Time to Leave -Friday, 5/29/15

Our flight leaves at 1:00 so we enjoy our last moments together on Kauai. Dave and I have the buffet breakfast with Anne. We linger and talk about what a good time we have had. So many wonderful memories. We are feeling a little sad that we have to leave. We wander a bit on the grounds and go to the store to get a couple of little gifts. It is time for the koi feeding and today Kai is enthusiastic. Makenna gets into it too. She puts her hands in the water and touches the fish and throws out some food for them. Tries to put her feet in, too. 

We go back to our rooms to finish packing. All are ready to leave at 10:30. We drop off the cars at the car rental place and get to the airport in plenty of time. It is a small airport. Kai and Makenna are so good on the flight home. Not a peep from either of them. Dave and I enjoy holding Makenna on our laps for an hour or so. 

What a wonderful trip this has been. I've never seen Dave happier and me, too. We are already talking about doing it again. The Marriott Resort has worked out perfectly for our family. I particularly enjoyed the informal interactions that occurred, for example at breakfast, when people would come when they were ready for breakfast and we just sat and visited with whomever was there before we went on to our various activities.

             Love this picture of Kai and Makenna

Helicopter Ride, Beach, Relax - Thursday, 5/28/15

'Steve, Molly, Kai and Makenna and I have the breakfast buffet today. The others do the usual continental breakfast on the terrace. I have made reservations for Steve and me with Jack Harter's Helicopter rides which has an office right in the Marriott Hotel and which is the most highly  recommended company in my book. Steve and I meet the shuttle from the helicopter company to take us for our helicopter ride at 9:00. As I visit with the driver, it turns out that his son is a long time resident of Livermore! He has a window washing business, commercial and residential, there. What a small world. We sign in and have a safety talk at the company offices and then are taken to the Lihue airport where we are loaded into our helicopter. We are all weighed and assigned seats so the helicopter will be balanced. My seat is right next to the pilot! Steve is in the seat next to me. I think we have the best of the six seats. We have the full view the front window afforded. We wear noise canceling Bose headsets and have a microphone that allows us to communicate with the pilot. What an incredible experience! The flight is smooth, not at all bumpy. One has the feeling of being almost motionless even though we are traveling at speeds up to 140 mph. We do a clockwise tour of the island, 70% of which is inaccessible except by helicopter, with low key commentary by the pilot who, by the way, has 9,000 hours of flight experience. He has done search and rescue work as well as tours. The close up views we have are amazing. The tour is a full 60 minutes in the air and well worth the money.

When we return to,the hotel, we get our suits on and have some lunch at the poolside snack stand. We have charge of the children this afternoon while Molly has some time to herself. Dave and Anne have gone snorkeling at Lydgate Beach this morning. Brad goes, too, and reads and acts as guard to Anne and Dave's stuff. Anne loves the snorkeling! They return shortly after lunch and join us at the kids' pool where Kai and Makenna are having a ball. Kai goes down the slide time and again. He makes friends with a couple of the other kids in the pool and all have a good time together. Makenna takes my hand and wants to walk over to the beach. She loves standing at the edge of the waves and scooping up the sand. Our book says that Lydgate Beach and Kalapaki Beach on the hotel grounds are the best beaches for little kids so we feel fortunate to have both so readily available. 

In the evening, Dave and I join Anne and Brad for dinner. Anne and Brad have selected a restaurant - The Dolphin - in a shopping center in Poipu where they have eaten with their friends Andy and Sherry at the Eating House which is upstairs from the Dolphin. We sit outdoors and enjoy the sunset. Our food is quite delicious and we have a nice evening together. 

Steve and company order room service for dinner which they have done a couple of times and which works well for them.

This is our last day in Hawaii and we are all rather sad about the week being over.

Touring the North Shore, Anniversary Dinner with Family - Wednesday, 5/27/15

Most of us meet up on the terrace for breakfast. Brad gives Kai another book of comic book characters, this one of DC characters (Superman, etc.) Kai is intrigued and starts looking at the book while eating breakfast. After breakfast, I go to make helicopter reservations for Steve and me for tomorrow. The office is right at the hotel and is the company recommended by my book.

Dave and I get ready to do some sightseeing on the north shore. This is where Sheila Cooper lives. When we get to the bakery in Kiluea that she has recommended in her notes, I give her a call and she joins us for lunch. After lunch, we go to her house which is two blocks away and she gives us a tour. It's a comfortable three bedroom house with a deck all around affording a nice view of the mountains. 

We go as far as Hanalei before turning around and heading for home. The north is really green and beautiful and quite rural. They get a lot of rain on this part of the island. In fact, there are a few drops as we drive back. It is overcast with just a very light mist when we get back to,the hotel. 

We are tired and both take a good nap.

Steve and Molly and the kids have gone back to Lydgate Beach and spent most of the day there. Anne and Brad have spent the day with their friends, Andy and Sherry, who just happen to be having their honeymoon on Kauai this week. 

We go to Cafe Portofino tonight for a celebration of our anniversary with the family. Cafe Portofino is right at the edge of the resort so we walk there in a light rain. Molly is watching the children but Anne and Brad and Steve are there. They give us what I consider the best table in the place. It's outside in the far corner so relatively quiet and we are shielded from the rather loud Hawaiian music going on inside the restaurant. Most of us order local fish and find the food quite good. Dave and I have brought a few pictures from our wedding album. It is a very lovely evening and celebration of 50 years of marriage. We feel so blessed.

                          Having breakfast together

          Linda and Sheila Cooper in Sheila's yard

                         The North Shore

                               Celebrating our anniversary at Café Portofino

Breakfast, Snorkeling, Beach House - Tuesday, 5/26/15

We have been having the continental breakfast on the terrace of the hotel most mornings. Various ones of us gather there when we get up. This morning, everyone just happened to be there and the decision is made to go to Bamboo's Restaurant where they have good pancakes. There are 8 of us. The service is very, very slow yet our waitress is very nice and busy taking care of a lot of tables. Eventually, we are all served and enjoy a nice time together.

Brad has given Kai a big book with all,the Marvel comic book characters and Kai has fun looking at it with Brad at breakfast.

On the way back, Dave and I rent snorkeling equipment from the place on the beach near the hotel. We go to Lydgate Beach where we can try snorkeling in a safe, quiet environment. There is a manmade rock break fencing off a nice little inlet. The fish can still get thought the rocks so if you snorkel along the rocks, you can see quite a few fish. I have never been snorkeling before. It takes me awhile to get the hang of breathing. I keep getting salt water in my mouth. Dave says it is because my tube is dipping below the water. My first time out I don't see any fish but the second time Dave comes with me and we go closer to the rocks. I do fine with the breathing tube. We see a lot of colorful, interesting fish! It is really fun! 

Steve contacts us and says they are coming to Lydgate Beach so we go and get a sandwich for lunch. The traffic going toward north is terrible! They finally get there and Kai and Makenna are delighted with the playground. They have their lunch and play at the playground before going to the beach. The small little kids' inlet is just perfect for Kai and Makenna. Kai is able to go out up to his shoulders and he and Dave and Steve play a game Kai has made up.

Dave and I leave at 3:30 to get ready for our dinner at the Beach House. When we get back to the room, there is a note on the bed saying there are wedding leis for us in the fridge. They are from Holly and Loree! Mine is absolutely beautiful! Later I find out from Sheila Cooper that it is made of ginger flower buds. (See picture below.) it smells wonderful. Anne comes and gives me a beautiful wrap from the store we we were in the other day. Brad has gotten Dave a pretty Hawaiian shirt, royal blue with parrots. When we are ready, Anne and Brad take pictures of us in the garden area of the hotel.

Traffic south is bumper to bumper and I worry that we won't make our 6:00 reservation but it eventually clears up a bit and we arrive right at 6:00. We have a table by the window. It is a beautiful setting! I order a local fish special and Dave orders the scallops from Canada. We get the watermelon salad typical of this area and toast with a glass of brut. The sun is starting to set about 7:00 p.m. so lots of people go outside for viewing and pictures. A photographer takes our picture and later we purchase digital images of two of them. Our meal is delicious and we have a very lovely evening. It has been a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary. 

Anne and Brad have spent the day relaxing around the hotel. They go to the beach where Anne has fun playing in the waves. When we describe our snorkeling experience, she is interested in trying it.

                                        Linda and Dave in the Marriott Gardens

                                       Looking at the Marvel comic book characters

                                       Molly and Makenna at the beach

                                             Hotel at night

Waimea Canyon - Monday, 5/25/15

We meet up with Anne, Steve and Kai on the terrace for a continental breakfast. It was fun sitting around the table and visiting. Brad had given Anne the book on Marvel superheroes for Kai and he opened it. He was so excited about it! He went through every page and talked about each one. 

We are going to Wimea Canyon today and want to get an early start because it tends to get fogged in as the day goes on. It was overcast when we got up but by the time we get going, it is sunny. Dave, Anne, and Brad are in one car and I ride with Molly and Kai in the other car. We stop for sandwiches at a Subway in Waimea. We reach the main lookout point and are in awe of this beautiful natural sight.

Kai is not enthused about going on this trip to,the canyon and frequently asks if we are there yet. He is whiny and demanding. It is about an hour and twenty minute drive to get to,the canyon overlook. Kaimis briefly interested but then wants to leave. The rest go on up the road to the end where there is a spectacular view of the  ? Mountains. Molly, Kai and I start driving back but we stop at the trailhead for a .3 mile nature trail called the Illau TrIl. It is quite barren but there are some interesting trees and plants and a nice view of the canyon. Kai whines and complains the whole time. Falling twice does not help his mood. He tells Mooly that he's not her friend anymore and that he won't let her watch TV shows with him. The worst punishment ever! He falls asleep on the way home.

I go to the Fitness room for an hour or so. Then I meet Anne in the bar area of Kukui's for happy hour. I enjoy a visit with Anne. Then, Steve and Makenna join us and eventually Brad. Makenna likes to run on the sidewalk just beyond the restaurant. 

Anne and Brad Arne going to dinner at a noodle restaurant, Steve and Molly order room service and Dave and Linda go to Bamboo Grill and Restaurant which is just beyond the resort property. Anne and Brad have been here every morning for breakfast. It's just a local place but food is good.

                                                 Waimea Canyon

                       Kai actually going down the slide

                  Makena stepping out!

A Relaxing Day at the Resort - Sunday, 5/24/15

Most of us spent the day relaxing and enjoying the amenities of the resort. It was cloudy and overcast most of the day but a comfortable temperature. I'm glad it isn't super hot and humid. Kai did not go in the pool today. He said he "got too wet" yesterday. We had the continental breakfast on the terrace of the hotel. Then we went to the large pond filled with huge koi at the entrance to the lobby of the hotel and fed the koi. Cups of food are provided to anyone who wants to feed the koi. They leap and jump all over each other to get the food. It is quite a sight! They will even come up and eat out of your hand. 

After breakfast, Anne and Brad leave to take a hike. Dave and I sit by the pool. So comfortable and relaxing. We see Steve and Molly heading for the beach with Kai and Makenna so we go to join them. Kai has a ball jumping in the surf as the waves break on shore. For the big ones, Steve lifts Kai up over the waves as they roll in. Makenna has fun playing in the sand. Eventually, two tired kids head back to their room for a rest. Molly goes to Walmart with Makenna and we hang out with Steve and Kai in their room. We have an early dinner at Duke's just down the beach from the hotel. We had eaten in the bar area of Duke's the other night but didn't realize the main restaurant was upstairs. It has a fern grotto and stream as the setting on one side and the ocean on the other. We walk back to,the hotel in the waning light. Hawaii does not do daylight savings time so the sun sets around 7:15 p.m. It rises about 6:00 a.m.

Anne and Brad are going out to dinner with their friends Andy and Sherry who just happen to be here on their honeymoon.

All in all, it has been a relaxing day. Dave and I remark how perfect this resort is, i.e. each of us having our own room, the nice pool,area and being able to walk right onto the beach. Steve and Molly seem to really be enjoying some real relaxation and time with the kids.

                                               A real action shot!

                      Makenna loves broccoli!

             A beautiful Hibiscus!

Pool time, Kuilau Trail and Brad's Birthday - Saturday, 5/23/15

We have breakfast at the hotel restaurant by the big pool with Steve and Kai and Anne. We get the buffet and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in this beautiful place. Steve goes to get Makenna so Molly can go for a run. Molly and Makenna have slept a solid 11 hours! Kai is already in the pool immediately following breakfast. He loves going down the slide in the kids' spool over and over again! He gives names to his various tricks on the slide-barrel roll, spider dragon, etc. after awhile Molly comes and joins the fun.

Dave and I go with Brad and Anne to do a hike on the Kuilau Trail. Sheila Cooper has recommended this hike in her notes about Kauai. We stop at an overlook to see Opoke'a Falls then drive to the end of the road to the Kuilau trailhead. We eat our sandwiches before starting on the trail. It is a beautiful trail which goes gradually up and affords gorgeous vistas of the surrounding mountains and the ocean.  Everything is a lush green. Many of the plants look like house plants on steroids! It is a good trail, a little muddy in spots from yesterday's rain. It is 1.75 miles to the end of the trail. We are so glad we have gone to the end.

Steve, Molly, Kai and Makenna spend the day by the kids' pool. Kai and Molly go to the ocean which is right there so Kai can experience the surf. Kai is loving the water. Maybe he will be ready to take swim lessons this summer and learn to swim. Yesterday, Kai had a scary experience going in the big pool, stepping off the shallow edge, and going into deep water. Steve was just setting the towels down. He turned around to see Kai's head bob up and down in the water a couple of times and grabbed him. Kai was scared but okay. 

It is Brad's birthday today. He picks out a restaurant to go to for dinner in Kapp'a just a few miles north of Lihue. It is the Oasis Restaurant on the site of the Wailua Shores resort. We have a nice table outside with a view of the ocean. The sun is still bright when we get there. It is quite romantic and lovely. We have a delicious dinner with Anne and I getting the catch of the day and Brad and Dave getting the hamburger. The fries are delicious!

It has been a lovely day which I think everyone has enjoyed.

                                                      The Kuilau Trail

                                      Opeak'a Falls

       Grandpa and a sweet girl named Makenna

Arrival in Kauai - Friday, 5/22/15

Dave and I drove to the La Quinta Inn North, 20 Airport Blvd. South San Franciso, near SFO last night arriving around 8:00 p.m. We will leave the car here for the week. Anne and Brad arrive from St.Louis around 8:30. We are up this morning in time to get the 6:30 shuttle to the airport. Steve and Molly actually beat us through check-in and security. They have packed very efficiently and have carry on luggage. 

Our flight is delayed an hour due to a maintenance issue. Kai and Makenna are so good on the long flight! Kai spends most of his time doing activities on the iPAD and Makenna is cheerful most of the time in spite of just a short nap the whole time. She likes to sit on various people's laps. We collect our luggage and take a short bus ride to the rental car place. This process takes quite awhile and then Steve has a lot of trouble getting the car seats put into the car so it is a long wait. It is raining but warm. K/M are good but so tired. Finally, we get to the hotel where check-in seems to take forever. We are all hungry. The Kauai Marriott Resort is a beautiful place. Dave's and my room is not ready but the others are. Kai immediately wants to go in the kids' pool. Steve, Kai, Dave and me meet at the snack bar by the pool to get something to eat. Kai is absolutely crazy about the kids' pool and the slide. He goes down the slide over and over and runs around in the water. It is raining really hard now and we barely keep dry sitting under an umbrella.  Anne and Brad go to Duke's for lunch. Finally, our room is ready at 4:00. We are all on the same floor, the 20th, although it isn't as high up as it might seem since they call the lobby the 15th floor. 

We get unpacked and then meet Molly, Steve and the kids for dinner at Duke's. Food is okay, not especially good, but it is fun. Makenna insists on eating Molly's big plate of Caeser salad with an adult fork. She is so proud of herself! She actually eats some of the lettuce. She seems to eat almost anything. Kai gets a smoothie with an umbrella, whipped cream and a cherry on top. It has stopped raining and is a beautiful evening. The walk back is so pleasant. Makenna is so excited about the torches. Kai has crashed on Molly's lap and is out!! That boy has been on the go all day!  Brad and Anne have dinner at a sushi place near the hotel.

It has been a wonderful day! I am so thankful to have everyone here.

                 Makenna and Steve on the plane