Back to the rush.  In case you are visiting the site from non Hawaii locales, Mike finished in 16+ hours, and Mackenzie went 9 miles before having the frigid water, and  diesel fumes interfere with her attempt.  She is now scheduled for a re-attempt in mid July 2009.  I will observe and coach.  We are still waiting for fund raising results.

It was a great summer, lots of fun, and neat to be supported by so many.  We will drop in occasionally.

Mike

Reality!!  Mackenzie and I just decided England seems like it was a year ago, and San Francisco just a hazy memory.  School, work, activities, meet the teachers, meet the college couselors, wash the dog, put stuff away, WOW!!!

I did get in the water Friday for the first time since August 31st, I must say, it felt odd, but great.  Finishing up plans for Mackenzie’s return to Dover next year.  And I have learned never to say never.

Thanks everyone, we’ll post as comments, or fund amounts are released.  We appreciate every single bit of everything that is said, done, and donated.

After an 11 hour non stop flight from Heathrow to LA on Air France, and an evening at an LAX Hotel, we departed from LAX this morning, 9/5 for Honolulu touching down at 1040am, with 88 degree temps, smiling Laura waiting for us at the bag claim, and a short hop home.  The International Service on the International Carriers, is something to behold, and embelish.  I am concerned about our domestic airline business, especially when one compares the festive atmosphere, unbelievable seating and food with great wines of International carriers with domestic ”services”.  

Reality sets in, piles of mail, voicemails, emails, and a long long two days of weekend work.  Funny, I am ready to do just this and move on, but there will be more.

This morning, when we woke up, we got our things together and met Sam and Michelle down at the beach, because Sam is attempting the Channel again, and she went in for a swim. We all had lunch at Culin’s Yard and had the fattest bacon sandwhich ever. We said our goodbye’s because dad and I had to catch our ride up to London. It’s about an hour and a half to two hour drive. It was sad because I really don’t want to Leave Dover. I love this town, but I’ll be back next year. We just lounged in the hotel all day and napped and watched t.v. We actually have 40 channels! It’s amazing, because for the past three weeks in Dover, our t.v. had 4 channels. Nice upgrade you could say. We went out to dinner at this restaurant called The Pheseant. It had really good food. I had fish n’ chips, my first time this whole trip, I had to get it before we leave tomorrow. It was a good and sad day. I am really doing to miss this place. Not only the place, but the food, the accents, and the people here are so nice. Not looking forward to going back home right away right now.

-Mac

I was not looking forward to this day. I really don’t want to leave. My dad and I walked the Dover castle, it was really cool. It was also the WORST weather we’ve had since we had been here, and the day we choose to do the Castle, had to be that day, but it was fun and worth it. We’ll put up pictures as soon as we get home. After walking the Castle, we walked back to the flat and just lounged and watched t.v. Sam’s boys came over, Matthew and Philip, and they love bubble wrap. They were just entertained on this stuff for an hour. We walked around Dover because the weather had luckily cleared up and they could run around. It was fun talking with these boys, even though they made fun of me with my horrible attempt at an English accent. Sadly, they had school tomorrow, but not sadly for Sam (she was so excited), so they had to go home early. Later, I went out with some English friends and we went to  pub and played pool and darts. It was a great last night in Dover. Definately does not help with the having to leave Dover the next morning. It was a sad goodbye to my friend, but we’ll keep in touch. I definately had the best time in Dover than I thought I was going to. The town is really cool and I really don’t want to go home.

-Mac

Coming up short as Mackenzie did creates an interesting scenario.  We don’t expect many to understand, but this goal does not go away with determined people.  We have all traveled to many places, met local people in those places, and after hanging with them, conventionally state, “See you again”, a nice soft subtle approach with little follow through, so many times.  In Dover, when the locals here one say “I will be back” as in the case of a swimmer without the completion, the locals KNOW that the person IS coming back.  When one says they are going to swim from England to France, and they don’t make it, it isn’t over.  We cannot explain that, let alone expect people to understand why one does this again.

We have initiated efforts to reserve a vessel for Mackenzie, mid July through mid August 2009.  We know what we did wrong, and we know how to fix that.  It will require less time, less pain, and include more success.  I have ‘heard’ her conviction, her disappointment in herself, and a hidden drive only a few appreciate and understand.  I will be aboard, but will not be an active coach.  Any parent who listens to their own children, no matter the age, suggest they are ‘disappointed’ in themselves, and they want to fix that, can only be ecstatic witnessing what growing up and maturing is all about.  We will spend 8-10 days acclimating to cold water in San Francisco, instead of 3 weeks.  We will spend a lot less time in Dover, and she will swim at the first opportunity, instead of waiting and passing by 3 different days, of great water conditions.  Talk is cheap,  and easy, but words mean things.  She said she will do this…so we move on towards completion.

The reality check has started.  Crowds, lines, bustle, airport hotels, and looking forward to Kaneohe and Oahu.  Leave 9/4, stop overnite LAX, arrive HNL 9/5.

Had a great day today with kids of Mackenzie’s support crew Samantha.  They are “all” boys.

Off to Heathrow tomorrow for an overnite before heading to US.  Mixed feelings, have met wonderful people here, and some not so wonderful, but they are what makes life interesting.  Mackenzie is out with some young “blokes” and a group she met on the evening of the Olympic final evening, and she really needs to be away with folks her age.   A great evening for reflection.  A day at Dover Castle isn’t enough, the history up there deserves so much more.  Any war “buff” needs time in Dover.

“What’s next?”  I don’t know, but there is something, and it is far off.   I need to improve my surfing a great deal, and somehow lose 30 lbs, (weight, not UK money) that I gained for the swim.  More later

Today was really wierd. Everyone left except me and my dad. We started packing today and getting things ready beofre we leave on Wednesday. We met up with Sam, who was my crew on the boat, and her two boys, Philip and Matthew. We had a nice long talk before my dad and I leave on Wednesday. It was nice talking to her again because she’s going to attepmt the channel herself. This also just keeps me looking forward to trying again.

-Mac

The day after I didn’t finish. It was a long day. So many emails from my friends really touched my heart. It only made me more determined to do this swim. I really don’t know what I would do without them. I love my family and friends with all of my heart. Tonight we had our last dinner with the crew; me, my dad, my mom, her mom, her dad, and my dad’s friend from college. It was sad because we all had spent every single night together for the past week, but it’s the memorie that will last.

-Mac