Rewards

My original intention was to get all of our Hawaii pictures up shortly after we returned. That didn't happen, obviously. Although it didn't happen as I had planned, I am really appreciating the drawn out reminders of a fabulous vacation. On to the rewards...

I have learned this truth over and over: the harder you work for something, the more rewarding it is when you experience the fruit of your labor. Take school for example. Kindergarten graduation is fun and rewarding in its six-year-old kind of way (you know, like a stop for ice cream on the way home), but it pales in comparison to walking across the stage to accept that piece of paper that means you get to put "M.D" after your name (well, at least I think so...I can only assume given that, you know, I'm not a doctor).

One of our days on the island required a lot more work than I anticipated, but the reward was definitly worth all the effort. We drove over to the West side of the island to see the Waimea Canyon. A "moderately strenous" (guidebook's words; NOT MINE) hike through the canyon ended in a swimmable (which, I found out, is a relative term) waterfall pool.

At the bottom of the canyon road, there is a swinging foot bridge. Neat to see. Fun to walk on. But I'm pretty sure I don't need to do it again.

We didn't climb up there. It sure is pretty, though, isn't it?

Despite what my hair may suggest, this picture was not taken at the end of our hike. We still hadn't put forth much effort at this point. Our little Wrangler was doing most of the work.

 

This is the view from one of the lookouts.

Aren't the colors beautiful?



About two thirds of the way up the canyon, we stopped at one of the lookouts, strapped on our backpacks, made sure we had enough water, found walking sticks and set off on our "moderately strenuous" hike.

This was our first obstacle. And the easiest to overcome.

 

This was the next obstacle. The canyon. If you look closely you can see little tiny people on the ledge. That's where we were going.

Down into the canyon and then back up the other side brought us to that ledge and this solitary little tree. As well as a view back to our starting point and a little bit of unbelief as to how far we'd actually come. A little more rewarding than the lookout the Wrangler brought us to.

Finished looking back, we forged on towards the waterfall. And these rocks. No explanation.

Just around the corner we found the waterfall we were looking for and a nice rock to eat our lunch on. Lunch was rewarding. If I remember correctly, someone said it was the best wrap she'd ever had.

After lunch the reward was a refreshing swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. The obstacle was ice cold water, but some of us were determined.

By "some of us" I mean "one of us."

Very,

very

determined.

Relaxed and refreshed, right?

The final obstacle was the last long trek UP the side of the canyon and back to the car.

This guy was there to greet us.

The final reward? The island's best shave ice. With ice cream and beans. Yep, beans. Mmm.

Five Question Friday

Another week of Five Question Friday. Join Mama M here.




1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Just one thing? Today I'd say it's my tendency to procrastinate. Not surprisingly, that little habit has gotten me into a bind more than once. Maybe I'll start working on that tomorrow...


2. Write about a time when you got lost.

On my first date with my husband, I was deemed the navigator. Big mistake. He learned his lesson. Now we have a GPS.

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?

I hate camping. I need a bed and a place to escape from the bugs. As much as I admire and would like to be one of those women that can brave the great outdoors, I'm just not. And I don't think I ever will be.

4. Have you donated blood?

I have a few times, but I think most of the times I did it, I passed out. I don't any more.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?

I don't budget. I read my husband. He doesn't budget either (I don't think), but I can tell whether he's in spending mode or saving mode and I adjust accordingly. It works for us, I guess.

Five Question Friday

Join Mama M for Five Question Friday!

1. Have you ever had surgery?

No and I plan to keep it that way.

2. Ever ride in an ambulance?

No. Again, planning to keep it that way. Hmm...I'm kind of boring, medically speaking anyway.

3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm?

I've never experienced a real medical emergency so I couldn't say for sure. At first I thought I'd definitely be calm because in other "crisis" situations I rein in the emotions and get down to business. However, when I think back to the minor injuries my kids have experienced and remember the panicked feeling in the pit of my stomach and my shaky voice because I'm on the verge of tears, I'm questioning the validity of my cool-as-a-cucumber claim.

4. Do you have a garden? Flowers or veggies?

Landscape? Yes. Garden? No. But we are going to plant a veggie garden this year. I've been carefully reading every word of the gardening book I received as a birthday gift this year and imagining the bounty at harvest time. I have a feeling it will be more of a bounty for the critters in our yard than us, but I think there's a chapter on that. I'll read that one twice, I think.

5. When did you move out of your parents house?

The first time? When I went to college. For good? Shortly after I was married.

Five Question Friday

Hop over to Mama M's to participate:

 

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?

The simple answer is no. However, I will admit that, on occasion, I have forgotten during the day that I have to pick up Jack on my way home. This is usually when we're trying to work miracles with our schedules. I've never actually driven by without stopping to get him.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

My first real date was my first date with Sean. We went to Burger King and a Minnehaha Academy basketball game. I paid for my own meal, didn't eat a thing and got us lost on the way to the game. I had the map. We've since gotten a GPS.

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)

Sharks. I realize it's irrational, but I just can't get over it. Funny thing is, I love love love shark movies and shows. Maybe I've watched Jaws too many times.

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

I HATE confrontation. I'm a stuffer. I run as far away as quickly possible. 

5. Wood floors or carpet?

Wood. I'd put wood floors throughout my whole house if I could. But then I'd put rugs down...so maybe that defeats the purpose?

Sundays

Thanks to the friendliness of "strangers" and Sean's boldness in proclaiming his faith, we found a temporary church family while in Kauai. Why "strangers"? Because fellow believers are never really strangers are they? We spent Sunday mornings at a little church about one block away from our condo called Kapa'a Missionary Church. 

After church on the first Sunday, we went to brunch at 22 Degrees North (the longitude of Kauai...or so they claim...I didn't actually verify this claim), a restaurant on the Kilohana Plantation. The brunch was delicious and the scenery beautiful, despite a little clouds and rain. The tables were situated around a courtyard, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the flora, fauna and "wildlife." In addition to the roosters, hens and chicks strutting around the courtyard, little birds (some kind of pigeon maybe?) hopped around on the floor by our table. I couldn't decide if I felt like Snow White or Melanie Daniels (from The Birds). Sean won the who-can-eat-the-most-at-brunch-contest, but who can blame him when he had so many options? This is his open-face omelet topped with some fancy kind of veal.



Flora



The second Sunday was our last day on the island and, even though our flight didn't leave until 9:45 that evening, we needed to be out of our condo by noon. So after church this Sunday our brunch wasn't nearly as fancy. We pulled out all of the food in the condo and went to work creating our own masterpieces. This was our group effort. Please don't show our kids this evidence that their parents do, in fact, play with their food!



After lunch, we headed out of our condo for the last time, stashed our bags at the reception desk and headed poolside. This is our condo.



We played a few hands of Dominion under the shade of a thatched umbrella.



Then it was time to hit the pool.



And take advantage of the water slide.



Once changed and ready to say our final goodbye to the Waipoui Beach Resort, we headed down to the ocean for a group shot on the beach.



Aww...

 

Goodbye sun...and surf...and sand...and...
 

Five Question Friday

Time for Five Question Friday again with Mama M.




1. Can you drive a stick shift?

If I had to. But I'm sure I'd kill it a bazillion times between where I was and where I needed to be.


2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

Raw oysters. I've tried, but I just can't do it, much to the chagrin of my husband who will try (nearly) anything. And licorice. Not the red kind (that kind is good), but I don't think that really counts as licorice. I'm talking about the black kind. Gross.

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I used to buy Girl Scout cookies. The Samoas are my absolute favorite. But since I can eat an entire box in one sitting (and probably would given that the sweet tooth I developed when I was pregnant with my daughter has never gone away) and that's not a very healthy practice, I try to just leave them with the girls.

4. How do you pamper yourself?

I think, by definition, pampering is an act done for you by another person, not something you can do for yourself. So...I don't. Pamper myself, I mean.

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

When I was little, my dad used to call me Boo Boo, but no one (including my dad) has called me that in years. Mostly my friends just call me Bec...short for Beckie...short for Rebecca.

The North Shore

Not that north shore. If you're in the upper midwest you know this is about as opposite as you can get from our north shore right now. This, my friends, is the north shore of Kauai.

And this is the first beach we visited on our trip up the east and north shores.

We saw it from the road, pulled over and found a trail to climb down.

Literally.

Climbed.

Down.

Through this...

and this...

to rolling,

crashing waves,

beautiful blue surf,

climbable trees,

and the perfect beginning to a fantastic vacation.

Next stop: the Hanalei Farmer's Market to get our fresh produce for the first part of the week, including rambutans, a new experience for all of us.

Another beach stop, but, hmm...I don't remember which one. Maybe Ke'e at the end of the road?

Lots of rocks. Lots of waves.

Lots of sun. Lots of smiles.

After a beautiful, albeit rocky and muddy, hike, we arrived at one of Kauai's precious gems. A bath for a queen? Not in the winter. This spot, called Queen's Bath, is usually a calm pool with lots of tropical sea life, fit for swimming.

Not this day.

 

Not a chance.

 

After "bath time" we stopped at the lighthouse lookout in Kilauea

 

for beautiful colors and waves

and our first glimpse of the humpback whales! They were waaaay out there and we were waaaay up at the lookout so this picture doesn't do justice to the "amazingness" of this breaching whale, but it was awesome.

Our final stop of the day was Kealia beach just north of our condo for some fun playing in the waves.