Oct 15, 2009 - Hawaii

That’s it.That’s it....

Oct 9, 2009 - Aloha

Hello to all.Hello to all....

Sep 21, 2009 - Going Back to Reality

Even though I was exhausted from the previous day, I still managed to work up the energy to get up and walk.Even though I was exhausted from the previous day, I still managed to work up the energy to get up and walk....

Sep 20, 2009 - Race Day

From Brynn Freeman’s Perspective (a Maui marathon finisher)… Kelli and I were awake (only slightly) at 2am to get ready to leave the hotel and make the AIDS marathon travel bus that parted at 3am. We met up with our friend, Ashley, before getting on the bus to Kahului. ... We drove 45 minutes to get to the starting line at the Queen Kaahumanu Center (aka the mall).From Brynn Freeman’s Perspective (a Maui marathon finisher)… Kelli and I were awake (only slightly) at 2am to get ready to leave the hotel and make the AIDS marathon travel bus that parted at 3am. We met up with our friend, Ashley, before getting on the bus to Kahului. ... We drove 45 minutes to get to the starting line at the Queen Kaahumanu Center (aka the mall)....

Sep 19, 2009 - Pre-Race Day

We woke up early to head to Kaanapali, the city full of resorts.We woke up early to head to Kaanapali, the city full of resorts....

Sep 18, 2009 - Adventures

I woke up early to catch a glimpse of the sunrise and Zach joined me shortly after. Daniel, Kayley, and Steve returned to Kihei while we ventured on down the road to Hana with Ben. ... On the way, we ate at a little place in Hana where Ben had fish soup (more like ramen noodles with seafood), Zach had potato salad and chicken katsu, and I had a banana smoothie and coffee. ... We visited the seven pools, but the water level was too high so we weren’t allowed to swim.I woke up early to catch a glimpse of the sunrise and Zach joined me shortly after. Daniel, Kayley, and Steve returned to Kihei while we ventured on down the road to Hana with Ben. ... On the way, we ate at a little place in Hana where Ben had fish soup (more like ramen noodles with seafood), Zach had potato salad and chicken katsu, and I had a banana smoothie and coffee. ... We visited the seven pools, but the water level was too high so we weren’t allowed to swim....

Sep 17, 2009 - Camping in Wainapanapa State Park

Zach started his morning early by running 6. Plus, I was attempting to save all of my energy and strength for the marathon! After the beach, we showered at Ben’s and prepped for our long-awaited camping trip at the Black Sand Beach in the Wainapanapa State Park, located just off the Hana highway in East Maui. ... We drove the long and winding Hana highway to the black sand beach, stopping along the way for views and snacks at a hippie hut selling a variety of toasted coconut and other snacks. ... We made it to the park at dusk, just in time to run down to the black sand beach and snap some evening photos.Zach started his morning early by running 6. Plus, I was attempting to save all of my energy and strength for the marathon! After the beach, we showered at Ben’s and prepped for our long-awaited camping trip at the Black Sand Beach in the Wainapanapa State Park, located just off the Hana highway in East Maui. ... We drove the long and winding Hana highway to the black sand beach, stopping along the way for views and snacks at a hippie hut selling a variety of toasted coconut and other snacks. ... We made it to the park at dusk, just in time to run down to the black sand beach and snap some evening photos....

Sep 16, 2009 - I could pee in my pants from excitement!

By 3:30 in the afternoon, after several hours of being on a plane, we were so excited to see the seatbelt light go out (signifying that we had arrived in Kahului and could get off the plane) that one of us began to squeal and bounce around in the chair, giving the neighbors on our flight a good laugh… We’ll let you guess who was responsible for that! Our dear friend and Maui resident, Ben, greeted us with leis! We began our Maui adventures as wanna-be locals. ... We ran errands with Ben, visiting Radioshack in the mall, the campground licensing office, and the post office.By 3:30 in the afternoon, after several hours of being on a plane, we were so excited to see the seatbelt light go out (signifying that we had arrived in Kahului and could get off the plane) that one of us began to squeal and bounce around in the chair, giving the neighbors on our flight a good laugh… We’ll let you guess who was responsible for that! Our dear friend and Maui resident, Ben, greeted us with leis! We began our Maui adventures as wanna-be locals. ... We ran errands with Ben, visiting Radioshack in the mall, the campground licensing office, and the post office....

Jul 25, 2009 - Final Thoughts

My first blog was written from Oahu in 2004, which was a painfully slow and frustrating experience.My first blog was written from Oahu in 2004, which was a painfully slow and frustrating experience....

Jul 25, 2009 - Hanakai

This was transition day. After coughing up the $200 per person to Hawaiian in penalties for changing our return flight date, we had to move out of the Bamboo Inn and into the Hanakai, which was not so bad since the Hanakai was next door. ... in Paia on our way back to Hana. ...

Jul 13, 2009 - Bill and Don's Excellent Adventure

After my thrilling power hang gliding flight with the 'Arminator', Donald decided to take a tour in Bill Stevens' powered glider (that's a glider with a single-prop motor; not exactly an airplane, but not a glider, either) Actually, Bill was talking up Donald for a ride while Armin was telling me his story (at 4,000 feet) of how he lost engine power during one of his flights.After my thrilling power hang gliding flight with the 'Arminator', Donald decided to take a tour in Bill Stevens' powered glider (that's a glider with a single-prop motor; not exactly an airplane, but not a glider, either) Actually, Bill was talking up Donald for a ride while Armin was telling me his story (at 4,000 feet) of how he lost engine power during one of his flights....

Jul 13, 2009 - Armin Engert and his Amazing Flying Machine

The powered hang-glider tour offered by Maui Hang Gliding was the most amazing experience and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Maui. Armin Engert and I ascended to 4,000 feet above Hana in his flying contraption, at which point he shut off the motor and we glided all the way back down. ... It was an incredible feeling soaring above Hana with nothing between me and the views except a tiny metal hull, which seemed perhaps a little too cozy at times. ... I even got to take control of the machine for a bit in the beginning, which was actually quite exhausting, not physically but mentally, and took away from the enjoyment of the flight somewhat.The powered hang-glider tour offered by Maui Hang Gliding was the most amazing experience and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Maui. Armin Engert and I ascended to 4,000 feet above Hana in his flying contraption, at which point he shut off the motor and we glided all the way back down. ... It was an incredible feeling soaring above Hana with nothing between me and the views except a tiny metal hull, which seemed perhaps a little too cozy at times. ... I even got to take control of the machine for a bit in the beginning, which was actually quite exhausting, not physically but mentally, and took away from the enjoyment of the flight somewhat....