Thanksgiving Feast 2011, North Shore Style

Much Mahalo to Fe and Rob Medoff for opening their "surfer's paradise" North shore beach house for our 3rd annual Thanksgiving feast.  There was MUCH to eat and was attended by Diamond Head surfers, the Medoff family (3 generations!) and family friends.

Rob and Fe Medoff, with Ihan Lam getting ready to cut just one of the turkeys!

Surf was on the large size, the house fronts Alligator Rock and Marijuanas.  People brought boards but only a few brave souls ventured out.

The surf break just looking to the left from Fe's lanai, "Leftovers." 

Surfer on a wave at "Leftovers" with Kaena Point in the background.

There were lots of sights to see, ones you will only see in Hawaii, especially in November!

Hawaiian monk seal, "N6" lazing in the sand a few houses down from Fe's. 

"Whatchu lookin' at??"

Then we all got down to business...EATING!

Paul giving a thumb's up "thanks" to being back in warm weather, while grilling up a bunch of Korean-style kal-bi ribs and yakitori chicken sticks. 

BBQ'g doesn't get much better than this! 

Yvette and Matt Narbut, with Val Loh and Joni's son, Rylen, enjoying the delicious grinds.

Yvette, you are beautiful and an inspiration to us all! 

Ihan, Yvette and Matt and Matt's son Jayden relaxing on the deck.

Fe and Rob's house from the beach.

After our feast, we either took a stroll down the beach, went for a little swim in the tide pool or played with Fe and Rob's grandchildren...

Jessie and Harold Garbeil, aka "Ninja Cat," with the tide pool and climbing rocks in the background.

Mike and Jade, Val, Rylen and mom Joni at the tide pool fronting Alligator Rock.

Val and Jan hamming it up on top of the tide pool rocks. 

Aren't surfers crazy???

Joni, Rylen, Jade, Jan, Mike and Val

Maya (Fe's daughter Sarah's child) and Yvette. 

Ozzy, aka the "Oz-Man..."  Fe and Rob's son Mike's firstborn.

Sun, surf, lots of delicious food and laughter shared with good friends...can it get any better that this???

Only in Hawaii...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Introducing..."PINK CLOUD"

s/v Pink Cloud

Paul traded up to a larger boat and now "Pink Cloud" is officially Jan and Paul's new Pacific cruiser.  She is moored at the Napa Valley Marina.

She is an Ackerman-Newporter 40, hull #53.  She is 48' overall, 13-6" beam , 6' draft.  44,000 lbs of old world motor sailer.  Rigged as a schooner,  she flies 5 sails including a "fisherman"  or some would say "topsail," a triangle sail above the first jib.  She has an upstairs pilot house/galley,  then a HUGE main salon, head and tub/shower.  And room for Jan's beloved stacked washer/dryer.
:o)

Settee area of "Pink Cloud."

"Trimming Out" is an amazing boat.  She did me well and San Fran is the perfect home for her.  She is ready to go, offshore ready is how she is being sold.   Yes, its a bit sad.   I have uncountable hours invested in "Trim" as does my "teak oil specialist," Miss Jan.  But it was all a labor of love these past 6 years and she is something to be proud of and we have many fine memories.

Jan Rappels Down the Sheraton Waikiki...

...31 stories/315 feet from rootfop to RumFire lanai!

THANK YOU to Logan for setting this up for me!  It was SO amazing and such a rush!  The weird thing was that I was so unusually calm and peaceful before and during, but I got so excited after my feet touched the ground!  Well, OK my palms were clammy but my heart wasn't pounding...

All geared-up. 

I got my 6 carabiners, helmet, harness, radio, gloves, my "gold thing" and my "blue thing."

Safety first, these guys are first-class.

But before we could even take the elevator to the roof, we went thru a training course on how each piece of equipment works, and then we rappelled down one story of the Sheraton by the koi pond.

Then I took the elevator up with one of the instructors...gulp.

The view from the roof-top, 31 stories up. 

I even saw a large turtle!

 Making sure I'm all locked-in.  Two lines, one that I control (thus the "blue thing") and the other is a safety that acts like a seat belt in that it catches if there's a sudden drop (the "gold thing").

Ok, I'm ready to climb over the railing... 

Don't you love my gloves?  And seriously, I wasn't nervous, I was going over what to do when I reached the lip I had to go underneath...

Here I go! 

OMG, THIS IS AWESOME!  That's the Infinity Pool and deck underneath me.

Getting ready to make the lip transition.  

After I got past that little bit of "wall" I had to drop my butt down and let my feet go.  At that point, I was freely hanging and controlled my descent with my "blue thing,"  Down below, there was a person controlling the blue line and also holding the orange line to keep them from getting tangled.

A photo to give you a perspective of what it was like and how tall the Sheraton Waikiki is!

As I let out a "WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO....." I heard people at Rum Fire saying "OMG, LOOK!"

I was going pretty quick, I could smell the rope going thru the "blue thing."  When I got to the bottom, Adam (Logan's friend) said I was "flying!"

Thank you to everyone who helped me do this, I had a blast!  This event is a benefit for the Special Olympics and from what I was told, people donate $1000 to do this on Saturday.

Logan, I owe you 1000 waves!

:o)

The Little Bug That Could, And Did With A Little Love!

Paul came across this poor dusty 1974 VW bug while peddling on his bike thru Napa.  The "FOR SALE" sign caught his eye...straight frame, NO RUST, a real Napa car!  

Awww...

Clean interior!

Next thing he knew, the dusty bug was his and he was installing a new carburetor,  plugs and plug wires.

ZOOM, ZOOM...Runs great now! 

Then the bike went into the bug.  8.5 miles from marina to Napa, and then same 8.5 miles back AGAINST THE WIND!  Sore rear end had to do a lot with last-minute purchase of this little gem.

Commuter components.

 Perfect Fit!

Paul sold his beloved "Vanimal" in Hawaii for his sailing adventures and needed wheels upon his return to HI on November 21.  So he loaded up the bug and drove south to Hayward/Oakland by way of some San Francisco sightseeing and some business in the Haight.

Stayed at Surfer John's place a few nights in Foster City, a bit south of SFO Airport.  Thanks John!

Then this past Tuesday, he drove the little bug over to Hayward, just a few miles over the bay on the east side,  and dropped it off at Pasha Auto Freight.  "Little bug that could" is now on the ocean heading to HI.

Paul ordered some old-school surf racks for the bug that will arrive in time as the bug.  Will be a Diamond Head and Kewalos cruiser for SURE!

In the yard, awaiting loading with nice traveling companion...
Bug flirting with Mustang!

Then Paul took BART back to John's place.

BART landing. 

"No take picture!"
Girl look at boy, boy scowl at whitie...
Dang man, CHILL!
:o)

The train landing.

Stay tuned, the adventure's not over yet!

Paul's Day in the City, San Francisco

 Paul went in the city to get some things done, and while he was waiting he did a bit of sightseeing in the Haight...

Hmmm, definitely a good gag gift...no pun intended. 

 Bling, even in death.

Traffic heading into the city.

Paul said SF drivers are "CRAZY!" 

Golden Gate Park. 

Vintage Thunderbirds on parade... 

Another shot of Golden Gate Park.

Beautiful day! 

In "the Haight."

A continual cast of unusual characters.
Paul gave this guy $1 to pose for the camera.  He says "It's Cali...everything and anything for a price."
Paul actually wanted his hat, but was concerned about critters living underneath!

"Wasteland" clothing store.

Love the building!

I love Haight-Ashbury!

More pics!

John's Jack Russell Terrier,
"Kasey the Super Dog!"

John's son, Ben.

In the Haight.

The infamous corner,
Haight-Ashbury.

Colorful storefront "Cheap Thrills."
Owner of this store sold Paul his "new" VW camper van that he will use to return to Lopez to complete his remodel commitment.

Super Van!

 Interesting.

Amoeba!
The GREATEST place for new/used music and original concert posters from the 60's and 70's.

You can easily spend all day here...