#29 - Dog Who Shall Remain Nameless

Guide Dogs has asked that we not publish names and photos of our foster dogs so this puppy will just be #29!  A real cutie but a slightly naughty one.  We'll only have the dog here until Tuesday morning but I already am in love.

HOWEVER - this is what I saw when I came out of the shower this morning.  Somehow the duvet had managed to 'fall off the bed' and explode!

Reminded me of this dog meme!  Our mess wasn't quite as bad but I'd still say at our house it is Dog 1 - Duvet 0!

Whale Watching

My favorite part of a Maui vacation is whale watching.  From December to April thousands of humpback whales make their way from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Maui.  During the summer months the whales will gorge themselves on schools of krill and small fish, and when the Alaskan waters become too cold, they begin their 6-8 week journey to Maui.  For expectant mothers the migration is more about survival than comfort since the newborn calves haven't had the chance to store large amounts of fat, they would likely freeze in the cold waters of Alaska.  The warm waters of Maui are the perfect place to mate and give birth.

Interesting to know that humpback will go the entire time they spend in Maui - up to 4 months - without eating anything at all.  Consequently the adult whales will lose up to 1/3 of their body weight during their winter vacation.  The babies nurse and gain from 7 - 10 pounds a hour drinking the milk which is 40% fat!

The whales are often friendly and come close to the whale watching boats.

This year we saw lots of whales and lots of breaches. 

Scientists don't know why whales breach but there are a lot of theories floating around.   Some think they are using the force of the impact to get barnacles off their skins or perhaps they are working on their tail muscles for the long journey back to Alaska.  The most accepted answer that everyone can agree on is simply because they can.

Watching one of these 20 - 50 ton animals leap out of the water is thrilling! I don't know why they do it but I am sure glad they do! 

Another common whale behavior is called 'pec slapping'.   This is when the Humpback is swimming in a very relaxed state on the surface of the water lifting and dropping its massive pectoral fins into the water on one side or the other.  These fins can be up to 15 feet in length and weigh up to 1/3 of the whale's body weight  so they make some mighty splashes.

Pec slapping is believed to be a means of communication letting other whales know that a particular whale is in the area.

It does resemble waving!  

If I had a few million dollars I'd buy one of the houses on the beach and spend all my time whale watching from my deck!

Snorkeling

We did do some snorkeling this year.  I've always liked the idea of snorkeling but because I am not a super strong swimmer, I was always nervous.  Last year I ordered snorkeling vests and wow, what a difference they make.  Now I love it and find it completely relaxing!

I admit that I was a bit nervous when we read this sign as we were about to go into the water. 

I am happy to report that we didn't see a single shark.  The reef shark I saw in the Galapagos Islands was the last shark I ever hope to see while swimming. 

I fear that snorkeling in Galapagos spoiled us but we did see some pretty fish here too....just not as many.  

The coral formed canyons.  It was tricky to swim through the deep areas avoiding the shallow water over the coral.  The snorkel vests are especially helpful managing this. 

  A fun part of our vacation! 

Here today - Gone to Maui

Here today! Gone to Maui! Corny but true!  We were 'gone to Maui' and it was a wonderful vacation.  When I asked George what he wanted to do on this trip his reply was, "Nothing" so we spent a lot of time doing this by the pool! 

We did have a fun dinner and see a show with our old neighbors from both Barcelona and Eagle, Sandi and Don Palmer.  Always wonderful to catch up with friends.  The show wasn't our favorite but visiting with the Palmers was perfect!

Sunsets on Maui are a highlight of the day!

We've been to Maui many times but this was the first time we've experienced an all day downpour.   A perfect time to watch a couple of movies while the rain came down.  

We can't complain because most of the time it was like this....sunny and warm!

 Maui is still my 'happy place'.  When do I get to go back?