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.