Postcards from Maui (guest post)

While I've covered quite a lot of ground, I haven't been everywhere. (Yet...) So, I've enlisted some help from local experts in the "Postcards" series of running travel guides.

Today, we're going to Maui!

Our running tour guide is DC native and runner, Tai Fung. Tai is a regular run-chatter on Twitter and has been giving me pointers about what to do when I move to DC later this year. In the meantime, he's going to take us on a tour of his favorite vacation destination: Maui. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip.

Belated greetings from Maui!

I appreciate Beth letting me guest post this tale of my time in Maui, along with my experience running it. I travel to Maui yearly (or have, over the past few years), and stay on the west side. Maui is kinda shaped like a sideways number 8, with the left/west circle a little smaller than the right/east one.

Fortunately, based on the amount I eat and drink while I'm there, there are plenty of things to do, activity wise, so those Mai-Tai calories can find a little outlet. And really, would a guy with my handle drink anything ELSE?

Tai's Mai-Tai

I'm usually in Kahana, Maui, which is not far from the former capital of Hawaii, pre-statehood, Lahaina ("La-hi-nah," which translates roughly as "cruel/relentless/unforgiving sun").  Arriving in Maui, my full-blooded Italian roots kick in, and I quickly tan up, but if you're of a more fair complexion, bring or buy sunscreen -- the waterproof kind!

You'll see lots of morning runners in West Maui, and waving to each other seems to be the custom (even in my home of Washington, DC, I usually flash the Hawaiian "hang loose" wave when passing runners, since, after all, wouldn't we all rather be in Hawaii?).

In the Kahana region of Maui, there are two primary roads of interest, known as the "upper" and "lower" roads.  The "upper" road, is just Highway 30, the Honoapiilan Highway. This is where you'll get a lot of good, uninterrupted mileage. But beware! It is HILLY, and you'll often have a wind either going or coming. But run against traffic, and you'll get an excellent run in. Scenery-wise, there isn't a LOT that you'll see, although at certain points along the road, you can stop and watch the ocean. Wait long enough, and you'll see (male) Humpback Whales breaching, slapping fins, or otherwise trying to find a lady whale to make "friends" with (I guess these whales haven't discovered Match.com). But the whales are only there in the winter, and if you're out running on the highway, you'll want to keep moving before you're baked to a crisp (you DID put on sunscreen for this run, didn't you??).

I snapped this picture after running along the upper highway, and then headed down to the beach to cool off.  That's not a camera trick.  That's just the biggest rainbow you've ever seen.

Maui Rainbow

The "lower" road is called the (wait for it!) LOWER Honoapiilani Highway(!).  This is a little more challenging for a hard run, but if you're looking for an easy, I'm-on-vacation run, you'll want to run here. You'll be with tons of runners doing slower paces (often because of walkers, driveways, etc), but you can see amazing views.  One of my favorite stops is Pohaku Park, nicknamed "S-turns" by the locals.  From here,  you can often see Green Sea Turtles swimming in the waves, and muching on the Limu (algae) on the rocks.

Beautiful views while on the run in Maui

As for beach running itself -- I advise against it.  Hawaii, at least Maui, is pretty rocky in places. You won't go as far as you think before you have to turn back, or move up to a road. On the plus side, walking the beaches is lovely as a post-run cooldown, because you can find amazing lava rocks. Here's one I found that formed a perfect little heart:

Heart-shaped lava rock

Bearing in mind the fate of Greg Brady, I threw it back after photographing it. Hawaiians take very seriously the removal of lava rocks from their home, and that a curse follows those who do. So don't, or be in deep doo-doo. Dig?

Sorry.  Anyway.

I have more pictures on my Instagram account, including a simulated picture of Steven Tyler (who I literally almost ran into in Lahaina).

Oh!  One thing before I finish up -- West Maui does have the lovely highway 30 for running great distances, but do NOT try and run in Lahaina, along their lower road, called "Front Street." It can't be done. Tourists abound. Kids. Cars. The odd homeless surfer who also happens to think he's Jesus Christ (really). Go there for a wonderful, memorable visit, but get your run in another time.

Finally, if you're really itching to race, check out the Maui Oceanfront Marathon, which features many different distances, and runs along some really lovely areas of West Maui, including Lahaina (when delusional surfers are shoo'd away).

Find me on Twitter, Instagram, or my own blog.

Aloha, and Mahalo to Beth for this opportunity!

Postcards from San Diego

(Belated) greetings from San Diego!

So... that's it. I cut ties with my job in San Diego. No more week-long visits every other month. No more business trips (at least not in the near future). No more hope of renewing my California driver's license.

But... I did spend one last, glorious week there last month. Here's the picture postcard version:

There was ice skating...

Ice skating at Horton Plaza
The kid next to me is making the same face.

And I enjoyed cocktails at one of my favorite downtown restaurants: Quality Social.
The restaurant features dishes from scratch and superb beverages.
(Try the pickle back shot. Whiskey with a pickle juice chaser. Sounds gross, I know. But seriously. Delicious.)

Dress code at Quality Social:
"If it's on the Jersey Shore, it's not getting through the door."

I went for one, unplanned, last shopping spree at the Little Italy Saturday farmers market...

You can see San Diego Bay from the market

Fresh local produce...

... and some of the best uni in the world. Served fresh at the market.

After 10 years of living in San Diego, and 12 years of working there, I thought I had seen everything downtown had to offer. But on my last run through the city, in the Chinese Cultural District, I found a hidden garden I had never seen before.

Then I filled my belly with Mexican food and fusion delights...

Avocado and heirloom radish salad

Braised pork belly

Pizza with spinach and locally-grown mushrooms

I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to the Balboa Park rose garden...

...and the Botanical House...

Botanical House at Balboa Park

...and the giant ficus tree...

One of several giant ficus trees in Balboa Park

... and my favorite little garden in the park.

View from Alcazar Garden

I also got to spend time with my extended family, and I stopped by to see the seals in La Jolla (at night, so no pictures).

Unfortunately, with work and family obligations, I did not get a chance to run with my long-time running buddies... but while I've said goodbye to a San Diego paycheck, I'm not leaving forever. The big difference is that on the next trip, I'll be 100% tourist!

What places would you want to visit "one last time" if you were leaving your hometown?

Have you ever eaten uni (sea urchin)?

Postcards from Rhode Island

(Belated) greetings from Rhode Island!

All I'm going to say is thank goodness my family visit was last weekend. As a Florida resident, I have zero interest in spending my vacation time hunkered down during a hurricane. (Hope ya'll are safe and dry after Sandy!)

My family is outdoorsy (and you wondered where I got it from?), so we spent most of my visit hiking our way through some spectacular autumn scenery. (I really did get the luck of the devil with my travel planning - caught all of the foliage fireworks, and none of the storm surge.)

View of autumn color at Barden Reservoir

Now I'm going to take you on a loop around Barden Reservoir in Scituate, RI. This is an easy hike on gravel roads and a small stretch of paved roadway.

Hike on gravel roads around Barden Reservoir

Many pages of google search resulted in no maps of this hike/trail run, so I'm going to give you directions Rhode Island style (based on landmarks and road names).

Start on Hemlock Road, just west of the intersection with Ponagansett Rd. There are a few places to park off the road near reservoir dam and waterfall.

Waterfall over the dam at Barden Reservoir

Head back toward Ponagansett Rd and turn left. Stay to the left, and turn left at each roadway intersection for a complete circuit of the reservoir. (Left onto Ponagansett. Left onto Central Pike. Left onto King Randal Rd. Left onto Hemlock.)

A small section of the route traverses paved Central Pike. Stay to the left on this stretch as cars travel quickly on this section of road, but pause to admire the views out over the reservoir.

View from Central Pike

New England farmsteads are rocky places. Most farmers, during colonial times, cleared rocks from their land and piled them up in free-form stone walls between sections of their farm and along property lines.

Despite hundreds of years of wear and tear, these stone walls still crisscross the woods throughout New England.

In addition to the historic stone walls, a hiker often stumbles across tombstones on a typical trek in southern New England.

Historic New England cemeteries are a bit different than cemeteries in many other states in that they were often family plots, on local farms or homesteads, and not in a church yard.

Early Puritans rejected churchyard burials as they rebelled against other "papist" practices, as heretical and idolatrous. Instead, many 17th century New England towns set aside land as common community burial grounds.
Source: National Park Service

Tombstones in one of many historic graveyards near Barden Reservoir

Lichen and leaves in one of the historic graveyards

On this hike there is ample evidence that nature reclaims most of what humans can build...

Tree is slowly growing over a traffic sign

View over Barden Reservoir near the end of the hike

View of autumn foliage reflected in marsh near Barden Reservoir

  And while we did not see much wildlife on this trek, we did see this little guy...

Caterpillar. Anyone know what type he is?

And no New England autumn hike is complete without some fresh-from-the-farm apples.

Winesap apples, an absolutely delicious heirloom variety.

What's your favorite autumn hike?

Postcard from an autumn walk

Next week, when my schedule has gone back to something approximating normal, I'll write a real postcard post about my travels.

In the meantime, here a photo from one of my runs last week:

Any guesses as to where I was???
Hint #1: Not Florida.
Hint #2: Chi can't guess because she knows the answer.

Postcards from Williamsburg

Greetings from colonial Williamsburg, VA!

The term bucolic is almost (but not quite) right in characterizing Williamsburg. After all, the colony was more city than rural (at least for its time). But with sheep grazing alongside homes, "bucolic" will have to suffice.

View into colonial Williamsburg across a pond

The architecture is quaint, and the streets are wide, well-shaded, and runner-friendly even when throngs of tourists are touring.

One of the main boulevards in colonial Williamsburg

The governor's palace

Shady paths are runner friendly

Unfortunately, while most of the trees are oaks, black walnuts are also native to the area. One tree tried to bludgeon me with a softball-sized missile.

The walnut landed a few feet from where I was running on the trail.
(Score one for being just a little slow that day?)

Black walnut (still in outer hull) that tried to knock me unconscious

Livestock was crucial to colonial life, and still play a starring role in today's tourist-oriented recreation of Williamsburg. Horse-drawn carts ferry tourists to and fro. Oxen roam the streets with their handler. Sheep and cows graze in pastures between homes.

Yoked oxen

Horse drawn carts ferry tourists through the town

The cart drivers are in period costume

And it's not only animals who go to work in colonial Williamsburg each day. The town includes a bevy of period reenactments including a fully-functional brick yard, a blacksmith shop, wood-working shops, etc...

Brick yard, with piles of oyster shells, sand, clay, and bricks in various stages of completion

Blacksmith shop

Baker shaping loaves of bread for baking

Baking loaves of bread in an outdoor oven

Not to be outdone by the historical reenactments, modern-day archaeologists spend their afternoons digging up bits of the past.

Archaeologists at work...

People in period costumes relaxing in the shade

For what it's worth, this was not a town that took punishment lightly.

Like most British towns from the 1500s - mid-1700s, Williamsburg had a working stockade. And used it.

Stockade in the town center

My shadow, waving goodbye to Williamsburg, on my last run

Have you ever been to Williamsburg?
Are you a fan of historical re-creation tourist destinations?

Postcards from Atlanta

Greetings from Atlanta... Home of CNN, Coca Cola, Habitat for Humanity.

Downtown Atlanta

Atlanta... City of contrasts, with gleaming glass towers visible over the rooftops of beautifully-preserved historic buildings and sprawling brick homes.

View from an intersection on Piedmont Ave

And where tourist-oriented remembrances of Gone With the Wind are tucked under giant parking garages...

Miss Pittypat's porch restaurant

Atlanta... Southern city, but with an urban edge that reminded me more of New York than the South.

Runners do not nod, wave, smile, or say "hi" to one another in this city. I have to be honest, it was a little disconcerting getting the cold shoulder from fellow runners. I expect that in the northeast. I was not prepared for it in Atlanta!

Speaking of running... While I was in Atlanta for a couple of days, I ran a 6.25 mile run from downtown to Piedmont Park (route map).

Southwest entrance of Piedmont Park

View of the city from Piedmont Park

Park Tavern, at the southeast corner of Piedmont Park

Community garden in the park

View of the Park Drive bridge from the community garden

While most runners did not pause to pass the time of day, I did make an instant friend on this run.

Just past the community garden there are a series of trails that lead off into a tiny pocket of urban wilderness known as the Six Springs. I wanted to run the trails, but as a stranger to this town, I had concerns about how safe it was to run off-road.

I paused to scope out the scene, then decided it was too risky to run alone. Just as I abandoned the trail, another female runner did a similar slow-roll by the trailhead. She also seemed to have second thoughts, and turned away. I caught up to her, introduced myself, asked if she wanted to run the trails together so we could run safely.

Together we enjoyed a nice little spin through the Six Springs!

Trails through the Six Springs area

We split up when we got back to paved roads. I headed through the botanical garden, and my momentary friend turned south.

Civil war history

I admit to being a little jealous of Piedmont Park's "Active Oval" - a gravel track with athletic fields in the middle, and exercise equipment around the edges. I'd do my speedwork at the track more often if I had one close by that was so pretty!

Active Oval in Piedmont Park

Pull-up, push-up, step-up, and sit-up equipment at the Active Oval

Lake Clara Meer as seen from an overlook near the Active Oval

Heading back out toward the southwest gate

Another thing I noticed about the city is a plethora of "no cruising" signs. You know you're on an urban run when...

No Cruising zone...

Another Atlanta discovery: public art!
Atlanta had more sculptures, block for block, than any city I've visited in recent memory. I was a dorky tourist and took photos of dozens of sculptures, but I'll spare you the eye strain and share just one.

Sculpture at Speakers Corner in Woodruff Park, downtown Atlanta

Playing life-sized chess in Woodruff Park, downtown Atlanta

... my only final thought on Atlanta is:
I can't wait to go back!