Meggers on the Move: Lethargy and Bliss

As I type this I can already feel my arms getting heavier and my back starting to ache. 10 hours on two different boats today and a backbreaking paddle out to sea.

I think I may have found a new addiction- outrigger paddling. My body aches in places I didn't even know I had and yet I cannot wait until daylight to head out again tomorrow. I am already in search of a one man (or in this case one woman) canoe for myself. For those unfamiliar, an outrigger canoe can come in all different sizes-the one I was paddling was a six person canoe. There are two little arms that reaches out on the left hand side and hold a float for stability. You use a paddle very similar to a canoe paddle (only one paddle head, instead of the normal two for a kayak) (sound familiar?). I have only ever seen these beauties in Santa Cruz a few times, but had never gotten the chance to paddle one until Hawaii.

I went out with the guys I sail with today (female paddlers in our company are few and far between). We did a three mile loop and were in some big water today-we almost flipped twice which is rare for this crew. It was exciting needless to say- I would have laughed simply because it would have been such a ridiculous situation that far out in that swell.

While we were out there we spotted a mother humpback and her calf (a newbie, probably only two weeks old or so). We kept paddling and got an incredible show as mom was moving her baby all over the place and playing (or so it appeared to me)- lots of tail spins, spy hopping, lunges and splashing. We paddled on and looped back to head back to shore. Out of nowhere, here comes baby...right toward us! She was very curious. We pulled our paddles out of the water and sat leaning on the Ama (the arm of the canoe) just in case baby came in too close (we actually had a moment where we were bracing for mom to surface in between us and her calf, which would have given us some major rocking). You could actually see the little bumps (tubercles) and ripples on the whale-all of its birthmarks and unique characteristics. It was the closest I have ever been to a calf and definitely the most vulnerable, we were eye level with her and her mom, talk about a humbling experience. If mom had decided she did not like us she could have done away with us with absolutely no effort (although whales are not typically aggressive toward us, we were definitely in the vulnerable position). I will never forget this day.

This day was a day where I was especially grateful to be alive. Everyone was happy, worked hard and paddled hard today. :)

Full moon is rising and so are the swells. The waves are supposed to be unbelievably huge for the next couple of days. Pro-status. People are buying their plane tickets to come over here and to Oahu to surf this swell- 25' waves. I cannot wait to see it....from shore...or the boat....not from a surfboard.

New discovery made this weekend: Talk Story at the Mauna Lani

This little piece of heaven takes place on the weekend closest to the full moon and is a different type of live entertainment every month. It all takes place on the porch of a little old cabin just off of the beach under the palms. People bring their picnicking gear, jackets (please...it's Hawaii) and their Aloha spirits. The show can be anything from live music, to hula dancing, to fire spinning to ghost stories and legends. I am thrilled to have gone. Brotha Nolan and Ohana played- bluegrassiest music I have discovered yet out here. Great stories and great laughs. You could feel the warmth radiating from this crowd under the moonlight. I plan to make this a regular happening from now on.

My birthday was spent out on the water! I'm embracing my old age by sailing and paddling often. Cheers. A wonderful dinner and homemade peach-blackberry-apple cobbler for dessert. Y-E-S. I could not have spent my day with more wonderful people. I am so thankful.

Tomorrow is a day of rest, and by rest I mean paddling and laundry...in that order.

The rain is starting to fall outside and yet the moon is still shining bright. Here's to a wonderful day spent living life.