White Plains Beach

Annie had been telling us about White Plains Beach for months now, so before we left the island we had to check it out. I didn’t really have any expectations about this beach but she said it’s great for surfing, so we loaded up our two longboards, her SUP, and made our way south for the summer swells. It had been flat all summer on the west coast, so this was Jake’s first chance to surf in months. He was going to use my board but as he was carrying it down to the beach he jumped off a short cement block retaining wall (because I told him to go that way) and as he jumped down the back of the board hit the top of the wall and cracked open! I did the exact same thing my first time carrying that board down to the beach. You’d have thought I’d already learned that lesson. It was a major buzz kill, but Jake attempted Joey’s big ten footer anyway and while it was way too big for him, the boy surfed! and I didn’t get any pictures! but that’s not why he likes it anyway.

Unlike the reef beaches we’d been surfing on this one has a soft sandy bottom, so I was really looking forward to surfing myself but between my cracked board, and Jonas’ foul mood, I wasn’t up for it. Instead I boogie boarded with Jewel for a while and then set off to get a few photos.

I walked over closer to this fence thinking I could try to get a shot of Diamondhead through a chainlink.
And after I get one uninspiring picture that way I look down and see these guys sleeping right in front of me!
Two Hawaiian Monk Seals. Funny how my mood instantly brightened.

There was a man there from a monk preservation society who was making sure no one molested them, and to answer any questions people may have, and to just basically educate. While most people spent a couple minutes taking pictures, and then going back to the beach, Jewel stayed there for probably forty five minutes just soaking up everything he had to say and waiting for this Dad and his Daughter to wake up. They never did, but it was still exciting to be so close to these guys in their natural habitat. The thing Jewel remembers most was the story of how the big one (Dad) got bit by a shark and was able to make himself stop bleeding. Apparently they have a way of cutting off blood flow to wounded areas. Pretty cool.

White Plains gets a two thumbs up but I would definitely recommend not going on the weekend.

I like my beaches a little less crowded.

Diamond Head on Dwellable

Sharks in Colorado

We were all set to go sledding near Powderhorn a couple days ago, that was until this latest snow storm started. I couldn't even get to Rifle to get a new router that I've been desperatley needing. Yes, I do need it, and ever since moving into an RV ten years ago, I've been pretty good with just getting what we need. That's one thing that this lifestyle will teach you, whether you want to learn it or not, you don't get it unless you need it. OR, in order to bring home those new shoes you have to get rid of a pair you haven't worn, in say...two years. But I'm getting off track. What I'm trying to say is, it's been snowing long time. But we finally got out today, and am happy to report that my new router works wonderfully with my new cable internet. I had it with the satellite. I downgraded my service, and got Comcast...with no contract, and for only $33 a month. I'm paying three dollars more a month for both services, than I was for the fastest package I had with HughesNet that wasn't any better than dial up. I now have a dish and modem for sale..any takers?

The drive to Rifle was absolutely beautiful! We didn't see asphalt for four miles.

All the way down our "hill" and crossing the Colorado.

Nothing but white.

Errands done, almost everything on my list accomplished, we get to head back to our mountains. Maybe I'm biased, but I think ours are the best.


The second we walk in the door, Jonas is jonesing to get outside. Which is quite a shock since I've been wishing they'd get outside more. Jewel has a fever and cough so she's not up for anything but napping. I even found some sledding hills nearby which I never knew were there before today, but we have to stay home wth Jewel. Instead the boys build fortress walls to hide behind during snowball fights.

Too bad Jake was aiming for me!

What's a shark doing in the middle of the snow?


Watch out snow swimmer!

There's three more behind you!


The whole RV Park has witnessed the carnage. It's not safe at site "17".

Powderhorn on Dwellable

Slacker Mom

We were going to head to Washington State, so why are we now in Texas? Well, when Joey told people that we were leaving they came up with a dozen reasons why we shouldn't. My one new friend, Shirley, even gave me big puppy dog eyes and a pouty face, actually making me feel guilty for leaving! This is why we don't like to make new friends. Dammit.

Everyone else in camp is still working building the new gas plant, and with a lot of them being rig welders like Joey, he was able to gain invaluable information from them regarding welders. Then there were a couple rig welding trucks that came thru camp looking for a spot so Joey decided to go meet them, and in doing so he mentioned to them about a welder he was watching on eBay. They came inside to check it out and then told him all about it, and what a great welder it is. The next thing I know, we're in the truck and heading to Texas. Now the bid doesn't end until Tuesday evening but Joey's determined to win it, no matter what, so we may as well surprise the family and go hang out with them until it ends.

This is where the slacker mom part comes in. I don't even pack, I load up the last nine days of laundry and figure we should have more than enough clothes for a few days. What I didn't realize was that over the last nine days about eight of them had been cold, as cold as forty four degrees. It was NINETY TWO when we got to Texas! Good thing I did throw in swimsuits last minute, since we've been living in them the last three days.

We are having such a great visit, though. We got here around two in the afternoon, after driving straight thru. We planned on stopping but it just didn't feel right leaving at 7PM, and getting a hotel half way, around, ummmm, 4am. What is wrong with us? Who leaves for a thousand mile road trip at 7pm when we have at least four days to get there? Hi, nice to meet you, we're the FuhKaui Family.

We were obviously exhausted when we got here, so we opted not to go to the Texas Rangers baseball game with everyone, except Jacob, he went. It was kinda strange not having him with us, but he had a blast. Then on Sunday my brothers family came over and spent the day, while we grilled, swam in the cold jacuzzi, played Bochi Ball, Tether Ball, and poked fun at each other.

Today I forced eveyone to go to a waterpark,

and they all thanked me later. It was another fantastic, yet exhausting day.

I don't know how much more fun I can take.

That's me in the bottom right, looking dazed and confused.

Did I also mention that all that swimsuit wearing has now turned each of us into lobsters? I have no idea how I'm going to sleep tonight.