Paddling the school canoe...ooh, you better believe that's a paddling.

So also about a month ½ ago I wanted to try canoe paddling. They have paddling clubs all over the island and groups go out every day. So 1, it looked like a lot of fun, 2, it’s social, 3, it’s great exercise, and 4, it gets you out of the house and enjoying nature every day. As it turns out there’s a club that meets right at the bottom of our hill here. So one morning Steve and I checked it out. And it was everything we thought it would be. Soon after we tried it, tho, Steve got a job working on a snorkel boat and he couldn’t paddle mornings. I, on the other hand, have time just about every morning to go. So I wrote my check for membership and even bought me my very own paddle. (I'll have to post a pic of my paddle some time - i have to say it's beautiful. Practically a work of art.)

The first time I went someone was saying to me that racing season had started and the coach may need an extra guy to paddle for him. So the next time the racers met I woke up at 4:30am and met them at the beach at 5am. Then we proceeded to paddle ½ mile sprints over and over and over. Holy crap, I was so in over my head. So I politely bowed out this racing season, but I’m really looking forward to racing next year. Should be cool stuff.

Here’s a view of us paddling out in Maalaea with West Maui mountain in the background,

and here’s a picture of Haleakala from the water.

A lot of times we paddle out to a reef where the turtles hang out and we swim around with them. And apparently when the whales are in season it’s truly amazing to be out with them.

Anyway, in other news, I'm off to camp on the big island for the week with Steve. When we had first booked the trip I stumbled on news that they were filming the new Indiana Jones movie on the Big Island right when we would be there. I can't tell you how excited Steve was to possibly get a glimpse of Harrison Ford or to have a chance to be an extra in the movie. Unfortunately, they moved their schedule up and I just read about the wrapping-up party they had in Hilo 2 weeks ago. So close.