SXSW, Austin, 2012.
During our recent trip to Maui, we spent a day driving around the southern portion of the island, and namely Hana. We base ourselves in the locals neighbourhood of Kihei, spending our time with the locals rather than at resorts, and Hana is on the other side entirely. To drive there and back is an all-day affair.
The southern road to Hana is not the recommended route to take to Hana. The guidebooks tell you to take the northern route, as it’s more scenic and waterfalls abound. But if you take the desolate, volcano-side southern route, you’re in for a world of perspective, marvel and wonder. It’s paved nicely for a while and then degrades into a road that’s been patched a thousand times over and then into fire-cum-dirt roads.
We took the northern road back, which by all accounts, is way overrated. If you have some nerves and like some adventure in your life, take the southern road. Be sure to have a full tank of gas, a vehicle in good shape and optimism. Here’s the route.
More Santa Cruz, CA.
The studio was down in Santa Cruz last week and we paid a visit to Garrett Kautz, who I’ve gotten to know a little from the internet. Garrett was gracious to invite us over to the shop, and show us around his little bag-making empire, Strawfoot Handmade. We shared libations, fries and good conversation. It was great to finally meet in person.
Jean Repair Sunday. I used our new-ish Juki to do some denim repair. This is my first pair of Tellasons which I added a new patch to. There are three prior. One was done by Tellason, the other two were by me and this fourth one as well. Hope to keep them going for a little while longer. If you’re going to pay for denim that costs this much, it’s worth your time to invest and get them repaired. Lots of life everywhere else. It’s the curse of denim crotch blowout for me unfortunately.
The repair itself is relatively simple: take patches of denim (I have a few yards from a fabric store), cut to size and then go back and forth (forward then backtack all the way) in a slight zig-zag to cover the area and attach the patch. Pick a thread to match — typically a greyish-charcoal-blue will do the trick.
Keep on rockin’.
Thanksgiving 2011. In the bag. Surrounded by friends from all over.