Just before dropping off a rent-a-car at Thrifty, Orlando airport, I went to fill the tank at a service station across the street.
It had a “suspiciously green” look to the pumps. Oddly, the price was not advertised on an overhead sign.
I could not believe my eyes — $4.99 / gallon !!
When I started cursing out the attendant, he calmly advised me to drive 3 blocks to a regular service station. $3.89 / gallon.
They no longer kill German tourists in Florida. It’s too lucrative to keep them alive.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Calgarians were bracing for more snow Thursday as forecasters predicted up to 25 centimetres would be dumped on the area. …
larger original – Picasa
I returned to Athens, Georgia to watch the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships.
This is another small American College town. Beautiful.
One highlight, some unexpected statues on the grounds:
Or does Canada still look like this?
photo – Warren Long
The older I get, the more I like going somewhere SUNNY for January – March, the ice age months in Canada.
Respect is a word you see and hear a lot in Kauai.
I assume it to mean newcomers should respect the original Hawaiian culture.
The biggest problem in Kauai, so far as I could tell, was resentment on the part of “Hawaiians” for mistreatment on the part of invaders, like myself.
Hawaiians of European background tell tales of racism against the Whites.
The Hawaiian sovereignty movement consists of organizations and individuals seeking some form of sovereignty for Hawai’i.
Generally, the movement’s focus is on self-determination and self-governance for people of whole or part Native Hawaiian ancestry or, in some cases, for “Hawaiian nationals”, without regard to race or ancestry.
In some instances the focus also includes redress from the United States for the 1893 overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani, and for what is seen as a prolonged military occupation beginning in 1898 with the annexation of the Republic of Hawaii to the United States, and continuing until the present day. The movement generally views both the overthrow and annexation as illegal, and holds the U.S. government responsible for these actions. The historical and legal basis for these claims is one of considerable dispute.
Sadly there are perhaps no pure blood indigenous Hawaiians left. But some of those who identify themselves as “Hawaiians” have taken up the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Thugs and vandals use Hawaiian pride as an excuse for misdeeds, at times.
I went to visit the spot where Captain Cook first stepped on to Hawaiian soil in 1778 on Kauai, the mouth of the Waimea river:
It’s a rundown hangout for local kids. There’s very little mention of Cook in this rural town. I could not even find the one statue they have of the great seafarer.
Some have no regrets that Cook was later killed by Hawaiians.
The hostel I usually stay at in Los Angeles has banned me for life.
LA Adventurer Hotel requires you have a foreign passport AND be under 30-years-of-age.
In the past I’ve been able to talk myself in. I “was once 30”, I claim. In 2008, this no longer gets me past the door.
Happily, I’ve discovered another great hostel willing to take old cranks:
Surf City Hostel.
It’s got a “killer location” right on Hermosa Beach — Beach Volleyball Capital of the World. Not quite so close to LAX, but not bad. You don’t need to rent a car to get to Hermosa.
Like LA Adventurer, it’s noisy. But you can’t beat $25 / night for a dorm bed, including breakfast.
Hermosa (“beautiful” in Spanish) is an accurate description of this city’s beach, which is also flat, sandy, and long; ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing and paddleboarding.
With a mellow vibe. And a wonderful fitness culture, you’ll find me at Hermosa when in Los Angels.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat.
I was there in 2004: travelogue – the world’s most dangerous road and my photos
I only wish it had been during one of the rare rain storms. Here’s what happens:
That’s got to be the most amazing natural landscape ever.
It took me 50yrs to finally get to Hawaii.
Don’t know why so long.
Hawaii is magic.
Back when we were kids in Calgary, only the RICH people went to Hawaii on family holiday. Most, like us, jumped in the car and drove to British Columbia. Also great.
Over on my hiking blog I have a number of additional posts:
With the Masons:
hiking Waimea Canyon, Hawaii with kids dangerous spikes on the hiking trail best hike south coast Kauai, Hawaii
hike Na Pali in Hawaii with kids
On my own:
my Alakai Swamp trail run in Hawaii Powerline Trail, Kauai, Hawaii
Kaapoko tunnel hike, Kauai, Hawaii Nualolo – Awa Awaphui Trails Loop, Hawaii paradise – the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii
And I never even made it to Secret Beach.
larger – flickr – bryce_edwards
Might have to go back. Glasers are going in August …. hmmm.
In Kauai, Hawaii.
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