Men

What is it about men and big guns?

Why must they climb on them?

Conquer them?

Ride them?

Hang from them?

Whatever the reason, at least he had fun.

Update: Sad Day

Remember our Sad Day this winter? I have an update!

We got a phone call late last night from a Detective at the semi-local Big City's "Auto Theft Task Force." Hubs didn't want to answer the phone. BUT was so happy that he did.

The cops found ELMO! 

J had to identify that this was indeed his snowmobile. Luckily, we have lots of pictures and were able to tell the Detective that the mud flap has a vertical tear in it. Apparently, the thieves had scratched all identifying numbers off of the snowmobile's body, frame, and engine. The detective was able to determine that it's a 1998 and then looked up all stolen red 1998 Ski-Doos. We were at the top of the list. YES!

My father-in-law is going to pick it up from the impound lot tomorrow. Hopefully he still runs great and will be ready for playing this next winter!

Welcome home Elmo! You were missed!

Trilogy: Discover Lanai

As you may have surmised, J and I travelled to Maui with my parents. Much as we love my parents (and vice-versa), we knew that the 4 of us needed to not be together all the time. So we planned individual day trips. My parents did an all-day self-led bike tour one day, and on another day J and I took a Trilogy cruise to the island of Lanai.

The Discover Lanai day trip was a dream! We met our catamaran and crew at the boat basin in Lahaina. Once on board juice, coffee, Mama Coon's cinnamon rolls, and fruit were served. Captain Dominick made sure everyone was settled, explained the rules, and off we went! 

An old shipwreck just outside Lahaina Harbor

This was not a whale-watching tour, but we saw a ton of them anyway. J also claims that he saw a dolphin, but I didn't, so I don't believe him! :-) The whales were mostly competition pods--males competing against each other for the attention of the ladies. We also saw a couple of mother-baby pairs.

Once we arrived at Lanai harbor, they loaded us into vans for the short drive to Hulopoe Bay. This was one of the most gorgeous white-sand beaches that I have ever seen. J and I spent a lot of time snorkeling, lounging around, and exploring the tide pools.

After a few hours of play, we packed up and headed to the pavilion for a yummy BBQ chicken lunch. The stir-fry was laced with ginger and they offered ginger supplements to combat motion sickness on the sail back to Lahaina Harbor.

The sail back was much fun. We hung out on the trampoline and got some great photos!

After ice cream, they unfurled the sail and we headed home into the sunset.

Waihee Valley Trail

The Waihee Valley Trail is nearly a hidden treasure just outside of Maui's county seat of Wailuku. This hike actually takes place on private property: a working macadamia nut plantation. There was a minimal per person cost in order to make the hike.

This hike has been called the "Swinging Bridges" hike because of two suspension bridges above a river bed that you need to cross.

The bridges are quite sturdy and in good condition. We had a blast bouncing crossing them.

The historical/interesting thing about the hike is that most of it follows an irrigation flume. I found an excerpt online from a book called Sugar Water by Carol Wilcox, in which she gives the history of this particular flume: The Waihee Canal. The canal took two years to build and was completed in 1907. This canal is over 10 miles long and was used to irrigate sugar cane fields. The irrigation system is still in use today and now irrigates the macadamia trees on the plantation, taro plants, and other agricultural efforts.

The mechanics of the whole system is still in good working order

The dam at the top. There was a great swimming pond below. People like to jump off the steps.

The flora was so amazing! We saw wild coffee, avocado trees, bamboo stands, macadamia trees, a wild orchid, banyan trees, and other cool things. 

J caught this butterfly on a purple bloom. Isn't it gorgeous?

Those are the highlights of the Waihee Valley Trail. Super fun hike. Took us about 2.5 hours to complete the trail, but could easily take longer if you stop to swim and play often.

 Happy Hiking!

America in My Book

Have you guys seen this? It is creating a bit of a buzz.

It definitely nails the regional stereotypes. Like all rumors, stereotypes do need at least a grain of truth to stay alive. I agree with the below assessment, for the most part.

Created by Haley.

What do you think?

Maui 2011

J and I recently returned from a GLORIOUS week in Maui. Oh my, we just cannot wait to go back. Next time, we're staying for 10 days! :-)

View from our condo

We stayed in Kihei. Amazing beaches, great restaurants, very nice area without being over the top che-che.  Our condo was on Keawakapu Beach, which offered great lounging, long walks, and good snorkeling.

J getting ready to snorkel.

We had a full kitchen in our condo, so we only ate out for dinner two times.

My lovely Mama mixing up Mai Tais.

We first went to The Five Palms and we all had the "Trio of Fresh Hawaiian Fish." Oh yum! I believe this restaurant had the best view and atmosphere that I've ever been in. The second dinner that we enjoyed was at Cafe O'Lei. We chose this place via recommendation--don't think we would have gone on looks and location alone; it's on the top floor of a strip mall. The service was great, food was superb, and the drinks were strong. I had the blackened mahi-mahi with mango salsa, and of course, amazing. We also had a quick lunch at Da Kitchen which serves the traditional Hawaiian "Plate Lunch." Hubs ate something called "Loco Moco." Wish I would've had my camera there, it was this incredible heart attack on a plate: a burger patty with fried eggs and smothered in gravy.

We hiked the Waihe'e Valley Trail on morning. I will write a separate post on that.

The Iao Needle was visited. There was a short walk to the viewpoint, and it was very windy up there. The needle was once used as a lookout by the Maui army when they battled Kamehameha's army in 1790.

Elevation 2250 ft.

We also went on an incredible Trilogy Discover Lanai adventure/snorkeling cruise. Which also deserves it's own post... later. :-)

We did much snorkeling and much boogie boarding. Ahihi Cove is probably the best snorkel spot in South Maui, and Big Beach is THE place to boogie board. We loved these two spots greatly.

Daddy 

J getting ready

Huge waves at Big Beach

OK, enough for now. I'm going outside to enjoy the PNW's fleeting sunshine! More later, I promise!

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is your ideal best date?
I am not fully sure. So long as there is food, I'm good! lol Actually, I really love it when we go play or do something outside on a gorgeous day, then come home, get cleaned up, and go out for a nice dinner. Top it off with a great movie on the couch in PJ's and I'm a happy woman.

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?
Not very long. I'm what you might call low-maintenance. I rarely wear make-up, and have about 3 ways in which I style my hair. So maybe 45 minutes depending on if I need a shower or not. 

3. What would you wear on the date?
On the above date, probably some cute capri's and a cute top with tennis shoes for the playing. For the dinner out, a dress and low heels.

4. If you are married, how often do you go on dates?
Not very often because we're trying to save money. We'll hit up happy hour deals or discount movies maybe twice a month, and have a decent night out about once per month.

5. What was your worst date?
The one in which we went out with a group of friends and he ignored me for a single friend of mine the entire night. 

6. Did you kiss on your first date?
My husband kissed my cheek on our first date and then I got a real kiss on our second.

7. If married, how long before you knew he/she was the one?
After dating for about 2 years. And it was definitely re-confirmed after 3! (We married after dating for 5.5 years.)

8. Do you prefer day dates or night dates?
Both! They each have great things about them.

9. How old were you when you first were allowed to date?
I had to be 16 and he had to be "approved" by my parents. 

10. What is the most embarrassing moment you have had on a date?
I let out a huge belch on accident (I swear I didn't even know it was coming!) after dating my husband for about 6 months. I was mortified. He just laughed and then showed me up with a belch of his own.


Ten on Tuesday provided via Roots And Rings.