I took off north on Rt 30. I wanted to see if any surfers were out. If there were rip tides it would probably be quiet but it was worth taking a look.

I wasn’t sure I’d remember the exact turn off so when I spotted a left I took it. Immediately I knew this wasn’t the one. This was a paved road. The one I was looking for is a pretty rugged dirt road.

I decided to see where this road went before I turned around. The sign said D.T. Fleming Beach Park, voted best beach in 2006. There was a rest room and maybe a bath house for changing???Also a life guard stand.

The beach seemed pretty popular. More and more people were coming while I was there. I suppose once the weather lifted everyone headed for the beach. You could see the weather was still very unsettled as rain squalls passed in the distance.

I was surprised that so many children were there. Don’t they have school?

The beach was certainly a pretty little beach. I found myself thinking that if these kids could handle the surf  here maybe I could too.

I’ll have to think about it after I get my whale picture.

The Pride of Maui was my afternoon whale watch. I was surprised to find that I was really tired even before we headed out. This fun in the sun can really knock the wind out of your sails!

The morning whale watch had returned around 11 am so I had plenty of time to get a snack. I didn’t want to eat too much because this trip included lunch and a snorkel stop.

Maalaea Harbor

The way I felt as I waited for the Pride of Maui to return from their morning excursion I was seriously doubting I was going to go snorkeling.  Still I had my bathing suit on so I figured I could make that decision when the time came.

The “Pride” was another catamaran but much larger than the one we were on for the morning trip. Reef safe sunscreen was being passed around. It was really thick and everyone was coated in white. It reminded me of the zinc oxide ointment the life guards used to put on their noses when I was a kid.

Finally the ship was in, the morning tour unloaded and we began to move up the gangway.

Although this was billed as a whale watch, and we certainly saw whales, it felt as if the emphasis was on the snorkeling part of the trip.

We stopped at a place along the shore that the crew referred to Coral Gardens. It wasn’t that far south of the lookout. I spotted the tunnel on Rt 30. We were given our gear and instructions. There was 1 hour set aside for the snorkel part of the trip. While everyone was in the water the crew fired up grills and began cooking hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled chicken. Quite a feast considering it was all done on the boat.

I did decide to go snorkeling. I thought the cold water might perk me up. I’m glad I did too. I saw a tiny little, yellow pipefish and while I was watching it a brown blob that I thought was a stone started to move. It was a tiny little octopus! It was really fun watching that little guy and I followed him for a good portion of my snorkel time. The parrot fish and yellow butterfly fish that we always saw around were everywhere but that octopus was the high point for me.

Back on board we were just casting off after the nice lunch when we were surrounded by a pod of spinner dolphins. What a great way to wrap up our day.

By the way, this was a 3 hour tour. Remember Gilligan’s Island? They went on a 3 hour tour too but we came back!

Anyone who has followed this space for long knows that my goal is to take a vacation in all 50 states.  Obviously that means two or more new states a year or I’ll be 90 or older before I manage to complete that goal.

I’ve gotten a bit side tracked lately because with each upgrade to my time share they’ve given me a vacation that includes airfare. Bottom line is I keep taking the bonus vacations and have gotten off track from my goal.

So I decided to organize my thoughts and future plans.

July is a brief visit to Maine to try to capture an Iconic Puffin Photo. Its only an extended weekend. (and I’ve vacationed in Maine-Loved it)

I have a vacation to Maui all scheduled, if not completely planned, coming up in November.

I’ve been to Hawaii twice before. Once to the Big Island and once to Oahu so this will be my 3rd visit to Paradise.

In January my company will hold their annual convention in Las Vegas. I am seriously considering added a few days vacation on and staying at the Polo Towers. After all, my company is paying for my airfare. I’ve been to Las Vegas for vacation twice before but there are still things I’d like to see.

February looks like another trip to Hawaii compliments of my time share. I have a choice of the Big Island (Kona side) or Maui.

Right now I am leaning toward Maui again for the whale watching and snorkeling. February should be peak season for the whales.

That will wrap up the commitments so far.

So where is my focus after those are done?

Jackson Hole Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park is still top of the list.

Key Largo (John Pennekamp Park) (Even though I’ve been to Florida more times than I can count)

Pacific Northwest (Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area)

Central Idaho ( The Sawtooth Range)

Channel Islands CA

Katmai National Park, AK (Brook Falls) (Alaska is another repeat)

I guess that will keep me busy for a while.

The post Vacation Planning appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Getting ready to go. Trying so hard to tie up loose ends at work so I don’t leave a lot of things hanging for my co worker. I feel like the faster I go the behinder I get. So I thought I’d take a break to think about what I have to look forward to.

This trip to Maui is going to be a 2 parter. We have the first 5 days at Kaanapali Shores located in Lahaina, HI.

My sister will be with me for this part of the trip but my cousin won’t be joining us until the 2nd half. We’ll talk about that another time. Today is all about our first stop.

The web site offers this enticing description of the resort.

You’ll feel right at home the moment you arrive at Aston Ka’anapali Shores. This resort combines the comfort and convenience of spacious suites with hotel-caliber services. Located on beautiful Ka’anapali Beach, your favorite outdoor vacation activities – from sunbathing to swimming and snorkeling – are literally just steps away.

Ka’anapali Shores offers two pools – an oceanfront pool and a garden pool (ideal for kids). You can also take advantage of our many other amenities, including lighted tennis/pickleball/shuffleboard courts, a fitness and massage center, jet spas, complimentary scuba lessons, and wedding gazebo.  Visit our on-site shops – a salon, tropical flower shop, sundries outlet and beach apparel store – or just mingle and share stories with resort staff and other vacationing guests.

I’ll have to check out the complimentary scuba lessons. It might be a good way to get certified again. I regret letting my certification drop but it just slipped away as time passed.

Our suite is described as a one bedroom Ocean view.

The list of amenities is wonderful! I can see us sipping drinks on the balcony watching a Hawaiian Sunset!

Guest Accommodation Information

• General Room Amenities
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alarm Clock
  • Balcony, Patio, or Terrace
  • Iron and Ironing Board
  • King Bed
  • Safe
  • Sofa bed in living area
  • Telephone
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Wired Internet (charges may apply)

• Accommodation Details
  • Maximum Occupancy: 4
  • Private Occupancy: 2

• Full Kitchen
  • Coffee Maker
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

• Accommodation Entertainment
  • DVD Player
  • Stereo
  • Television: Cable TV

• Bathroom Amenities
  • Hair Dryer

I love when there is a washer and dryer in the suite. I can pack and travel light that way.

Well, back to my list making and gear checking. I am so looking forward to this break!

Current Weather Conditions

Windy. Showers this morning with clearing during the afternoon hours. High 83F. Winds ENE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.

The post On Your Mark! appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Our Vacation part 2 will be at the Kaanapali Beach Club. We have to change resorts because the first 5 days was a bonus vacation I earned when I upgraded my membership. When I wanted to add more time they were not able to accommodate so we just have to change to another resort.

Based on the resort description I don’t think part 2 is any less amazing than part 1.

A breathtaking panorama awaits you at Ka’anapali Beach Club, a haven of a resort in a land that has perfected beauty. Located on Maui’s western shore, Ka’anapali Beach Club promises to be one of the highlights of your chance of a lifetime getaway to Hawaii. If you’re going to do Hawaii, you should do it right. By planning your stay at Ka’anapali Beach Club, you are creating the vacation of a lifetime.

About Ka’anapali Beach Club

You haven’t known true beauty and comfort until now. There is so much to see and do at Ka’anapali Beach Club, you would never have to leave the property to have experienced a true and wonderful Hawaiian vacation. Heavenly is the best way to sum it up. You and your family will enjoy the comfort of the spacious rooms and the superior service this getaway has to offer.

Your room comes complete with an in-room refrigerator, oversized tub and separate shower in the bath. You’ll get some of the best views of the island from the comfort of your very own room. Kick back and take in a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from the privacy of your balcony or terrace. After spending the day exploring fabulous Maui, you can unwind in your personal whirlpool jet tub.

The Grounds at Ka’anapali Beach Club

The posh interiors aren’t even the very best part. You will fall head-over-heels in love with the grounds Ka’anapali Beach Club is nestled upon. Relax poolside, like never before, at the acre-wide pool. Sip your morning coffee at the outdoor cafes set amid tropical garden atriums and tranquil waterfalls.

Gather the family, and any new friends you make on the friendly island, and have a cookout in the BBQ area. You can even find something fun for everyone to do by checking with the onsite Activities Department. Maybe you need some time to be good to yourself, which you can do when you take advantage of the massage services or the spa.

When you are ready to explore the island, simply meet with our Concierge to make sure you find exactly what you need to make your dream vacation the ultimate experience. Whether it’s a helicopter tour of Maui, or beach hopping, horseback riding or dining and shopping, there is an endless supply of things to see and do.

Come … Discover the magical allure of Maui.

Like Kaanapali we have a one bedroom ocean view. Actually We have 2 one bedroom ocean view units. I wanted to be sure no one was uncomfortable sleeping. Past travel experiences have been tense when a member of the group was not happy with the sleeping arrangements.

I’m running out of space so I’ll pick this up in my next post!

Current Weather Conditions

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

The post Get Set appeared first on aroundustyroads.

I didn’t get to finish telling what we expect at Kaanapali Beach Club. I have a self imposed limit to my posts so I don’t get boring. (Hopefully) and with the long description of the resort I went way over that limit.

So here’s what I didn’t get to in yesterday’s post.

1 Bedroom Ocean View

Discover comfort in our beautifully appointed accommodations featuring a king size bed, sofa bed with Tempurpedic mattress, and full bathroom complete with garden bath and walk-in shower. Enjoy the convenience of the partial kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker among many other modern appliances. Additional in-room amenities include internet, cable television, DVD/Blu-ray player, telephone and a balcony/lanai.

Guest Accommodation Information

• General Room Amenities
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alarm Clock
  • Balcony or Patio (some rooms)
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Coffee Maker
  • Handicap Accessible Accommodations
  • Iron and Ironing Board
  • King Bed
  • Safe
  • Sleeper Sofa
  • Telephone
  • Voicemail
  • Wi-Fi (complimentary)

• Disabled Access
  • Grab Bars
  • Lowered Counters
  • Raised Toilets
  • Roll-in Shower
  • Shower Seats
  • Transfer Benches

• Accommodation Details
  • Maximum Occupancy: 4
  • Private Occupancy: 2
  • Size: Approximately 820 Square Feet

• Partial Kitchen
  • Blender
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Dishes
  • Dishwasher
  • Dishwasher Detergent
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Silverware
  • Toaster

• Bathroom Amenities
  • Full Bathroom
  • Garden Tub
  • Hair Dryer
  • Walk-in Shower

• Accommodation Entertainment
  • DVD Player
  • Pay-Per-View Movies
  • Television: Cable / Satellite
  • Television: Cable

Doesn’t look like we have an in unit washer/dryer this time but it does look like there are laundry facilities on the premises. Not quite as convenient but still a good perk.

There are loads of activities on the resort calendar from adult bingo to Bowling, lei making and glass etching. There’s a beach walk that might be interesting, Other onsite activities include snorkeling and scuba diving and whale watching. I have heard that sometimes the whales are close enough to shore that they can be watched from land!

So far the weather hasn’t looked too good. It’s bee raining  a lot. Maybe by the time we get there it will be a bot sunnier. When we went to the Bid Island it rained every day on the wet side of the Island. Its why the islands are so lush.

Current Weather Conditions

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

The post Kaanapali Beach Club appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Early on in our drive we stopped at a park. I wish I had written down the name for you. Sandy and I had found it the week before in our explorations. It’s on the left as you travel toward Hana. If you like big waves, this is a spot to check out. When we first found it, it was so wild that there weren’t any surfers but the waves were mesmerizing.

It was a calmer day when we stopped with the tour and surfers were out in force. Some were very young.

There were also vendors with things like jewelry and souvenirs on display.

We  made a stop at a red sand beach. It gets its color from the iron in the sand. It rusts!

The little coral church we stopped at is Palapala Ho’omau Church, built in 1857, it’s known as the burial ground of prominent aviator, inventor, explorer, author and activist Charles Lindbergh.

Forty-one years after his infamous non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, Charles moved to Maui and settled in the remote area of Kipahulu, seeking privacy, beauty and simplicity. You can find the grave of both Charles and his wife under the shade of a Java plum tree at the limestone coral church.

A small choral group was practicing when we arrived. It was beautiful. We all stood respectfully while they sang Amazing Grace.

Our guide skipped the Garden of Eden stop which surprised me. I’d heard a lot about this attraction. Maybe he skipped it because there is a fee.

Garden Of Eden Arboretum

“It’s worth paying to enjoy walking the grounds, which are immaculately kept up and offer all kinds of photo opportunities. Here you can see an 100 year-old mango tree, bamboo, ocean views and Puohokamoa Falls.”

You can find a list of stops online and many shops sell ‘Guided tour” CD’s but everything takes time.

Our guide did as best he could with the amount of time allowed. The 8 hour tour ended up being 12 hours so I’d have to say we got our money’s worth.

The post Some Final Thoughts on The Road to Hana appeared first on aroundustyroads.

You hear about shark attacks. California, Florida, Hawaii even Cape Cod but the shark attack off a Maui beach while we were there seemed to carry more punch.

Maybe that’s because the headline “Woman bitten by shark off South Maui beach” was on the front page, above the fold on Tuesday , November 15. Guess what I was scheduled to do that day?  I was going snorkeling. Yup I was going into that shark infested water to do my imitation of a great white whale.

I wasn’t even sure I could still swim! Its been so long. I tested out the pool first and found that I’m pretty buoyant. Its all that fat you know.

Don’t laugh, I kid you not! When I used to scuba dive I’d start the season with 30 lbs on my weight belt. As the season progressed and I toned up and lost weight I dropped not only  body weigh but lead weight from my weight belt. By the end of the season I’d be down to around 18 lbs of lead at my waist.

Right now I have more to fear from a shark attack than I do drowning. I bounce right back to the surface! Should be an interesting afternoon.

But back to the Shark bite victim.  Karnaole Beach is 31 miles from Ka’anapali Beach where we were staying. That’s if you follow the coastline, less if you just flip that tail and make a bee line.

She was 58 years old but she was a tough cookie. She told everyone to get out of the water as well as getting herself to shore! She was quoted as saying this wasn’t going to keep her out of the water. I guess most shark bites off Maui occur in October so this was a straggler.

Well, that’s all I have to say on the subject of sharks. I plan to get back to all the fun we’re having.

Until then,

The post Shark! appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Its time for my solo adventure. Kathy backed out and Sandy said Nope, No Way. But I really, really wanted to get in the water. Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay was a high point in my trip to Oahu. So I was determined to try snorkeling here on Maui. Shark or no shark I was ready.

I left Sandy and Kathy at the resort and took the car to Lahaina Harbor to meet up with my snorkeling tour.

It was the small tour. Our boat was a pontoon boat similar to a Zodiac. There were only 35 of us on the trip. Today’s trip was to Lanai across the channel from Maui.

I’d heard lots of stories about how difficult the crossing from Maui to Lanai could be but the channel was relatively calm as we started out.

Once we reached the Lanai coast it was a different story. The first place we stopped was too rough for snorkeling but we interrupted a pod of spinner dolphins that were sleeping near the surface.

We traveled along the coastline to another bay which the captain pronounced safe for snorkeling. I admit I was nervous, especially when he announced that we all had to “buddy” up. I was the sole solo person on board. One of the couples said I could Buddy with them so it was set. In we went.

The water was warm and very clear. It wasn’t long before we were caught up in watching a school of reef fish seemingly pour over the coral. It was fascinating to watch.

The school seemed to pick up more and more members as it flowed along.

Next thing I knew I felt a strong current tugging at me. I looked for my buddies and they were being slowly pulled closer and closer to the rocky shoreline. Wimp that I am I bailed and swam back to the boat. A few minutes later my Buddies joined me. They admitted they had gotten so engrossed in watching the school of fish that they forgot to watch their surroundings.

After that the dive master told me I could snorkel on my own as long as I didn’t stray too far. Once everyone was back on board we were served turkey wraps and chips while we motored to our next stop. The 2nd stop was really nice. I had a great time wandering around after the many reef fish. One of the other snorkelers said he saw a sea turtle. He was on the opposite side of the bay from me. Another one saw an eel. Nothing so exotic for me but I still had a great time.

Back on the boat we ran into the pod of dolphins again. This time they were more awake and were splashing all around us. All too soon it was time to head back.

The return crossing to Maui was not the smooth sailing we had in the morning. We were hanging on with both hands as we flew from one wave crest to the next. Sometimes we missed the timing and you could actually count the seconds as we dropped into the trough only to be showered as the wave broke over the bow. Wild!

I’m not sure what the best part of the trip was, the snorkeling, the dolphins or the wild return trip! I’d do it all over again given the chance.

The post Lanai appeared first on aroundustyroads.

The post Not In Vegas appeared first on aroundustyroads.

The sun came back out after that pretty amazing rain storm. Wind and torrential rains and five minutes later, sunshine. Wow!

Since the day looked to be a good one, I took off north on Rt 30. I wanted to see if any surfers were out. If there were rip tides it would probably be quiet but it was worth taking a look.

I wasn’t sure I’d remember the exact turn off so when I spotted a left I took it. Immediately I knew this wasn’t the one. This was a paved road. The one I was looking for is a pretty rugged dirt road.

I decided to see where this road went before I turned around. The sign said D.T. Fleming Beach Park, voted best beach in 2006. There was a rest room and maybe a bath house for changing???Also a life guard stand.

The beach seemed pretty popular. More and more people were coming while I was there. I suppose once the weather lifted everyone headed for the beach. You could see the weather was still very unsettled as rain squalls passed in the distance.

I was surprised that so many children were there. Don’t they have school?

The beach was certainly a pretty little beach. I found myself thinking that if these kids could handle the surf  here maybe I could too.

I’ll have to think about it after I get my whale picture.

The post D.T. Fleming Beach Park appeared first on aroundustyroads.

The Pride of Maui was my afternoon whale watch. I was surprised to find that I was really tired even before we headed out. This fun in the sun can really knock the wind out of your sails!

The morning whale watch had returned around 11 am so I had plenty of time to get a snack. I didn’t want to eat too much because this trip included lunch and a snorkel stop.

Maalaea Harbor

The way I felt as I waited for the Pride of Maui to return from their morning excursion I was seriously doubting I was going to go snorkeling.  Still I had my bathing suit on so I figured I could make that decision when the time came.

The “Pride” was another catamaran but much larger than the one we were on for the morning trip. Reef safe sunscreen was being passed around. It was really thick and everyone was coated in white. It reminded me of the zinc oxide ointment the life guards used to put on their noses when I was a kid.

Finally the ship was in, the morning tour unloaded and we began to move up the gangway.

Although this was billed as a whale watch, and we certainly saw whales, it felt as if the emphasis was on the snorkeling part of the trip.

We stopped at a place along the shore that the crew referred to Coral Gardens. It wasn’t that far south of the lookout. I spotted the tunnel on Rt 30. We were given our gear and instructions. There was 1 hour set aside for the snorkel part of the trip. While everyone was in the water the crew fired up grills and began cooking hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled chicken. Quite a feast considering it was all done on the boat.

I did decide to go snorkeling. I thought the cold water might perk me up. I’m glad I did too. I saw a tiny little, yellow pipefish and while I was watching it a brown blob that I thought was a stone started to move. It was a tiny little octopus! It was really fun watching that little guy and I followed him for a good portion of my snorkel time. The parrot fish and yellow butterfly fish that we always saw around were everywhere but that octopus was the high point for me.

Back on board we were just casting off after the nice lunch when we were surrounded by a pod of spinner dolphins. What a great way to wrap up our day.

By the way, this was a 3 hour tour. Remember Gilligan’s Island? They went on a 3 hour tour too but we came back!

The post Pride of Maui appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Sand Castles or Sand Sculpting

Don’t come to see sand castles at Revere Beach, Massachusetts. These sand artists traded plastic buckets and toy shovels for coal shovels and palette knives. Each artist gets 12 tons of sand and an 18’ x 18’ exhibit area in which to mount their own sculptures. This year, 15 artists from the United States, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Italy competed.

14 Years and counting

This is the 14th year for this competition. More than a contest, this is a festival with live music, food trucks and carnival rides. A DJ keeps the action pumping as the beat goes on. All around the sculptors beach goers swim and splash. The artists have from Friday at 10 am until Saturday at 2 pm to  create their masterpiece. That’s a great time to get action photos of these sand magicians. This year there are no teams, no duos. It’s all solo sculpting.

The Team Effort

The centerpiece sculpture is a team effort. All of the competitors worked together to create the main attraction, a twenty-foot-wide recreation of the U.S.S. Constitution. It even has cannons that fire. They are only water cannons but that just adds to the fun. Unsuspecting visitors get a good soaking when they linger in the “splash zone”.

Making a Statement

Just about all of the sculptors use the venue to make a statement. Some are more clear than others. Some make you think others may make you sad, or angry but like any good art, they all move you.

I think my favorite was this one titled “Who are you?”.  A griffin makes the acquaintance of a little human boy. Whimsical and provocative. It made me smile and feel warm all over.

One known  simply  as “Save the Elephants” was very powerful. It disturbed me. I admired the workmanship and agree with the message, but I can’t say that I liked it. The image was sad and depressing. I guess it made it’s point.

And the winner is…Soul Evolution

The winning sculptor was from Russia. Like all of the sculptures it was thought provoking. I thought it was a beautiful piece of art.  It reminded me of the great Greek sculptures. What a shame they don’t last long. Here today and gone tomorrow, water is a part of each sculpture at the start  as well as part of the end. With a good rain it all dissolves away.

The post Not Your Everyday Sand Castle appeared first on aroundustyroads.

Those Things you almost forget to mention

I’ve got a few things to share with you. A little of this and a little of that. Things I forgot to mention and things that just didn’t seem to fit in any place else. So today’s post is a little bit of house keeping.

The “Sandcastles”

This post really seemed to hit the spot. So I want to share a couple more photos. The first one is The Sand with the Dragon Tattoo. Catchy

Then there’s the sculpture named Wishful Thinking. Who among us haven’t indulged in wishful thinking at one time or another? Here’s a little I dream of Jeannie magic along with the winning lottery ticket. That’s really Wishful Thinking!

If you’d like to see more of my pictures from the Competition, you can stop by  http://dustyroadsphotos.zenfolio.com/p955600703. Be sure to sign the guest book and say Hi.

My Photo Page Has Gone to The Birds

Speaking of my photo page link, I had it in my menu but it disappeared. I’ve been trying to figure out what went wrong. You should be able to see it and click on it. Its really bumming me out. I will get it figured out but it might be awhile. Technology is not my friend, its my challenge. I put together a lovely slide show with music. The theme is Birds. So until I get the link fixed, you can find my Birds slide show at http://dustyroadsphotos.zenfolio.com/

Did I forget the Dessert?

Remember the Birthday Celebration at Woods Hole? I never told you where we ended up for dessert. A birthday celebration needs cake and ice cream so that’s what we had.  Leaving Woods Hole we made a stop in Falmouth, MA at Cupcake Charlie’s . What a great way to have Cake and Ice Cream. Everyone can choose their own flavors. Its easy to see why Cupcake Charlie’s is called “New England’s Best Cupcakes”.

“Life is Short . . . Eat a Cupcake”

The post All those Little Things appeared first on aroundustyroads.

The Seals of Cape Cod

Nothing like spending a day with herd of gray seals in Chatham, Cape Cod. I confess I didn’t just want to see the seals. I thought there might be a small chance that I’d get a glimpse of a Great White Shark. It’s been 7 years since I’ve been back to see the seals so I figured it was about time. Of course it meant another weekend drive over one of the bridges but I was hoping I’d be going against the traffic. Turns out I was. The Sunday exodus from the Cape had route 6, the Cape Highway, backed up for miles leaving the cape.

Beachcomber Seal Tours

I’d called Beachcomber Seal Tours before I started for the cape. They said they had room for me on the 12 pm tour. I knew it would be close but I jumped in the car and headed off. With luck and traffic on my side I arrived with 10 minutes to spare! The folks at Beachcomber Seal Tours are very warm and welcoming. They make sure the children are fitted with life jackets and everyone gets a “pit stop” before we are all loaded onto a bus for the trip to the marina.

Chatham Harbor and waterways

The little orange boat holds about 29 people. We boarded by climbing a little step stool and stepping over the side. The captain stands at a center console to pilot the boat. It makes it a little hard to hear his commentary but the fresh sea air in your face on a sunny day is a pretty awesome way to spend a summer afternoon.

Seals, seals and more seals

We passed Nauset Beach, recently the scene of a Great White sighting. As we swung toward North Beach the seals were suddenly right in front of us. They looked like they were piled on top of each other but our captain explained that each one has it place. A steady moaning sound came from the piles of seals. A few were in the water. They would rise up from the bottom and then sink back down. This is how they sleep. True enough, none of them had their eyes open!

Before heading back we took a run past the shark buoy and Lighthouse Beach.

Too soon it was time to return to the dock. The very successful 90 minute tour was at an end. No great whites but lots of seals.

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Great White Sharks Hang out off Cape Cod

The sharks of Cape Cod aren’t leaving anytime soon. Our vacations may be over but according to Dr Greg Skomal of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy August and September are active months for our Great Whites.

 It’s been A busy August

With a cool spring Shark season took its time ramping up but August was a busy month.

• July 31: A Great White tried to snack on one of the research cameras.
• On August 10: Chatham beach goers watch a real life “Jaws” as a Great White chomped a seal in half in clear view of the beaches.
• August 11: Whale Watchers spotted 2 Great Whites feasting on a dead minke whale
• August 12 : A fisherman had his catch stolen by a shark. The video became an internet sensation 
• August 21 A Shark enjoyed a seal lunch as beach goes looked on
• August 24 A shark tasted a paddle board off Marconi Beach.

Staying Safe with Great White Sharks

There are a few things you can do to stay safe with these apex predators in the water. 

1. Avoid swimming with the seals
2. Swim or surf in groups
3. Stay in Shallow water
4. Don’t wear shiny jewelry

Survey Says…..

The good news is that even with this shark activity the beach going public remains fascinated by the sharks. The Polls and surveys show that public opinion is against the politician’s ill advised suggestion that the sharks be culled. According to Chatham natives, at least some of the beaches may be monitored by balloons equipped with cameras to provide an early warning system.

 2 More Months

If the past is any indication we’re looking at 2 more months of Great White activity. The season winds down off Cape Cod at the end of October. I guess the Great Whites don’t like our winter weather any more than I do.

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Each Vacation is a New Experience.

Wyoming was quite the experience. From start to finish it had something new and different. It’s hard to beat the beautiful Teton Mountains, Yellowstone geysers and falls and all of the wild animals. But all good things must end and now I’m back home again.

Next up on the vacation agenda

As you may have gathered from some of my posts I’m having a tough time with my back right now. It makes everything from hiking to swimming a challenge. I’m not one to sit on the beach when I go on vacation. I get bored on cruise ships but this mobility issue has defiantly put a cramp in my vacation style. Still I book my vacations way in advance so I have another one on the books.

Lets go to Maui Wowie again

I do love Hawaii. The climate is as close to perfect as you can get. I have a Maui vacation just waiting for me in February.  The peak month for shark encounters off Maui is October and since my next excursion is February I’m probably ok with sharks. Besides, I’m not sure I’ll be cleared to swim or snorkel yet. It’s all pending doctor’s orders. Did you know that scuba divers are almost never shark attack victims? “They” think it might be the bubbles from the air tanks or possibly that they are often vertical in the water. In any case I probably won’t be scuba diving.

The Maui Experience

I’ve been to Maui several times now. I’ve taken a helicopter tour, traveled the Road to Hana, gone snorkeling and whale watching. I even took a ride on a submarine. So what’s left for someone who can’t get out there with a surfboard. Maybe I could try body surfing or using a “boogie board”. I still want to see Iao State park and the Iao Needle. That’s been closed due to mudslides every time I’ve been there but I think it’s open now. Since it is the height of whale watch season I’ll probably do that again. I can never get enough of those amazing animals.

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First Cruise and Reminiscing

Reminiscing, remembering, a walk down memory lane. What’s the point of making memories if we don’t pull them out and dust them off now and then? Sometimes things look different after some time has passed. For example let’s talk about cruises. If you ask me now if I like to go on cruises I’ll tell you no. It’s not my cup of tea. I’ve been on 3 cruises in my life, The  Bahamas , Cozumel and Alaska. Now I’ll share my feelings about each cruise, the good and the bad as I remember it. I wonder if I’ll still feel the same way after I’ve brushed off the memories.

The 40th Birthday Cruise

The first cruise was a “destination” cruise. My BFF was turning 40. It was a traumatic milestone for him so 3 of us got together and decided we’d take him on a cruise to the Bahamas. It was a short cruise. If I recall it was just 4 days. We spent one day on a private island. That was the best part of the trip for me. I got to spend the day snorkeling. My 3 friends hung out on the beach.

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Formal Night

Like most cruises at that time, one night was formal night. We were cruising with the Royal Caribbean. We all got dressed to the 9’s and had our picture taken with the captain. Then we retired to one of the lounges. The entertainment was big band music. Everyone was dancing. We didn’t stay long. My 3 companions didn’t want to dance at least not ballroom dancing. Instead we went to one of the shows. I’m a team player so I went along. Most entertainment on cruise ships is top notch and these shows were no exception. It was a good 2nd choice to the dancing.

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Bahamas

When we arrived in the Bahamas my 3 friends wanted to go shopping. I suggested we explore the ocean activities, like swimming  with dolphins, as I was not interested in shopping. I can go shopping anytime. Once again it was 3 to 1 so we went shopping. After shopping was over we took a shuttle boat to Paradise Island to visit the famous Atlantis Resort. I saw my first Chihuly, a glass masterpiece and became an instant fan. The aquarium under the resort was very cool too. It was like walking through a submerged ancient city. 

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The Cruise Home

The last day was a sea day. We were headed home. Since I don’t gamble I avoided the casino. I wasn’t interested in the art auction either. A deck chair and Dan Brown‘s book, The Da Vinci Code were calling my name.

Experience Rating

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I  Made it to Paradise

Stock Photo- Landing at LAX

As the plane began it’s decent into Maui’s Kahului airport the pilot announced Welcome to Paradise! I made it, again. If the plane ride ( 11-12 hours) is hell then yes, Maui is Paradise. I don’t mind the plane ride. I sleep, eat, drink water and subsist on the little bags of pretzels the airlines provide. My body is not fond of the trip but I’ll cope. Even with all of the napping I was tired and achy when we landed. Of course it was raining when I picked up my rental car. It’s always raining when I make that first drive in the dark to my resort. At least I’m more familiar with the drive now that I’ve been here a few times.

All Checked-in in record time

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I arrived at my resort (Kaanapali Shores) right at 8 pm Hawaiian time.  I didn’t get lost once. My sister can tell you how much trouble we had locating it the first time because it is dark in Hawaii. And if you don’t know where you’re going it’s easy to miss. Thankfully I have a good memory and cruised right in. I was supposed to have a 1 bedroom ocean view but I think they may have been out of those. They gave me a free upgrade to a two bedroom ocean view. I can sleep in a different bed every night.  (Ha Ha)

Dinner Options

I was in my condo by 8:30 pm. Time to think about a real meal. I had upgraded the first half of the flight (Boston to LAX) to first class and that came with a breakfast. (I could get used to those comfy first class seats!) Airline food isn’t 4 star but that breakfast wasn’t bad. Still that was along time ago and in addition to being tired I was hungry. My options were to walk to the little restaurant on the premises and ruin some poor server’s night because the restaurant closes at 9. I’d probably be walking in at 8:45. No I’d let the staff wrap up and go home. Next choice was driving somewhere, probably Lahaina,  to another restaurant. That didn’t appeal to me. I could drive across the street to the TIMES. It’s a 24 hour grocery store. Buy something and bring it back to cook.   I wasn’t really excited about that either. As I was considering just skipping dinner I saw a pizza delivery truck pull up.

Pizza in Hawaii

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Pizza delivery in Hawaii is just like it is at home. I called Pizza Hut. But just like the last time we ordered pizza in Hawaii (on Oahu) it would be easy to get sticker shock. The pizza, a large mushroom and pepperoni was only $12.99. That’s comparable to a pizza in Boston but then I added a 2 liter bottle of diet coke. With delivery charges and taxes it was now at $22.00! Of course I had to tip the driver so it ended up being a $26.00 pizza meal. Not complaining just sharing. I’ll get 3-4 meals out of that pizza anyway.

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