Maui

Meg and I just returned from almost 2 weeks in Hawaii - 3 days on Oahu and 9 days on Maui.  It was a nice pleasant surprise to come home and shovel the foot-and-a-half of snow that was in my driveway.  But the 80 degree temps and sunshine was a nice break from the sub-zero temps that Alaska has to offer this time of year.

Above is our local hangout - the Grotto Bar at the Grand Wailea.  We would start our day with a Bloody Mary....at 10:00 am (my Dad's is still the best)!  The hotel was quite grande, we didn't leave the pool area for 3 days to do anything responsible.  Riding the "rapids" with the kids was pretty darn fun!  Packraft not required.

And of course you have to take advantage of the only water elevator in the world, right?!

Speaking of kids, I watched these two teenagers do back flips off the rope swing.  I just couldn't quite get it.  I think the gymnast in the group could have nailed the landing like Kerri Strug.

Every Sunday, locals gather at Little Beach for the fire dance.  The scene was something i've witnessed in Girdwood - good tunes, good vibes, very little clothing and ummmm good herbs.

I would return with friends (and my clothes) three days later for some boogie boarding.  Something I haven't done in nearly 15 years.  The last time being in the Atlantic Ocean near Fenwick Island, Delaware. "If in doubt, paddle out!"

Yours truly shootin' the curl.  "Eddie would go".

We also had to see what SUP...Stand Up Paddle boarding that is.  Meg rocked it.

Excellent friends Marisa & Aaron surprised us with a sunset whale watch cruise on the Hula Girl sailing vessel.  The Doc enjoys the sun while double fisting (ok, my Brunette is holding the Bikini Blonde).

The Humpback Whales gave us some good views of the spouts, breaching and tail slaps.  We hope to see them this summer in PWS.

Certainly the highlight of the trip, and filling up the adrenaline tank, we took a 5-zipline tour with Kapalua Adventures.  I highly recommend this trip, and guides David and Grant were top notch....referring to us Alaskans as the "Other" Hawaiians.

After the tour we had to head to the airport, but by way of the north shore.  We stopped at the Nakalele Blowhole for some pics on a beautiful (and hot) afternoon.

The end of the rainbow doesn't always hold a pot of gold.  Some d-bag fell into the blowhole this past summer.  That's a good way to remove yourself from the gene pool.

Maui is home to the best sunsets when viewed from the western shore.  I was searching for the infamous "green flash" - not sure if I found it in the Longboard Lager or the Bikini Blonde.