It was a tough night in Denver for the Portland Trailblazers. We watched the final two quarters at a portable bar set up on the grassy area of the Wailea beachfront. The game was over by halftime, as the Nuggets easily proved their home court superiority. Our night went on with dinner, drinks, conversation, and entertainment Hawaiian-Style. It was our last night on the beach as part of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association conference. I once used to work with some of these folks prior to retirement, but it was my wife’s company who partially sponsored the event.

Earlier in the day, the Cubs and White Sox both won, giving me the false impression that “Maui Magic” was still lingering in the salt air. Overall, I would have to say that my teams won more than they lost, but the Trailblazer drubbing was truly tragic, as they fell behind by 31 points and lost by 26. The reception on the make-shift TV wasn’t great, but there really wasn’t much promising to see anyway. However, the setting was lovely and the variety of fresh food plentiful. It was held just off the beach path where I ran every morning near a small sandy inlet surrounded by black lava rock. The path itself extends for a little over a mile with heavy foot traffic all day long. The sunsets were stunning, as “Maui Magic” is obviously much more than the “frivolous sports” that I too often write about, as my wife might complain. It’s more like blue skies, sunshine, bikinis, cosmetic surgery, tan lines, leis, Mai Tais, palm trees, luaus, pineapple, whales, and ocean breezes.

We’ve eaten at some great restaurants and stayed in two luxurious Maui resorts. I’ve finished several books, been inspired to complete some previously half-baked poems, had a memorable walk in the rain under an umbrella with my wife, and enjoyed a breakfast cheeseburger. We decided not to do a boat tour this time, satisfied with our recent Phuket adventure. We also returned to some of my wife’s dining favorites, including Roy’s, Leilani’s On The Beach, and Gannon’s. We will definitely come back again, probably to next year’s convention on the Big Island. It’s always tragic to say Aloha to “Maui Magic.” Big Apple here we come!