10 Best things about Maui

Rather than give a play-by-play of my vacation (I can do that well enough in person) I thought I would post a short list of my favorite things accompanied by a few photos!  Enjoy!

10 – Crashing surf and blowholes. We saw this one on a drive around West Maui.  It’s a sketchy road and makes the Road to Hana look like a highway!

9 – Seven Sacred Pools.  This freshwater dip was just what we needed after a two-mile 1000 foot climb to the waterfall that feeds them.

8 – Upcountry and Orchids of Olinda.  After this visit I believe even I can grow orchids! (Maybe not.)

7 – Road to Hana. Put it on your bucket list!

6 – Sandy Beaches. I even brought some of the sand home with me.  It’s in my ear canal. (That’s another story!)

5 – Lani Kai Snorkeling.  The captain was fabulous.  When the wind picked up he modified the cruise to find the best snorkeling spots.  The best, however, was his knowledge about humpback whales and the whale of a show that he found for us!

4 – Humpback Whales!  I wish I had some photos.  The competition for a female partner was incredible, as was the mother whale teaching her calf to breach.

3 – Humidity and 85◦. It occurred to me that there is no need to dust in Maui.  That's foreign to this country girl.

2 – Palm Trees!

   And more palm trees!

Did I mention palm trees?

1 – Hanging with my Hubby!

 

Things that didn't make the short list:

Lahaina, Banyan Trees, Hawaiian Shave Ice, Hot Island Glass, Haliimaile Coutry Store, and Ali’IKula Lavender farm, to name a few.

 

Steady, steady ...



The Idaho Falls on the Snake River

I had the opportunity to visit the Land of My Youth recently.  It was a fast and furious trip on a school bus.  The goal was to arrive in Idaho Falls, preview the state cross country race course, carbo load a bunch of teenagers, cheer them on as they ran 3.1 miles against the best runners in the state, then return home. 



LDS Temple on the far bank

Whenever I visit Eastern Idaho, I am reminded of my roots. I often want to stop the clock, use a Pause Button, if you will and simply reminisce. Life does not often afford that luxury, so I have learned to squeeze in what I can and daydream of more. On this occasion I managed a brief visit to the Snake River where it tumbles over the falls that the city is named after.  I listened to the roar of the water and gazed across at the LDS Temple on the far bank.  It is an icon that has been there as long as I can remember.  I felt a chill in the air as the wind hinted at a brewing storm. The river, the temple, and the wind all reminded me that even as things are ever changing, many things in life are steady and sure.  When I am buffeted by the winds of change, I try to hold fast to those things that are constant and true.  It seems to work for me.

What works for you?

Idaho Sunsets

 

I know a blog is for writing, but I wanted to share my beautiful Idaho skies and too many words will only serve as a detraction. Enjoy!

 

 

These are only a few of the colorful sunsets we are blessed with in Southwest Idaho.  I hope you enjoyed the view!

Refinement

Rushing rumbling rivers rolling rocks to reservoir,

Roughened ridges rounded now rest upon the shore.

Remember roaming? Wrestling? Reeling to the core?

Refined. Renewed. Resolved. Reach now for your reward.

Another Reason to Love My Life

Eagle Island State Park

I have a bowl of tomatoes on my counter - remnants of a bountiful garden. There is a pot of Butternut Squash Soup simmering on the stove top – my first attempt. The squash is also part of the last of the harvest. A batch of cinnamon rolls is baking in the oven – an overdue gift. As I look out the window, gold colored leaves scatter the green lawn, reminding me that there is work to do outdoors. The swaying trees also remind me that there is more work to come. The weatherman is promising snow for the weekend.

Scotch Pines Golf Course

I am trying to live in the moment. In the spring I can't wait for my newly planted garden to produce. In the fall I pray for a frost to slow the workload! Today, however, I am enjoying the season with its beauty, its unpredictability, and its ever changing vistas. As I roam the country roads, I marvel that the green and gold fields so recently blocking my view have become beige carpets neatly groomed and awaiting the interruption of spring. The wind, tho it hinders my forward progression, cleanses the air and clarifies the horizon.

I know that the thundershowers and snowstorms are coming. They, too, will have a beauty of their own. Today, I glory in the colors of the season.

The Eye of the Beholder

Two weeks away from the wide open spaces of Idaho was most interesting.  I can't do it all justice in one post, so I will begin with this ...

I landed in Pittsburgh and rented a very small economy car to drive to Erie, PA.   Beautiful green trees with splashes of red were everywhere!  Freeway exits in Idaho are spotted miles away, as are the various conveniences surrounding those exits.  In woody Pennsylvania, if one isn't reading signs she may miss the exit entirely.  At the very least, she will be unable to spot any of the conveniences surrounding that exit.  (I did not miss exits.  I avoided them.)  The "ways" are not FREE.  I encountered toll highways. 

In Idaho, as in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and most western states, mountains are clearly identified.  Hills are not mountains!  Apparently, the wooded hills I was traversing were mountains.

When I spotted the warning road sign "Falling Rocks" I naturally looked heavenwards.  It's a normal reaction for a Westerner! We expect to see rocky cliffs threatening to loose small boulders sending them tumbling to smash our vehicles. There was nothing heavenwards.  Rather, there was a raised median that was sloughing mud and a few small rocks into the barrow pit.  Hence, the "Falling Rocks" warning!

Their lake is vast.  I wanted to call the shoreline a coast.

It's all relative!

Is it Just Me?

I've reached that time in my life where I don't know what to wear.  I go to bed wearing an extra layer, then sometime during the night I kick off the covers.  By morning I don't want to get out of bed because it is too cold.  Before long I am perspiring again, changing out of the sweats and into lighter layers, or even a pair of shorts. I fight my urges to turn the thermostat up and then the air conditioner on!
I know what you are thinking, but it isn't menopause ...

It's Autumn!

How to Make Your Own Tribal Tattoo

Ever wanted to try one on for size, but were afraid of the pain and long term consequences of committing to the real thing?  Well, try this instead.
A-  Commit to joining some friends for a 22 mile hike.
B - Don a pair of capri length running pants, running shoes, and dorky crew socks.
C - Apply sunscreen.
D - Apply insect repellent.
E - Tromp around mountain trails for eight hours.
F - Remove shoes and socks.

Voila!  You now have a custom, semi permanent, tribal tattoo.  Yes, it washes off, but not without a fair amount of hot soapy water!  The same guarantee does not exist for running shoes.  I don't know if they will ever come clean!