Day 6 Wednesday 10/1

Is it really Day 6? Say it ain't so.....
Started out with breakfast.. Guess where? Yep, CJ's.. We told Nicola earlier in the week over breakfast about my story with T-Shirts and how I can't get rid of them, no matter how old. Each one has a story. And well... Now I have a new one... Nicola picked up a CJ's T-shirt for me!!! So now I have a story about how I told my story and got a new T-Shirt because of the story... Most excellent.... That sounded like Seinfeld... It's a show about nothing... lol

After that headed to Lahaina for a 10am appt with the Reef Dancer. A submarine looking vessel that actually does not go underwater. You are basically sitting in the glass hull of the boat so you can see all of the ocean life as you cruise the Lahaina harbor. It was nice although a little claustrophobic.. Went topside for air during the 2nd half of the tour and that was just as nice!!!



Had some time for a little bit of shopping in Lahaina before Dad took flight parasailing... Cathy got a nice Hawaiian flower (plumeria) charm and Mom was having a field day too... We had to drag her away from this jewelry stand.... Surprised there was anything left for this man to sell after Mom went through...Time for Dad to Parasail. Steve went as an observer just to catch all of the action on film... errr... on digital... whatever.. you get the picture.. We had just finished signing the waiver on the dock and then in no time at all we were in the tender boat to get us out to the Parasail boat. After the quick transfer, the operator said, ok sir, we are going to take you first.... Wow.. I so was not ready.. Not sure if Dad was either but no worries... He stepped up to the platform on the back of the boat, clipped him in, then he was off... Reeled out like a kite to a distance of 800ft.... Very cool.....!!!!!!! It was a 10 minute ride and he loved it. I think he would have stayed up there all day if they would have let him....
The ladies are at the Ulalena Hawaiian show tonight. Dad and I stayed back to watch the baseball. I did manage to see one more Hawaiian sunset and took a few pictures of the torch lighting ceremony here on Black Rock at the Sheraton.
Will soon be time for dinner when the ladies get back... Hope they enjoyed their show.... One more day to go. I saw all of the jackets at the baseball game on tv last night. Not wanting to come home.

Day 5 Tuesday 9/30

First, we wanted to thank you for the outpouring of support and feedback to our blogspot. We are glad that everyone is enjoying our day by day look into our vacation...

After Breakfast we set out on the Road to Hana (pictured above). This is a 50 mile trip that has been described as not about the destination, but about the journey... 600 turns and elevation changes through the lush rain forest of north and east Maui.

Although the drive was very scenic, many of the sights that are to be seen on the drive are actually off of the road. They involve hikes of 10, 20, and sometimes 30 minutes. I guess we thought there would be more to see along the actual road. If it were the rainy season there probably would be. River beds and would be waterfalls were reduced to a mere trickle with rocks replacing flowing streams
So, we did not make it all the way to Hana.... Actually we travelled about 16 miles of the winding road and figured that we were in for much more of the same along the drive. Maybe someday we will return to try the drive again. Perhaps in the rainy season, with mosquito repellent, sandals, and swim trunks.. Perhaps next time I can rent that dog to keep us company on the journey. Yes, there is actually a place that will let you take one of their dogs on the drive with you. Why you ask??? I say, why not???

On the way back from Hana, we ran into what is said to be one of the best windsurfing sites in the world, Ho'okipa Beach. I guess they have a tournament out there every year. I have never seen waves like these in my life. A check on the local surf report had the waves at 4ft +... That does not seem right, but anything seems big to this person from Illinois. There were so many surfers. Does anyone work around here? lol