Heading to Maui

Day 1 – Saturday November 3


What a long, long day. We got on the 11 am ferry after some frustrations with the ferry reservation system, and that part of the trip was fine. Sprout enjoyed the ability to stretch his legs. Then it was off to the airport and onto the plane. Sprout did awesome on the plane despite the fact that he did not nap until the last hour and a half of the flight. By this time it was around 8:30 Victoria time. When we landed he woke up and sure was spacey.


The coolest thing about the flight was seeing a lightning storm beside us. It seemed quite far away (not far enough for Sox), and it was spectacular. The cloud would light up from within, flicker then go dark again. This repeated lots in the short time we could see it.

After gathering our luggage, we grabbed our rental car from National. Neither Sue nor I were in any sort of my to deal with the way too chipper sales dude who tried to upsell us on everything. Then there was some confusion on where the tether for our carseat went and none of the staff was helpful at all. The Chevy Uplander we rented didn’t have a tether point, and it was the biggest vehicle they had on the lot (necessary for four adults, one toddler, and all the associated luggage).

After getting that squared away we headed to the condo which turned out to be awesome. Three bedrooms, two of them loft style, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and enough supplies and activities to keep us all busy. Also, this condo is beach front. Wow, such an amazing view form our lanai (deck), but when we arrived it was pitch black so we couldn’t see the water at all, but we could certainly hear lots of waves.

Sox got Sprout settled and into bed (now 11:00 pm Victoria time), and my mom and I headed out to get some supplies for breakfast the next morning. The first direction I took was towards Lahaina, but I quickly realized we wouldn’t find much along the way. After getting myself turned around we headed towards Kihei, and found a convenience store chain called ABC Stores. Shopping was interesting. They had a lot of the same things that we would in our stores, but things are always just a little different than at home. Their potato chip selection was more limited than I was used to for one.Just little things that you take for granted at home.

That ended a very long and tiring day 1.

Yoshi Racers

This was my weekend for walking Yoshi. It wasn’t planned in any real sort, but I was the one who was doing the errands, and had the time for Yoshi.

Poor dog. He is definitely getting shafted when it comes to exercise.

Yesterday he and I ended up at Thetis. Bad day to go to Thetis. There was a running race on, so we had to park in the main lot with all the runners. It was mayhem. Thankfully the race didn’t start for a while, so that allowed Yoshi and I to get our walk in without having to dodge racers.

Today we headed to Colquitz Park. There were lots of other doggies there, and we had a great time. Yoshi ran around quite a bit, but a couple times I had to call him to get him to follow. Our dog walker has been having some problems with Yoshi doing this too. More on that at a later date.

Both walks were pretty good from my perspective, and I think Yoshi enjoyed them. He always romps around in the bush chasing things, and having fun. I love to see his tongue hanging out and the ears flapping around. I can tell he is having fun then.

Thetis pictures and Colquitz pictures are available.

Disassembled Game

Yesterday was a bit of a sad day. I disassembled our Foosball table, loaded it into my truck (with some help from a friend), and transported it elsewhere.

Sox and I don’t use it very much, and her office was thinking about getting one, sooo, we sold our table. Our sunroom looks very empty now, but c’est la vie.

The sad part for me is that I can’t remember the last game Sox and I played on it. It also means that there will be no February Foosball Frenzy. At least the table will get some use from now on though.

Special Lame

In the pile of crap mail I got yesterday there was something from Petro Canada. This one was an ad for me to call them and sign up for a special credit card that allows me to collect Petro Points faster. Alongside this was a special card that when used at the pump gives and additional 5¢ off per litre.

I’ve learned to read the fine print on everything. These special credit cards inevitably have a crappy interest rate and are never worth the time it takes to fill out the form. Additional savings on gas might be a good thing.

Until you read the fine print. The 5¢ off per litre was for the first 100 litres. Do the math, and that means saving $5.00. Woohoo. $5 is not worth my time on the phone filling out a credit application. Also, 100 litres doesn’t go far in my truck which has a 70 litre tank.

$5. Lame.

SPCA Situation

The SPCA is a cause I believe in, and support in many ways. Sox and I take part in the walkathon each year, we donate to them, and Sox used to volunteer with them and walk dogs once a week.

Last week I got a glimpse of why I support this organization.

I was driving home from a friends place, and it was dark. Along Boleskine I passed a dark shaggy figure that was on the side of the road. After passing it I realized it was a dog and it wasn’t moving. As I drove, I debated on what I should do.

I decided that I couldn’t live with myself if I drove home. After turning around I headed back to the scene, but as I pulled up I could see the dog was now sitting up. I also saw another car stopping, and the SPCA ambulance was also stopping.

At this point there were a few other people on the scene, and there really wasn’t anything I could offer, so I ended up going home.

I was left feeling pretty crappy about this. I always imagined what I would do in a situation like this, and in my thoughts I wouldn’t hesitate. And yet, there I was presented with such a situation, and I did hesitate. I feel bad for the dog, but he will get patched up. I still feel like crap over my hesitation though.

Now I just hope that if something similar happens again, I won’t even hesitate.

Coffee Flavor

Well, I think I have this coffee thing figured out now. The beans are still a little hit and miss, but with good beans, I can make the most delicious double shot Americano, or a delicious latte (as seen here).

The key I found, and sort of knew previously, is the tamping of the grounds. Once I got a tamper, the flavour really started to come out.

Beans play an important role too. So far Kicking Horse Coffee Cliff Hanger Espresso have been amazing. Fair trade, shade grown coffee from a BC company. This past week I have been using some been I grabbed in Maui. 10% Kona blend with Maui beans. Mmmm, fresh and tasty.

The last thing I’d like to change in my grinder. I have a burr grinder, but I’d like a better one that doesn’t get clogged up quite so often. And it must have a timer switch, not a button that I have to hold.

Romping Wagon

Got out for a nice walk in the park this morning with Sox, Sprout, Yoshi, and another family with their dog Duke. The dogs had a great time romping about, and the boys really enjoyed the wagon ride, the tunnel walk, and the snack on the way home.

The boys (both around the same age) are really good friends. It is so much fun to watch them play together and do things together. Both of them have incredible vocab, and it was really cute to see them each pointing out different parks of the park, or objects in the park.

The great thing about dog walking with boys this age is that they want to get out and walk. The boys get exercise, the dogs get exercise, and the parents get a relatively leisurely walk in the park. It allows us to relax and catch up with each other.

Mountain Rain

I was feeling like mountain biking this week, and after sending some email, I got a couple other people interested in going today too.

When I got up this morning, it wasn’t looking all that nice out. This was unfortunate, but since there were other people coming, and I really, needed some activity, I gathered my gear and headed out to the dump where it was raining pretty good.

Nobody showed :0 Not fair.

Since I was geared up, and already out there I decided to take a small spin and see how that went. I wasn’t looking forward to riding alone in the rain. Its not so bad if you have someone to talk to, but taking a break while getting soaked pretty much sucks.

I climbed a few hills, and passed a few other groups of riders out there. I mainly stuck to the lower trails to avoid anything too technical. I was wearing my armour, and my full face helmet, but I still wanted to avoid injury.

I stopped in a clearing right before a stream crossing, and contemplated what I was doing. I wasn’t having much fun, I wasn’t even remotely enjoying the ride, but I was getting exercise. I bailed on the next set of trails, and made my way back to the truck. I was a little disappointed, partly in myself.

I do need to get back into a regular exercise routine. That was pretty evident today.

I had some errands to run along the way home, and I grabbed some lunch along the way. Once home I realized I was disappointed, but I was still glad to have gotten out there.

Vacation Home

Welcome back to life.

We just got back from vacation yesterday morning, and I miss Maui already. I have some more posts on this later, but I just wanted to say this: I am so glad our flight was on Saturday night. It was tough to stay awake most of the night only to have to get on the 9am ferry to get home. I was feeling pretty gross, but upon hearing that this morning some of the ferry sailing were cancelled due to wind, I am glad it all worked out the way it did.

On that note, nice welcome home. A fine west coast storm. Cold biting wind, and heavy pounding rain. And Yoshi is clamouring for a walk. 🙁

Halloween Entertainment

Halloween last night was a pretty timid affair. There were no group fireworks like years past thanks to new fireworks purchasing bans across the region. Also, thank to George W it was still light out at 6pm when some kids were just getting started. It felt a little weird, and the pumpkins looked funny in the light, but I imagine it was safer for little ones. The bulk of the kids came between 7 and 8 when it was dark.

The upside to the ban was a distinct drop in firecracker noises. In fact I didn’t hear any until Halloween night, and then I heard less than half a dozen I would say. Great news for Yoshi.

Without the neighbourhood gathering to attend, Sox, Sprout and I headed to the Rec Centre for the bonfire, hot chocolate and hot dogs (Sox only). It was pretty neat as always. Sprout was pretty quiet but he stared at the flames quite a bit. We had promised him a firetruck, and boy were we all disappointed. Thankfully there were a couple police cars for Sprouts entertainment.