A Dream Come True

You could argue that this entire trip was like a dream, but the day we set out to sea to experience the rugged Na'Pali coast and the humpback whales that "winter" in the waters off shore was a day I'd been anticipating for years. Since my first forgone opportunity to do some whale watching nearly 10 years ago in Vancouver (on our honeymoon) and a second 5 years ago in Hawaii, I vowed to not miss the chance again. It was the one and only required activity while we were on vacation. I was not disappointed.

This was our boat - custom made to be perfect for the ocean conditions and task at hand. I'm not real clear on the details as I wasn't much interested in listening to the captain ramble on about it. "Let's just go!" was all that was running through my mind.

These are the cliffs along the rugged Na'Pali coast. The only way to get here is by boat or by foot (sounds like Go Dog! Go).

 

As we cruised along the coast, we were treated to multiple spottings of families of humpback whales. They're HUGE! It was amazing.

 

A school (pod?) of spinner dolphins came right along side the boat too. The reason they're called spinner dolphins is because they jump out of the water and spin really fast. We were lucky enough to see it.

 

Don't worry, the captain wasn't fishing for dolphins! He did put his line in, though. I don't think he caught anything, but I was more interested in watching whales than watching his line so I can't say for sure.

On our way back, we saw this big sail boat (ship?). The captain told us there was a youth group aboard learning to sail. We thought it looked like a pirate ship. No planks, though.

 

The Next Day and The Day Before

After our "moderately strenuous" hike we were ready for a relaxing day.

Maybe not quite this relaxed...but close.

 

So we hit the beach. Poipu on the south side of the island. It was perfect for monk-seal-spotting, people-studying and fish-watching (the kind that doesn't require putting your face in the ocean).

And it was great for snorkeling. All of us went snorkeling eventually. Some of us were more enthusiastic about it than others.

By some of us I mean Brian and Sarah. They convinced Sean to don the gear,

 

get in,

 

and eventually put his face in. (He didn't actually need that much convincing).

 

Then he was done.

 

Looks like he had fun.

 

And once Brian was done, it was my turn...eek!

 

It felt like I was out there for hours. I'm sure it was minutes (if not seconds). But I had enough. The ocean? Just not my thing.

A full morning on the beach in the sun left us hungry and ready for some shade. After lunch we drove up the road a bit to see Spouting Horn.

 

It's a hole in the lava shelf that sprays water up into the air when the waves crash.

I wonder how many millions of other people have this exact same picture.

 

I'm not sure who Janelle and Erik are, but I think they're in love. This tree was full of grafittied leaves. And spider webs. Pretty...in a destructive creepy-crawly sort of way.'

 

Last was dinner at Wahooo. Yep, all 3 "O"s are supposed to be there.

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.