On Your Mark!

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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

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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/

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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!

 

Election 2016

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I think we all know there’s a big election coming up. Trump v Hillary; boys locker room v email scandal.; hyper bully V “old Lady” and on and on. This year is really a choice of  who you like the least. The choices are scary no matter what. I may just flip a coin. (sorry strong supporters of either candidate. It’s my blog and its how I feel.)

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But I didn’t start this post to discuss who I think should win this travesty of an election. (Remember , it’s rigged)  No I just realized that I’ll be away on election day so I have to see if I can either vote early or by absentee ballot.

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Have any of you been traveling when an election rolled around? How did you handle it?

I think I’ll start by calling my local registration office at city hall. I’ll let you know how it works out.

So light up that joint ( You can make the hard choice and be really mellow about it)img-2883717-1-marijuana

and

Remember…Vote Early, Vote Often!

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Bad Blogger

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Yep, that’s me. I’m a bad blogger. Is there a bad blogger award? I certainly would have earned it!

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I should be making the effort and commitment to post regularly. That’s what all the “how to blog” books and posts say and I used to do it too. But then I started working full time. Well I always worked full time. It’s just that some of my work didn’t keep me busy all day. Not true of where I work now.

When I first started this job it was seasonal. I’d work 10-12 hour days for 3-5 months then things would slow down but things are changing in my work day world. The work load is being redistributed so that we’re busy all the time. My work load is a 12 hour day but there is no overtime so it’s crammed into 8 hours.

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That means it is non stop go! go! go!  all day. Plus I have to work from the  office so I’ve added a commute to my daily duties. By the time I get home my poor brain is mush and the thought of facing a computer is overwhelming. I become a couch potato. I can’t even stay awake to watch mindless TV!

Well, a vacation is coming and boy do I need it. But that also should give me time to find interesting things to share with you.

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I feel a stirring of excitement to get back to the printed page, the blank screen and put something there.

Soon, very soon!

Best of Intentions

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With the laundry done on Saturday I had no excuse not to get out on Sunday and do something interesting to tell you about. But when I woke up it was dark and it was raining…hard.  It was a perfect day for sleeping in and my bed felt so warm and comfy. As I’ve gotten older comfy has become very important to me. Even so, Rocky wasn’t going to be patient forever. He wanted his breakfast so began poking me in the face with his paw and walking all over me. Might as well get up.

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I was thinking about making the drive to Vermont today. It’s quite a long haul from where I live but the news was going on about the beautiful colors this year. I’m not much of a leaf peeper but still I thought a dreary day might be good for photographing the foliage and maybe the rain would keep the fair weather tourists away.

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I wasn’t thrilled with my plan but I was determined to have something interesting to write about so off I went, camera and rain gear in hand. By the time I had topped off the gas tank and made it to the highway it was almost 9 am. I should be in Stow Vt around 1 pm. The most direct route was to take Rt 93 which goes through Boston. Since it was a Sunday and raining I gambled that the expressway would be clear and not its normal bumper to bumper nightmare.

I lucked out. The traffic was moving at about 40-45 MPH. Pretty good for that stretch of highway but the rain was getting worse the farther north I traveled. By 10:30 I was just getting to the Rt 95 Split just north of Stoneham and already my shoulders were tight. It had taken me 90 minutes to go 60 miles. At this rate I wouldn’t get to Stowe until closer to 3 pm, not 1 pm and I’d be looking a a return drive in the rain and dark. As the Rt 95 split approached my car seemed to develop a mind of its own and I was off 93 heading south on 95.

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It took another hour plus to get back to Taunton. The rain had settled in for an all day drizzle and we need it but I was done running around in it. I made a quick grocery run and headed inside for the rest of the day. Still no big stories to share.

Time to put on the Pat’s game and welcome Tom Brady back to the field.

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Better luck next weekend!