Good to have Friends
Two and a half years ago, Dan and I were in the midst of our 3-month extended shakedown cruise along the southern coast of California and the Channel Islands. We were trying to find out what systems work and what didn't work on our sailing vessel "Long Windid". While we were docked at Cabrillo Marina our good friends Darrol and Stephanie Johnson, met us in San Pedro for lunch. We talked about our plans for the South Pacific Islands and that eventually, we would be in Hawaii. They spoke of their condo on the beach in Lahaina, Maui and how cool it would be to cruise the Hawaiian Islands and drop anchor in some of the most picturesque bays in the world. By the end of lunch, Darrol and Stephanie committed to meeting us in Hawaii, if and when we got there. After cruising the beautiful waters of Mexico, the romantic French Polynesian Islands and the many tropical Fijian Islands, Long Windid and her crew finally arrived in Hawaii. However, the toughest part of the voyage from Fiji according to Dan, was the last forty or so miles crossing the Molokai Channel, which is considered to be one of the most treacherous channels in the world. The trade winds funneled through the channel from the northeast at 30 knots and the 10 foot swells continued to build. Long Windid on a close reach, would climb to the top of an oncoming swell then leap off crashing to the bottom of the trough, sending water and spray everywhere with most of it ending up in the cockpit. This assault lasted for hours and Dan was convinced that the boat would break! He said, "It's impossible to put into words the feeling of a 23,000-pound boat launching off a big wave. Items down below flew everywhere and the sound was deafening." So, when Long Windid was finally safely moored in a secure marina in Oahu, our big plans of cruising around the Hawaiian Islands with Darrol and Stephanie quickly changed.
True to their word, Darrol and Stephanie met us in Hawaii. Rather than taking a chance crossing the Molokai Channel again with Long Windid, Dan and I decided to fly to Maui to meet them. They graciously offered to share their beautiful two-bedroom condo. The views from their deck overlooking the Lahaina Bay were breathtaking, especially as the sun set over the Island of Lanai. Like the part-time Hawaiian natives they have become, Darrol and Stephanie drove us to the charming town of Lahaina. During the 1800's Lahaina was a whaling village and was the center of the global whaling industry. Through the years, thousands of sailors took leave in Lahaina including Herman Melville, who immortalized the era in his classic novel "Moby Dick". Situated on the scenic waterfront, Front Street is lined with cute and charming boutique shops and numerous art galleries. There was no stopping Stephanie and I when it came to shopping. She instantly became my new best shopping friend. At night Front Street transforms into Maui's center of activity with unique and trendy restaurants and bars. Darrol drove us around the entire island on the winding Hana Highway, over rustic bridges crossing dozens of mountain streams. We even drove up to several lush roadside waterfalls. When we weren't touring, we spent countless hours relaxing at the pool overlooking the beach. After a week on Maui, the four of us flew together to Oahu to see and explore some of the sights there. Although the trade winds continue to blow at 20 to 25 knots, we were able to take the Long Windid to Pokai Bay and anchor comfortably overnight. The protected bay was calm and relaxing. Dan and Darrol dove to clean the bottom of Long Windid in the beautiful crystal clear water. Since we had a limited amount of time with them, the following morning we lifted the anchor to head back to the marina. We had little time left but managed to go to the historic North Shore where Stephanie and I did what we do best, SHOP. Meanwhile, the guys drove to Waimea Bay. This is where annual big wave surfing championships are held during the winter months when the north swells create huge mountainous waves. Further up the road is the Banzai Pipeline, where they watched surfers getting tubed or wiped out. After three days in Oahu, Darrol and Stephanie had to leave for Lahaina once again, to meet their daughter and son-in-law. We had so many laughs and shared good times with them both. Dan and I are so fortunate to have Darrol and Stephanie for friends and in our lives. Hope to get together with them again next year when they return to Hawaii.
True to their word, Darrol and Stephanie met us in Hawaii. Rather than taking a chance crossing the Molokai Channel again with Long Windid, Dan and I decided to fly to Maui to meet them. They graciously offered to share their beautiful two-bedroom condo. The views from their deck overlooking the Lahaina Bay were breathtaking, especially as the sun set over the Island of Lanai. Like the part-time Hawaiian natives they have become, Darrol and Stephanie drove us to the charming town of Lahaina. During the 1800's Lahaina was a whaling village and was the center of the global whaling industry. Through the years, thousands of sailors took leave in Lahaina including Herman Melville, who immortalized the era in his classic novel "Moby Dick". Situated on the scenic waterfront, Front Street is lined with cute and charming boutique shops and numerous art galleries. There was no stopping Stephanie and I when it came to shopping. She instantly became my new best shopping friend. At night Front Street transforms into Maui's center of activity with unique and trendy restaurants and bars. Darrol drove us around the entire island on the winding Hana Highway, over rustic bridges crossing dozens of mountain streams. We even drove up to several lush roadside waterfalls. When we weren't touring, we spent countless hours relaxing at the pool overlooking the beach. After a week on Maui, the four of us flew together to Oahu to see and explore some of the sights there. Although the trade winds continue to blow at 20 to 25 knots, we were able to take the Long Windid to Pokai Bay and anchor comfortably overnight. The protected bay was calm and relaxing. Dan and Darrol dove to clean the bottom of Long Windid in the beautiful crystal clear water. Since we had a limited amount of time with them, the following morning we lifted the anchor to head back to the marina. We had little time left but managed to go to the historic North Shore where Stephanie and I did what we do best, SHOP. Meanwhile, the guys drove to Waimea Bay. This is where annual big wave surfing championships are held during the winter months when the north swells create huge mountainous waves. Further up the road is the Banzai Pipeline, where they watched surfers getting tubed or wiped out. After three days in Oahu, Darrol and Stephanie had to leave for Lahaina once again, to meet their daughter and son-in-law. We had so many laughs and shared good times with them both. Dan and I are so fortunate to have Darrol and Stephanie for friends and in our lives. Hope to get together with them again next year when they return to Hawaii.
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