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One of the countless Big Waves that pounded the
missing White Sands beach during another Huge Surf storm on Kona. (The Tomaso
Collection)
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Another year, same tedious tune... As I simply
cannot type fast enough anymore; Ariva-Ariva-Ariva! Not to mention the HORRIFIC difficulties of simply posting stories upon the
'Uber P.O.S. Blogger.com platform! But I digress...
As here's my somewhat quick? Kona postscript, after
receiving the pictures from Hawaii Travel Coordinator Linda, as Sheez! Didn't notice until
returning HOME that I didn't include my epic On Gas' (Danny Ongais) feature
story in my previous Hawaii themed post, which sprang to mind when Linda called
out the flying fish jumping in front of our dwelling...
And as what's becoming typical, of Hawaiian
winter storms, we endured another round of 'Mondo High Surf action, with Kona
being struck by the itsy-bitsy-teanie-tiny 18-25 foot waves; Aye Karumba! Which
entailed a historic closing of the entire B-I-G' ISLAND'S beaches for five
days!
On our
very first 'Walkabout, pre-high surf action, Me Thinks? Sauntering down Alii
Drive, which parallels the Pacific Ocean and is the main seaside road thru
Kona, we spotted the following Hot Rod being worked upon in the morning of a shaded
driveway of a friendly local "Shade Tree Mechanic."
RAD
ROD'
- Fiberglass body - '23 Ford
- 327cid V-8 Chevy with Muncie 4 speed
- Metallic orange with lots of chrome
- License plate : Cool 23
The friendly
mechanic told us that the "Wheelie bar" on back was for more show
than go! As he was busy replacing the current 'Blower with a larger unit, since
apparently it wasn't FAST enough; Hya!
ANOTHER CUSSLER
"WHO DUNNIT"
As typical when in Hawaii, on the chaise
lounge with CD-player & headphones on - and some funny 'lil Adult beverage
with umbrella alongside... I launched into several 'Audiobooks including
another of Clive Cussler's Isaac Bell series thrillers, this one being titled The Chase, having now listened to (read) four of
the current seven novels in this series, with the latest installment, The Assassin due sometime this year.
And
although this novel, which is actually the very first of the series, (published
in 2007) deals more with steam locomotives, focusing upon the mighty Pacific
class 4-6-2's, although Messer Bell gives chase in a faster, more powerful
4-4-2 'Loco, sans passenger cars, caboose, etc whilst giving chase to the Canadian border...
Featured
Cars
- Chain drive Mercedes Simplex
- Ford Model K
- Red Locomobile
- Packard straight-8 convertible
While
the Simplex, Model K and Straight-8 convertible all get just cursory mention,
the red Locomobile, which is claimed to have been purchased by Mr. Bell after
its third-place finish in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race is put thru its paces - impressively chasing down
the locomotive at nearly 100mph that our villain has escaped town on with a
head start!
As the
book briefly describes the cars period correct "Kit," i.e.; brass
radiator and eagle hood ornament whilst Bell prepares to turn the crank after
bellowing "Fire in the Hole!" Hmm? Think I feel a future Locomobile
story coming on...
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| Tomaso ecstatically poses briefly with the legendous' Alex Zanardi on Carb Day, 2013 during the Pit Stop contest. (The Tomaso Collection) |
ZANARDI ON THE BRAIN...
Following that incredulous Seahawks come from
behind victory over Green Bay! We went into town for that month's "Flea
Market," or whatever they call the
monthly multi-vendors bizarre. And after
some friendly banter over the Seahawks defeating the Packers, we continued
sauntering along the pier's and adjoining
Seawall, after Tomas Sr. took me inside the King Kamehameha Hotel (owned by Marriott)
to briefly view the outrigger canoe again, whilst Linda was busy shopping...
As I almost forgot
about the friendly Shuttle Express driver who told me about "the
Duke," not the original Hawaii Surffing legend, but "the Duke"
John Wayne, who I didn't know played college football for USC before being
discovered by Hollywood...
As Tomas Sr.
pointed out "the Duke's," NOT Daisy; Hya! But both Duke
Kahanamoku & John Wayne
respectively on T-shirts alongside an Eddie Akai Quicksilver tee...
And without knowing it, we'd strolled bats
the hole-in-the-wall, nee Seawall where the annual Ironman competitors race
into the Pacific Ocean in Downtown Kona!
As the three of us were upon one of our
morning walks, I somehow got off on a
tangent, and as 'Ol 'Awntie Harriet would say: I had a Talking Jag on; Hooah!
As I delved mightily into the impressive feats of 'El Zorro, aka Alex Zanardi
nearly the entire length of our southwards walk down Alii Drive.
Telling an unexpecting Tomas Sr. the virtues
of Alex's "multiple legs," a set for every occasion! Along with his
recent triumphs of winning two gold and one silver medal in Handbiking during
the 2012 London
Paralympics.
Thus, I was bemused to have Tomas Sr. tell me
that the Ironman competitors file down Alii Drive directly in front of their condo,
claiming that it's a Nightmare! (Traffic-wise, with the road being closed...)
So, this began my pinin' for a picture of
that Seawall opening, and then Linda told me we could go to the Ironman store after I'd
been pestering Tomas Sr. for a postcard showing the competitors flocking into
the water... Which somehow we never
quite got around to visiting, but Hey! It's tough being on "Island
Time" and just relaxing on the balcony enjoying the fresh tropic breeze!
As I still chuckle over Alex's wryly noting
his cadence of counting to 333; got I-T? Whilst fighting the headwinds on his
custom Handbike, as I believe the 333SP reference was noted in the Racer
article linked in the adjoining Zanardi continues to Amaze
post below. Not to mention struggling mightily to find grip on his wheels with
sweat pouring onto his gloves!
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Starting point for the swimming portion of the
famed Ironman event held on Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, nearby the King Kamehameha
Hotel
in Downtown Kona. (The Tomaso Collection)
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And
lastly, mostly for 'Offical No Fenders Photographer 'N "Ger-ranimals"
LUV-err CARPETS; Hya! The B-I-G' ISLAND is awash in Red crowned Amazon Parrots;
NOT the red crested variety as I misspoke earlier, along with Red cardinals,
Doves and Myna birds, etc...
PHOTOGRAPHS
2014 'Mega Surf
& Seawall pictures courtesy of Hawaii Travel Coordinator Linda.
, 2013 IMS Carb
Day picture courtesy of 'Offical No Fenders Photographer 'CARPETS.