October 2020: Isolation Month 8

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Viewed: 4/24/2024	Page Views: 827
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
With tourisim reopened, I was able to make money Doordashing. But the number of new cases has also gone up.

This was the month Donald Trump pretended to have caught COVID-19 so he could brag about how he recovered from it faster than anyone in the history of the Universe. Meanwhile, however, half of his staff and family caught it for reals at his superspreader event in the White House ~~Rose~~ Garden.

In Hawaii, the Trumpsters came out from under their rocks and stood in front of the Lahaina Cannery Mall (home to the Safeway where I get most of my Doordash orders) waving signs, maskless of course, as passing motorists ignored them. I couldn't help but notice that they were all lilly-white Haoles (newcomers or visitors; in other words, non-Native Hawaiians). These would be the descendents of the original plantation owners who stole Hawaii from its Native people, then gave it to the United States as a "protectorate" so it would "protect" them from losing it back to its rightful owners.

But between the Native Hawaiians and other, more worldly peoples of many lands (including the United States mainland) have moved here since the colonial days. And these people tend to be more enlighted, as would be expected in a largely Democratic state. So it's easy for us to drive by these morons with their pitifully small turnout, and laugh. This is a small island and many people driving by surely recognized a few of their neighbors. And now that those Trumpsters have been identified, they are likely to find their social lives will be upended sooner rather than later.

On the home front, though, Keith's and my lives have just been improving. With the extra money made Doordashing, and the opportunity to drive around the island doing so, has brought some physical improvements. We also finally got the solar power setup working so we no longer had to use the generator, thus saving a few hundred dollars a month in gas. Plus, I finally made a solid bed frame to replace the rickety contraptiom we'd been using. Plus, lots of sunsets and waterfalls and beaches!

Water Falls

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/1/2020	Page Views: 680
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
First down from the sky, then down the side of the mountain.

Today was a rainy, foggy day on our side of the mountain. Nevertheless, Keith and I wanted to get out. So we took a drive to nearby Three Bears Waterfall to take a few pictures.

Morning Surfers at Ho'okipa Beach

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/2/2020	Page Views: 712
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Ho'okipaBeach #Surfing
This beach is world-famous among surfers.

On my way to the other side of the island to Doordash, I often stop at Ho'okipa Beach Park to use one of the porta-potties there. And afterward, I usually take a refreshing view of the surfers plying the waves. Some days the waves are better for surfing than others; but today was particularly good.

Another Waterfall

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/4/2020	Page Views: 699
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
We visit yet another of the uncounted waterfalls along Hana Highway.

Today was another day of being too hot to remain in the shed all day. Given the choice of beach or waterfall, we decided to hang out by a shady waterfall until it cooled down.

Freed By The Sun

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/5/2020	Page Views: 689
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Solar power (finally) lives up to its promise.

I'm almost afraid to say anything, but the last I had to run the generator was yesterday morning before sunrise. Our charger isn't working 100% (more like 10%) and the solar panel charge controller was down so we haven't been going through the night without the inverter shutting down with a whistle that doesn't stop until Iget out of bed and turn it off.

Sharing Our Space With Critters

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/6/2020	Page Views: 693
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
We weren't here first, and we won't be the last to leave.

The major difference, I think, between living in a house and camping, is that a house can be imagined as an airtight, bug-free, unrodented container that holds the outside, natural world at bay. No house is, of course; but as long as the roaches keep to themselves and the mice remain in the walls, the illusion can be maintained. That's not true when one has been camping in a utility shed for over six months.

Taking the Dogs to Papalaua Beach Park

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/7/2020	Page Views: 690
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Keith and I revisit a favorite campsite from our first vacation here, and bring the surf-loving dogs.

About once a week I've been doing an overnight Doordash adventure about once a week. Doing so, and spending the night in the car at a beach for free, minimizes gas costs and maximizes Doordash income. The beach I've been staying at, is the same one Keith and I camped at in April of 1919 on our first trip here. So the only ones who haven't yet been here are the dogs. Keith and I rectified that this afternoon.

Hidden Beaches of East Maui

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/11/2020	Page Views: 697
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Keith and I explore a few secret gems from our side of the island.

Like everyone in this time of social isolation, Keith and I find ourselves prone to cabin fever. Fortunately there are plenty of places nearby to explore when we need to see something new.

Full Sky Sunset

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/12/2020	Page Views: 703
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
We're treated to a spectacular light show on our way home.

Keith and I took the dogs to Kihei for the fun of the trip and a visit to a nice, sandy beach. But what really blew me away was the full-sky sunset above us on our trip back home.

Making The Bed

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/13/2020	Page Views: 688
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
While isolated during a pandemic, is the perfect time for construction projects.

I don't have a lot of experience doing woodworking, but I've been thinking for several weeks now about how to create a platform bed out of scrap lumber we have, to replace the awkward mattress-on-two-cots contraption we were using. And today, with help from my husband, we made it a reality.

A Waterfall at Kakiweka Gulch

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/22/2020	Page Views: 687
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
In addition to loving swimming in the ocean, our dogs love swimming at waterfalls.

For today's adventure, we drove past Hana, past Koki Beach, and just before Kipahulu, we found a secluded little waterfall for the dogs to play in. The waterfall seems to have no name, but it's along Kakiweka Gulch.

Flowers of Maui

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/25/2020	Page Views: 695
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
I love flowers, but not enough to care about their names.

I'm a very casual lover of flowers. That is, I enjoy looking at flowers, and smelling them, and most certainly photographing them. But, I don't really care what the official name of the species is. Sure, I can tell a rose from a daisy but my expertise pretty much ends there. Still, that doesn't prevent me from enjoying the wildflowers that seem to pop up everywhere. Here are a few I've photograhed over the past few weeks.