Mother Nature is beautiful...

If it doesn't kill ya. 

Even in a tropical paradise like Hawaii, there's reminders that an invigorating hike can lead to one's final moments. 

On the Waimea Canyon Trail (the Grand Canyon of Hawaii) a simple stumble led 25 year-old Devin to a 700 foot free fall. 

There's even a website dedicated to all those who have fallen (figuratively and physically) while recreating in the Aloha State.

 http://survivehawaii.wordpress.com/kauai/

So please be careful when you're playing. Ma Nature doesn't care if you are cute, young or highly intelligent, she treats everyone as equals when it comes to mistakes.

This public safety message brought to you by Jeff 

Happy Hanukkah...

from Hawaii.

The Hawaiian language is as challenging to speak as Hebrew. There's only eleven consonants used and all the vowels are pronounced differently. I'm not sure if I'm cussing the locals when I ask directions or not.

So far, no one has punched me out. Whew!

On Kauai when they say the eggs come from free ranging chickens, they aren't joking.

Cheers on the Festival of Lights,

There's almost 12 hours of daylight down here.

I'm lovin' it. 

Shalom,

Jeff

Guess who's going...

To Hawaii???

You Must Enter to Win The...

Notice anything different in this photo KwanHanuMas holiday contest. 

The Top Three Answers will win an ambitious Happy Hour complete with appetizers and most likely dinner. The judge (me) will spring for the tab.

Winning answers will be based upon creativity, originality and humor. 

The judge's decision is final, although bribes are graciously accepted and encouraged. 

Winning answers will be posted on a future blog. 

So...take a break from shopping, put on the Ha-Ha hat and send your answers to

Jeffsambur@gmail.com

And speaking about IPPY Award winners...give the gift of words to that one who you adore. 

http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Sambur/e/B006W9MQ78

Happy KwanHanuMas to all, 

Jeff

I got walloped by a...

Pineapple Express! 

After hiking in Fall Canyon, I heard the forecast of impending monsoons and wind. At this point I figured staying below sea level in an area known for mud slides and flash floods might prove (at times)  I'm not the sharpest pencil in the holder.

So... I ran uphill with Barley to beautiful (yawn) Kingman, AZ. It's pouring Niagara Falls here. 

I scored the Gun Show rate at the local Days Inn. Don't tell the hotel owners my stand on weaponry. They might chase me down with two smoking barrels. 

Who knows where I'll be mañana. Hopefully somewhere Pineapple Express proof. Probably not at the Kingman Gun Show.

Be safe and keep your powder dry,

Jeff

From Dante's View Peak...

(don't you just love names like that) it's another 4 miles of ridge top scrambling (uphill both ways-really) to Mount Perry.

At 5,750' this ain't no Everest. However, the big sky views and abundant oxygen provide plenty of "oos and ahs." 

I'm not sure about Sherpa guides here. Google it. 

Today's Body Count (other than my own) was one skittering lizard and one flittering bird.

Did I mention it was quiet too? 

Wind and rain in the forecast of Death Valley.

Not screwed this time...

By Corkscrew Peak. Today, there was no wandering around. The cairns guided me up and all I had to do was chase them. Kind of like a bloodhound on a scent!

At 5,801 feet, it's a Colorado anthill. In Death Valley, it's a challenge. (3,300 feet elevation gain in a scant 4 miles). 

OY! I was shvitzing! (Sweating). 

In the most populated state in the U.S (California has 38 million denizens) I saw one lizard, one chipmunk and one fluttering butterfly. Madame Butterfly is now mounted on a pin and can be seen in Barley. Only joking. I may be a lot of things, but I am no lepidopterist. 

Look closely. That's standing water in Death Valley. Surfs up! Dude!

This is one mountain worth the shvitz labor to ascend. 

Good night once again from below sea level,

Jeff