New Truck Configuration

it getting close to the time when I can get a new truck.

La's Odyssey is almost paid off and I'll finally be able to get a gear hauler.

I have been wavering based on fuel costs, but considering what this next vehicle needs to be able to do (drag the boat, drive over dunes to get to surf and fishing, cross snow covered roads to hit the snowboarding slopes and hold all the LOGISTICS that La will pack), that is a cost that has to be borne.

To maximize space management efficiency, I have been contemplating a rack configuration. Longboards, sails and masts can go on top and shorter, more compact things stay in the bed.

I saw this truck (longbed four door Tacoma) near Diamondhead - I'm pretty sure this is the config I'll end up getting.

Eventually coupled with air shocks in the rear to handle the next boat and a hitch receiver in the front to hold a fishing/cooler rig, the truck will be awesome!!!

(Marlon - if you are reading this, when you get old enough to drive and are ready to go to college, this will be your truck - learn how to wax this summer)

Saturday Amphibious Breakfast

I left Oahu (willingly - but that is another story for another time) on Saturday.

The next few posts are how I passed the time.

Here's breakfast - this is the Food Shack at Publics (Queen's Beach).

I highly recommend the Loco Moco served with fried rice.

ONOLICIOUS!!!!!

And the view... it doesn't get much better than this -

Jimbo SUP Surfing

Jimmy - here are the better pictures from yesterday.

Enjoy!

Pops on a SUP on Wednesday

I had an opportunity to catch some South Shore surf this afternoon - you don't have to twist my arm too hard! I met Jimmy at Pops.

I've got three days left before I begin my journey back to the land of insane fishing - I might try to cast the fly tomorrow afternoon after work... but it isn't hard to see why I didn't fish while I was stationed here - the surf was too darn good!

If I haven't said it before, this Fat Ass Quad is a blast to surf! I can't grab a wave the way I can with a hard board (driving a hard bottom turn and running a combo to an off the lip) primarily because of the softer rail on the tail - but it is so fun to slide around on a board this loose.

Nice way to end the day!

Looky Looky!

I'm hungry -

Are you hungry?

If I were a fish, these would make me very hungry...

Mark White masterpieces

Sunday Afternoon Part 2 - T-shirt

Here's the prints on the t-shirt -

AWESOME!!!

Sunday Afternoon

I spent Sunday afternoon with Ron Graham learning the nuances of gyotaku.

I learned how to do multiple images on the same print.

I learned how to do tako prints.

I learned how to print on tshirts.

AND -

I learned how to use color to make the print look realistic!

I look forward to being able to apply the lessons I learned on Sunday!

Mahalo for your kokua Ron! http://www.fishingforart.net/ if you want to learn gyotaku!

Oahu on Dwellable

Pops on a SUP

I remember surfing this place on a longboard back in the 90's.

The waves deep in Waikiki always seemed cleaner and lined up better than everywhere else.

Over ten years later, some things have changed - the skyline has more buildings, the sand has been pumped back on shore twice and the line up is full of SUPs now (not a bad thing).

Some things don't change - my surfing buddy is still Jimmy and the waves are still superb.

I had some really long rides - nice session!

Not Just for Fishing Gear -

The walk from the parking lot to the break can be rough on the feet. That is if you don't have footwear. So the question then becomes "what do I do with my footwear when it's time to paddle out?"

I've buried my slippers.

I've hid them in trees and bushes.

I've even had them stolen -

But they now have a place on deck!

This SUP keeps on delivering!

Only in da aina...

On the freeway back into town...

Shortboard Surfing

Session with Lance and Jimmy. 0700 report time at "Lani's" (hey kids - the same place we went and saw the big green turtle).

Lance was gracious enough to bring the 6'5" Stretch Quad (Fletcher Four Fin) that I've had stashed at his house for more than a while now. I put in the Futures Scimitars and off we went.

I caught 4 good ones and a couple that shut down pretty quick.

My lower back held up much better than I thought it would although by the end, it was my triceps that I was worried about...

The power behind the waves up North - it was fun just duck diving through them. There are tools for the job, and nowhere is a shortboard more appropriate than here.

You can quickly forget how awesome an experience surfing a place like this - buried behind paperwork and deadlines, trying to keep up with all the requirements... but when you do have time to slow down and play with in the energy driving rotational water cycles, you just as quickly remember why this idyllic past time can dominate your life.

I may have successfully kicked the addiction (ask La - it was bad those first years when I was weening off daily surf sessions) and found other ways to occupy my thirsty mind (kitesurfing, standup paddling, fishing, aquariums, being with the kids and La - especially that one), but oh how good it is to bask in the energy of my old stomping grounds!!!

Alaia and Duke's

The alaia looks small - maybe ridden paipo style?

The "don't touch" sign on Duke's board was small and at the bottom of the display. Not much of a deterrent if you ask me (No I didn't touch it - I know what our acidic finger prints can do to artifacts over time - I have too much respect for what this board and it's owner have done for surfing to merely 'touch' it for my own selfish indulgence).

Oh how the gears in my mind are turning...

Lazy Sunday

Bishop Museum has free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

That just happened to be the day I arrived on Oahu (again).

A perfect way to spend a few hours before checking in to the hotel.

Some really cool things on display -

The spooky "poison god"...

He'e (tako) lures...

And they had Duke's favorite surfboard!

I'll post some more cool ones -

Deepest Dive Redux

It is good to see our attention turning back to our own world. We have Earth Day and Earth Hour coming around the corner. And we have a heightened awareness of our balance within our collective environment. But every now and again, people do things that stand out from the background noise.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120325-james-cameron-mariana-trench-challenger-deepest-returns-science-sub/

If I had as much money as James Cameron does, I'd probably do something similar. Of note, the people whose footsteps he followed...

the U.S. Navy!!!

HOOYAH DEEP SEA!!!

Oh - and when did the MARIANAS Trench change to MARIANA Trench?

Dogtooth Tuna

Trolling score - perfect sized Dogtooth Tuna - big enough to fight back and small enough to have delicate sashimi.

I got a barracuda that was just as long also.

Mark White 7" Pusher Scoop lure - MONEY!!!

BAM!!!