So, Smile

 Okay dude, I can see it in your eyes. You are finally realizing what this engagement and impending marriage entails.

No more doing the things you love, like surfing alone on a SUP at sunset.

But you can learn to find joy in a life of adventure together.

So, smile.

Treasures Beyond Measure

 North America has ancient burial mounds. Central America and Egypt have pyramids. And Maui has WWII bunkers. Seventy years later, we still have lots and lots of bunkers. Oh, and the treasures they hold are beyond measure...

Destroyer of Entire Villages

I spent Christmas night touring the lights and sights of Wailea.

By the time we got to the gingerbread village, I was so hungry that I had to be physically restrained to  prevent me from eating tiny people out of house and home.

Maui Christmas

 This (top photo) is what Maui families do on Christmas morning after opening gifts.

Sandy & Scott said to wish everyone a Mele Kalikimaka.

and . . . wait . . . do I hear singing?

Unintentional Gulps

 The Maui Pink Cap Swimmers had a few first-time visitors with us on this choppy morning. But, hey, a challenge (like rough ocean water) keeps things interesting.It also helps us get enough salt in our diets (lots of unintentional gulps of seawater).

Click HERE for several more photos from today's ocean swim.

Another One Bites the Dust

Yet another coconut palm bit the dust at the Wailea Marriott this morning. I am always saddened to see trees chopped down for no good reason.

Even though skies were hazy, it was a great day to be enjoying the great outdoors. 

Tight Circles

 Spinner Dolphins and swimmers came together for a few minutes this morning, then everyone continued on their separate ways.

The dolphins were playful and swam around me in tight circles. What fun.

Keeping Entertained

 If it's not dolphins or turtles, then it is SCUBA divers. And we saw lots and lots of SCUBA divers this morning. Which kept us entertained, since we didn't see much of anything else. But we did get some great exercise in beautiful conditions, so there's that.

Click HERE for more photos from this morning's ocean swim with the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers.

Can't Get Away

 I only took a brief swim this morning, and was greeted by a small group of Spinner Dolphins.

I don't see them for months and months, and now I can't get away from them.

New Toy

 Somebody was out having fun with their new toy today. I think I'll stick with being in the water.

Holiday decorations are always (well, almost always) quite tasteful here in Makena.

And, of course, it was another exquisite day for the beach.

Bubbling Coral

We set out to explore the mysteriously bubbling coral this morning (I swear it had nothing to do with the beans I ate last night). It seems to be a common phenomenon in certain areas.

Even the turtles were entertained.

Missed Opportunities

 With a back yard like mine (top photo) it is not surprising that I do a lot of ocean swimming. What is surprising is that I only swim two or three times each week.

At least there are lots of others out there making up for my missed opportunities.

Yoga & Decorations

 The only reasonable place on Maui to do yoga is the beach.

It's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas.

All is Right in the World

 My buddy, Scott, and I were briefly joined on our ocean swim this morning by over one hundred Spinner Dolphins.

About time, too, since I was wondering if I needed to change the name of my blog. The dolphins seem to have been avoiding me the past seven months, but they were playful and friendly this morning. All is right in the world once again.

Up In The Air

I had to stop and do a double-take this morning when I saw this big truck with both front wheels up in the air. How often do you see that?

Busy Polinators

Carpenter Bees are truly "Bumble" bees because of the way they are constantly bouncing off everything in their path, including people. They're called carpenter bees because they dig into wood (and plastic made to look like wood) to make their nests. They're a bit intimidating because they are HUGE, but gentle - I've never heard of anyone ever being stung by one. The one above is gathering nectar and pollen from a wild lilikoi (passionfruit) flower.

Losing the View

I, too, found myself gazing off into the hazy distance this morning. I cannot yet report any whale sightings, but soon...

I find it sad to watch healthy trees being cut down, even if they are only coconut palms. Especially for the reason that they are blocking the view - c'mon people, they are the view.