Happy Graduation/30th Birthday/29th Birthday/5 Year Anniversary!

For our Graduation/30th Birthday/29th Birthday/5 Year Anniversary Celebration and last hurrah before Chris gets a job in the field he just graduated in and no longer works for Skywest...

We decided to go to Puerto Vallarta.

A vacation without Max.

Just the two of us.

I had a lot of anxiety about leaving Max for the first time. He has only ever slept in his crib. Would he be able to sleep at my mom's? Would he wake up multiple times at night for my poor mom? He would miss us. And I would miss him even more.

But we needed this.

So we set out. Flying standby is not my favorite, but we made it. It was a 3 hour flight which isn't too bad. When we got there, we were bombarded with people trying to sell us vacation packages in a run down airport where most everyone speaks only Spanish, we don't know what we are doing or where we are going, and everything is in Peso's. (How much am I spending? Did they even give me the right change?)

I felt extremely overwhelmed and stressed. I tried to put on a brave face, but I felt I was nearing a panic attack. I have never had one before, but I felt like I was about to lose it and have a screaming/crying fit.

Somehow I held it together until we arrived at the resort. When we finally got to our room I felt more settled and began to relax. Probably because our room looked like this:

And our view wasn't half bad either:

We got to spend some quality couple time together. This vacation was supposed to be just that... a vacation. To relax, to rejuvenate, to push the reset button. The resort was all inclusive so food, entertainment, and everything was included. We didn't venture out of the resort, and frankly I didn't have a big desire too.

The food was interesting. I am pretty picky, but I tried some things. I guess I am way to used to American Mexican food, because everything tasted just a little different. And I couldn't figure out if I really like it or not. I ate a lot of Caesar Salads and the virgin Pina Colada's were very tasty!

I'm glad Chris and I got to spend some quality time together being a couple, not parents, or a nurse, or a ramp agent. Just us alone together.

And if your wondering how Max did. He did just fine. I guess kids really are adaptable.

Kauai, Last Day

Monday October 20th 2008

The last day in Kauai, we had to check out of our condo by noon. We awoke early at about 7:30 so we decided to try to get in a morning at the beach before we didn't have a shower again. Our flight was leaving at 8:55 pm (the lovely Hawaii Red-Eye flight that is Delta's only option) so we had a whole day to sight see.

As we headed down to the South Shore to Poipu Beach where the Kauible claimed was great for snorkeling and swimming, we saw this most incredible rainbow (which means it was raining, but nonetheless incredible). We also passed through a road called "Tunnel of Tree's" which is beautiful! (the pic doesn't do it justice).We had a little difficulty finding Poipu Beach, because it is located between all these Resorts and huge houses. However, when we did find it, the sea was angry again. Maybe it is an October thing? So the conditions weren't quite right for snorkeling. AND I didn't even feel comfortable swimming because, while there was sand, it was mostly lava rocks.


It was beautiful though. It is amazing how calming and fascinating it is to watch wave crash into the rocks. The sun peaked out at us for a minute, but then returned behind the overcast clouds.

After our quick jaunt to the south shore, we returned to our condo for our last shower, before the rest of our day, and our long overnight flight. When we checked out of our condo we went to 'Opeaka'a Falls which is located near the Wailua River.

Then Tedd wanted to go to the Makewehi Lithified Cliffs located on the South Shore. This is famously known throughout our whole trip as "The Rock and the Thing". Because Tedd had seen this in the Kauaible and really wanted to see it, but couldn't ever remember it's name. So he kept calling it "The Rock and the Thing."
Well we were glad he was adamant about "The Rock and the Thing" because it was incredible. The cliffs are all sandstone that formed from sand dunes clear back before the ice age. The ocean throughout the years has carved these incredible rock formations into the stone.

Then we went to a place called Glass Beach. It is a very unique beach located in an industrial area. It is beach that was used as a dumping ground for glass, garbage, and old machinery in the days that many Plantations were operating on the island (Guess there is only one Plantation still operating today). The sand is a mix of the blackest sand I have ever seen, as well as pieces of old glass. The majority of the glass is clear or brown (that of old bottles) however you can also find green, blue, and purple occasionally. The waves have run over the glass so much that the pieces are very smooth (no rough edges). Very cool. However, in Hawaii's honor, we did not take any with us. We just took a picture and threw them back into the sea.

If you travel further up there is an old cemetery, whose grave stones have been worn so much by the salty air that you can barely read the Asian (I think it's Japanese) writing on them. One was dated back in the 1920's. It was very old and unkempt with weeds growing all over. We barely notice there was a cemetery there at first!

*This is the only sunset we saw on Kauai because we stayed on the East side of the island and the sun always set behind the rainy mountains.*

Across the way were cliffs that were riddled with glass and old metal. Some metal piece have almost become part of the lava rocks as they erode in the salt water. If you look real close there are metal pieces littered all over this arch. Normally junk and garbage is unattractive, however, in this case it was fascinating.

On the way to Kauai, my cousin gave me the Kauaible to read and decide what we wanted to see/experience while we were there. I sat next to an older gentleman and his wife who hadn't been there since the 70's. I asked what they were going to do and see while they were in Kauai. He said, "Oh, we are going to take a helicopter tour (little jealous), go on a zip line, go down the river in some tubes...", and was rambling off all the typical "touristy" things any Hawaii booth has to offer (all cost around $100-$200 each). While I am sure he had great experiences doing all those activities, I am not envious of those things. We came to Kauai on standby tickets, and did most of our activities for free. But I had a fabulous time and the scenes from nature were incredible. Which just goes to show you... that the best things in life truly are for free!

Kauai Day 3

Early the next morning, Katie and I decided to go snorkeling. In the Kauaible, it mentioned to go early in the AM when the waters are calm and clear. We decided to go to Lydgate Park because it has an area in the water that is encompassed by lava rocks that allow fish in while protecting the area from large waves.

Well... the sea was angry my friends. It was overcast and the waves were raging. It appeared that high tide was in the AM. So I don't know why the Kauaible as well as many other web sites claim to go in the morning. Maybe it changes with the seasons, but it was very rough out there. We went to the area by the lava rocks and decided to give it a try. We did see fish, however, it was not nearly as good as when Chris and I went to Oahu at Hanauma bay or the North Shore. The water was sort of murky from the rough waves and it was hard to see all of the fish unless they were about 5 feet in front of you.

*I have a confession. We actually did see these fish while we were snorkeling, however these pictures are ones I took from Oahu, because I didn't take many since the water was murky and there wasn't any sunlight.*

Then we decided to drive up to the North Shore of Kauai. On the way we saw this great lighthouse. It is the Kilauea Lighthouse located right next to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. You can see wildlife in the waters on occasion. However, we were not lucky enough to witness any this day.

Then, of course, we had to stop at another good shave ice place recommended in the Kauaible. The Wishing Well Shave Ice located in Hanalei. It was run by a older couple that had all these signs that they could close when ever they wanted due to weather, and they had the right to refuse service to anyone. Good thing business is good with those kinds of demands it is surprising that they still have some. Probably because their business comes from tourist who may never return anyway. This was probably my favorite shave ice because I got a sunset combo that had the most amazing guava syrup. It had to have been made by fresh guava's. And of course I got it with vanilla ice cream (I liked it more than the macadamia ice cream and I LOVE macadamia's) Yummy!

The North Shore was beautiful! They say it is the greenest because it is the part of the island that gets the perfect balance of rain and sunshine. This was the sunniest day that we experienced in Kauai. It was gorgeous!

This is where I got all those damn mosquito bites that I am still itching right now! Note to self: BRING BUG SPRAY NEXT TIME!

And this pic describes Kauai to a Tee. Rainy with bursts of sunlight. Oh and green and beautiful as ever!

On the way back from the North Shore, we stopped at this beach called Moloa'a Beach. It was the most secluded, peaceful, and beautiful beaches I have ever experienced. It seemed more like a place for locals, then for tourist. We were the only one's on the beach and it was nearing twilight. It was one of those moments that you kind of take a moment and reflect on things. It was here that I really started to miss Chris and wish he was here with me to share this moment. I will just have to take him here some day.

This was the only time that Tedd got in the water. And he scraped his toe in the process. Oh well. Fun times!

Kauai Day 2

Saturday October 18th 2008

The next morning, we awoke to the wonderful sound of crashing waves on the shore. We were ready to start our sight seeing. My cousin had bought a Kauai Guidebook that we nick named "The Kauaible" since it had everything you wanted to know or see in Kauai. We had all agreed to head up to Waimea to take the canyon drive.

Kauai is very different from the other Hawaiian islands. It gets the most rainfall. It was raining almost the whole time we were there (guess I didn't need my 50 sunblock that I needed in Oahu). There were brief moments of sunshine though. Also, there are tons of mosquito's. I got bit by like 20! Who knew that you go to Hawaii and need bug spray over sunscreen!! Also, there are chickens and roosters EVERYWHERE! I don't ever remember seeing one chicken on Maui or Oahu, but in Kauai they are wondering EVERYWHERE!

On the way to Waimea Canyon we stopped off at a place called Spouting Horn. There is a hole in the lava rock, and when the waves crash onto the lava rock, the force causes water to shoot up through the hole like Old Faithful! The size and force of the wave determines how high it shoots up. Also there are blow holes in the lava rock that spew air causing a hissing sound. It was very fascinating to watch.

We stopped in the town of Waimea to get some of the best Shave Ice on the island, according to the Kauaible. Jo Jo's shave ice was delicious! The key to good shave ice is the ice cream on the bottom! It really adds to the flavors of the syrups and the ice. Highly recommended!

Then we headed up the Waimea Canyon Drive. Some of the most breathtaking views. The sand is bright red, and contrasts to the lush green plants. And no folks, this is not the Grand Canyon (although it does bear a resemblance).

At the top of the Canyon was an overlook of the green cliffs with the bright blue ocean in the background. The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me!

After our gorgeous drive through Wimea Canyon, we headed up to Wailua Falls. There is a debate whether or not the falls are 80' high or 173' high (it is the latter according to the Kauaible). Either way, it is super tall! And legend has it that native men would jump off the top of the falls to prove their manhood. However, it ended in certain death. So you could either be a wimp, or a dead man. I think I could live with being a wimp and just looking at the falls!

Kaua'i Day 1

So...for all of you wondering if we made it to Kauai... we did. But it took a little creativity and a lot of stress. Here is a recap of our little adventure:

Friday October 17th

5:30 AM Utah time (1:30 AM in Hawaii): Me tossing and turning. I went to bed at 11:45 the night before. I had checked flights right before I got into bed. We had still looked ok for the LAX flight.

5:40 AM: I can't go back to sleep. I am anxious about flights. I get up to look at the standby list for about the 1000th time. Counting down the list 22,23,24, ... CRAP. I am 25th and my cousin Katie and her husband Tedd are 34 and 35. And now there are only 38 seats available. It is not looking good since people list on their way to the airport, or list on another flight if they didn't make the earlier one.

However, there was a flight to the Long Beach Airport that had enough seats. But it leaves at 8:30. We were planning on the 10:00 flight to LAX. I frantically call my cousin. We decided to take the earlier flight to Long Beach, rent a car, and drive to LAX where our flight to Lihue, Kauai is. So I quickly book a rental car.

6:35 After booking the rental car and grabbing my things, I leave to go to my cousins house

6:48 I realize I left my wallet, with my license, at home. I have to drive back to my house to get it! Things like this only happen when you are in an extreme hurry.

7:15 We leave for the airport.

7:35 We enter the airport to find a massive line to the kiosk, the baggage check, and security. I am real concerned that we will miss our flight.

8:00 We get in the security line (T-minus 30 minutes to take off) The security guard states that the line will take about 25 minutes (my heart sinks), but if we are leaving from gates D or E that we can go over to international and get security checked there and it is about a 10 minute wait (someone loves us).

8:30 We make it through security and onto our flight. We let out a quarter sigh of relief.

9:30 LA time (10:30 Utah time) We arrive to our destination.

10:00 Waiting in the Hertz line for 30 minutes to get our rental car. We are worried that LA traffic will make us miss our flight. The rental car lady tries to sell me gas, insurance. I was like, "Lady, we are only taking this car to drive to LAX" (16 miles).

10:30 We arrive at LAX safely and securely with little to no traffic. 30 minutes for a rental car. But hey, it was about as much as a TAXI and we WERE flying FREE. 1/2 sigh of relief.

11:20 AM. We make it through security and are at the gate. 3/4th sigh of relief. This is where you spend the next hour looking at the standby screen to see if you have been cleared to get on the flight. Of course they board everyone else before they tell you whether you made it on or not.

1:10 PM (2:10 Utah time) I am in my seat on the plane as well as Katie and Tedd. We are on our way. Huge Sigh of relief.

4:30 PM (8:30 Utah time) We arrive in Lihue, HI.

5:45(ish) PM We check into our hotel/condo.

6:30 PM (10:30PM Utah)We cross the street and eat at this great little place called Kauai Pasta. Best Pesto I have ever had.

8:00PM (12:30 PM Utah) Lights out... It has been an incredibly LONG day. But we miraculously made it to Kauai.