Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Home

It is very strange to be back home again from Hawaii. The temperature even at night never went below 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, there aren't many air conditioners in Hawaii, especially on homes and condos next to the ocean just ceiling fans to move the air. So, we just opened the long sliding doors and kept the screens closed on our long veranda overlooking the ocean and kept all the windows with screens open while we were there. It takes about 24 hours to adjust to it always being 70 degrees or more and very humid like feeling you are underwater breathing air all the time. But, I find I like wearing Bermuda shorts or swimming trunks all the time and only sandals in order to keep cool. So, today I got home and the high wasn't over 64 degrees even though it was sunny here on the coast of Northern California. So, we walked on a long beach here and I thought how lucky we are to live on an ocean with beautiful beaches, I felt this especially after having been to Hawaii. It is funny how going to Hawaii makes me appreciate where I live in California. So, even though it was 10 degrees or so less than the lowest temperatures I experienced in Hawaii I found myself glad to be home once again in this very beautiful part of California. But my wife and I also realized we might like to spend a little time in Hawaii every year. So, that was a good thing too.

We first went to Hawaii after getting married in Yosemite National Park in the old historic Chapel there in 1995. It was quite a contrast to go from the snow of Yosemite to driving our then 1989 Toyota 4runner to the airport to catch a plane to Hawaii. It was very strange trying not to get stuck in the snow in Yosemite or get snowed in and then driving to SF Airport and being in Hawaii all within about 12 hours time. The contrast was way beyond what I expected at the time. Then we rented a Sunbird Convertible and Stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki on the 10th floor and drove all over Oahu and snorkeled and went to performances of dancing and singing and all sorts of stuff. Then we flew to Kauai to Lihue and rented a mustang and went to the Hyatt Poipu which was pretty new then. So, from the beginning of our marriage Hawaii has been a big part of it and often we are able to share Hawaii when we go now with our kids who are mostly grown up now.

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