Re-enlistment and swimming with sharks

Jenny and I were honored to attend the re-enlistment ceremony for one of Gracie's soldiers. The soldier re-enlisting can choose the locale. This solder chose sunrise on the North Shore.

We all went to Hali'ewa for breakfast after the ceremony. From there Gracie, Jenny and I went to Turtle Beach to look for sea turtles. None there but we went to Hali'ewa Bay and saw several sea turtles near the beach.

Today's' big adventure was swimming with sharks. There was a boat ride to about 3 miles off shore where the boat moored to a flotation buoy. The shark cage was brought to the boat. The group was divided into 3 groups of about six. We were the second group.

There were Galapagos and Sandbar sharks and they do swim very close to the cage. Honestly I was doing pretty good with the sea swells until getting bashed around the shark cage. I got sick in the water and then really sick once back in the boat.

It was still a good adventure though we all decided it was not thrilling.

Hanauma Bay snorkeling

Wednesday Gracie, Jenny and I went to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling and people watching. I had been here before and didn't think the snorkeling was so great. This time was different.

We say lots of fish. Lots of large fish. A big school of Convicts (fish with stripes). The big siting was of a large sea turtle.

We also had fun watching all the different people and making up stories about them.

Wednesday night we met up with Julia, Todd, and the girls, Kaila and Megan for dinner at Alan Wong's. I gave the girls the Weiner dog pajama holders that their great-great-grandmother Alta had made for John, Spade and I. The girls really like them.

Hawaii hiking the Maunawili Falls

Gracie, Jenny and I made the hike to Maunawili Falls today. Talk about muddy! Crazy mud. Crazy rocks. Crazy roots. But also beautiful views. Amazing trees, ferns and vines. At the end of the trail is a beautiful waterfall.  Actually two. And we were crazy enough to jump off into the deep pool of water below.

Gracie posing at the top of the largest falls.

Getting ready to jump.

Jumping.

Jenny in mid-air.

Our muddy shoes at the end.

A good day to leave for Hawaii vacation

We got another round of snow over the weekend and now this morning is another way below zero days with the forecast for the rest of the week not much better.

Double Stop

My former neighbor Charlie Dolph, son of Sari and Mather, performed with his music partner Ethan Philion at the Butter Bakery Cafe.

Rose, Andy, Michele, Amy, Jennifer, Loretta and Bunny were there to support and enjoy these great performers. Check them out at http://www.doublestop.net.

Here we go again

Forecast is for quick.and very short warm up tomorrow with snow then back to the deep freeze.

This year's birthday event

This year's birthday event was at Sea Life at the Mall Of America.

We got 4+ inches of snow overnight. The temperature is not too bad in the mid teens. So this Year's birthday gathering at the Sea Life aquarium where it turns out you can snorkel with in the tropical fish tank, was a fantastic idea.

I got twelve friends to snorkel and another eight to observe. Everyone got to be part of the behind the scenes tour of the aquarium. We had great guides. The entire thing was such a wonder-filled experience.

cow fish- he's name is Peekachoo and very friendly

fish food fish

Humuhumunukunukuapua`a - state fish Hawaii

one of the many rays that fly right by you

Our snorkel assistant and tour guide Josh.

getting our souvenir photo taken

Kathy Just though the tube.

DFW to MSP -- old times

For those of you that have been following my blog you know I traveled back and forth from Minneapolis to Dallas for several years.  I flew American Airlines all that time and got to recognize and be recognized by a few of the Minneapolis-based flight attendants. I also accumulated a lot of miles and reach Executive Platinum status which got me to first class nearly every flight.

Last night I flew that same route from DFW to MSP and one of the flight attendants was a "regular" that I remembered. And she remembered me! And remembered my fondness for red wine. Her name is Kathy and we had a nice chat as she was sitting in the jump seat right next to me in the back of the plane.

Kathy was always the lead flight attendant and therefore worked first class. I no longer have status on American so was sitting way in the back. For some reason Kathy was working the regular cabin and not first class. We got caught up on both of our work "stories" and discussed the American - US Airways merger.

What a treat to feel "at home" on my trip home.

Amarillo, TX (business trip)

First steps out of Amarillo airport and what do I see? Tumbleweeds. Fantastic.

 

The view from the 29th floor of the office tower.  You can see pretty much forever out here in the Texas panhandle. 

 

Had dinner at Hoffbrau Steakhouse next to my hotel. Family owned. The food and service were great. Turned out we had a team dinner here the next night so I know I picked right.

 

Found Route 66 Historic District and had dinner at Cowboy Gelato. Real good burger and the Cinnamon Mexican vanilla bean gelato was very tasty.

Spider pushups

I don't know if the link below will work if you aren't on Facebook. It is video of me doing spider pushups. I bit of bragging but hey, I'm almost 55.

Spider pushups

Another deep freeze day

Another sub-zero morning. It did get above zero yesterday afternoon...3 I believe. It is supposed to be about the same today. Then the forecast is for warming temperatures.

Deep freeze day 3

Not as cold this morning and not windy. Originally the forecast was for temps to remain below zero but now there are hints that it might make it to zero or above.
Heading downtown to the office today regardless.

Deep freeze day 2

My home weather station even recorded a -16. I haven't seen it that low right here in the middle of Uptown.

Day 1 of the deep freeze