Ladies of Austin

Austin: Shock and Love

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A whirlwind visit through Texas fills me with both shock and love!  In an attempt to see as many of my amazing friends as possible while still making it to all of my necessary doctor appointments proves difficult – but I am up to the challenge!  I stop in both San Antonio and Austin an relish in the love showered upon me by all of my friends.

San Antonio Celebrations

I start my Texas holiday off in San Antonio with our good friends Wayne, Shawn, Sharon and their family.  Sharon gets me up and walking 3-4 miles each morning while they feed me like royalty!  Man oh man nobody goes hungry in the Melnar house!  Two of their three kids are home with their respective girlfriends and Shawn’s parents “Hank and Darlene” come by for a visit on the 4th.

The men BBQ’d a brisket and tons of ribs.  Is literally was a massive feast!  We were rewarded with a beautiful fire work show at the end of the night as we overlooked the valley.  Superb visit!

Players: Top: Me and Sharon; Sharon, me, Shawn, Uncle Sam, Wayne.  2nd Row: Me & Wayne; Hank & Darlene; Mason and Alejandra.  Bottom Row: Mason at the grill; Dylan and Kate

After a few short days, I headed to Austin.

Austin Bound

My dearest friend Jamie flew in from Oklahoma to stay with me at our beloved friend’s Michelle, Jeremy and Jake home.   The weather was mild for Texas at a balmy mid-80’s for most of the week.  Humid, yes.  But, pleasant enough.  It had the potential to be hideously hot.  The only complaint I had was the cedar which kicked up my allergies to an all time high.

It was pure bliss spending time with two of my dearest and best friends.  I am so grateful to have these ladies in my life.

Most of my days were full of errands and doctor appointments which is never fun, but certainly necessary.  By the time I leave the U.S. I will have visited the optometrist (got new glasses), gastro doc (colonoscopy), oncologist (labs, exam, prolia shot), Family Doc, had a bone density and was stuck a bunch of times for draws and tests.   For the most part, got the thumbs up.

Shock and Awe

We went by our old house on Sugar Shack (in Austin) and were totally surprised to see this “remodel” which basically removed all the walls and floors.  But you can really see why I called this our “tree house.”

Sugar Shack house in Austin

Sugar Shack house in Austin

Shock and Awe

So what was so shocking to me?  It seems I have lived my life in a bubble or with my head in the sand.  I thought I was “pretty up to date” with news as I read the Huffington Post and Skim, but “NOT.”  My friend’s filled me in on the drama, which I am sure you are aware.  But, for those who are not…here are the highlights:

  • Property (houses) prices are through the roof.  If you don’t bid a minimum of 30% over the asking price you have no chance of buying a new house.    Austin has become one of the most competitive housing markets in the country with prices said to have risen over 30% in the last year.
  • Staffing shortage:  Many, if not most, eateries and retail establishments have signs up stating “Reduced hours due to staffing shortage.”  That is if they made it through the pandemic.  Some of our most iconic restaurants closed including Shady Grove.
  • Minimum Wave:  In Tx, the minimum wage is $7,25 an hour. Yes, a travesty as it is $14/hr in California.  But, in order for fast food restaurants and retails to get staff, they are offering over $20/hr plus full benefits, paid vacation, sign on bonuses, and even pet insurance.
  • Shortages:  A manufacturer of chips in Taiwan is unable to produce the chip required for automobiles (all cars, trucks, SUVs) so there is a 4-6 month wait.  Paint, cushions for furniture, curtains, and more are all back ordered 6-8 months.  The supply chain was broken during the pandemic and industries are struggling to get back up and running.
  • Construction: Lumber was about $300 a pallet and jumped up to well over $1000 for the same amount causing builds to go up.  A chip for air conditioners is back ordered so developers/builders are unable to move people into their homes until they can get the AC’s working.  
  • The list goes on and on and one so I won’t bore you. These are just some of the more astonishing things.  

Austin Celebration

Heather Newby and Heather Drew put together a fabulous get together at Heather Newby’s house.  They invited the entire gang and had libations, pizza, and special treats.  It was so fabulous to see everyone.  

Austin Love

Austin Love

Our group of Austin friends:

My Austin Friends

My Austin Friends

The ladies of Austin:

Top: Aimee P, Missy, Heather N., Me, Tiffany, Barbara, Heather D.

Bottom: Aimee P., Barbara, Heather D, Diana, me, Missy, Tiffany and Jenifer and Carina top row.

Austin Girls

Austin Girls

I just love me ,my Austin friends!  Blessings all around.

Top Photo: Sharon, me, Shawn, Sam, Wayne.  Bottom Photo: Karl, Missy, Me, John

Puppy Love

My dad just bought a malti-poo

My friend’s in Gambier resupply me with more pearls

 

Hermosa Beach

Living it up in California

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Trips back to the U.S. are both exciting and nerve racking.  Yet, always full of love and laughter.  You are probably asking how can that be? Well, exciting because I get to see my family and friends that I have not seen in years.  Nerve racking because I have loads of doctor appointments, errands, and orders to be placed and received.  My first stop is California.

Hermosa Beach, California

I arrived in California on a bright and beautiful day.  My dad made the long drive to visit with us and we got to spend the entire day with him despite his ailing health.  He is a rock star for making the journey, but next time I will make the drive.

My sister spoiled me the next day. I had not had my hair done in almost 3 years and it was looking a little long, but ratty.  Since I wear a hat all the time, the crown was my natural dark color, but from the nape of the neck down it was a sun kissed light brown to blonde.   The stylist said I came in with “charcoal” hair because of my long grays.

Before look known as "charcoal"

Before look known as “charcoal”

After 7 hours in the chair, a full color and then balayage it turned out way redder and lighter than I wanted.  She worked tirelessly to fix it and used toner 3 times.  By the time I left I was exhausted, cold, hungry and ready to cut it all off.  I decided to “sit” with it for a few days before making any rash decisions.  I will say that the color was beautiful, my hair was full, shiny, and super healthy looking.  It was just much lighter around my face than I anticipated.  I did not take photos of the front top where it was really light as I did not like it.

After Look

After Look

Several days later I wash it for the first time.  Part of me hoping the light color will wash off near my face, but knowing it won’t.  I am getting used to it…

Family Visit

Most of my family lives in California, but they are all spread out.  So, it is always fun to get together.  My 2nd cousins Jean and Ken, my aunt/uncle Diana and Mark, my uncle Matthew and my sister’s family all enjoyed tasty enchiladas, salad, and desert.

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Kimberly, my sister is such a goof ball – man I love the heck out of her!

My dad is battling colo-rectal cancer so my goal was to visit him as much as possible.  He is a fighter and is not relinquishing to this disease.  I am so proud of him and is courage!

My dad, his wife Kelly, and my uncle Adrian

My dad, his wife Kelly, and my uncle Adrian

My dad added to his family – a new malti-poo – so cute.

Family Fun

Family Fun

Squeezed some time out for my good friends.

Kathryn is one of my dearest friends and always brightens my day.  She is such a bright star in my life!

Kathryn, Kimberly, and I - California Girls

Kathryn, Kimberly, and I – California Girls

Deborah took me out to an amazing dinner at Shade in Manhattan Beach and it was amaze balls.  The drinks were spectacular!

Deborah and I

Deborah and I

Kimberly rides English style on a beautiful horse called “Spade.”

Kimberly and Spade

Kimberly and Spade

The Packing of all the “Stuff”

It is always a challenge to fit all of our goodies into our luggage.  You have to ensure that each bag does not exceed 50lbs and are evenly packed.  I decided to divide our loot into 3 sections.  First is coming back with me (urgent items), second will come with the Konis family (planning on a visit in mid-July) and the third will come with Wayne (planning a visit in mid-August).

The four boxes (lower photo) contain water pumps and weigh 12lbs each!  They have to be separated because they are so heavy.  

Some of the above items can be found in Tahiti.  However, they run anywhere from 3-10x as much money.  For example, the SUP leashes are about $65 in Papeete, but only $18 on Amazon.  Some of the above items just can’t be found in French Polynesia (fire blankets, ice cube balls, quick dry towels, waterproof backpacks) and some items are just pure luxury (GoPro, comfy flip flops).

Our Texas dad sent Matt and I some amazing goodies!  He spoils us so.  He sent hot sauce, julio’s seasoning and these cool thermal mugs that we so desperately needed.

This dog greets all the people who pass by on the Hermosa Beach strand.

Lots of flowers in full bloom

Abalone Cove and Reserve – Rancho Palos Verdes

Kimberly took my uncle Matthew and I to a cool place called Abalone Cove and Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes.  Had we gone during low tide we could have explored the cool tide pools.  But as luck would have it, we arrived at high tide so we just enjoyed the dolphins playing the water at the beach.

Beautiful beach in California

Beautiful beach in California

My welcome home upon entry into French Polynesia.

The events of this blog took place the end of June and early July.  Typically, our blogs are 6-8 weeks behind actual events.

Papeete Anchorage

Tahiti Anchorage

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We are anchored in Tahiti at the anchorage called Marina Taina, on 11 June 2021.  It is extremely unusual for us to be in this particular anchorage for an extended period of time.  But, it is what it is.  We arrived a few weeks before my trip back to the States, then I was in the U.S. for 3 weeks and then we waited 2 weeks for my family to arrive.  Sure, we could have moved the boat during the last two weeks, but we were busy doing boat projects and visiting friends.

Technically, there are two anchorages in the Tahiti area. One is called the “airport anchorage” and the other is called “Marina Taina anchorage.”  The airport anchorage is right across from the airport and can be a bit calmer than the other location.  It is equidistant between downtown Papeete and Marina Taina (about 2.5-3nm miles each way).  Sugar Shack has only anchored here once, for one night and found it to be very crowded, but decent.  We typically, anchor directly across from the Intercontinental Hotel swimming pool and over the water huts on the reef side.  We drop the hook in 3 meters of crystal clear, turquoise water and face Mo’orea.  It is much prettier, a bit quieter, and closer to Marina Taina (1nm) but a lot further to downtown Papeete (4.5-5nm).

We do get lovely sunsets behind Mo’orea.

Sunset of Mo'orea from our anchorage

Sunset of Mo’orea from our anchorage

Waiting for a Change

So, here is where Sugar Shack has sat at anchor for the past 6 weeks.  She will be more than ready to make a move soon.  While Sugar Shack has been patiently waiting for us to head to our next destination, we have been busy finishing up boat projects, making repairs, cleaning, and running to town.  

View towards Mo’orea from the stern.

Mo'orea view

Mo’orea view

And a beautiful sunset behind Mo’orea

View of the dilapidated boats abandoned by their owners. Several boats were left in the marina and or in their anchorage.  The marina moved them to the shallow reef side to simply rot away.  So sad.

Dilapidated Boats left to rot

Dilapidated Boats left to rot

View of the Intercontinental Hotel over the water huts (the swimming pool is too far to see in the photo).

Intercontinental Hotel Tahiti

Intercontinental Hotel Tahiti

View in front of the boat toward the airport anchorage

Looking out toward Airport Anchorage

Looking out toward Airport Anchorage

Why We Don’t Like this Anchorage

Anchoring here is a necessary evil.  We have to come to Tahiti to provision, stock up on boat parts, and do general errands.  The outer islands do not have the resources that Tahiti has so we come here.

Even though the water is crystal clear where we are anchored, it is dirty.  The sides of our boat become filthy from the pollution in the water.  You can’t see it, but it is there.  This is on top of the trash that is actually in the water as well.  The dirt on the waterline (between the black bottom paint and the red stripe) is from a little over a week of being in the water.

Dirty waterline from the water

Dirty waterline from the water

After several hours of scrubbing and elbow grease she looks wonderful. Of course, it will be dirty in a day or two, but for now she looks gorgeous.

In addition to the water quality, there is a lot of traffic that comes by us. We are after all located near the channel.  Big boats, small boats, fast boats, jet skis, and party boats all pass by us creating huge wakes and noise.

We are surrounded by dilapidated boats (see above) which make a racket because nobody is tending to them.  The airport is extremely close so we hear every airplane, jet, helicopter that lands and takes off.  The town is close so we hear traffic.

So, not our favorite place to be.  We prefer the isolated motus in Gambier or the Tuamotus.  But, we are here and making the best and most of it.

Heading to Town via Marina Taina

We hop in Sweetie and drive the 1+nm to Marina Taina where we tie up to the dinghy Dock.  On the way, we pass by all the beautiful super yachts.

Marina Taina Super Yacht Dock

Marina Taina Super Yacht Dock

Even Mother Nature favors these beautiful beasts of the sea

Marina Taina Super Yacht Dock

Marina Taina Super Yacht Dock

Once we secure our dinghy, we walk 1/4 mile to the bus stop, then wait for the bus to take us to downtown Papeete which is about 30 minute ride.

Beautiful Artwork 

All around Papeete you will find beautiful artwork on and around the buildings.  Tikis are scattered throughout downtown as well as creative artwork on the side of buildings.  Here are just a few that I have found.

Tahiti Wall Art

Tahiti Wall Art

Tahiti Wall Art

Tahiti Wall Art

Check out our previous posts in Tahiti.

Events from this blog took place around the last two weeks of July.  The blog posts 6-8 weeks behind our actual adventures.