Local flavor

There isn't anything truly special about this photo, it just captures a little of the local flavor in Lahaina at one of the small public boat ramps. For some reason though, it reminds me of my teenage years when I wanted to be a surfer chick, wanting to just hang on the beach like a local. I took the surfer-chick-thing so far as to buy a surfboard during college (I did actually surf in Galveston from time to time, by the way).

Come to think of it, I've wanted to be a lot of different things over the years, from one extreme to the other even. The other night dad and I were recalling how I wanted to be just like Tommy Moe (the famous 1994 Olympic alpine skiier). I remember telling dad, likely around the Winter Olympics, that I wanted to be a professional snow skiier and he said something to the effect of, "well it's going to be hard for you to practice here in Texas." Classic dad, I love it.

Well, I'm not a local surfer or a professional mountain shredder - these days just trying to become an architect and taking photos like this.

p.s. Happy Birthday, Andrea. Remember when we went to that shop and I bought the surfboard in Galveston on our mini-vacation? I don't think we even surfed it that trip.

Coastal opposite

I have a few more Hawaii photos to post, but I wanted to share this Taiwan photo with you. The coast of Taiwan is a tad different from the coast of Hawaii. But, beautiful still.

Ukulele dreaming

Turns out I have an obsession with ukuleles too, not just guitars. While in Hawaii I had my eyes on a real ukulele at this shop. I talked about it all week long, likely driving my family crazy with my dreams of becoming a ukulele player. I joked that not everybody plays the ukulele and I could become a phenomenon.

The ukulele is unique and you certainly don't hear it every day. Except in the current number one song in America, "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. Atleast I'm pretty sure it's a ukulele. You ought to listen to this song too, it'll make you smile.

I never got the ukulele, which is okay, because I have the story and this photo instead. Maybe one day I'll go for my ukulele dream, but for now I'll just air-ukulele to Train's new song.

More pano for your money

Due to some harassement for "not posting enough" I am going to post more than one photo on this post. In fact, I've posted six panoramic photographs I've taken over the last couple years. Recently, I've found myself taking panoram photos while traveling. It's a great way to remember the wonderfulness of a place. So here you go, enjoy!



Big Bend National Park near the Chisos Basin looking to Mexico, 2009


Big Bend National Park on the Meadow Trail, 2009


Chicago on Lake Michigan, 2009


Northern Taiwan coast near Taipei, 2010


Looking towards Maui island, 2010


Sunset towards Lanai and Molokai islands, 2010

These are each about 30-40" long when printed. Maybe one day I'll have them printed and mounted.

The last resort

There is a small church in Lahaina, Maui with this sign atop its roof. And, if you listen close to the Eagles song "The Last Resort" you'll hear them sing about it. This song is beauitful, and it is at the top of my favorite songs list, right up there with a couple James Taylor songs. I suggest you listen to it if you don't know it, it's one of those that will find its way into you (I've posted it below).

The lyrics about the church go like this:
"We could leave it all behind, and sail to Lahaina,
Just like the missionaries did, so many years ago,
They even brought a neon sign that said Jesus is coming"

This song has several strong messages. But, the one that really speaks to me is how they sing about paradise here and paradise up there, aludding to heaven as the last resort - the ultimate place to be.

As long as I've been enamored with this song I've been enamored with this church's sign - in fact, I think mom and dad introduced us to this song while driving to Lahaina and past the church during one of our first trips to Maui. It was a thrill to see it again this time around - especially so close to the beginning of Lent.

He's coming soon.

Sets in the west

It takes a lot of discipline to not take a photo of a sunset, and really, why try? The sunsets and colors have been outstanding as are the drinks we've enjoyed while watching them. This is across the channel to the island of Lanai.

Somewhere over the rainbow

The rainbows in Hawaii are, without a doubt, stunning. They pop up when the misty rain from the mountains comes along. And, unlike what I'm used to, they stick around for awhile. This particular rainbow was visible for over an hour it seemed. It's been quite relaxing here in Hawaii, especially when I consider the weather back home. I have a handful more photos to share from the trip so stay tuned.