Exercise-Free Zone

 

Thirty-nine Spinner Dolphins passed me going the other way on my ocean swim this morning. They did not seem at all interested in exercising with me, instead waiting to play with me when I got back. There was lots of chasing and spinning going on. There were also quite a few youngsters in the group, some of whom were a bit curious about the dorky guy with the new fins (me). Click HERE for lots more photos from today's swim (including first-timers from Utah).

Another Photo Shoot

I Hate La Nina

Oh no! La Nina is back. For yet another year. More cold ocean swimming. I hate La Nina.

Last week the water finally warmed up to normal late-summer levels but this week we were all freezing. In fact we had to huddle together as we swam to keep warm. This one-week summer was the shortest ever. Did I mention that I hate La Nina?

Click HERE for more photos from this morning's ocean swim.

Basketball, Maui Style

and the players here don't wear shoes, they wear slippahs (flip-flops).

Total Serendipity

Total serendipity.

I was walking along the beach and noticed the couple in front of me take each others' hands. The combination of palm trees, blue sky, blue ocean and couple in love were perfect. So I pulled my camera out of my bag, aimed, and pressed the shutter release. Only then did I notice that the woman in the bikini had gotten close, and it wasn't until I got home that I noticed her pose. Nothing planned, nothing contrived, just pure luck. And this was the only photo I took all day (so I'm lucky it was in focus, whew).

Finally, Finally, Finally

Finally, finally, finally.  Warm water has returned. So today's swim was more playful than most.

 I did not bring my camera this week (I needed to take a break and enjoy myself for a change) so these photos are actually reconstructed images pulled directly from neurons in my brain (hence the blurring and lack of detail).

Click HERE for more reconstituted memories from this morning's ocean swim.

Not Horrible

As is so often the case, I was not feeling inspired today by anything around me - at least not enough to take any photos. Fortunately, Doug forced me to take this flower and bee photo. And now I have something not horrible for my blog post.

Didn't Mind

 I meet the nicest people on my swims. And this morning it was both people people and dolphin people.

The dolphin people included a rambunctious young one who raced, leaped,  chased, and generally had lots of fun. The adults didn't seem to mind one bit.

The people people included someone I work with but had never met. And they didn't seem to mind me one bit.

Topsy Turvy Day

This was a first! The crazy do-anything swimmers turned around this morning because the ocean was unsafely murky, while the overly-cautious jump-at-every-shadow swimmers swam off toward the horizon. Has the world gone mad?

Click HERE for more photos from today's non-swim.

Politically Correct Fur Coat

Fur coats may not be politically correct, but she's exchanging last year's model for a new seal fur coat. She's been enjoying the warm sun at a beach just down the shore from my house for all of the past week.

And she deserves it. She is working hard to save the critically endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal population, having just finished weaning her most recent pup (number five).

Friends with Benefits

These two Omilu kept chasing this Moray Eel around this morning. Their strategy was to keep it moving until it frightened small fish from their hiding spots so they could gobble them up.

At night they follow White Tip Reef Sharks like the one I saw napping this morning (below) hoping to grab the fish that the sharks don't get.

Two Movie Bucket

After his rotator cuff surgery Doug received many well wishes for a speedy recovery.

Today a HUGE bucket of the amazing Garrett popcorn arrived in the mail courtesy of a generous neighbor. Delicious!

This will hopefully last us through two movies (although I'm betting on one and a half movies).

Reflections

I saw this reflection in a mud puddle this morning and couldn't resist taking a snapshot.

Then a little farther along at Wailea beach I saw a beach yoga class. What a great way to start the day.

But this being America where the competitive spirit thrives, I came across another beach yoga class at the other end of the beach. Can there be too much of a good thing?

Any Excuse

I had the privilege of volunteering as a kayak escort for this morning's Maui Aumakua ocean swim races. It felt good to be able to cheer on my fellow swimmers, all while sitting comfortably in my teeny tiny little kayak (I look for any excuse to avoid physical exercise).

For a nice change there was no real drama and conditions were nearly perfect. Click HERE for more photos from today's race.

Crazy Weekend

This is a crazy weekend for swimming on Maui. Added to the madness were insane conditions for the Maui Channel Swim yesterday when boats were lost and one swimmer was almost killed. Only a few people showed up for the usual Sunday swim this morning, but conditions were great and we savored the warm (finally!) water. Tomorrow is the Aumakua Swim Race and then life can get back to normal. Whew! Click HERE for more photos from today's swim.

Fanciful Maui

Maui is such a small island that I am always surprised when I meet a long-time resident for the first time.

I have always admired the wall mural in the Wailea Beach Marriott Starbucks, but I didn't know that it was by local artist Ken Loyd. He was working on a painting this morning outside the Starbucks but was happy to take a break and chat with me.

I love his fanciful depictions of Maui life and hope someday to be able to afford one of my own. Check out his online gallery at:
http://www.artbyloyd.com

Oh, and Happy 60th Ken.