Vicky Durand’s Adventure Blog #59

Welcome to Blog #59
April 13, 2024

It has been a week with some driving to the locals call the “other side”. The truck has been very dependable, but just discovered it needed some work and well deserved after all the years of dependable service. And, my biggest nightmare would be getting stuck on the Hana Hwy. where there is no reception to call anyone and it would be a real mess. Luckily I found a great mechanic up in Wailuku, but that meant leaving the truck there for a couple of days renting a car, coming back and then another trip back. Basically, hours on the road and I came to realized the Hana Hwy is not for the faint of heart. Going in early Tuesday morning a local going fast came barreling around a corner half in my lane and there must have been just an inch between us. It was so close I thought it would be a side swiping for sure. Then the big delivery trucks also come zooming around corners just barely missing you. Coming back on Thursday a tourist car went off the road down an embankment. As we passed before the police and ambulance came I could see them scrambling up the hill back to the road.

On a better note I managed to get one day of building in. Mikey put a cutting board at the end of my damaged sink which kind of disguises the blemishes and gives more counter space. Builder Chris left with the large wooden beams held to the metal beams with just clamps. They are now secured with bolts. Mikey can’t come back for three weeks, but luckily through friends I met AJ yesterday who has some time between his jobs and is going to finish the windows and trim starting this next week. If time permits he will do more.

I am constantly reaching out to different men to get this job finished. They are all super busy because there is only one electrician and one plumber in Hana so it takes a lot of haranguing and follow through. Just by chance minutes ago I called Kane the electrician again and my some miracle he answered and he is coming Monday to check what I need. And, speaking of electricity we have had a week of dismal cloudy days which is big trouble for solar. When I was away on Thursday it got way down. My solar man, Cory, who is an angle watched over it and reached out to tell me to turn on the generator. I had a little lesson on Tuesday from Mikey so it was all good to go to get things charged up yesterday. Today we have much wanted sun.

Hopefully in a couple of weeks Caleb the plumber will show to hook up the hot water and water filter for drinking. It is all a slow go, but very worth it. I have learned a lot about patience in the last months.

Another great builder James showed up last week who will do my back patio in July. We have a Makaha connection as his aunt is Buffalo’s sister and he is head of the building department at Hana High School. James has a great family. His sister Chloe helps me with my cats several days a week and is a real doll. She just turned thirteen and danced at the Merri Monarch. Ethan also helps me. He is wearing the hat in the picture. James is the tall one in the black shirt. This really goes to show that when one door closes a better one often opens.

I did some planting this week and hope to do much more this coming week. The lettuce and arugula are really growing fast and we have been enjoying salads. In a few weeks we will be eating beets.

The afternoon is moving on rapidly with much to do now that my lawn mower is out of the shop.

Next weekend is the Hana Taro Fest and company is coming in so I will not be doing my weekly blog. I will tell you all about it in Blog #60 the following week.

Thanks for tuning in and wishes for a great week.
Aloha nui,
Vicky