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From the shores of Ministikwan Lake to the sunshine of Maui. After getting past the neighbour from hell in Calgary we jumped on the direct flight and two movies later (six hours) we touched down in paradise.
The weather has been more than cooperative 85 F, very little wind - the bay has been flat allowing unlimited canoeing. The local canoe club is on the ater at 7:30 a.m. each morning paddling their outrigger canoes out a mile or two in search of whales and sea turtles.
It is absolutly stunning when you are in close proximity to such a huge mammal - on one occasion a whale swam under the canoe, a tense moment indeed.
Where else can you step out your door at 6 a.m. wearing nothing but your swimming shorts and start a five-mile walk along the beach. If you become a regular walker, at some point, you will come to know all the regulars from virtually around the globe. Some folks you could set your clock by like Katherine Ford, writer for the Calgary Hearld. She is one of the first people heading out from the south end, by the time I see her she already has four miles behind her.
Then there is Bob. Everyone knows him - he’s a regular and can usually be found with a group around hom spinning a tale or two. Then at the south end you will find Calvin, middle aged long-haired local Hawaiian, living dat to day on the beach.
He has a car in case it rains, but generally he can be found either on his chaise lounge or sitting at the picnic explaining his heritage as an ambassador of the traditional Hawaiians - very similar to First Nation advocates back home.
Here is an Hawaiian surrounded by condos, who visits with prople from all walks for nothing as he has it all on his island. This summer Calvin plans to leave the rock to visit Ministikwan Lake.
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