Molokini

It seems whenever we go on vacation there are a few days that require me to get up earlier than usual. I know I push the envelope on a school day and magically get ready in 15 minutes, but still! Today was one of the early days, but man was it worth it!

Last time we were here we went on a whale watching trip on a recommendation of an Opstad parent that we ran in to at the hotel (I know, really?). But it was a great trip, and a great crew, so we booked with them again (Trilogy, if you're planning on coming over here). Unbelievably we had the same skipper as before -- a guy from Seattle that said if he was anywhere else in the world, he would be sailing in the San Juans.

Our trip was to Molokini for a snorkel.  Molokini is a crescent shaped volcano crater between Maui and Kahoolawe that has great visibility for snorkeling and diving.  We headed there first and had great fun looking at the fishes and the coral.  The visibility in Kaanapali has been limited, but it was so clear here! There weren't a ton of fishes, but the coral was fascinating -- bright colors and interesting shapes.  Plus, using good snorkel gear was amazing!  The masks that we own have been somewhat problematic. The one mom has been using has basically taken off the skin on part of her forehead. It's not as horrifying as it sounds, but it's not good. And I'm on my second pair of contacts because the salt water was just pouring in my mask. So using functional gear was blissful!

The second stop on our trip was at "Turtle Town" which is really just a snorkel spot off Makena Beach. The lava tubes extend far in to the ocean and the turtles love to swim in the tubes. We saw so many -- it was amazing. When they appear out of nowhere and swim next to you for a few minutes, it feels so magical. I have had a few moments like that when it feels like it's me and him alone in the ocean. Sigh. We were there for about 45 minutes just watching them swim in and out of the tubes and basically be amazing. By far my favorite part of today.

The rest of the day was spent motoring or sailing back from Turtle Town.  The boat was great, the rest of the tour participants were decent, and it made for a great day!

We spent the remaining hours of the day napping, lathered up with lotion. My spf 100 did little to battle the sun today. Yes, you heard it -- 100!  I was pretty vigilant, but I am a little pink. I'm sure by the time you see me I will have returned to my natural Alaskan ivory color. Mom's a little pink too, but her skin has some olive tones, and she might actually tan. :) We had great fish tacos for dinner and are now happily ensconced in our air conditioned room. I was joking with mom tonight that I have eaten more fish in the few days we have been here than I have in the two years since we were here last -- great mahi last night too!

Tomorrow we are off to explore Lanai.

Monday (Volcano) and Tuesday (Beachy)

Yesterday I was SO sick! As mom says, turns out you will not be a mountain climber after all. Ha! Like that was in the cards.

We set out yesterday to Haleakala (National Park!). Last time when we went there we  went for the sole purpose of riding down on bikes, and really didn't see anything. Mom was in search of the elusive Silversword (yeah, a plant), and I was along for the ride.  Actually because it was twisty and turny, I was the driver for a bit. For a very short bit.  I was starting to feel sick so mom pulled over and I got in the driver seat.  Bicyclists, low visibility and no guard rails had me driving at around 20 mph and yelling "Wish we had a volvo" you know for the steel frame when we rolled off the road down the volcano.  Needless to say, we switched back and I was, again, a passenger.

On the way up we stopped in the town of Makawao. We had stopped here on our bikes two years ago and went to a delicious bakery/store. It was one of those real Hawaiian places where they looked like they had a slight rat problem and all the cardboard packaging was wet from shipping. But the malasadas were delicious. Anyway, they were closed (which was sort of good, because it was even more ewwy than I remembered) so we walked further down the shopping street.  On the right side (directionally impaired, so I can't tell you north or south etc.), there was a hypnotist, a cowboy outfitter and Mrs. Roper.  On the other side was Nordstroms, Coach and Vitton. Okay, not really, but you get the idea - the two sides were completely different (I do think that was Mrs. Roper though....).

Further up the volcano our adventure started. The summit is over 10,000 feet, so you go through some weather. It was very cool how the clouds poured over the side of the volcano, and the temperature dropped (really! like in to the 50s!).  And then we poked out on the other side.

The other side was sunny and warm. The first place we stopped was at about 8,000 ft -- Louie Louie. That is in no way the name of the spot, but I can't remember and am too lazy right now to look through the brochure. After a short walk we got our first view of the crater. It was beautiful. This is also where I relinquished the driver position in the car.

After Louie Louie it started to go a little downhill for me personally.  By the time we got out of the car at the summit I was dizzy, out of breath...the whole nine yards. Not an altitude person! There are lots of observatory "things" up there, but as I was focused on not passing out, I missed all the important details. Mom saw the famed Silverwood (though not in bloom) and then we drove back down the volcano. She drove, I weaved in and out of consciousness.

That brings us to today -- Tuesday! First of all, I can't believe it's only Tuesday. We feel like we've been here forever (in a good way). Today we sat by the pool, and then went snorkeling. Visibility was pretty low, so we didn't see anything. Actually, I'm not sure if it was the visibility in the ocean, or in my mask. I seem to have soaked up all the salt through my contacts and lips (my lips feel like a Goldie-Hawn-botox job).

 Now we're going for a massage. What's not to like?

An iPhone and a Sea Turtle

The first time I saw a sea turtle was when we were coming back in on canoes from spreading Claire's ashes. The water was clear and the turtle glided under the canoe; it was breathtaking!  Since then, I have savored every turtle moment. Last time we were here in Maui we saw so many turtles. When we got home I was bummed not to have pictures of any. So this time...we brought a gadget! Can you believe that I had my iPhone in the Pacific today? OMGosh -- it was awesome! We got a waterproof case, and then a little life jacket (so it floats when you drop it!). With all the contraptions, it's no longer a sleek piece of technology --it's like a throwback to a cell phone of the 90s (but it takes pictures underwater).

When you snorkel off Ka'anapali Beach, you have to have a plan. The waves that break on the beach are extremely strong. One moment you're standing in three feet of water, and the next you are several feet out and can't touch. Normally, that isn't a problem, but if you're standing up trying to put flippers on, it gets exciting.

 An added bonus to the experience was when my snorkel came apart and part of it sank to the bottom. Mom did an extremely glamorous search and rescue to retrieve it. Maybe you had to be there.  

We snorkeled for a bit, but didn't see much. The current was really strong so we couldn't go out further around the rocks. As we were heading back in to sit by the pool, I was trying hard not to  be disappointed -- there had been no turtles. A few angel fish and something with a long nose, but no turtles.  And then people started pointing and I quick like bunny shoved my snorkel mask back on and zoomed into the water. I was just hoping to catch a glimpse of said turtle, and instead came nose to nose with two of them. They were big and awesome and so beautiful. I snapped a few photos and then swam away to give them some space. Can't wait to see them again tomorrow!

In case the above wasn't nerdy enough about the iPhone, I have to share a great app we stumbled across. If you're an iPad user, you have to get "Handy Photo". It was in the featured section of the App Store last week. So many easy tricks and quick fixes for photos. On the pics above I played with the light and contrast, but look what fun we had with a throw-away picture from poolside:

It started out as two fruity beverages and a lizard, and now look at it!  

No succinct plans for tomorrow. My guess is sun, laughter and some water.  What's not to like? 

We're here!!!

It was a loooooong day, but we're here! The flight was uneventful. I finished a children's book and cried at the end. I found a sequel to Wind and the Willows written by a current children's author. How amazing to have another adventure with Mole, Ratty and Toad. I cried at the end (the stewardess was nice enough to bring me some tissues).  Mom took pictures out the window while the light was still good. I would make some comments about that, but I was sniffling over fictional rodents, so I guess her thing isn't weirder than mine!

We don't have plans for tomorrow, so who knows!  We're pretty jazzed just to be here. :)

Aloha!

Breaking the Rules -- Already!

One of our Spring Break “rules” is to go someplace new every year. True, we have flown, unbelievably, in to the Atlanta airport twice, but we had completely different adventures. Usually we stake out a National Park and build a trip around that. But Hawaii…Hawaii is different. The people we have loved, and the varied experiences we have had (did you know I spent two weeks in a kindergarten class on the North Shore?) make Hawaii a trip worth breaking the rules for.  We agreed to go back to Maui only if we had different adventures than last time.

So, on this trip, we will not lose our car in a snorkeling mishap. We won’t be waking up at 2am to stand in the rain in a smurf suit, and we will definitely not be riding down a volcano on a bike with no brakes. But, as none of those events were actually planned, who knows what will happen? Come along for the ride – we leave Saturday!

Travel Interview

We join Ann and Erica on 1-75 for their final thoughts on this year's trip.

Favorite Attraction--
Ann: Cypress Gardens
Erica: Tennis, Day 2

Day You Were the Hottest--
Ann: Tennis, Day 1
Erica: Just to be clear, it's not just heat. It's sweat, stickiness, and general malaise. Tennis, Day 1.

Weirdest Food Experience--
Ann: Soft Shell Crab Po'Boy (there were legs!!)
Erica: I ordered catfish on the first night (and ate half!).

Best Food Experience--
Ann: Wedge Salad at Sheraton Bar
Erica: Goat cheese pizza at the Westin Bar (we didn't go to that many bars!!)

A Time When You Wanted to Douse Yourself in Purel--
Ann: Probably the Pier at Tybee Island -- bare feet!
Erica: Mine's gotta be a bathroom. Maybe the one in K-Mart. Oh, but Tybee Island! I blocked that out -- almost cut off my feet.

Most Unexpected Entertainment--
Ann: Last night I would have said fireworks, but now...the Indian wedding this morning was fairly entertaining.
Erica: Yes, the wedding was high entertainment, but I laughed so hard at K-Mart after that lady backed her cart over us and I accidentally beaned you with my soda (no injuries).

Favorite Southern Moment--
Ann: Driving on unmarked freeways.
Erica: Stumbling across the several varieties of flags (confederacy, battle, succession...)

Place You'd Come Back To--
Ann: I would come back to see more tennis in Charleston. I certainly don't want to go to the ocean. Amendment: I would go back to Creative Yarns in Macon!
Erica: Ha! Great minds! If tennis were involved, I would go back to Charleston. Otherwise, maybe Beaufort.

Favorite Historical Place/Info--
Ann: Has to be Fort Pulaski.
Erica: Historical homes in Beaufort.

Middle of the Night Memory--
Ann: Sleeping?
Erica: Dumping the alarm clock radio backwards off the night stand, watching it ricochet off the back wall and night stand, pulling a phone and speaker with it, and mom kept sleeping!

Biggest Frustration--
Ann: Trying to get Erica's glasses from Augusta to anywhere else we were going.
Erica: Oh yeah, my glasses. When I was blind at least I couldn't see my hair! Frizz- ease, yeah right. Or wait -- maybe it was the @#% GPS from Hertz.

I Wish--
Ann: I wish we had famous Coconut Cake in Charleston.
Erica: I wish the accents were thicker!! There was hardly anything to impersonate. And at this moment I wish the freeway wasn't as bumpy.

Happiest Moment--
Ann: Seeing how happy Erica was watching tennis.
Erica: Oh. :) Ain't she the best? I really was happy at the tennis, and happy to share it with mom!!

See you next year!!

Savannah, sort of

We got up this morning with the intent of exploring downtown Savannah. We took the Juliette Gordon Low (founder of Girl Scouts) ferry across the river to River Street and then walked a few blocks up to get some coffee. The thunderstorms from last night had passed, but it was cold!! I don't think it got above 60 today! While 60 sounds good in Snoqualmie right now, we don't have the clothes for it here! We had really wanted to see the squares that Savannah is famous for, so we walked through two and called it even. We were sort of historied out...  :)

So we did what girls do when they need a pick me up -- went shopping and found margaritas.  :) There aren't a myriad of Mexican restaurants here, but we found a brand new one that was a near a mall. So we shopped, we laughed, we ate tacos.

When I was in middle school I hated my hair.  It was curly and unruly where the other girls' hair was shiny and tame.  As a "grown up" I love my hair. I often get up, fluff it and throw a bobby pin in it before going to work.  Even on the coast when the wind is blowing and the water is softer, it's gorgeous.  But here? Oh my.  I have at least two inches of frizz encircling my head.  No, not the normal curly hair frizz -- this is frightening. And in a true role reversal,  mom's hair is awesome.  It has body, it isn't lying flat, it looks great at the end of the day. I suppose it's her turn...

In the morning we have to head to Atlanta to catch a plane home. :(  We hate when a vacation comes to an end, but we do have some cute new clothes to pack.  It'll take about four hours to get to Atlanta.  If you want to listen along with us, here's the playlist we created for our road trip (yes, I know it won't last four hours!).

Midnight Train to Georgia -- Indigo Girls
Highway 20 Ride -- Zac Brown Band
Down in Mississippi -- Sugarland
Set Fire to the Rain -- Adele
Skinny Dippin' -- Whitney Duncan
Georgia On My Mind -- Ray Charles
Georgia Peaches -- Lauren Alaina
Heads Carolina, Tails California -- Jo Dee Messina
On the Road Again -- Willie Nelson
No Air -- Jordyn Sparks/Chris Brown
Carolina In My Mind -- James Taylor
The Devil Went Down to Georgia -- Charlie Daniels Band

And for the record, no we didn't go skinny dippy.   :)
Check back tomorrow for one last post!!