The skies were gray this morning, and it had just started to sprinkle when I went down to the beach.  It was still so dark out that the “dusk to dawn” lights at the lifeguard tower were still on.  The ocean was so glassy, though, so I just had to go out!  Today I left all my beach stuff in my car because I just wasn’t sure about the weather.  There is nothing worse than having to put a bunch of wet beach stuff in your car and then having to drag it all out at home so it can dry!  By the time I got out in the water, it was raining again and the ocean was so dark.  The sky to the north and west was really stormy looking with a slight breeze starting to blow from the north.  I paddled down to Cove Park and turned around.  Paddling in the rain was pretty fun!  Then I paddled south and when I got to Kam III, I decided to turn around.  The day was getting darker and darker as the stormy skies moved in, and I didn’t want to push my luck.  On the way back I saw two whales out in the distance splashing. They were out past where I usually paddle, but the ocean was so calm and glassy that I was tempted to paddle out farther.  My better judgement prevailed, though,  and I just watched the whales from where I was!  By the time I came in, the rain had stopped, but the skies were still looking pretty stormy.  I washed my board off and tied in on my car, and then I grabbed my snorkeling gear and headed out to get my swim in.  The water was so clear, but without the sun, it was darker than usual, so I didn’t hang out too long.  When I left the beach, the rain had started up again, so I headed home for a soak in my hot tub!  The warm water felt so good.  I was very glad I went out, though, because  it is raining like crazy right now and who knows what tomorrow will bring?  Maybe more stormy skies and rain, but that’s okay, we really can use the rain in Kihei.    Even in the rain, Maui is pretty special!