30 MAGICAL HOURS IN THE FOREST

Last year, our family skipped out on our annual camping trip; it just wasn't in the cards. And this year wasn't looking too hopeful, either, because of my mental health. Not looking too hopeful, that is, until a friend reached out and shared how much fun her kids had while camping with us a couple of years ago. The more we talked, the more turned onto the idea I became. So in mid July, we whisked our families away for a couple of nights on the Rim (not too far from where THIS happened). It was pure magic. We found two sites together at a little campground along Rim Rd and got our camp set up while listening to a mountain thunderstorm. The kids ran off to play with sticks and bugs and flowers. We swung in hammocks. Made flower crowns. Caught butterflies. It was perfect. On the second day, we decided to drive a little further north to visit family friends of mine in Happy Jack. It was a beautiful visit, but we watched as the sky darkened and decided to cut the visit short. The moment we arrived back at camp, the rain began to fall. We laughed and joked under the safety of our canopy tent, but smiles quickly gave way to concern as the storm moved closer, the rain intensified, and hail began to fall. Within a short period, the ground under the canopy had completely flooded over, so we took refuge in our cars. It was the moment when the canopy collapsed from the weight of the water and the wind that we decided to throw in the towel, pack up, and go home. Even though the trip ended upruptly, it will still have some of the sweetest memories attached to it. But I'm starting to think maybe Rim Rd isn't the place for me...

IMPROMPTU MAUI

If there's anything to know about me, it's that I'm an opportunist; if an adventure is placed within reach, I take it. Four weeks ago, we were given that opportunity while the mr.'s parents and sister were over for dinner. His sister offered to watch the kids if we wanted to take several days for ourselves and go on a little getaway. His parents offered to let us use their resort points to have a free place to stay. And we went for it. We looked into staying at a place in Lake Tahoe for a few days during spring break. Then, plot twist, we found ourselves with [cheap!] tickets in hand for Maui. We knew it was a gamble - the Hawaiian government requires a negative covid test 72 hours within travel. Even then, there are more restrictions in place. But we've spent a year with a bubble of six people (besides those in our household) and have minimized our activities. Equally important, we had the support of everyone in our bubble. So one week ago, we traveled to Maui. We spent three and a half incredible days discovering the island, despite devastating rainstorms that hit the island. Things that I want to remember: 

the hit of humidity upon walking off the plane ○ car upgrade to an Impala ○ roosters in the Target parking lot ○ driving around the island ○ corner room at the resort with a view ○ wrap around balcony ○ spotting a whale from the car! ○ hiking Waihee Ridge Trail in a cloud ○ forgetting my tennis shoes and hiking in sandals ○ finding a horse! ○ driving the North Shore of West Maui (never again!) ○ cliff drives on one lane roads ○ seeing chickens, goats, and mongooses ○ Honolua Bay Lookout ○ quick stroll along the beach behind the resort ○ Slaughterhouse Beach in the rain ○ blowdrying everything off after visiting the beach (including my camera) ○ tunnel tree vibes on the road ○ Papawai Point and seeing a baby whale! ○ visiting Maui Ocean Center ○ the Humpback Whale Sphere ○ kalua pork tacos, spam musubis, and a dole whip ○ trying to visit beaches, but so much rain ○ Honolua Bay Trail ○ hiking through mud ○ facing off with a rooster ○ Olowalu fruit stand ○ apple bananas, dried fruit, pineapple belts, and Maui honey ○ second stop at Papawai Point and more whales ○ Ho'okipa Beach and the 10 giant Hawaiian green sea turtles ○ the awesome parks & rec guy telling us about the turtles ○ lunch from Mana Market in Paia ○ tamari chicken, roasted potatoes, and jasmine rice ○ driving through Wailea and Makena ($$$) ○ La Perouse Bay and lava field beaches ○ Ululani's Shaved Ice ○ passion fruit, guava, and pina colada with haupia cream ○ whale watching excursion ○ hearing humpback from a hydrophone ○ a whale going under our boat ○ just BEING with the mr. 

I'm sad that there are a few bucket-list items that we were unable to get to on this visit, such as Road to Hana, ziplining, Olivine Pools, and, well, just getting into the water. The weather was not in our favor and flooding wreaked havoc on parts of the island. But that gives us reason to return, right? Despite weather set-backs, I am so grateful that we had this opportunity. I know things are difficult given the pandemic, but never once did we feel that we were at risk nor were WE a risk; Hawaii is on top of covid-19 precautions. I just wish more places would follow suit...