Baby it’s cold outside ….

Or that’s what the Marine Band presented as their first Christmas song of this year’s Christmas concert at the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach …..

But it’s NOT cold outside here and that’s why Vic and Mary are happily basking in the Hawai’i sun and enjoying the entertainment and athletic opportunities that only Hawai’i can offer? This year, our 24th on this lovely island, was much like other sun-filled years with a few exceptions:

Although the North Shore Challenge is still THE ocean swimming race, we have discovered ANOTHER swimming activity that’s much easier and just as much fun …. Maybe even more fun!!

Swimming to music …..

This year’s time for the Waimea Bay 1.2 mile swim was 1:12:17.2 which is a pretty respectable time for an old guy ????. The average time for a “musical swim” is about 70 to 90 minutes (1:10/30) with the record being 2 hours and 10 minutes !!!! The results have been extremely satisfactory: average BP after an hour or more of swimming is about 115/75.

In addition to the “music swim” which requires an easy stroke to keep one’s head above water, there are also “speed laps” which average a 100’ lap in 34 to 39 seconds so there is some huffin’ and puffin’ involved. Bottom line: a new way to have more fun using an old exercise. AND a new machine for dry land exercise: We have discovered the ARC, an electric Nordic elliptical machine with LOTS of advantages over the old elliptical that you’re used to. The ARC has higher resistance settings and higher elevation settings plus the electric adjustment is easier to adjust. The instant heart rate reading is a benefit and an encouragement to do more ……. Although this machine can wear out even the most determined exercise freak in a half hour …. Or less !!!

Mary had a very nice surprise when TWO of her sisters AND our niece, Brittany, came to visit for a month in September. LOTS of beach time at Bellows Recreation Area and a lot of North Shore trips and other diversions.

Flying is going extremely well. Lots of students enjoying a lot of successful aviation achievements including 3 students who won $10,000 scholarships. One other unusual phenomenon: OLDER students succeeding in their FAA certificates AND JOINING THE MILITARY SERVICE. So far, Vic has enabled 4 OVER THIRTY students to fly with the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, the Army National Guard and the regular Air Force …… two in KC-135 tankers, one in a Blackhawk and one in an F-16!! Plus Vic’s flying school, Pacific Flight Academy, has just been voted by YELP as THE BEST AVIATION ACADEMY IN HAWAII. Not bad for only 3 years in the business !!!!

Tonight is 23 December in Honolulu and the occasion for a ceremony for the Vietnam Vets because TONIGHT here is CHRISTMAS EVE IN VIETNAM. Time to remember comrades and classmates who didn’t come home. Skip Jackson was rammed by an A-7 over the Plain of Jars on Christmas Eve 1972 RIP.
I served THREE Christmases in Southeast Asia and lost a lot of friends.

Best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Vic and Mary