LUSCIOUS HANALEI

In Kauai, Hawaii, lies Hanalie Mission. I don't know if it's where Puff lived or not. You know, the Magic Dragon. But it is by the sea, so I'd say there's a good chance.

We ate at a Chart House in Kauai once in 2001 that looked a lot like Hanalei. Actually, they had just lost their charter with Chart House, but they hadn't changed the name or menu. I'm sure they have by now.

We played golf at Kauai Lagoons on the windiest day I've ever played. Scott nearly aced a par three hole but he started his tee shot about a football field left and the wind carried it back near the hole for a tap in birdie. It was probably a four club wind when it was against you and a three club wind when it was across you.

Another strange sight golfing in Hawaii was the chickens on the golf course. Free range no doubt. They were huge and colorful. Also they weren't the least afraid of us. They seemed to come out of nowhere, kinda like wild turkeys in the Midwest.

I've seen lots of different kinds of snakes, a few coyotes, foxes, alligators, swans, herons, geese and ducks galore, hawks, iguanas, lizards, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits, roadrunners--probably my favorites, but only in Hawaii did I spot chickens.

By the way, the guy in the other picture is the devil. In 1957. Two of my semi-regular golf partners are ministers, and they'll tell you that the devil haunts golf courses, too. I haven't seen him. But I've felt his effects. Mysterious things happening to perfectly placed golf shots. Anger arising in me. Thoughts that creep into my being. Losing focus. They're all parts of the devil. He doesn't look like he did in '57. He's wiser now. More experienced.

But you know what? He doesn't win. At least not in the end. I've also been blessed to see the Jezreel Valley where Armageddon will take place. It will be Hanalei and roadrunners for the good guys. The devil will cease to exist. He'll have to take that bad hair style with him, too. Watch out, satan. Or should I say,"Fore!"