Squeak!

When you look at SwimVacation's website, you won't find a day-to-day itinerary for any of our trips. We usually have to make it up as we go along, ceding to the whims of the ocean. We scrapped our original plan to drive north this morning after having spent a LOT of time in the van for yesterday's volcano excursion, and upon hearing it was windy up there.  We decided to stay local, and hopped in at Magic Sands for a timed out and back swim, 30 minutes each way. I explained our course and direction to the group, then immediately changed it when Ryan spied some dolphins about 500 yards offshore. We swam straight out to sea. They scattered. We swam down the coast, then back to where Ryan first spied them. And there they were. A pod of bottlenose dolphins. I'll let Heather's pictures speak for the encounter.

Snacks and drinks apres swim on the lava rock wall, a quick stop at the Hale, then we were off to Kua Beach for some rock running and cliff jumping. Blue skies, turquoise water, happy guests. Back to the Hale for Caesar salad and some serious lounging. Our massage therapists arrived at 1:30 and began to work on our sore muscles. Suffering was at a minimum.  The evening crept in, and Will and Carter led a stroke technique session, using video we had captured of our guests this morning. We took a break to watch the sunset. Pupus came out. I blended some lava flow cocktails.

Dinner was a wonderful tender lamb over a stewy bean concoction. Chef Dan nailed the food, and Lisa nailed the wine pairing. I honestly can't remember what we had for dessert, my brain still humming with the sounds and sights of those dolphins.

A boat ride on the schedule for tomorrow, and two of our signature Hawaii swims. How much better can it get?

Hopper