29 June 2013

Saturday in the Northland

We slept in this morning, not rising until 0630 rather than our usual 0500. Accordingly, the morning seems to have zipped right by.

We booked our next trip to Hawaii about a month ago, so this morning we looked at some excursions. Added a "luxury dinner cruise" and a return to Pearl Harbor, this time to include a guided tour of the Missouri. It was there in '10 when I went last time, but I hadn't done enough research & couldn't see it. Also, the Arizona Memorial was closed for dock repairs then, so this trip will get me to both of those.

This is a trip without daughter(s) along, so we're adding lots of pampering ... just because. Not something we always do, but we've discovered we like being pampered from time to time.

There's still plenty of walking to do, so I won't just be sitting near the beach with a Kindle. But there's plenty of that, too.

Our last trip anywhere was a four-day excursion last July, so I'm getting quite impatient for the upcoming one. It's not 'til November, but that was a choice, too.

* * * * *

It's still cloudy today, with a ceiling about 1,000 feet. 61 degrees & a slight breeze. Sure feels better than those 80 and 82 degree days a couple of weeks ago. The tourists are all wearing jackets already anyway, so they won't particularly mind. I'm sorry any recent arrivals can't see the mountains today, though.

I ordered a new holster belt this morning, as there's no more room to punch extra holes in my old one & it's getting loose. My waist has shrunk from a 42 to 36, so you see the "problem".  :) I'm not complaining, though.

* * * * *

I know there's much in the news to make folks sad, angry, or both. I've done a fair share of reporting news stories lately, rather than writing anything original. But I'm not complaining; it's kind of nice to lead an existence quiet enough that it provides little blog fodder.

I believe there are some things coming down the pike at the national level which will be even more upsetting, but there's little point in dwelling on that now. Plenty of writers address those stories, and they're welcome to have at it. I'll chime in when/if motivated to do so, of course, but for right now I'm feeling rather content. And that's a nice thing.

Y'all have great weekend, and thanks for stopping by.

12 comments:

Old NFO said...

When you go over to Ford Island, make sure to see what's left of the Utah, and also go down to the far end of the runway, there are still bullet scars in the ramp from the Japanese attacks.

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks! I will. :)

joated said...

"...from 42 to 36..."
Holy Cow! You're the incredible shrinking man! Way to go!

Almost went to Hawaii once. Got the run around from a bad agent and cancelled the trip. Then I swore off all commercial plane travel so unless I go by cruise ship.... I hope you enjoy your trip

The national (and international) news has got me so riled up I can't think straight, hence my lack of blogging. I got tired of posting nothing but weather and physical reports (FB is getting to be the same)--and our police reports aren't nearly as intersting as those out of Dutch Harbor.

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, joated. I still want to lose another 10 pounds; down to 232 now, and feeling pretty good.

This will be our 4th visit to Hawaii. Since Alaska Airline has a non-stop, it's only 5 1/2 hours from Anchorage to Honolulu.

Re: Dutch Harbor, I hear you. They're not all knee-slappers, but beats reading about the Anchorage PD killing yet another person - which they did this week.

Rev. Paul said...

I should point out that THIS time, the guy was running toward them with a machete and a hatchet, so it seems justified. But the whole topic is getting troublesome.

joated said...

Yeah. That does sound justified.

Just to get to San Francisco would be 4-5 hours. Then there's all that water to fly over. I just don't take well to being cooped up with 150 or so strangers in a tin can. And let us not talk about the TSA.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Congratulations of slimming down, did you do anything special to trim down?

Oh now going to Hawaii sounds like fun, make sure to pamper yourself big time. You and your sweet wife deserve it :-)

Rev. Paul said...

joated, I know. But traveling anywhere from here usually involves planes. I don't have the extra two weeks per trip that driving would take.

Thanks, Sandy. I changed my eating habits to a 65/35 protein/carb mix, and then cut out snacking after dinner. That's pretty much it.

Bob said...

Ever visited Father Damien's (St. Damien now, of course) leper colony at Molokai?

Rev. Paul said...

No, Bob, we haven't been there yet. It's on the list of places to visit.

Cathy said...

Wonderful breezy post, Rev. Paul.
I wish my hubby would be as diligent as you've been in shrinking waistlines.
I don't nag. But it's tough watching that third cookie disappear at 10pm.
As for 'pampering'.
Go for it :)

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, Cathy. It isn't always easy, and I make no claim about being diligent ... but overall I've stuck with it.

The pampering is ordered. We like it, on our own terms. :)