Author: mikeljohnston1 (Page 45 of 267)

There’s not much going on here on this secluded tropical island. Our first days were spent adjusting to the five-hour time difference, getting the condo organized, and doing some shopping. I got up at 4a.m. to watch the U.S.A. soccer team lose to The Netherlands and monitored I.U. games in the afternoon, since neither the soccer match nor basketball game was televised here. I did get my 5k run in and spent some time at the pool, surprised by the number of kids that were staying here. The rest of the family just arrived, so last night was busy with our first dinner together, lots of wine drinking, and games. 

Everyone went their separate ways this morning before brunch. I was actually able to sleep until the sun came up at 7 a.m. rather than sit in the quiet darkness like the previous two mornings. My run was down to the Marriott Sonesta where there is much more action with shops, restaurants, a huge recreational pool, bars, and a beach. This is where the “kids” spent this afternoon while their mom joined me poolside. It’s a resort more suitable to their tastes than this one, while we prefer the quiet and seclusion offered here. 

We all joked about the roosters that hang out on the islands and the hundreds of dead frogs that lie flattened in the streets. They are baked to leather by the hot sun, looking like giant pancakes, but far from appetizing. They inspired memories of a run that we all did together years ago back in Rochester, Indiana, my wife’s hometown. On the road that loops the lake, were similar frog carcasses but not nearly of these “Jurassic Park” proportions. I called it the “dead frog” run and noted it in my diary, long forgotten until this trip. 

There will be more group fun tonight, leading up to the “Hunt A Killer” board game that I brought to play. The girls gave it to me as a birthday present years ago, and I was originally going to take it to Tahoe for us to try out. The case is called “Death in a Dive Bar,” that will require all our amateur detective skills to solve. After the fires cancelled that family get together, Covid ruined the following year that was planned for here. We finally got us all together! Over the next few days, we’ll be doing some kayak and catamaran tours, hikes, as well as other adventures. We’ll also pick up a rental car to explore the other side of the island and do some dining out before everyone heads home after plenty of Family Time. 

I got up this morning about 4:30 Seattle time and hit the fitness center. It’s the ideal spot for someone who didn’t get a fit night’s sleep. Besides, it was snowing and slippery outside, a Winter Wonderland. There was only enough time for some stretching, strength exercises, and the minimum mile run. After quick showers and reorganization of our bags, we were on the Aloft shuttle for a quick ride to the terminal. Once our luggage was checked, it was then just a matter of navigating the escalators and train to the gate. We had plenty of time for a sit-down breakfast at Sizzle. The eggs were not cooked properly so any free time was taken up by sending our plates back to the cook for a second attempt.

The 5-and-half-hour flight was delayed a bit by deicing the wings. I at least had a running suit jacket to keep me warm on top, but bare legs from the waist down. I never felt the need for a nap and started a new book, Righteous Prey, after finishing Perfect Assassin on the fight here. I was also able to catch-up on blog notes that will be posted once we arrive at the Marriott Vacation Club resort. Once again, I feel disconnected from the world around me after this many hours without live news and sports.a movie was never a consideration with only my phone screen to work with. Typing is difficult with the turbulence and cramped workspace. Peanut M&Ms keep me nourished.

We’ll soon land in Kauai, grab our luggage, and grab a cab. We plan to have groceries delivered to the timeshare when we arrive and check-out the resort amenities. Lihue, where we’ll land, rhymes with phooey or gooey, since Hawaiians like to emphasize every vowel, on this island it’s primarily A, U, and I. Our nearest city will be Kalanipu’u, the next tongue-twister challenge.

The luggage situation was complicated with the overnight stay in Seattle between Alaska Airlines  flights. I ended up short-checking my bag rather than have it sent ahead to our morning flight. All of my toiletries and running gear will be needed, while my wife packed a carry-on. Unfortunately, she had some expensive Angel body cream in the bag, so she ended up going back through security to short-check it, as well. Our first minor hassle of the trip.

While we’re traveling, we’re at least avoiding all the paving in our neighborhood. Our cars are safely in the garage and won’t be subject to tracking tar all over the driveway. Tally is at Schnauzerville with her dog family, avoiding any disturbance from the paving and dump trucks. We are all fortunate to be away during the disruption. We evacuated well during the hurricane and now missing out on this other mess.

The rest of my wife’s family will join us once we get settled in Lihue. We have a 3-bedroom, ocean-view condo so all six of us will have plenty of paradise privacy. My son dropped us off at the airport where we learned that there will be no internet on the flight. I probably won’t find out the I.U. vs. North Carolina score until after we land. I was looking forward to maybe watching the game on the long, 6-plus-hour flight. Instead, I’ll be stuck reading and napping while fussing about the outcome. It’s a second minor hassle!

My wife and I both got aisle seats with no one in either middle spot. Plenty of space, although I’m missing the First-Class luxury on our last long flights. She wisely stopped for bagel sandwiches after dealing with the re-check hassles of her luggage. They are all securely on-board thanks to our tracking device reports. We’ll now have to pick-up two bags at the Sea-Tac Airport before we head to the Aloft Hotel, our first time to stay at this Marriott property. More points well taken!

I was looking ahead to our travel schedules over the next year, thinking that I really just want to stay home. I’m not looking forward to the flight tomorrow that takes us to Seattle for a quick overnight and then on to Kauai. I’ll be exhausted when I get there, dreading a similar flight home. My wife, however, will be thrilled visiting with her two daughters on this trip that has been delayed multiple times. I also started looking into flights to Vegas, back to Indianapolis and Portland for weddings, our Egyptian River Cruise, and a long drive to Maine. I’m worn out just thinking about it. Travel does not seem to hold the same appeal that it did during the working days, when a break was always welcome. Now, it seems like we overdo it. 

We also have several guests lined up for visits to the house. A daughter here in January, multiple friends coming in February, and others yet to commit. We also have obligations to get together with my sister and hometown friends that will arrive in Florida after the first of the year. I’m then meeting a group of former work constituents for golf in early February, a game that I hate. It makes my head spin to think about all these get-togethers, but I always enjoy seeing old friends.

Today is my last day of withdrawal for awhile, as I do laundry, watch TV, and pack for Kauai. My wife has a number of errands to run. I wish I had her energy. My son will pick us up tomorrow afternoon and drive us to the airport. Then, the next few weeks will be nothing but a blur.