Searching For “Jaws”

Posted on November 13, 2016November 13, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Heading back down the mountain was even more of a trip than going up. Now I could see more of what Sandy had been watching.

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The weather was even more diverse as the fog and rain had rolled in . The summit and higher elevations was sunny and bright but as we come down the mountain the fog was like soup and then the rain really began to fall.

We stopped at several overlooks but nothing compared to the view at the 2nd Visitor center.

Finally, back at the bottom, I checked the gas again and it had miraculously returned to the 1/2 tank level. Even so we found a gas station quick and topped off the tank.

Now it was back on the road to Paia.

Just outside Paia we hit the traffic. Its just a little 2 lane road and it was stop and go with the emphasis on stop. We were looking for Mama’s Fish House. Once we finally got through town we spotted it on the left. The surf was clearly visible and raging as we pulled into the parking area. As we were waiting in the line of traffic a Hawaiian Santa strolled past, white beard and all. His photographer on his heals. Clearly they had been doing a photo shoot for something. We couldn’t resist. Sandy rolled down the window and greeted the jolly old elf.

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A valet stopped us before we could find a place to park. Too bad for us, there was no room at the Inn. The valet informed us that the restaurant was closed to anyone without a reservation. He recommended we try “Colleen’s” so off we went in search of lunch. Next time we’ll make sure we have reservations.

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Colleen’s wasn’t on the water and wasn’t on the main road. It looks bigger from the outside than it is but the food was excellent and the staff were fun and knowledgeable about the area. According to the waitress the top surfing area in Maui is “Jaws” and suggested we shake off the disappointment of Mama’s Fish House and go looking for that. She said it was a side road just a little farther along the main road.

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So that is exactly what we did. Unfortunately we didn’t find it. We ended up going way too far and apparently hit the upper end of the road to Hana, narrow, twisting with one car bridges all in the pouring rain. The search was an adventure in itself but finally we called it an afternoon and headed back to Ka’anapali. We’ll have to did deeper into “Jaws” another time.

In The Morning Light

Posted on November 8, 2016November 8, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Maui is beautiful.

Ka’anapali Shores is beautiful.

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I got a good nights sleep. Woke up at 6:30 am Maui Time, that would be like 11:30 am east coast time. At first I couldn’t understand why I was seeing my co-worker’s text. Then I realized it was Monday and I was waking up in Paradise.

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To prove it I stepped out on our balcony to check out our “ocean view”.

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Our alarm clock was the best kind. The natural kind.

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The birds.

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!

Lighthouses, Eagles and a Seal , Oh My!

Posted on July 31, 2016July 31, 2016 by Dusty Roads

As we headed out of the harbor into the Bay of Fundy we passed the first lighthouse.

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The 2nd one would be on Machias Seal Island. Both Canada and the United States claim sovereignty. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to staff a lighthouse on the island.

Machias Seal Island

The whole Island is considered a bird sanctuary so boardwalks have been constructed for the humans to walk on to avoid stepping on nests or baby birds.

On the way out of the harbor we spotted a pair of bald eagles.

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It gives me a thrill to see so many of these magnificent birds. It was hard to get a picture as the Barbara Frost was starting to pitch a bit as she picked up speed.

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We didn’t see any whales.

It was about an hour trip and it felt like it. It was cold even when we huddled near the cabin. Hard to believe that it was 90 + in Boston!

Our first indication that we were nearing the island was a raft of small black and white birds.

A raft of Razorbills

They are called Razorbills and also nest on the island with the Puffins. Right after the razorbills came in sight a puffin flew across our stern. These bird make me think of bumblebees. They have such round little bodies and stubby wings. Its hard to believe they can fly at all!

Bumblebee of the Bird World

Right after that we spotted the lighthouse.

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We were surprised to see some gannets mixed in with the razorbills on the rocks but the biggest surprise of our approach was the stranded seal!

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I mentioned the huge tides in a previous post. Well apparently this guy hauled out at high tide and forgot to leave when the tide receded.

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Now we watched in fascination and horror as he slowly (and painfully) worked his way down the rocks. He landed face first more than once. I mean, that’s got to hurt!

Still Going

Determination

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He was almost to the bottom when we got the go ahead to land from the coast guard and had to miss his big splash. It was time for us to start part 2 of our big Puffin Adventure.

Can Spring Be Far Behind?

Posted on March 5, 2016March 5, 2016 by Dusty Roads

Last weekend I was up in the Revere/ Winthrop area for work. It was a beautiful day, bright and sunny with blue skies. It was the kind of day that hinted at the promise of spring. You could almost hear the buds popping out!

I was in the area to get an exterior photo of a home we’re about to put on the market.

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We wanted blue skies. With that mission accomplished I decided to go to Revere Beach to get a roast beef sandwich from Kelly’s.

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There was quite a wind off the ocean so I ended up eating my sandwich in the car instead of at one of the tables but the wind provided it’s own entertainment.

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