With so many happy memories of the 275,000+ miles (without even a valve job thanks to regular oil changes every 3000 miles and Chevron DELO 400 motor oil), I was really sad to see it go. In 1976, I'd paid $33,500 for it and with the high mileage, I wondered how much it would be worth ... needless to say I was really surprised to advertise and sell it immediately for $19,000 which I reserved for moving expenses and the down payment on housing in Hawaii.

Now, finally, the time had come to make the last trip with my van and rented trailer to the shipping container stored at a friend's home in Wilsonville near Portland. However, a major winter storm was moving in fast. Snow Warnings had been posted for all mountain passes. Snow levels were dropping fast. Tire chains were required. Snow plows were working hard to keep the passes open. With a storm of this intensity, the Highway Department could close Santiam Pass at any time. In order to meet the deadline for shipping the container and my van and then flying out on time, I had to complete that last trip over Santiam Pass before it was closed. Besides, my church friends had planned a get-together that night and I didn't want to miss that. As I look back on it, that last trip over the Cascades was really exciting and challenging. Several times I wondered if the front wheel drive mini-van would have enough traction, even with tire chains, to keep the heavy load moving up the steep grade. Coming off the pass presented another challenge: how to keep the van and trailer from swapping ends. Fortunately, the trip was uneventful for which I was very thankful. That night, everyone brought homemade Mexican food ... what a great way to celebrate my immigration to Paradise ... many happy memories for sure!

A few weeks before, I'd made an offer on a condo at Yacht Club Terrace overlooking Kaneohe Bay, just a 10 minute drive from Kailua Beach Park. Final closing went smoothly and I was sleeping in my new home before the container ship even arrived. While waiting for my van, I spent a lot of my time walking about Kailua town or Kaneohe town just getting acquainted with the area. One day on the walk home, it started to rain. Soon it was a downpour so I just took off my shirt and enjoyed the walk home in the heavy rain. What a contrast to the weather on my departure from Central Oregon. I looked down at my fur-less chest and arms and thought, "Now you'll do just fine!"

I moved to Hawaii for two reasons: 1) I love Hawaii, the people, the lifestyle and the weather; and 2) I wanted to learn to windsurf in a warm climate. I didn't have the concern of looking for work ... fortunately, being in business for myself as a Shaklee Products Sales Leader, I had the freedom to live anywhere in America I wanted. I'd moved the business from Missouri to Oregon and now to Hawaii. The six years on Oahu were good years! I worked my Shaklee business in the morning and evening and went windsurfing all afternoon, six days a week.

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