Get Set

Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 by Dusty Roads

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.

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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.

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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%.

On Your Mark!

Posted on October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 by Dusty Roads

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.

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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.

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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 First Whale

Posted on October 23, 2016October 23, 2016 by Dusty Roads

It’s very exciting. My fall vacation is approaching. I planned it for November because I had to use the trip I was awarded by my time share before December 3 or it would expire. I try not to broadcast exact dates for security reasons but my house won’t be empty this trip. I have my pet sitter going in and out, a house keeper and my neighbor keeping an eye out on Rocky. This will be his first time ever alone so I made sure there will be lots of people around him.

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The first half of the trip will be with my sister, good travel companion that she is, and we will be joined the 2nd half by my cousin. That will be fun. Growing up I could always count on summers with my “Cuz “(and the trouble we managed to get in and out of) . We have plenty of accommodations so we’ll have lots of room and not have to be on top of each other. Relax and enjoy the Aloha spirit.

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Another reason I chose November was because the humpback whale migration is usually November – March and I really want to see them. We’ve gone to Hawaii in early October in the past but that’s too early for the whales. I wasn’t sure if even November would be too early but it was the best I could do on this trip. Luckily I got a Facebook post that the first whale has been officially spotted off Maui.

http://mauinow.com/2016/10/20/pwf-spots-its-first-whale-of-the-season/

I hope I can get a photo like this one.

My best shot so far was one this summer.

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But it was just too far away for a good enlargement. Fingers crossed for Maui!

Things Keep Changing

Posted on September 17, 2016September 17, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Hi Everyone.

There have been a lot of changes at work and more on the way. What makes it hard is that a lot is just speculation right now. Makes for a very uneasy feeling. The biggest change is that we all have to work in the office. No More working from home. Its back to the daily commute. Eventually they were planning to morph my job (listing coordinator) into more of a hybrid where I handled both listings and buy side. Now they are re-thinking that. At the moment there are only 2 of us in the Boston Office that do my current job.

I think a lot will depend on how they can cover vacations. Right now my co-worker is on vacation so I’m holding down the fort. It isn’t too bad. The exception is she has one very high maintenance agent. The first day I was covering I had 18 emails and 3 calls from that 1 person. Ugh! Thankfully none of the others were that bad.

On the home front Rocky seems to be adjusting to being an only cat. He is eating well and playing. He is becoming very attached to his “baby” a toy he has had forever. He carries it around crying at the same time, a very mournful meow. I wake up with it tucked next to me in the bed. Rocky 001 copy

He’s also turning into a lap cat. We have quality time every evening for 30 minutes to an hour. I just love that. For 15 years he wouldn’t set foot on my lap, now as soon as I sit down he’s right there.

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The last thing on my mind is Hawaii. I keep meeting people that have been or want to go. I love comparing notes. The most recent conversation centered on the Island of Kauai. That is the island of choice for the friend I just spoke with. I don’t think my time share has a resort on Kauai. I still love the Big Island but we’ll see how Maui stacks up after this coming vacation.

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Well busy day today with errands and chores…laundry, grocery shopping, eye doctor (annual exam), hair cut etc. Tomorrow I’m driving to New York to take my Mom to lunch for her birthday so I don’t know if I’ll have much chance to get back for another update this weekend. We’ll just have to see how the time goes.

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Vacation Planning

Posted on June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 by Dusty Roads

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)

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

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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.

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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.

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