Hauling

For those that don't know, I made two trips across - one to bring the distance SUPs, the trimaran, plants and other things that didn't need to ride with the family, the second to bring the family over.

I learned alot about my Pathfinder, the boat, the trailer and other things driving out - more than I need to share, but I think the pictures of the fully loaded outfit are cool!

Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties

Whoa!!!

Long time no blog!!!

We finally got our internet service up and running, our stuff moved into our house, about 50% of our boxes unpacked and on somewhat of a schedule. A lot has gone on since I last posted with pictures, but what can you do unless you are connected to the net???

I'll probably be binge writing over the next couple of days to catch up so get ready!

First off, I sold a PSH 9'6"AA to one of the guys back in California and picked up a Naish 14' Glide before making the drive out to Gulfport. What an awesome board!!! The stock fin will not be helping me out much here (really shallow in some spots).

I got this one in wood construction (not the AST) and you can feel the difference the wood makes as far as chop absorption.

Still on the road

I am getting sores from sitting in the car so long, and my skin is drying up pretty quickly...

I have had an epiphany - I now know what a fish feels like out of water... The Friday afternoon paddling session I am planning for G-Port is going to feel good, even if there are no waves.

We're in El Paso visiting relatives. We're having a great time checking out the geology along the I-10 route.

The canyon, visiting with the Johnson's and the Mansapit's has been great, but it will be good to get settled and back into a pattern.

Aloha from the road!

Busy - Busy - Busy

Sorry no pictures and not much posting -

Here's what we've been up to...

*The UCT TWO Change of Command was on August 7th.
*We left nearly immediately afterwards for La's brother's house where I left her and the kids to drive the boat, the plants, some live rock for the saltwater aquarium, the cleaning fluids the movers wouldn't take and the 2 distance SUPs across to Gulfport.
*Drove 2011 miles (with a snapped alternator/power steering/water pump belt in Houston).
*Checked into the house.
*Flew back to Ontario, CA
*Started driving across again, this time with the family.

We're in Las Vegas for today and tomorrow. Will start for the Grand Canyon tomorrow sometime.

I'll post pictures probably this weekend or the next - the Mac is in Gulfport already.

So - instead of pictures, I'll provide an observation (and this maybe common knowledge, but so what) - the fish in the tanks inside of the Bass Pro Shops are endemic to the areas that surround the shop.

HOO-YAH!

SBP2P

Edited to throw in the pictures:

Paddled in a SUP race on Saturday - 11 miles downwind. I came in middle of the pack in my division - 2:14, and my excuse is the lack of training due to travel,work, etc. Lame excuse I know, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Also spent the rest of the day hanging out in Santa Barbara. Strolled around the pier and checked out the sites (including Moby Dick). The Aquarium at the end of the pier was closed, so maybe next time.

Pictures later once my computer recognizes the thumb drive.

Coming down the pipe...

I've been mentally preparing for the move and for the upcoming period where the surf will not be plentiful for me. I have been actively trying to ween myself from surf-driven stoke to other water-driven activities - I'll be fine, but it helps to be prepared.

Among the newly rekindled focus areas is kiting. The surf in SOCAL (and my work schedule) has made kiting take a back seat in my priorities, but with sailing and SUPing, kiting will be a mainstay.

Kiteracing has made leaps and bounds since I had last had my feet wet (under a kite - consistently). Here are some pictures that have begun to stoke the fires...

Aloha

Molokai

Sorry for the lack of postings over the past couple of weeks. We just moved out of our house in preparation for our move to Gulfport. The cleaning process, finishing off work obligations and trying to spend some time with La and the kids were the priorities. I've got some cool aquatic based adventures coming up, so posting will resume.

First off - here are a couple of pictures of my good friend Jimmy Martindale as he was making his way across the Ka'iwi Channel - 32 miles separating the islands of Molokai and Oahu. I met Jimmy when he was stationed aboard the USS Paul Hamilton and I was at PWC Pearl Harbor. Jimmy knew back then that the Navy would take him away from Hawaii and made a career change - I have made 4 transcontinental or transoceanic moves since then and I am beginning to think he was the wiser of us.

Anyways - Jimmy has made this crossing several times now. I'd like to think if I still lived on Oahu, that I'd have done it with him at least a few times.

HOO-YAH Jimbo!!!

Mondo Friday

Surfed the SUP at Mondos yesterday. The forerunners of the Cook Island south swell were pushing through. Head high + on the sets and chest high on the intermittent waves.

And I found my MIA GoPro - it was hiding out in the storage bin of my truck. Obviously it still works.

Mondos is a slow breaking wave - that reminds me a lot of Waikiki (Canoes). I likey!

Pau

Jellyfish, Jellyfish, Jellyfish

This photo is completely unedited - and yes it is almost solid moon jellyfish.

And yes - my troops and I had to make dives through this (these jellyfish don't possess nematocysts strong enough to penetrate human skin, so it doesn't hurt - unless you have sensitive or unusually thin skin).

The Velasco's Favorite Indian Restaurant

I wish La and the kids could have been there with me this last trip -

The name of this restaurant is Appu Ghar.

When we lived in Japan, the restaurant was located south of Hayama.

While visiting for business, some friends took me out (thanks again Dorian and Rhonda) and I was surprised they were heading North on the 134. Turns out Appu Ghar is now on the strip at Kamakura.

Awesome location - much cleaner presentation (although I'd be the first to say their old place had tons of character) - with a very modern, yet warm and distinctly indian charm.

This is still our favorite restaurant for Indian food -

Pirate Rooster

This guy was up near the Ha'ena State Park (Ke'e Beach) facilities.

He looked normal until I got into his comfort zone to take this picture - he started to do the freaky dance and was hopping around with his stubby right foot.

I felt sorry for him until I remembered where I was and that he was living an awesome life (as evidenced by the hens he had running around him). He is obviously a stud and can impress with or without a foot.

Peg legs to chickens must be the equivalent to tattoos and cool scars in humans.

Niihau

The "Forbidden" Island

More Seafood

This time surf and turf at Mana, Kauai (Barking Sands).

Japan Again

I haven't been posting much because of travels and our pack out. I will try to post on the happenings over the past couple of weeks.

Here I am eating sashimi with a good friend Hideyuki Naito at a restaurant in Miura Kaigan (southern part of the Miura Peninsula).

Mmmm, mmmm good!

Naish Boards Unveiled

Check out http://www.naishsurfing.com/en/index.html

Harold Iggy and the riders (Dave Kalama) have developed some narrow boards -

It'll be interesting to see these boards in action as they get out into the market.

Which one for me??? I'm a big fan of the Glide 14' and the Mana 9'5"