Wow, what a first day!

I guess if I still lived in Southern California I would be kind of ho hum about this, but I haven't lived there for a very long time.   This time of year in Washington state is when I have just about had it with winter. 

 

To wake up to 75 degrees, birds chirping, the sound of the ocean... I expect to look in the mirror and see Dick van Dyke with Mary Poppins in bed.  OK, maybe that's a little weird.

We began our day at a little eatery called The Market for great coffee and egg panini's.

And the it was off to play Wailea Gold.  

John and I had played this course about 20 years ago and as we walked into the clubhouse bits and pieces started to come back to me.  One of the most beautiful courses I've ever played in my life.  

Seems like every hole has an ocean view and some, you simply have to stop and stare.

And to make the day even better, Sonja and I both played pretty well.  I was really impressed with how well Sonja was hitting the ball.  I know she was a little self-conscious at first, but she got up there on that first tee and reared back and smacked that ball right down the middle all the way to the end of the tee box!  Just kidding.  She really played well.    

In fact, she didn't lose a ball the entire day!  I think for what may have been the first time that I can remember she played without any mental battles on mechanics, without any swear words under her breath and without any of the look of death towards me that can creep into a round.

As for my game?  Bill Murray would have been so proud.  Roy McAvoy would have invited me into his trailer for a beer and Happy Gilmore would have let me punch Bob Barker.

The only thing missing from my game today was a pair of John Daly's pants and it would have been perfect.

 A burger from Stewz Maui Burgers with grass fed beef, onion rings on the burger and delicious barbecue sauce was what we thought was the perfect ending to a perfect day, and then we saw this....

Longest Flight Ever

For the younger readers, years ago Bill Cosby used to known as a comedian.  He wasn't always Bill "The Perv" Cosby. And he did a routine about flying on an airplane with Jeffrey.  Jeffrey was a baby that fussed and cried through an entire flight and all everyone heard besides the wailing was the mother saying "Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey."  He ended the bit with Jeffrey finally falling asleep upon landing and every passenger walking past their seat making sure to "bump" Jeffrey as they walked by.

Well folks, I'm hear to tell you, Jeffrey has returned.  A six hour flight with this child from hell wailing the entire time!  I had on Bose sound proof headphones with jazz cranked full blast and I could still hear him!  And from where I sat, it appeared that the parents were from the school of "let the kid do whatever he wants" because I don't think they tried anything to shut him up.  Not once did they get out of their seats and carry him up and down the aisle like other parents were doing, not once did they try to appease him with toys, not once did they put duct tape over his mouth.  The father looked like Louis CK and for that reason alone, I'm never watching Louis CK again.


Landed, got the golf clubs, got the rental car and headed to the driving range!  Turned around, went back to the airport and got Sonja.

Brief stop over at the hotel to drop off the luggage and then to the driving range.  You have to remember, it's been cold, rainy and snowy in Washington.  Other than putting on my carpet and a couple of trips to a frozen, covered driving range, we hadn't hit a ball in a few months.  Didn't want to step up on the first tee in front of the crowds and cameras only to whiff on my first swing, right?

Swing back in shape after a big bucket and now it's time to eat.  We stumbled across a local restaurant named "Da Kitchen".  I know, creative right?  This was a find!  All local food and incredibly amazing.  Few folks lined up out the door and not a person in the restaurant under 220.  Couple of local boys sitting next to us pointed us towards the Hawaiian Plate with its Kahlua pork, lau lau, salmon salad and rice.  Too big for one person so we split it.  I remember Sonja's dad making these plates but this was incredible.  We scarfed it down.

Headed to Maui baby!

A few months ago, this seemed like a great idea.  2:00 this morning, when I rolled out of bed I was beginning to wonder.

But any misgivings faded quickly.  Headed to Maui baby!

In less than 24 hours we'll be teeing it up on the first tee at the Wailea Gold course.  30 seconds later, I'll be teeing up my mulligan.

I'll catch hell for writing this but Sonja actually made it out of the house on time.  I just about threw my shoulder out lifting her suitcase, but that's normal.  At least she's going to have everything she needs.   That thought lasted only until we got to the end of our street when from the passenger seat I hear a quiet "oh no".  She forgot to pack socks.

No worries.   Headed to Maui baby!

Writing this as we ride to the airport on the shuttle.   Maybe you've taken this shuttle before?  It's the one with the crusty old fart driving that doesn't like golf clubs?  Too bad old guy... we're headed to Maui baby!!!