First surfing lesson: I need to do some pushups

Getting the boards ready

We finally went surfing!  I can’t believe it took so long, but with getting settled, working, procuring boards, waiting for waves, and hoping the planets would correctly align, it took quite a while to get out there.  I borrowed a soft-top board from the brewery and Dave took me to a place called “Guard Rails”, named for the guard rails along the highway where you park to walk to the spot.  It’s a great beginner break because the waves aren’t too too huge and there aren’t giant rocks or crazy obstacles...just the reef below the water, which I managed not to land on.  

I haven’t been on a surf board since I took lessons in San Diego about nine years ago, so it was really like starting from the beginning.  I was nervous at first and the board felt really wobbly in the water, but once I managed to paddle out there I calmed down and got up the nerve to catch a wave.  I even stood up for about half a minute!  It was great.  Dave saw me, so I have proof.  My shoulders and pects are a little sore today, but since I am turning over a new exercise leaf, I should be getting stronger by next week or so.  Maybe sooner.   

Cruzin’ in the yard

In other news, I am finally on vacation!  I have been working my butt off lately because I made the mistake of assigning back-to-back writing assignments for 60 kids at the end of the quarter.  That’s a lot of reading!  I was starting to feel like a bit of a workaholic, so it’s exciting to have some time to relax and enjoy Maui.  It will be great to get reacquainted with my bike, go on a bunch of paddles with the canoe team, explore a few hidden beaches, do some camping and hiking with my friend Cori, and take some nice, long walks with Porter Brown. 

Dave has been working hard.  I joined him for a bit of weekend duty yesterday and took some brewery pictures.  It’s in a warehouse facility with giant garage doors that open, so it’s kind of an indoor/outdoor setup.  I wish he could join me for vacation time, but that place is busy, busy, busy!  Hopefully they will do some hiring and things will ease up around there later this fall.  

Thanks to Maui Brewing Co., we got VIP passes for the 20th anniversary of the Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina last night.  The Ataris headlined, but the opening bands were actually a lot better.  A bunch of local punk rock bands played, which satisfied my longing for jangly guitars.  Ukulele and reggae are nice and all, but they get old after a while.  Drinks and food were free and a friendly, young waitress with a blonde mohawk and dark turquoise eyeshadow brought me all the margaritas, water, and pupus (appetizers) I could want.  We were definitely part of the old people crowd on the VIP patio, but it was great to have chairs and refreshments. 

That’s pretty much what’s up lately.  I made some awesome green juice yesterday from spinach, limes, and grapes, and we are looking forward to lots more delicious veggies now that I’m on vacation.  It’s almost visitor season and we are excited to see Dave’s dad, KT and Megan, and hopefully Matt and Corinne.  The surf is getting bigger for fall and the guest rooms are ready!  I’ll post more pictures after vacation gets into full swing.  

Aloha!

Jen