Healdsburg Half Marathon and WIne tasting on Bikes

California

Well we've been here in California a month now and feel as though we made the right choice of assignments. The spectacular fall weather we've had since landing hasn't hurt our opinion of the place either. We did find a house in Vacaville and will be closing in a few more weeks. Still camped out in billeting trying not to beat the cats to much.
The cycling here is first rate with so many options on quiet country roads. Yesterday we drove down to Larkspur to go on a ride with two other transplants from Hawaii, Habi and Scott. We did a 40 mile loop up and over Mt Tampalis above San Francisco. I thought there was a lot of cycling up our way but that area is truly cycling nirvana.

Cycling and WIne

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New House/ My shed

A visit from Tyson

My son came out for a visit last week before we pull chocks here. Since he only had a few days we packed a lot in. We caught some ahi on a deep sea fishing trip, surfed our stand up paddleboards, and visited the Lyon arboretum in Manoa.

Vacaville, Visit with the Kimseys

After the wedding we flew to California to do a little recon on the area we're going to be living in. We weren't successful in our efforts to buy a house while we were there but did get a good feel for the town and area we want to buy in. Before coming back to Oahu we stayed with our friends Scott and Debi outside San Francisco. It was nice seeing them again and we plan on getting together for some tri training when we get settled in Vacaville.

Angela and Ernest's Wedding

Yesterday at Waimea a pod of spinner dolphins came by for an hour or so. I swam out to get a better look and was swimming with 20 or so. You can always hear them underwater long before you see them because their chirps and whistles carry so far underwater.


Our Niece Isabelle has been out visiting us the last week. Her and I have been exploring the ocean as much as possible. Starting to feel a little waterlogged.

My new hobby. Underwater rock sculpture

Perfect activity for me. Very little thought involved and constant oxygen deprivation.

Busy July Fourth so far

Last Wednesday I met my buddy Elisa for our weekly dawn patrol of Hickam harbor. Conditions were perfect and we caught some nice waves for an hour or so.

Thursday was my last day of work at the HPARC. I decided to cut my time there short so I wouldn't have to hurry up and get off the water every morning before work. Now I can just stay out and surf until my arms fall off.
Friday Marianne and I bought some cheap fishing gear and went fishing out of the kayaks with Steve and Marie. It was fun and we both hooked up something big that we never got to the boat. Whatever Steve hooked into drug out all his line and smoked his reel before he lost it. I did land a baby hammerhead shark but I wanted to catch dinner.

Sunday I drove out to Kaena point for a ten mile HURT trail run. After eating popcorn and wine for dinner Friday I didn't expect much but I ran a great race and placed 6th or 7th. I like races that you can just walk up, pay ten bucks and are told that the finish line is to "touch this big rock right here" From there I drove directly over to Sunset beach for the Dahui paddleboard race at 11 oclock. Still haven't figured out how to go fast on my board but had a great experience. It looked like a floating circus when we got into Waimea. Marianne rode her bike down from the house and met me there. It was nice seeing all the different boards like this one made from old 2 liter soda bottles and this other wooden handmade beauty.