Four days after Dave and I returned from Maui, Marcy and I went to Stokely Creek Lodge in Goulais River, Ontario, for our annual cross-country ski trip. We have been skiing there for over 30 years. This year we happened to be there at the same time as several other people we have skied and dined with at the lodge, since the 90’s. The past few years we haven’t seen them.
I had a slightly different mindset about skiing this year. Usually I fit my entire year’s worth of skiing into 3 or 4 days. This year, after this trip, Dave and I would be heading to Colorado, for 5+ weeks of skiing. I didn’t mind giving up skiing for an afternoon, to try snowshoeing. We both really enjoyed it, as it was a good workout and the views were beautiful and new to us.
It was another fun time at Stokely Creek Lodge – good food, great company and perfectly groomed, scenic trails. Next stop, Breckenridge, Colorado!
Marcy at the main lodge. Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioView of Walker Lake, from Evans Lake trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioStopping for a shadow selfie Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioWalker Lake Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioView of Walker Lake from Walker Lake Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioMy first time snowshoeing. Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioMarcy snowshoeing Lucy’s Mukluks trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioViewing the ice formations on the Cedar Cliffs Loop snowshoe trail. Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioMarcy at the Cedar Cliffs ice formations Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioWalker Lake Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioView of Walker Lake from Walker Lake Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioIt was fun seeing all of these fellow skiers again and sharing stories of our travels and adventures. We have known Gary (far left) forever. He is an amazing skier and a fun person to have dinner with. He has always been generous with skiing and waxing tips (even waxed our skis a few times) and information about the trails, which he knows better than anyone.We have known Mary maybe as long as we’ve known Gary. Like Gary, she has skied everywhere and traveled everywhere. She is an outsanding skier, windsurfer and mountain biker. I have stayed in touch with her and was glad to finally catch up in person, again.The Lower Stokely Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioDustin Trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, OntarioStokely Creek and the bridge on Eva’s way trail Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, Ontario
We have been going to Maui together for 25 years. We got engaged there 22 years ago and were married there 21 years ago. We bought our condo there 19 years ago, because we knew it would be too expensive to stay for long visits when we were older. Obviously, we love Maui!
I had mixed feelings about returning this year. We went for a short visit last winter, just to check on things. At that time employees from our complex and some Marriott locations were being housed at our comlpex. There were hardly any regular guests at our place or anywhere.
Many of the people we know on the island (dozens) lost their homes and/or their place of employment. The feeling of loss, grief and despair was palpable wherever we went and whomever we spoke to, whether they lost everything or not. I actually found myself trying to avoid people and did not mind leaving the island, for the first time ever.
This time things seemed a little better. Most people are still in limbo, waiting for the rebuilding of homes and the town, but seem to be settled somewhere for the near-term future. Many of the West Maui people we know have moved to Wailuku or Kihei, about an hour away. Others have left the island. Tourism is slowly picking up again and many restaurants that were in town have reopened to other locations.
We had a very low-key visit. I bought a short-term gym membership and alternated days strength training & elliptical workout with walking and running the beachwalk and trail along the golf course. Dave surfed whenever possible and we both enjoyed the beach and whales. We went to a couple of happy hours with a few local friends, a fun superbowl party and cooked a lot. The weather was mostly perfect. We had some fun plans ahead, but I was sad to leave.
Dave, during an early morning surf session at Rainbows surf break. I took this photo from our lanai (hawaiian term for balcony), while drinking coffee and watching the whales. I appreciate the added entertainment!View from the Kapalua Coastal Trail – Ironwood Cliffs and Oneola (aka Ironwoods) Beach in the distance. The trail is an easy, mostly flat, 2.5 mile (out and back) trail with stunning ocean views.During January and February in West Maui, we usually see whales and turtles throughout the day, on a daily basis. We see dolphins and flying fish several times and occasionally we see a monk seal swimming or napping on the beach.A typical evening, watching sunset before dinner.Dave and the ducks at the lake on the Kapalua Old Village Course trails. They are a network of walking trails that follow the established cart path located on the former Village Golf Course. We usually do the outer loop. which is about 3.6 miles. It is quite steep, so a good cardio workout. The trees and plants have grown so much that there are no longer expansive ocean views, as there were 5 – 10 years ago. The shade and frequent rain make the steep trails quite mossy and slippery. We had a few close calls, even with good hiking shoes.View of the West Maui Mountains from the Lahaina Bypass road in early February. When we arrived a month earlier, the mountains were completely brown, due to lack of rain.One of two loads of local fresh veggies we purchased from a local agricultural training program. Our long-time friend Jeffrey is involved with the program and hooked us up. My favorite new vegetable is roasted golden beets. They tasted like I roasted them with honey. The lettuce and cabbage were the best we have ever had. We cooked all of our own food there, only eating out twice. In addition to countless fish tacos (topped with the sweetest, freshest cabbage ever) and daily salads, we also ate eggplant parmesan, chop suey, vegetable lo mein, veggie fried rice with shrimp and roasted red and golden beets. Photo credit: Jeffrey MichaelMorning view of the island Molokai and a rainbow, from our lanai. It’s obvious why this surf break is named Rainbows.One of my favorite spots on my morning route. Pu’u Keka’a (aka Black Rock) is the place I frequently transported my mind to when I was stressed out at work. It is a great place to fish, see crabs or meditate. The surf is often crashing onto the rocks.View of the Kaanapali Golf Course on my morning routeSunset view of the island Lanai, from our lanai.Aloha, Maui, until next winter.
