All you need is love.

Who doesn't love a wedding?

Especially when you're the stunningly beautiful bride.

Today, Andres and Emilia declared their love for each other in one of the sweetest, simplest and most laid back weddings I've ever attended.

Even the son of God was doing his bit, looking as dignified as one can when emblazoned on a reusable grocery bag. It brings a whole new meaning to 'Jesus Saves'.

A perfect illustration of the laid back vibe.

Don't try this at home kids, but do take in the beauty of this little short film which is another journey of love.

Meanwhile, in other news...... I decided to pass on sailing this weekend as it was blowing a ridiculous 26-40mph. However, there's never a time I don't feel better for riding in the forest (not counting when I went over the handlebars and got a bar end in my boob), but rest assured it's a solid fix for a nature junkie.

I set my ipod on shuffle and off I went, matching the cadence of whatever randomly played in my ears. They say the lord works in mysterious ways and I guess if he can help cart the groceries, he call also help with my steady uphill grind. Which he did with this one by Wilco called 'Jesus, Etc'. If I knew how to play the violin I'd have bored everyone I know to death playing this piece of music....luckily I play the Uke so you can all still enjoy it.

Pun, fun & strum.

At the Olukai race last week, the girls who performed Hula also demonstrated how to make their thick ti leaf skirts and fragrant plumeria lei.

This made me think of a cleaning company here called 'Lei the Maid' and of a cheese shop called 'Who cut the cheese'. At the risk of being a pun snob, they just don't do it for me.

Yet somehow these do... in Kent there's a van company called 'Van Gough', in Hillsborough a furniture store called 'Sofa King Cheap', in Sheffield on Effington Road 'The Effing Sandwich Shop' and a bunch of classic chippies, of whom 'A Salt N Battered' & 'In Cod We Trust' rank high amongst my faves.

Whilst I'm on the subject, I fish sat for a few days last week and had flash backs to all the aquariums I've ever owned. It made me glad I don't have one any more, too much work....but happily Henry (said Betta above) was ameanable, quiet and well behaved.

Orchids are much easier, though under my care don't live as long as the fish. This one was purchased in Paia at the new Agua de Flora Botanicals, stop by if you're in the hood it's delightful inside.

Talking of Paia, my friend Aaron who works at Maui Cyclery is heading out on the mother of all road trips next month. Awakened by the contrast of not living his dream, he's taking the next five years to cycle around a good chunk of the planet. Check out his website www.beyondthe greatdivide.org, the Q & A will give you a really good idea of what he's in for! Dude-good luck.

It was so stinking windy all weekend, I had to venture elsewhere for fun.

Starting with the Makawao Forest. The mystery of passing more friends than normal running and riding was solved when I stopped to chat with my pal Tom. He'd organized a 12 hour forest romp for anyone that wanted to come & play, the banana's and water were on the house. I pulled over to let three expert riders fly by "hey nice to see you up here", yelled Jeff as he zoomed past. 10 minutes later and peddling hard up hill I crossed paths with Marsha and a girlfriend on their downward run, "hey how's it going?" and so it went on. All of us appreciating the trails and getting in a good work out in the process, super fun.

And then there was time to practice, practice, practice....though clearly not enough!

The weekly mishmash.

Last week in the forest I went over the handlebars on my bike and took a bar end in the boob! Fear not, all is well (yes, I was wearing a helmet) and as a friend said "luckily you have airbags for your ribs"!

The droves of Snowy Egrets at the land fill never cease to fascinate me. With it's lack if obvious predators, the Green Waste section is a veritable 'all you can eat' buffet and thanks to the recent rain there's even a watering hole.

Ginger on steroids.

I'm not a big chime fan, but if pushed to pick a 'dong of choice' I prefer the regulation and depth of a clock tower or church bell. However, Goodies in Makawao is lined with a multitude of chimes and the cacophony of tones created by even a slightest breeze... actually does work.

Macka B sing; "Everybody loves Bob Marley everywhere me go its da same old story...Bob, people of all nations de love da rastamon vibration". True......but I wonder if Bob would have loved his head on a boogie board?

It's here!

Having checked on craigslist every day for six months for a used mountain bike, I finally said "stuff it" and ordered a new one. Having not trail ridden in years, I gingerly snuck into the Makawao forest for the inaugural ride.

I took it easy, not only so my body could get used to the hydraulic disc breaks and dual suspension, but also because I'd slung my trusty camera on my back. At a sunny spot a few miles in to the loamy trail, I took a moment to catch my breath and shoot some pici's of my new bike. I worked it from every angle lovingly snapping away, oblivious to the two hikers that showed up! They said nothing-so I matched them saying nothing in return, but inwardly felt a twinge of embarrassment at being caught indulging in such an doting pastime. I put my lens cap on, my ear buds in, clipped my shoes into my pedals and cycled away wanting distance and solitude so I could enjoy my maiden ride without feeling self conscious.

I breathed in the changing scenery of the forest, enjoying the mercurial terrain beneath my wheels that went from leaves to mud to branches to packed dirt and back to leaves again.

After peddling for a while I jumped off again to appreciate the dappled light. While the forest caught my attention for a while, one glance at my bike had me snapping away once more and caught up in the bliss of the day. Then bugger me, if I didn't look up again to see the same two hikers walking my way, busted again! For the second time in half an hour I put my lens cap on, my ear buds in, clipped my shoes into my pedals and stealthily cycled away.