Sunset prior to incoming cold front

Mooo evening

When Maui Land and Pine got out of Pineapple recently we were all sad there would be no more "Maui Gold Pineapple". I could not ever imagine not being able to get fresh pineapple at any time of the year. It was unthinkable. Fortunately 4 former Maui Pine managers got together and with the Ulupalakua Ranch manager Pardee Erdmann they formed Hailimaili Pineapple. They leases 1,000 acres and have kept "Maui Gold" growing and available. What about the fields I had the privilege of riding in behind my house? The pineapple field which has been behind my house since I purchased my property in 1988 has been made into a pasture. 400 acres are now cross fenced for the Ulupalakua cattle which were starving this year. The sever drought had left the ranch with little grass. The worst drought anyone had seen in a long time. The cattle now over look the house and freak out the horses. sometimes at night I can see their ghostly outlines and inquisitive ears framing them as they line the fence checking us out.

Lucky to Live in Paradise

Beautiful warm days, no wind and a bright blue sky. To the beach! as I approached baby beach cars were lined down the normally deserted street. Obviously the ocean was calling many. A work day at noon! The outer reef had a 8-10 foot break creating a over reef wave with a current in the normal swimming area. The water was a bit cold but nice after the intial plunge. The dogs loved it! Hunny, Q and Leila :) Q is a swimming marvel with her own lifevest!

Look out tower

On the top of a ridge in Styria Austria was an observation tower. The steps were a open grate making it more and more difficult to ascend the higher you got. I was 20 feet below the platform and had to stop. A small mental discussion of putting one foot in front of the other got me to the top. The views were spectacular. A map showed us what we were viewing. Just a few miles away was the southern boarder. Fun!

Butterfly house in Vienna

Right around the corner from the Spanish Riding school is a marvelous butterfly house. As we walked past the atrium I could see beautiful butterfly's. Wow, I must go in. We had less than a half hour before they closed. It was most enjoyable. Many people had the butterfly's sitting on their fingers.

A shark hanging in a Austrian Castle

Imagine my surprise when I walked through the main entrance of this old castle to find a 16 foot Mako shark hanging in the ceiling guarding the entrance to the castle.
apparently he has been there for almost 400 years. Caught and brought back to ward of and protect the castle. It is the only castle which was never over run by the enemy.

Watermill hike and Peter Skoff's

The day did not dawn. We were in the clouds as a light mist swirls up from the valley. After our morning 8am breakfast ritual of yogurt with a little corn flakes, then a not-so hard boiled egg, gluten free buns with fresh homemade berry, strawberry jam. Occasionally cheese and salami ontop. I really liked the creamy local Eckart cheese. Then Tea, orange juice. we were ready to face the day. Lets drive a little more south to see a watermill and go for a hike. Large umbrellas in hand and rain coats we set out near the watermill. Up we wound until we saw a sign heading into a valley. Hiking boots which had not survved hung from the sign. This should instantly be a future warning vision. Off the road we started on the tract. crossed the small stream. The valley became narrower. I began to think about the tourists who go hiking to the waterfalls only to be swept away. If we were at home we would NEVER have ventured in this valley. we climb an enormous log jam. Bob is saying this isnt a good idea. Finally we come to our sences and turn around. Whew. On the way back we find a black and gold spotted salamander making his way uphill. Carole finds a large rock which looks just like petrified wood. What a find! Once back on the road we continue up. Sascha volunteeres to go get the car and we aks he picks up the petrified wood too. He and Bob return just as the sky's open up. We had reached the end of the road by someones big garden. On the way back we turned down the lane to Peter Skoffs vineyard. as we pulled in a elderly matron and her wet hunting dog appeared at the door. she invited us in. Her grandson was playing fussball. He is in his 20's and escorted us to a cafe room with a view overlooking a newly planted vineyard. Did we want to try all 40 wines or just a smaller assortment? He would bring 4 glasses out at a time and explane about each wine. They were all quite good. By the time we had tasted 16 different wines I was wondering if I would be able to walk out. Thankfully yes!
as we left we noticed at the end of each row of grape vines there was a rode bush. The insects affect the roses first so the farmer knows to begin to treat his grape vines.

Austrian Hike

As we stood at the crossorad of a decision I pointed out that if we went downhill like the trail marker indicated, we would be heading way down there. Dark green forested valleys which the vineyards plunge vertically down into. Thats not a problem except we have to hike out of there to get back here. Indecision and off we went down hill. Skirting the vineyards dangling their treasured grapes, ripe for the picking in a few days. Out we pop into a gorgeous Austrian flower bedecked home. we have stumbled on a treasere called TRABOS.( www.trabos.au) The owner is tending her flowers and comes to say hello. She has a rose leaf on her chest and wears a long Austrian dress.
In the courtyard of their establishment is a building leading to their wine making operation. across the courtyard is their cafe. Behind this a big garage and home. Brillant multi colored flower baskets decorate every wondow and legde. she has won awards for her flowers. Around the corner are half round wine barrels filled with vegtables and herbs. Their 18 hecters is surrounded by row after row of grapes. She advises us to continue on the trail as it will lead back to Adam-Leiligs where we are staying. Down we go past a large pond. The terrain levels out as we follow a small stream through along a forested road. Equisetum an ancient plant called hors tail blankets the forest ground. across the road we hike as bicyclests and motorcylests speed along on theis sunny day. We start ascending but it is not leading us toward our home. A quick look at the map shows we have many more hours of hiking if we continue on. Dead reconing we walk along the road, hopping the guard rail when cars come zooming by. Along a pasture we turn off the road and start climbing back up the forested hill. We arrive at an old home. it cement water trough serving water to bee's. Apple trees hang laden with fruit. A grass worn path starts up the hill. Up we go. We pass 2 children playing outdoors. Back into the vineyards as we near the crest of the hill we find outselves perfectly back at Adam-Leiligs. Yipee lets go to Trabos for a late lunch/dinner. Muuuumm Kranichsalat! Great Cuvee Josef wine. After our meal Josef Trabos himself shows us his wine making operation and pariently answers our questions via Margrit and Sascha's interpretstion.

Austrian Food and Wine

A wine conesour I am not. But when Carole and Bob say "you have to taste this, it is the best we have ever had"... yes it was so smooth. I could get used to this.
The castle Schloss Seegau had a very nice white Chardoney reserve wine. We toured their celler. Huge barrels towerd over our heads. The front covers were carved with dates and pictures of the castle. The wine guy brought out various taste trials set on a old wine barrel table as the sun set throught the trees.
Next day we stopped at Peter Skoff's. Pulled in as the elder matron and her wet but happy black and white bird hunting dog greeted us at the door. usshered in she stopped a fussball game while her grandson asked if we wanted to sample the full 20 wines or a smaller assortment. I think I liked their gewirtstrameiner ( spelling). I was quite pleased I could walk a straight line back to the car.
The following day or so we were hiking through hill and dale when we happened across a gem. TRABOS! www.trabos.at - Beautiful flower arrangements from every window, door and nook. The owner was happily trimming some flowers when she stopped to recieve our admiring comments. A rose petal adorned her chest. She sent us on down through her vineyards on a hike to the netherlands. We returned for a late afternoon lunch and tour of their wine facility. Joseph Trabos started farming in 74 with 18 hecters. Mostly cows and 4 hecters of wine. in 87 he went full vineyard. Stainless steel fermenting towers crowd his work area. A bottler and crusher. He bottles 65,000 bottles a year. In a few days he will begin picking for grape juice. He hopes the next 2 weeks are sunny. Going to Hawaii would be a dream! Carole and Bob liked his Cuvee'Josef. I loved their "Kranachsalat" UMMMMMM lettus,tomatoes,cucumber,bell ppepper with thin strios of a white cheese and a turkey. A few bacon strips on top and a egg. Salad dressing is the wonderful pumpkin oil type vinegrette which this area is famous for. It is a emeral green in color.

Europe September

Yes the flight is a doosy. 4.5 hours to LAX. 5 more to DC. Then 6 hours to Munich. I arrived at 7am and was in bed by 11am. Slept until 6pm. Up briefly and back to sleep for the night. Margrit, who I met at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez Spain in 2002 drove down with her son Sascha from Hannover. Sept 2nd: Off we went to Austria's wine country. 4-5 hours of driving from Munchen. Through the alps via lots of tunnels. My peepers could not stay quite awake. Almost to the southern boarder with Slovenia. Green, Green, green is Austria. Rolling hills, grapes plunging down the hills. Corn and pumpkins in the flatter acerage. Rivers swollen wide, turbid and dark grey/clay colored. It is sweater,vest and jacket cool. Margrit did all the planning and had us at a very nice winery called Adam-Leilig. The predoment wine is white wine. They do raise some reds as well.

Haleakala National Park - Hosmer Grove

Located near the park entrance Hosmer's Grove was planted in 1910 as an experiment to see which variety of tree would grow best in Hawaii. tree's from all over the world were planted. The short nature walk has small signs naming the trees and where they originate from. There is a small camp ground with picnic table's, grills and tent spaces. In addition there is a 3 sided covered structure with 2 picnic tables for less than ideal weather. Our family thinks this structure should have our name on it as we always arrive to find it empty and waiting for us :)
This afternoon our friends from Germany accompanied us. Hamburgers grilled on a small weber , Potato salad, watermelon, and fruit salad. It was a wonderful afternoon. Our friends proceeded up to the summit for the evening sunset. We feel so fortunate to have this National Park in our back yard.

Summer is beach time

Beautiful days on Maui. For people, dogs and the birds :)

Summer on Maui

Summer is here! Trades blowing a steady 20 mph or highter, NO rain for quite a while. Temps in the high 80's and dropping to high 60's at night. The ocean has been beautiful. How lucky we are to live on Maui!