Wild Ride

Heading out with the outrigger canoes last week our steersman asked if we wanted to go south with the group or head north and surf the waves. The stroker yelled 'let's surf' so off we went up to the surf spot. I had heard and seen others teams talking about and trying to ride the waves and I was looking forward to the excitement. After paddling about a mile we found our surf spot and tried catching a good wave. As we caught our first wave we paddled as hard as we could and rode it a bit, then paddled back to look for more. Next wave didn't take us far. Then....steersman, Robert, yelled 'hit it' and off we went paddling hard until we were going so fast that I couldn't even paddle anymore! Steersman was yelling at #4 to lay down on the ama and since I was #2(in case names are forgotten the steersman calls out the number seat we are in)and couldn't paddle because of the speed I also leaned down on the 'ioku as we sped along. What a fun wild ride! People onshore were watching us and taking pictures. I guess thats because we were yelling and laughing so much. That was my first wild ride out there and the rest of the paddlers said that was the best wave they had ever caught. 3 of the crew were seasoned paddlers so I guess I was just lucky. Tomorrow I go again and can only wish for another great wild ride.

Cherry pickin' time

Been wanting to blog lots lately. I get thinking about it and then I can't decide how to say it all in less words. So this could be long. It's supposed to be 210 days from a blossom till the coffee cherries are ready to pick. But which blossom? Sometimes you get 10 blossoms a season. Usually though only a couple are really big, but we haven't figured out if all the cherry from that blossom ripen all at once or what. You pick a tree many times going over and over it for several weeks and even a month or two. So needless to say we are still picking. Well I have to admit, not me. We have pickers and Ron picks a bunch himself. I kinda just take care of the roasting, packaging. I help some with the pulping and raking, though. And today I did two things. I made a lilikoi reduction to go with the fish we had for dinner and this morning I stood on my head at yoga class. I was so excited with that. I don't think I have ever done that before in my life. While the teacher was explaining I was on my hands and knees saying,'ya right'. Then decided what have I got to loose? I only held it for a few seconds but it was just the thing my back and hips needed. Everything seemed to realign in my body. Hope I can do that again soon!
We don't always work on the farm, although there really is a lot to do this time of the year. But, last week and then the week before was went with friends and did evening sunset cruises with pupus(Hawaiian for finger foods/snacks/appetizers)and cash bar. Slow tourist season, I guess, and good kamaiana(locals)rates. It's beautiful to be out on the ocean anytime of day and especially when you can get a lovely sunset. Even if you can't the views are spectacular. This morning there had been a full moon and from our lanai it just looked so peaceful glistening on the ocean with small little clouds sprinkled around it. A picture you can't really take, you just have to remember it!! Well this could be longer but I am freezing setting here in my tank top. I really cools off some evenings with a breeze coming down from the mountain and makes it nice for sleeping. It's always nice for sleeping but we just have to pull the covers up tonight.