September 2011

I found out that Auntie Ann's Pretzel Factory would do a tour/field trip so I set it up for a mommy's group I'm in.  We had a lot of fun, (besides Ashlyn not wanting to touch the dough) the kids got to roll out and twist a pretzel and then we all got free pretzels and drinks with tons of BOGO coupons to come back later! Maggie did NOT like the hat.

 

Yes, I had to try it too.

For labor day we had a busy Friday and Blake's baptism on Saturday so we took Sunday off and then tried to go hiking in tehachapi Monday. Unfortunately a recent plane crash had started the mountain on fire so we ended up playing at Central Park!  It was warm in the sun but felt very nice in the cooler shade.  We had fun playing kid games like Mother May I and Duck, Duck, Goose.  On our way home we tried to go to the Keene cafe but it was closed.

Ashlyn's first pony tail!

Playing Princess's.

A tour to the Golden Empire Transit (bus station).

Kellie and I were on duty for our kidswap so we had our hands just about full, but the kids had a ton of fun riding the bus through the bus wash.

Off to Utah for the BYU tight end reunion.  They were such great hosts, with a dinner and auction Friday night, a luncheon Saturday afternoon (pics) and then the game with pre-game field passes and tickets.

Finally, what we had been waiting for...HAWAII!  Our first night there was one of my favorite.  We arrived around noon, and spent the afternoon relaxing in our practically open air condo - walking along the beach and eating what ended up being my favorite meal of the trip at Bubba's Burgers...just a burger with a pineapple.  I also really enjoyed lunch at Deli and Bread Connection but I was still pretty nervous about rubbing a local the wrong way. So I was sorta just like, 'yes ma'am no ma'am,' for sandwich choices and kept my eyes down!

Monday we headed all the way to the West Coast for our helicopter ride (after a short stop at Jo-Jo's Clubhouse for our first and best Shave Ice)  with Island Helicopters.  We got the best seats in the helicopter (well maybe not if you ask Jer!) and the sights were AMAZING. SO glad we did this!

Wamea...the Grand Canyon of Hawaii.

Coming over a cliff to see the ocean on the other side.

The remote East shore, most of which is only visable from  air or boat.

If you look close you might be able to see a pod of dolphins surrounding this boat. Our pilot said he had never seen so many on one trip.

Hanakapi'ai beach accessible from the Kalalau trail off the north shore...which we did later in the trip.

Ke'e beach.

Hanalei Bay

Jurassic Falls.

We were fortunate enough to have weather that allowed us to fly into the Mount Wai'ale'ale Crater...it was breathtaking.

Hiking near Wamea canyon.

Polihale beach.  We got a bit lost, but made it to this beach which is 17 miles long and the start to the Na Pali coast. We ventured into the water near Queen's Pond but didn't make it much past our calves because it was walking on top of the reef.  We had to go through some soft sand and were glad to have 4 wheel drive, especially after helping an older couple out of the sand - twice.

Tuesday morning we went scuba diving off Poipu landing.  Right when we submerged for our first dive there was a giant sea turtle chilling on the ocean floor.  We saw lot's of cool fish including a puffer and an octopus.  I felt like I was adjusting my equipment more than anything else and when we finished the dive I was freezing so I wasn't super excited for the second dive, but that changed once we got in the water.  I felt much more confident and comfortable, all besides being cold, and saw a lot more on my own.  This time we saw a sea turtle swimming which was pretty cool too! We hadn't planned our day in the south very strictly so we ended up stopping by a roadside waterfall and then getting a late start on my favorite hike...the jungle hike.

Wailua falls.

So this hike has quite the story. We got a late start and Jeremy didn't realize how long the drive was - I was not forthcoming with that info since I REALLY wanted to go!  After a few miles on dirt road (not really supposed to do that in a rental - but why else would you get four wheel drive? dumb)  we got out to walk near where they built the entrance gate in Jurassic Park.  We found our trail and booked it to the waterfall at the end because it was getting dark. It was the sweetest trail, plants hanging overhead and a creek running alongside.

After we went through the dark overhanging plants we got up to the other side of the mountain where it was light again,

and back down into the dark where we reached the destination waterfall. I was just about to disrobe and jump in when Jeremy said, "Are you kidding? We don't have time for that." 

We rushed back to the jeep and Jeremy started getting panicked about the gas. Now it was almost entirely dark and we knew how far we had come and how many miles we had left on the tank.  It was very nervewracking.  I kept thinking if only we can get back to the pavement we can call AAA and not get in trouble for the off roading!  Just as we were getting really nervous becasue we thought we's made a wrong turn (definitely NO gas to spare on that kind of mistake) it started pouring. Yes, a downpour.  Jer had been thinking we might have to walk back into town for gas and wouldn't that be fun in this weather.  We made it though (with two miles to spare on the tank~!) and despite the anxiety the night drive in the rain with frogs hopping across the dirt road was SO beautiful!

Wednesday morning we headed to the North shore for some hiking and beach hopping.  We started at Ke'e beach and hiked the Kalalua Trail to Hanakap'ai Beach. It felt like a long hot hike, but had some amzing views.

We could've hiked longer to a waterfall but it was a LOT longer so we just dipped our toes in the cool water for a minute and called that part good.

The waves were the biggest I'd ever seen (which may not be saying much) so it was awesome to just sit and watch them...jer did make me a little nervous with how close he was getting though.

ok I got brave (actually a really HUGE wave just sent the water really close to me up on the shore.)

I really wanted to take a little mermaid picture on this rock (I couldn't even find one online) but where the little mermaid raises herself up on her arms and a big wave splashes up behind her.

Jer had the big wave timed just right for the picture too!

This was the end of my Nike ACG's a friend of a pair of shoes that I've had for around ten years...these bad boys have taken me on a lot of awesome hikes, their first being Timanogus.  I had to tie palm leaves around them to finish out the hike-which actually worked pretty well.

Since the surf was too high to really spend any time playing in the water we did a little sight seeing.  This is Queen;s pond which would be awesome when the surf is low, but alas we could barely see it because of the water.

You can kinof see a ring out in the water...well you can imagine what it might be like in lower surf just to hang out there.

Jeremy and I were totally convinced this little guy was real (ok maybe just me) so we kept apporoaching and he kept still that is until we knocked hiim off his perch. Yup. dead.

Ha..jeremy thought I never listened to his geology lessons, well I spotted this columner jointing and pointed it out to him!

The next beach was one of my fav's. It's called secret beach but you're lucky if you can find a spot to park in the alley at the trail head.  Another beautiful hike with irresistable swinging trees.

We tried to sit on the beach and watch the water while reading a book together, but I kept getting nervous we'd parked it too close to the water. jer had insisted on the spot.  I'd be reading and look up to watch a wave come closer and closer then recede.  Well one wave just wasn't receeding so we scrambled up and I saved the camera and book, but the towel and everything else were soacked - and the two people nearest us were giggling. Oh well it got the conversation started to we could ask for some pictures together.  After that the waves were a game. We would sit down and wait for them to get closer and closer to us without touching...the first person to move, lost.  I won every time!

I just loved this scenery, the lush foilage, red dirt black rock, aqua water, it was breathtaking.

 We did spend a few hours relaxing on the Black Pot beach of Hanalei Bay.  I loved the picturesque horizon and the quaint little town nestled between the tall mounatins and the beach.  This is where I'd live if we lived on Kauai.

That night we got a pizza at the grocery store to cook in the condo and then went to the entertainment portion of the Smith family Luau.  It was a fun show...I really like the Tahitain and New Zealand dances.

Thursday was our last day there but our flight didn't leave until 7 or 8 so we had plenty of time to make up for anything we missed, and guess where jeremy wanted to go. Back down the dirt road!  We got plenty gased up this time and bought me some more cheap hiking sandals.  This was called the Tunnel Hike and I was pretty excited about it.  Once we reached the trail head we could see it was a bit muddy like the description, but we figured we'd be hiking up so it would dry out.  Well, it only got worse.  My feet slid right out of my shoes in about six inches of soft mud...I just went with it, but jer decided it wasn't worth it and we turned back.  Once we got the mud cleared off in this stream I realized my NEW shoes were broken.  Two pairs of shoes - trashed.

Our next choice of hikes was a lot safer. We took the Kuilau Ridge Trail, a wide - mowed- grassy trail with a picnic bench and meadow at the top! There were some great views of Mount Wai'ale'ale when the clouds parted.

Some pictures around the condo.  The first night we were there, we wandered along the beach and relaxed in the condo before going to bed around 9:30.  At around 11:30 I awoke to a tap tap tapping. I looked around and didn't understand what was happening, "Jeremy is that you?"  "yeah"  Me: "Are you outside?"  "yeah"  Me: "What are you doing outside?" "Just come open the door."  So apparently he 'woke' up thought he was in the wrong room, that he should be on the next floor down, and headed there.  When the door clicked behind him he really woke up and started knocking to get back in!  After that he made sure the child lock was engaged each night before bed.

 On the night we returned really late and I was SO ready for bed I walked into the room and thought I saw something moving on the bed. I was a little nervous, but flipped on the light and there was a little lizard on my side of the bed, I was kindof creeped, especially at the thought of sleeping with him so I gently got him in a cup and out the door.

 Our little kitchen and all the munchies.  I had some of the best knock off sandwich cookies here becasue the moisture in the air got them nice and soft!

 It was on this deck that we hung our sopping wet towel to dry only to have a downpour that night that awoke me, sent me running out to rescue the towel so I wouldn't have to pack it home, and crashing back to bed.

Our last stop on Kauai was the Garden Island Barbeque...which did not have anything barbeque...it was a chinese restaurant in a warehouse type building, but the food was good, plentiful, inexpensive and fast!  The flight home was a little nicer than there (jer and I were front to back and as I approached my seat it was in the middle with two hands holding over it. I looked down and the people said to me, "We just got married last night...do you want to trade one of us seats?" Yes please.) I had a sore throat, but with some lozenges I slept ok and before I knew it we were transfering in L.A. and I was already missing Hawaii.