Trust me, it didn’t start out that way. My nice mellow morning began at a nice pace, then quickly elevated to cars breaking down and worrying if we would make it to our book signing on time. By 11:30AM, the morning flip-flopped completely.

One thing Mike and I have always done since we published our book is to try and keep an even keel. There have been a lot of ups and downs, some book signings are better than others. But I figure, you can’t go by how many books you sell. It’s more about the connections you make at these events. Where will it lead to next?

Getting back to Saturday, despite bumper-to-bumper traffic on the I-5, Mike, Carol, and I actually showed up at the Hobie Store in Dana Point just when things were getting started. Right off the bat, Mark Christy, the owner, and his staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. Excited about the shaping bay that was built adjacent to the store, the Hobie team proudly escorted Mike inside, where a G&S Red Fin that he shaped in the sixties awaited his autograph.

I have to give Hobie’s credit. Building a shaping bay with windows to both inside and outside of the store was a stroke of genius. They’re going to attract a lot of attention this way. I don’t know if it was because Mike was shaping or if they’d get this kind of reaction from all shapers, but they watched him the entire time. And what a beauty, in approximately two hours he carved out the sweetest 9’4” Round Tail Nose Rider with a wedge stringer. We would’ve all been happy if our day ended at that point.

THEN Greg and Laura Noll arrived, very nice couple. We sat around while Mike and Greg talked over old times. That’s always fun hearing about the golden days of surfing and all their shenanigans. They exchanged books and Greg invited us to his son, Jed Noll’s surfboard shop in San Clemente later that night.

Mike, Carol, my husband Lance, and I showed up around 7:30 or so. As we walked through the shop and into the gallery, Mike was directed to a covered display case with two Accurate Planers sitting on top. While Mike admired the brand new shaping tools, one of the staff answered questions. Mike just had to try one out. This is where it got crazy.

All Greg did was lead Mike into Jed’s shaping room. But I swear, you would’ve thought Paris Hilton was inside. At least 20 people converged around the single door to the bay and started snapping pictures and shooting video. Cameras and cell phones flashed like mad! Even after Greg left the room, people kept taking photos of Mike trying out the new planer. He’d stop and take a break, the crowd would dissipate, then he’d go back inside, and they’d hover around again just to get a glimpse. Afterwards, they must have done two or three professional-type photo shoots set up next to the shaping room with Mike, Greg and important VIPs. It was very surreal.

All in all, it was amazing. Mike got to do something he loves, people reacted favorably to it, a couple of deals were set up, we made new connections, and visited with old friends and family. Can’t ask for more than that. Like I said, last Saturday was one incredible day.