We’re not big on cities, or being tied up to docks while cruising. But if you have to hang out in a metropolitan area, you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer environment than the guest dock at the Hawaii Yacht Cub.

Even though this is right in the heart of downtown Honolulu, it is relatively quiet. The members are super friendly. Even better, Friday nights start with a local "beer can" race, followed by huge fireworks display from a nearby hotel (viewed from the deck of the club). The best part comes last – a 50s-style rock-and-roll band in the club bar. RRF (Rock and Roll Forever)!

We’re within walking distance of the Ala Moana shopping mall. This huge complex is home to Max Mara, Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gap, Tiffany’s, Armani, and lots more. Linda is in heaven. For Steve there is a Sear’s, with its usual tool department, and a Radio Shack.

In the process of checking out this mall, a new shopping standard was established. Steve spent three hours waiting on Linda – that equals one hour of penance per 1000 miles of upwind work. We are definitely going to try harder to avoid powering to windward in the future (the shopping is too painful, at least from some perspectives).

Speaking of weather, the high pressure system has retreated to a summer position, well to the north and west. This bodes ill for an easy passage back to California. To use this weather pattern we have to go an extra 300 to 500 miles north, and then have more reaching in stronger winds than one would normally expect this time of year. Of course we could hang out for another week or two. But we are both anxious to get home and see family, and the Arizona Wildcat basketball pre-season starts soon and we’d hate to miss that!