First Exit: In Summary

I know I don’t update this site as often as I expected to. I will try to do better over the next four months as there should be a lot of exciting stuff going on. I will be completing my round-the-world trip heading for Thailand, Greece, Turkey, Central Europe, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, and back to Seattle. Some fun!

But I thought I’d spend a few minutes mentioning some of my favorite things from the past four months in Hawaii. It’s been a great trip.

I got into Honolulu on October 26 and spent a couple days wandering around and enjoying Waikiki. Then caught a plane to the Big Island for a couple days in Hilo. Got out to my little cottage on November 1 and settled in quickly, including buying an old car from a neighbor. I was really out a long way away. I met Cathy the first week I was in town and we had fun exploring Hilo on a walking tour. The next weekend, we went up to Volcano Market. Just a start to some of the places we have gone! She has helped make my stay in Hawaii memorable.

Quinne came out to visit for Thanksgiving. We tried to see everything on the island that week! Went to see the volcano (Kilauea), down to the black sands beach, and to the southernmost town in the United States, Na'alehu. That was just a start to our wandering around the island. We went north to Honokaa, Waimea, and Hawi. Found a steep little backroad that got us to Saddle road in a fog and rainstorm. Was amazed that when we got back to Hilo, discovered that old Toyota (’89) got 36 miles per gallon. There were times in Seattle when we only got that with the Prius! We went to the hot ponds, and the Kaimu Market in Kalapana. Then took another long loop around the southern end of the island all the way to Kailua Kona by way of the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. It was so cool!

Seemed like the visit was over almost before it began and Quinne had to fly home.

I managed to finish writing a story in December and was well on the way to another in January. Writing was going well in the little Eco Cabin retreat. Cathy invited me to a family Christmas Dinner that was very nice, but even more impressive was going to the Volcano late that night. Full moon above and glowing hot lava below.

I agreed to a 2016 1 Million Word Challenge and was off and running on January 1. Had to finish my long-running serial first and that took about 140,000 words. Then I launched a new story that I’m nearly finished with. These are all stories for the adult website. Shortly, I’ll be starting a new mystery, I think. Of course, in January, I also got books out for Tom Kroll and for Karlene Pettit. Very excited to have these guys in the market with new books.

Two of the things I’ve enjoyed the most over the past four months have been the Kaimu Market every Wednesday night, and sunrise (or any other time) overlooking the ocean at Seaview. The fact that I got to share several of those with Cathy was a big plus. I doubt that I will take more pictures of any one subject in the next four months than I have taken of sunrise and waves crashing on the shore in the past four months. I love being near the ocean. I need to think about that for when I return to the States in June.

Yes, return to the States. Starting tomorrow, I’m off on a new adventure that will include visits to Thailand, Greece, Turkey, and Iceland with several stops between. I will keep this blog updated!

Well, that’s pretty much it, but here are some more of my favorite photos from Hawaii.