The morning started out quite nice with just a breeze blowing, and the conditions were good, so I took a chance and paddled down to the boat ramp.  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky over the top of Haleakala and the temperature was pleasant.  I had gotten an earlier start today so I was sure I would miss the tour boat.  Just as I paddled in to the boat ramp area, and big turtle surfaced to greet me and hung out for a few minutes!  Then it dove down and swam under my board for a little while.  It was so nice down at the boat ramp…..until it wasn’t!  Suddenly the wind roared in from the north and it was rough seas filled with white caps!  Oh great, all the way down at the boat ramp and now it was windy crazy.  I headed back, paddling like crazy, against the wind, moving very slowly despite my efforts!  It was slow going all the way and I was getting water dumped on me from the white caps breaking on me.  I was wondering if I might have to bail out at one of the other beaches, but I just kept paddling!  Finally I passed Kam III, then Kam II, and just when I had made it past the reefs and turned the corner to Kam I, the wind backed off!  Then it was really nice, but I wanted to come in because I was tired.  My right arm was feeling a bit tight after all that paddling against the wind!  The wind stayed out and I got to swim, but just as I was enjoying the reefs and fish, the wind came roaring in again.  Now I had to swim against the wind all the way back!  It sure was a work out day, but I am glad I got to visit with at least one turtle before the wind got crazy!  Who knows what it will be like tomorrow?