It looks like we might have a few nice days coming up, but I'm not the weathergirl so you can't be pissed if I'm totally wrong. Here's something you should check out:

 

Dr. Aloha's Board Shack

 

Two years ago, I was surfing in Maui waiting for the next good wave (meaning waiting for a baby wave that wouldn't expose my first timer status by pounding my face into the sand), when I saw what I can only imagine is every romance novelist's fantasy man: a bronzed Adonis with long blond hair flowing in the wind. He was OK, but what really captured my attention was that he was standing on a surfboard using a paddle to propel. I was enchanted. Living in the Puget Sound, you can't very well surf, but maybe this was a way around my island home. I left the islands determined to try whatever it was that guy was doing. Turns out it's called what it looks like- standup paddle boarding.

Two years later, I'm standing in front  of Dr. Aloha's Board Shack, which the owner, Nate, runs out of his ground floor apartment in Madison Park. I'm usually a little nervous before I take a lesson of any kind...maybe it is the flashbacks to the deep Olympic diving pool at Weyerhaeuser where I took swim lessons as a kid. That first day I remember putting on goggles to hide my uncontrollable crying as the instructor made us jump into that freakily dark blue, deep water. Traumatized, anyone? But when I saw Dr. Aloha standing before me in his faux-leopard fur cargo swim trunks, I forgot completely about being nervous. In true Hawaiin style, Nate is friendly and easy going. A quick run through of the game plan and Nate, a teenager named Chris and I were on our way down the dock and into the water. Nate did a great job of instructing; in no time Chris and I were off paddling by ourselves, catching the wakes of boats speeding by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt like we were out there for two hours and my legs were trembling and my arms burning. It's an incredible workout, with legs slightly bent the entire time engaging all of those muscles, using arms to paddle and abs for staying solidly balanced on the board. After the lesson, I started feeling sore before I even got to my car. It turned out Chris and I were only gone for an hour, which is the awesome thing about the experience. Over and over again, Nate has people tell him it felt like they were out there forever and it was the best stress relief they've had. I absolutely agree. A massage has never done for me what one hour standup paddle boarding accomplished. There's something about being out there that clears one's head and destresses.

Get there as soon as you can- Dr. Aloha moves back to Hawaii every year from Novermber through April, and it would be a shame to wait till next year! 

Pricing: $20 for first hour, $15 for each hour after that. It's pro-rated as well.

Yes! 

This past weekend brought a different adventure in Capitol Hill. No sobriety tests or Canadians this time, but I did find some ridiculously cool people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the best intentions at the start of the night...With my good friend Torie as my wingman, I was going to check out a number of rad Capitol Hill bars I'd heard about and write about their stylish patrons. I did start at Baraca, which was a nice place- I like the set up a lot- but I wasn't too into the crowd. It's not the bar's fault, but the vibe was decidedly "Piss off, I'm only talking to my lame two buddy group." I'll try again next week.

After my posse grew too big for the other spots on my list, we found ourselves at the Cha Cha, which is obviously becoming my favorite place. Can you blame me? It never fails me with its eclectic mix of folks and some of the sexiest hipsters around. Now that I think about it, I danced with some of them in the ladies room...but that's another story. The point is, the Cha Cha patron is not only fun to look at, they are social. As the night drew to an end, MGMT's Electric Feel came on. The entirity of the Cha Cha crowd sang along. Love.

I met this Miss Kendall at the bar. I loved her dress and was digging the hair- she was a great sport about me chasing her around for a photo.

These two, Jonathon and Amanda, were so cool. I love his shirt, and look at those tights...

An elemantary school friend of mine is dating this handsome fellow, A.J.- do you see why I love the ChaCha people? Do you see?!

Scarf hotness was too much for me to handle when Rowdy walked in...I think I scared him with my leaping over tables and shouldering people like a linebacker to get to him.

Melissa and Arabella. It really is because she's cooler than you.

 John, James and Michaelangelo. I'm not even kidding. These guys were pretty popular that night.

My absolute favorite...it makes me happy looking at her. Of course her name is Stella Rose...it's just too perfect.