CAPTION THIS: Wednesday Scribble
“You misunderstood, I said pair of dice.”
Fresno, this long goodbye is making me cry.
It’s been about two days since I broke the news in the paper about my upcoming departure, and your well wishes are making me emotional.
Although joining my family’s Hawaiian coffee business is the best way I can honor my late father, it’s hard to leave the Valley. Wednesday’s story includes some fond memories of Koda Farms’ rice, UC Lindcove’s citrus fruit, all the stone fruit, The Double T and fresh figs.
Expect me to celebrate a few more local gems in my remaining stories.
Since you’ve shared so much with me, I thought I’d give you a glimpse of some of my adventures to come.
Going home means I get hugs from my mom:
Here’s my new “office”:
I had a better week than Red Robin and Claim Jumper.
Jeez, Fresno. I go on vacation for a week, and Red Robin and Claim Jumper decide to close their Fresno restaurants.
Given this town’s love of chains, the closures are surprising, even though we knew both had issues. Donald talked about his sweltering experience at Red Robin earlier this year.
And before I left for Hawaii, I called Fresno’s Claim Jumper to gauge the possibility of an upcoming closure. Every time I asked if the restaurant was going to stay open, the person on the other end never gave me a “yes” or “no” answer. Instead, he simply repeated “We’re fine.”
Based on that response, I figured it wouldn’t be long before they shut up shop.
Mike Oz and Bethany Clough had the news covered. (And Richard Lucido was kind enough to tip us off on Twitter.)
So, what was I doing while Red Robin and Claim Jumper were plotting their closures? Eating this:
And this:
That was the spread at an inaugural event for Hawaii’s new governor, Neil Abercrombie. The folks at the Pahala Plantation House put together a locavore meal with products sourced from the Big Island.
Here’s a closer look at some of the dishes. Let’s start with hearts of palm topped with guacamole:
One minute of Hawaii
So I’ve been MIA from The Beehive, drinking lava flows, snorkeling with sea turtles, watching a killer sunset from a hot tub overlooking the ocean, and clinking glasses of champagne at Fujimama’s in Waimea.
It was far too beautiful for words, so my husband made a little video to share it with you — and help you relax at your desk.
Scenes are from Hapuna Beach and an aerial tour of the Big Island from Paradise Helicopters. Music is by acclaimed slack-key guitarist Cyril Pahinui. Enjoy!
Yes, I’m a Tease: The Hawaii Edition
UPDATE: Answers are posted here.
ORIGINAL POST: So I’m finally back from vacation in Hawaii, where I had my fill of fresh lilikoi (passionfruit), yellow pitaya (yellow dragon fruit), and other island foods.
While I’m getting back up to speed at the office, here’s a little game for ya: What Hawaiian foods are in these photos? (I’ll post answers later today.)
Photo # 1:
