New Souls

She made it! I'm on a boat getting everything ready for a charter when a voice comes over the radio, "Is Meggan there? The authorities are here looking for her."

The captain stares right at me and says, "The authorities?" The look he gave me shocked me half to death.

I look to shore, literally thinking I'm going away in handcuffs (even though I haven't done a damn thing) (honestly), and there she is, standing on the beach, waving to the boats- my mom.

I look to the captain and crew (who all think I am going to jail) and jump in the Glass Bottom Boat to head to shore. What a surprise! I thought they were lost somewhere on the island.

She made it! I was so proud to see her there on the beach, toes in the sand, soaking up the perfect, sunny day. My mama, in Hawaii...who knew!

A couple of days off of work and some amazing adventures North to Pololu Valley and then out to sea on Seasmoke. The most incredible whale show I have seen in months, literally unbelievable. Great conversations, good food and me getting to play host on this island. I couldn't have had a better time.

The trip was short, but very sweet. I still cannot believe she was here. I am so glad she made it out to see where I am living for the time being. It was a very special visit.

Another soul has graced us with their presence on this little island... remember the tie dyed onesie? Well after 54 hours of labor (fifty-effing-four hours!), little boy, Wyatt, has made his debut. Happy and healthy. Mama is doing great and his Daddy could not be happier. So thankful that everyone is doing great.

The last couple of weeks have been filled with henna tattoos, ring shopping (not for me I assure you), lots of chocolate and fresh fruit (not together), a spa day at the Hilton, moving Manu Iwa (my favorite boat in the fleet) to Honokohau Harbor, obnoxiously unproductive crew meetings, learning British words, guitar hero, beer, trips to Hawi to buy pearls, stories from friends at sea, waking up to giant rainstorms, friends leaving on planes, lazy days, and a lack of whales.

The season is slowing down out here, but we are still enjoying our time. There's more time to hang out and relax, cook and laugh, play and go to the beach.

Cheers to the season! I hope everyone is embracing the day, even if it is cruddy, because it is still a day lived.

To all those who will be on the Kings River this week, be safe. I am there in spirit! I wish I could race over there for a run on the river, but I will just have to live through your stories when you return. Travel safe Reccers. <3

Aloha nui loa,

M.

Home is Wherever I'm With You

Sitting in one of my favorite spots on the entire planet (the Laguna couch) and thinking about all of the amazing things that have just happened over the past four days- it's my last day here. Countless faces, amazing stories and more laughs than I have had in months. I am happy as a clam.
As I lay here in my little nook in the corner of this big room full of guitars, blankets, tea cups, sea lions and beautiful artwork I begin to realize something- the constant motion of life never leaves things the same for long. The Santa Cruz that I know and love is constantly changing. Although I still love it more than I can explain, it has changed from that little place on the coastline with the redwoods and the surfers. However, the sea lions bark in the distance and the giant waves outside can be heard through the windows- it's still home.

This place has helped me to grow. It has been a place of comfort and retreat for so many people, literally from all over the world. It is always here for us. Yes, it's a house, but it is a family and one of the greatest communities in the world. The door is open and there are more blankets than you will know what to do with if you need a place to sleep for the night. Guaranteed there is about 40 different types of tea in the cupboard and about twice as many mugs to drink from. It's home. It's been home for many incredible people-slugs and non-slugs alike. The fact that it was finals week coming up did not change the fact that there was always someone going to the climbing gym or going surfing. "Want to go for a walk?" "How about a bike ride?" Love it. Miss it.

Picked up from the airport at o-dark-thirty by one of the most welcoming and missed faces. Straight to the lighthouse to see the waves (and freeze). To Laguna to stir up trouble and then to get some rest. The adventure began.

Paddle Fest (surf kayaking competition hosted in Santa Cruz) just happened to be this past weekend as well which meant plenty of faces from all over the world were present for the amazing (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G) waves at the Lane. A lot of familiar faces from my journey to North Carolina last October. Wonderful! Never in my life have I felt like I needed to be somewhere more than in Santa Cruz that weekend. Wow.

The rain was cold, but refreshing. The wind did not come like they said it would. There was an excuse to bundle up in multiple layers and not get out of bed in the morning because it was chilly. It is winter. Even though it is still a very warm winter, it is still a season other than summer, which I appreciated immensely. Hot coffee, hot breakfast and the heater on in the car. Y-E-S.

To the mountains next in June. For now, the last of the whales are migrating along the coastline and the winds are howling for the time being. We're gearing up for dolphin season (omg omg omg). My mom is on her way here on Monday- her first trip to the islands. I'm excited for her to (literally) dip her toes in the magic.

The refreshing visit home has given me the strength for my next adventures.

Aloha nui loa,

M.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul. -John Muir

20 Things

The Big Island is a place all its own. There are so many differences between here and any other place I have ever visited or lived in the world. I have been trying to put this all down in writing since I arrived (nearly 4 1/2 months ago already)(!) and this is what I have come up with so far:

1) The entire northern portion of the island looks like something out of Jurassic Park.

2) Geckos are the daddy longlegs of the islands- new friends have taken to naming them after their friends back home. (ha!)

3) Mangoes are 50c a piece while an apple is about $1.50... backward...

4) Food is expensive. Dairy ($9/gal) and cereal ($6/box) and trail mix...No Trader Joe's for over 2,300 miles!

5) It's windy here. No one ever tells you about the incredible amount of wind on this island- trade winds coming right down past my little village.

6) The water is pushing around 74 degrees F and the clarity is incredible.

7) Hawaiian time exists...everyone seems to be so much more calm here. I have not experienced any road ragers since I have gotten here.

8) Coconut Wireless exists...literally everyone knows everything about everyone else and news travels FAST.

9) The Big Island is a hard place to learn to surf...shallow coral and lava rocks everywhere- I'm not too keen on reteaching myself at this point in time.

10) Everyone goes to sleep early here- rise and fall with the sun.

11) There are many superstitions surrounding the islands like not bringing pork over the saddle road or not whistling or sweeping at night...the list goes on.

12) Everyone kisses each other on the cheek when they meet.

13) You can drive for twenty minutes in any direction and have your car washed by the frequent rainstorms in the hills. (I'm particularly thankful for this one as I live on the desert side of the island).

14) Pidgeon- local Hawaiian dialect- is so difficult to understand, however having been here even for the brief amount of time that I have, I have started to pick up on it a little... with my Cali accent and the subtle influences from living here I often get the question, "Are you from Minnesota? Or Canada?" Special...

15) Mauna Loa is so massive it could fit the entire range of the Sierra Nevada inside of it. Yeah. Soak up that one for a while. And it is not the tallest mountain- Mauna Kea- 13,796'

16) No one wears Hawaiian shirts here unless they work in the resorts (uniforms) or are a tourist...or my dad. ;)

17) Golfing is a thing here...even for folks that are in their twenties...I'm going to be the next Tiger Woods...you know...before all the shenanigans unfolded.

18) Police drive their own cars...literally any car could be a police car (stressful)

19) There are night marchers here on the islands. The spirits of the King's warriors patrol the coastlines and certain trails through the late evenings. Many people have reported hearing hundreds of pairs of feet marching past their homes that live along the King's trail and the major boundaries between districts. The Big Island seems to be filled with all sorts of powers and protections.

20) Fresh fish and rice is cheaper than anything else here on the islands to eat. A full meal of yummy raw fish and rice for about $3.50 Woo!

Spam count still zero (which nearly changed the other day, but I dodged it...like a pro).

Aloha,

M.