Friday, 9 October 2009

The Big Island

After a day of surfing catching the sunset on the North Shore of Oahu. Off to the Big Island tomorrow.


Smoldering crater.


The cycle of life.


Coming at you from the center of a volcano crater.


Unbelievable environment.


Recent lava flow near the water.


Rainforest area north of Hilo. Beginning of the journey around the island to Kona.

Another waterfall.

Gorgeous sunset on the Kona side of the Big Island. Almost there.
Our place in Kona. Not bad. Thank goodness for the Hawaii Kama Aina hookup.

Bryan surfaces after dive 1. Apparently he can stay under more than old Johnny breathes a lot.

The amazing scene after dive one while we waited for the Manta Ray dive. Gorgeous.

Not my pic but this is just a hint at wait we experienced. What an incredible experience. 10 gigantic Manta Rays swarming around you at 40 feet.

Squeezing it all in. Bryan and I drove for an hour and ran 4 miles in order to take a quick 2 minutes splash and dig our toes into this green sand. Was actually worth it. Look at this place. Still made to the airport in time for our flight to Oahu.


Couple of Big Island guys throwin' up the shaka at the Green Beach.

Saturday, 3 October 2009

Hawaii Last Couple of days

Kauai proved to be a much easier location for my bodyboarding career. Mokapu on Oahu, beat me down. A whole lot of paddling and diving for very few rides! Cocks roaming free on Kauai and some of what Oahu has to offer. Purposefully not documented here was the most romantic and totally hilarious set of Mai Tai's and Mojito's Bryan and I shared at the Beach House. Spectacular views and outstanding people watching. What is wrong with us??


Shipwreck Break in PoiPu proved to be a pretty good break.


Bryan and I blend right in with the gnarly pack of locals.


This is essentially what Bryan and I looked like carving the head high waves.


Spouting Horn blow hole near PoiPu.


Break at Mokapu. I assure you it was a lot tougher than it looks. I got really good at getting taken to pound town by a ton of ways.


Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.


God Bless America.


Remnants of the ship.


Another radical day winding down in Waikiki.


Board racks at Waikiki.

North Shore, Hilo and Kona coming soon.

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Hawaii Adventure 1 - Kauai

The day after arriving at BMacs we jetted over to Kawaii to hike the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast. 11 miles of climbing in and out of outrageous valleys. Insane time. Hiking the full 11 out in one 6 hour chunk definitely kicked my A*S!!

Here are some snaps.
Ready to embark, 50 lbs of gear to carry in. Here we go.
The trail looks a little ominous on the way in.
Bryan ready to go early on.
Packing in early on the trail.
Warnings about what to do with tidal water. This comes in handy during the Tsunami warning. Fortunately you had to watch really closely to notice it.
Short break on the way in. Gotta get to camp before dark.
Guava fruit.
Camp 1 in the Hanakoa Valley.
Hiked a couple miles back of trail to check out this giant waterfall.
The most refreshing swim EVER.
The trail cutting across a ridge.
Bryan takes a break next to one of the giant palms.
Look off in the distance. That beach is our destination.
Incredible.
Another stunning view.
The final leg in. We made it to the valley.
Another gorgeous stream to wash up and grab more drinking water.
Last break before the beach.
The beach we hiked all this way for.
Looking back at our campsite from the beach. The shower and running water supplied from above.
Camp Kalalau. Thanks for the hammock Kirbs!! Was an excellent bed under the stars!
Beautiful sunset on an isolated beach. For better or for worse it was with Mac.
One of several gorgeous streams. Filter water, wash up and cool down.
This is what is considered a trail. Notice the lack of places to walk. Nice little drop in to the ocean.
Absolutely crushed and in need of a little R&R after one of the many steep valley climbs.
Of course the dryest hottest day was saved for the long hike out.
We made it out. Sore feet, a little smellier and tired of peanut butter sandwiches.

Sunday, 30 August 2009

La Playas de Espana

The museum area, near our apartment in Valencia.
Gorgeous Valencian man.
Gorgeous Valencian streets.
Sweet illustration.
Beautiful architecture on the ride through the Old City.
Historic signage on the Hospital in the Old City.
Cruisin the mean streets of Old City Valencia.
Central Market Valencia.
Who is that gay European pornstar with Bryan??
A couple of less creepy dudes having a mid ride beer.
Bryan cruising on the pitch.
Sweet overpass.
Bad-ass biker gang.
One of the old bridges over the river bed converted into a park.
Down goes Dan, Down goes Dan. Have I got a Boo for you...Dan and the heat don't mix.
This is what blasting mo-town, chugging beers and smoking a delicious cigar will do to a man.
The market in Old CIty.
The cathedral in Old City, Valencia.
The bike gang in a plaza near the cathedral.
Valencia graffiti.
Lora and Bryan making ridiculous jokes.
Beers, boys and the beach.

Art on the streets in the Old City.
Nobody messes with America. Nobody.
Dan and Lora… waiting, waiting, waiting, somebody just open this stupid bottle of Rosada.
The world's longest dinner in Alicante. Europe has no idea what the word service means.
Dinner's entertainment.

Beach side Alicante.

A pause on the long scorching hike to the castle.
Santa Barbara Castle perched over the top of Alicante.
Dan and I after the trek up to Santa Barbara Castle.

At the turret at the top of Santa Barbara Castle.

Dr. Mac surveying Alicante from the castle.

Art shot of sun shining on the old Spanish architecture.

The alleys of Alicante.

Chug-a-lugski at the pool, thanks for the pizzas and plato de queso y jamon Lora.

Oh look a bunch of beautiful Euros pouting into the camera at our little Oasis in Alicante.
The crew chills at our hotel at the top of the hill in Lloret De Mar. Nice walk up the stairs which reaked of urine.

View from the pool deck at Hotel Roger De Flor. CCCP, damn Ruskies!

Hey, Hey Brandy... it's me... Orlando.
The beach front at Lloret De Mar.

Sweet little swim spot in Lloret De Mar

Bridge at Park Guell.

Amazing construction of the walking bridge in the park.
The Crew lines up on the bridge in Park Guell.


Amazing tile work at Park Guell.

Amazing guitarists at the park.



Church at Park Guell. A crazy Gaudi outdoor environment.



La Sagrada De Familia. Famous Gaudi church, started in 1882, the structure is not scheduled to be completed until 2026.


Monument over the entrance of La Sagrada De Familia.




The last supper. Delicioso.


The sun sets on Barcelona and our trip. Adios, buenos noches Espana.

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

New gear on the new site!

www.GetNati.com





Open Water Scuba Certification

Gilboa Quarry Findlay, Ohio




One camping, 2 days in the water.

Got down to about 35 or 40 feet. Saw some crazy stuff they sank in the quarry and got attacked by some quarry fishes.

CERTIFIED Scuba now!!! Ready for some real diving!

Wednesday, 8 April 2009

Keeneland


View from just outside the dining room in the Grand Stand.





Megan and her moms strutting their stuff on the Paddock.





Some ponies warming up on the Paddock.





Up close and personal.







My horse Palmerstown warming up. Unfortunately, like every other horse that I bet on that day, 'ole #5 lost the race.









View from track side as the ponies cross the finish line.








More premium views.

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Shortens B-DAY!


Only pic I have. But it is ridiculous!

Ahhhhhhhh, it's good to be back!