wildwahinepaddler

That south swell that has been predicted is slowly making its way to our beach.  The morning was perfect with glassy conditions and only some scattered clouds, some draped over Haleakala.  They did burn some cane this morning and it made me sneeze, but it rapidly blew out to sea.  It was perfect paddling down to Kam III, which is where I encountered some sets of swells coming in.  As a precaution, I decided to stop there and not go all the way down to the boat ramp because the swells were crashing onto the rocks.  I only saw one big turtle outside of Kam II,  but it didn’t stay long.  The water is kicked up and not clear again due to the  swell,  so swimming wasn’t  as enjoyable, but I was grateful for being able to swim.  It’s always good to get into the water!

Still a gorgeous morning!!

It was a gorgeous morning today with partially sunny skies and glassy ocean conditions.  It was a real joy to paddle this morning and rejoin  the serene ocean world.  It gives me a sense of being able to leave the land world behind for a time and just be one with the ocean.  I paddled down to the boat ramp and could see the coral, rocks, and reef below the crystal clear water.  I didn’t see any sea creatures on my paddle, but while on my swim I saw a couple of crabs walking on the ocean floor!  Then three Goat fish swam over and began to harass the crabs.  The crabs were noticeably annoyed and tried to get away from them!  I floated on top of the water for a while just watching their dance.  First the crabs tried to run away from the fish, and when that failed, they dug down into the sand and disappeared.  It is so fun to watch the ocean creatures carrying on with their lives! When I got back to shore,  a couple of people at the beach told me a south swell was coming so I wonder what that might bring?  I guess I will find out tomorrow.

It was great to get back on the water today.  The day was mostly overcast, with some rolling swells coming from the north.  I enjoyed riding the swells down to the boat ramp.  I didn’t see any sea creatures while I was paddling, but I did get chased by a big, black, carpenter bee!  I couldn’t tell where it went and worried it might be on my back, so while I was trying to brush myself off, I pulled my bathing suit bottom down!  I hope no one was watching!  Paddling back was more of a challenge since I had to paddle against the swell and over them.  During my swim, I saw quite a few fish, and I was even feeling a bit feisty so I chased a “Humuhumu”  fish!  It was so funny watching it zipping around trying to lose me.  It was a very nice Fathers Day for sure.

Sorry I have been MIA for the last couple of days.  Our daughter had her baby Friday night and we were at the hospital until the wee hours of the morning.  Baby Forrest arrived at 10:34 p.m., weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 21.5 inches long!  After 13.5 hours of labor and almost being born, an emergency C Section was necessary when the babies heart rate dropped and he was in distress.  It was very scary, but Mom did great and her husband was with her every step of the way.  She is recovering in the hospital and all are doing just  fine.  Looking at the baby, so new and precious, gives you a fresh appreciation of the miracle of life!  We are thrilled to be Grandparents!

Welcome to the world Baby Forrest!!!

After yesterdays roaring winds, today was totally calm.  What a difference one day can make!  A beautiful day with a sky dotted with puffy and wispy clouds, and the island of Kahoolawe and Molokini in clear view.  Paddling down to the boat ramp, I came across my first turtle just outside of Kam III.  It floated on the surface for a few minutes, and then dove down.  At the boat ramp I found myself in between four turtles, two on one side of me and two on the other!  Only two of the turtles were feeling friendly and we were having such a nice visit, until two jet skiis pulling people on inflatables came roaring by.  All the turtles dove down and disappeared.  Paddling back was peaceful, though, so I was able to do some ocean meditation.  That really helps me get centered.  On my swim, I saw quite a bit of activity down by the rocks  and coral.  About twenty or so Trumpet fish were congregating for some reason, and I saw rainbow fish, “Humhumu” fish, and an assortment of other tropical fish all fluttering about!  It was a great day at the beach!

You wouldn’t know it by looking at this beautiful photo of Kam I, but it got crazy windy out there today!  Fifteen minutes into my morning paddle, in roared a North wind, and took everyone by surprise.  It was wild!  Luckily I was headed in the other direction, so I knew I could ride the wind for a while, so I stuck it out to get in my hour paddle workout.  I made it down past Kam II and then decided not to push my luck, so I turned around.  Before I knew it, the wind changed directions and it was at my back again!  By this time, though, the conditions had gotten very rough with major chop and white caps.  I decided to get down on my board so I could paddle deeper and move a little faster.  I made it down as far as Charley Young Beach and ran into a paddling friend.  We both laughed at ourselves out there in the chop and headed back towards Kam I.  Finally the wind backed off some and we were able to stand up on our boards.  No looking for sea life today…. My only concentration was focused on staying on my board!  I told my friend that I call these kinds of days, “Disneyland ride”  days  since that is what it feels like.  It is good to have a day like this once in a while because it makes you really practice your skills of balance and technique and you are reminded of how unpredictable the ocean can be!

There must be something brewing out at sea.  The swells were not as big as yesterday, but they were still out there.  Gorgeous day today though, and paddling was very enjoyable!  I paddled down to the boat ramp and saw my first turtle just outside of Kam III.  It was quite friendly and hung out with me for a few minutes.  At the boat ramp I came across two more turtles.  One of them was not interested in my company and the other one was friendly! I was having a great time hanging out with it until a Dive boat came roaring into the boat ramp and ended our visit.  Oh well, I paddled out to the quiet zone and paddled that route all the way back.  At least it was more serene out there, with all the boats and jet skis far enough away from me!  I know the ocean is to be shared, but I don’t understand why people are sometimes not mutually considerate out there.

When I got to the beach today, a paddling friend told me the ocean was weird.  I didn’t see any stormy conditions, no shore break, and the day was beautiful.  The only thing I noticed was that the swells that were present yesterday, were present today too, only they were bigger.  I had no problem getting out and proceeded as usual.  As I approached Cove park, it seemed like the swells were even bigger there!  And people were paddle surfing.  As I headed back towards Kam II, I paddled over several sizeable swells!  A little further, and the same thing happened.  Another paddler who passed me commented that it was “strange” out there.  I started to listen to my inner voice, and pay attention to my intuition, and I concluded that I was not feeling comfortable, so I came in.  Thirty minutes later I was chatting with a friend, and looked out at the ocean.  It had totally changed in the last thirty minutes!  The ocean had calmed and even the swells were not as big, so I grabbed my board and headed out a second time.  I only had half an hour left to paddle since by this time, the sun was getting intense, so I made the best of it!  I paddled hard for thirty minutes and when I came in, I went for my swim and the ocean was still nice.  By the time I had showered and dried off, in came the wind, and the ocean became a swirling sea of white caps!  Mother Ocean is to be respected, and I have no problem with listening to my inner voice when it comes to being out there.

It was another beautiful day at the beach.  Sunny and a  slight breeze, with a bit of a swell.  I paddled down to the boat ramp and hung out for a while.  I saw four turtles, two were friendly and two split the scene when I approached them!  The water was clear again, but I didn’t take my mask and snorkel (maybe tomorrow!).  My paddle back was a nice combination of glassy conditions and a rolling swell…. just perfect!

We could not ask for a more perfect day here on Maui.  The sun is out with a slight breeze, with just a few puffy clouds hanging over Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.  The ocean conditions were smooth and glassy and the water is back to being clear.   Even the island of Lanai was fully visible today!  We are blessed for sure.  My paddle down to the boat ramp was so enjoyable.  I was able to look at the coral and fish from on top of my board since the water was crystal clear (tomorrow I will bring my mask and snorkel!).  It was very calm,  so I paddled out further than usual and observed two turtles floating on the surface.  Those guys were the only sea life I saw today, but I was grateful!  I needed to get back out on the ocean for some solace after a very depressing day yesterday of finding out my dog is in renal failure.  The Vet said there is nothing he can do for her since she is over 14 years old.  Why can’t our beloved pets live forever?