Maui, Part 3

The beaches of Maui were fabulous, just as we had hoped and expected they would be. The water temperature was great, the sand was fine and white, and it was beautiful. Brant and I both tried out snorkeling for the first time during our trip. The Black Rock, which is known for good snorkeling, was located just down the beach from our hotel. We rented snorkel gear and were able to just get in and go. For first timers, we were pretty impressed with the array of fish that we saw. We were also impressed with how clear the water was with being so deep. It was pretty awesome. I was disappointed we don't have any pictures of us in our snorkeling gear, but we weren't willing to risk leaving the camera on the beach with our things unattended while we were in the water. I guess you'll just have to use your imagination.

Of course, we also enjoyed the beach for watching the sunset. It seemed we were someplace to see the sunset almost every night. One of my favorites was at a restaurant called Fish Company. Their deck was actually built out over the beach and ocean and lent itself for a great view while enjoying seafood (and a bottle of wine, of course!). Another favorite of mine was the night we decided to get a pizza from the Tiki Bar at our hotel, gather up some Bud Lime beers (my summertime favorite), and eat our supper on the beach while watching the sunset. Although our view was briefly interrupted by the sunset catamarane cruises, we were definitely convinced the originality of our $20 private beachside picnic was way better than the $150 we could have spent to be stuffed on a boat with strangers and only 400 yards closer to the action.

The final note I will write about our trip to Maui was about the magic show we went to see. I know, it sounds completely corny. However, it was amazing. The show was called Warren and Annabelle's. Warren was the magician/comedian and he did tricks that still have Brant and I talking. I'm not much for magic, but mixed with how hilarious he was and the tricks that he did, it was well worth it. He burned a $100 bill (even wrote down the serial number!) and it reappeared inside a whole lemon. He dropped bowling balls out of a hat after it was on someone's head. He even changed the time on a girl's watch while she held it in her own hand. We were quite impressed - and mystified!

So, there ends the major highlights of our trip to Maui. I'm sure the blog will now go back to being less about Brant and I and pretty much all about Ben! We enjoyed our time away together and definitely recommend it, but are also always thankful to return home.

Maui, Part 2

Two of our adventures in Maui were much different than we expected. When people think of Maui, they immediately think of the beautiful beaches and blue ocean water, which Maui certainly has. However, Brant and I found out that Maui is also full of other climates and landscapes. Hana and Haleakala were two of the adventures that were unexpected to us, but extremely worthwhile.

The road to Hana is a crazy drive, mostly because of the over 600 switchbacks on the road and many, many one lane bridges. It is also known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and Brant and I would agree. I felt like I was in a movie the entire time we were driving - it just seemed unreal. What made the drive especially great was that our guide book, Maui Revealed, gave detailed descriptions of where to stop the car and take a hike to see waterfalls. Every few miles we were out of the car hiking through the woods, or one time even a bamboo forest. We encountered some amazing waterfalls (see the pictures below). The interesting thing is that none of these things were labeled along the road. We simply read the guide book and made our best estimate to hopefully find the trail off the side of the road - sometimes we were successful, and sometimes not. It was very rainy, as part of the drive is within a rainforest-like climate. At one point we found ourselves climbing over huge boulders in the pouring rain, slipping all over the place, and not sure we were at the right place to see the waterfall we were hoping to find. We ended up soaked to the bone at only mile marker 13 and although I didn't find it funny at the time, it is worth a good laugh now. The fifty mile drive took us well over three hours, but was definitely worth it!

On the road to Hana, we also stopped and hiked around at a black sand beach. I know I'm probably saying this about everything, but it was absolutely beautiful, yet beautiful in a different way than everything else. Indeed, the sand was black, but so were all of the rocks. The stark contrast between the black and the lush green of the trees and bushes was incredible. Brant and I did some additional hiking we read about in our guide book (seriously worth the 17 dollars to buy it!) and the trail we were on took us to another beach well over the rocky ledges of the ocean. We were able to climb down onto and have it to ourselves for awhile to watch the waves.

Visiting Haleakala, a dormant volcano in the middle of the east side of Maui, was perhaps one of the most interesting and beautiful places I've ever been. Haleakala is 10,000 feet above sea level and when we finally reached the top, above the clouds, and got onto the hiking trail, I felt like I was walking on Mars. There was very little vegetation, but the color of the dirt and sand and rocks was amazing. Such a stark contrast from the road to Hana. We hiked 2.6 miles down into the volcano and it reminded me of walking through the desert, as you could see the entire path ahead of you. The hike down was very easy, but the minute we turned around to head back up, we knew it was going to be quite a trek. Hiking uphill in sand the entire way worked some muscles I didn't know I had until the next day!

Hiked in to view this waterfall off the road to Hana.

A look back at the black sand beach.

Rock ledges on our hike around the black sand beach.

Getting ready to hike into the Haleakala crater. Yes - it was cold!

A view from the top of the trail.

Maui, Part 1

Brant and I have returned safely from our trip to Maui and although we had a great time, it is also nice to be home with Ben again. There is lots to share about the trip, so stay tuned. I'll start tonight with the last night of our trip, which was also our 5th wedding anniversary. That evening, we went to the Feast of Lele. We were greeted with a fresh flower lei and a mai tai - perfect! The whole event taking place at sunset on the beach made for a picturesque scene, to say the least. The dinner was five courses, with dishes from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, plus dessert. Every course consisted of some sort of seafood, from mahi mahi to swordfish, plus a side and some sort of salad. We tasted lots of things we've never tasted before, some we liked better than others. With each course came a traditional dance from each culture. The dancers were incredible and so were the costumes. It was a great way to cap off an incredible trip and to celebrate our anniversary!

Hugs and Hiding

Ben had a big moment this morning. He said, "Love you." Oh my gosh, I almost started to cry. He has been giving bigs hugs lately and sometimes the kind where I try to pull him off, only to have him grapple at my neck. This morning when he woke up, we were sitting in the rocking chair looking at his books like we do every morning (all of which he calls Bible for some reason, even though only one is a Bible board book). He is so happy in the morning and we were talking and snuggling. I said, "Ben, can you say love you?" He gave me this big grin, said it, and then grabbed me for a big hug. Wow - incredible moment!

I also had my first incident of losing something important that Ben either hid or misplaced. I realized last night that my glasses were missing. The child puts things in the strangest places, such as lids to pots on the bookshelf and socks in drawers in the kitchen. So, I couldn't find them until this morning when we were playing and I happened to peek under the bed. There they were! That stinker!

Three days until Brant and I are off to Maui. Can't wait!

Summer Favorites

Although we are just in our second week of summer, Ben and I have found a few favorites that are extra special this summer. First, and foremost, is the park. In particular, slides and swings are our favorites. A playground was recently built in our neighborhood and it is wonderful to have somewhere to walk to. Ben could swing all afternoon, whether at the park or in our backyard. Last week, I also discovered his love for the slide. He sits on my lap to go down and wants to go over and over again. There is always a little squeal of delight at the end. Not only are we now regulars at our park, but are making the rounds to many other Ankeny parks as well.

The second summer favorite is ice cream. After a trip to the park a few days ago, Ben and I met my friend Heather at Dairy Queen to have ice cream. I bought a dish thinking Ben and I would share it, but my bites seemed minimal. The kid loves ice cream! We will definitely be doing that again!

The third summer favorite is music class. We go to music class on Monday mornings. Since starting music class in January, it is fun to think about how much Ben has changed. He has certain activities and songs he loves. He loves Ms. Tina's (his teacher) finger puppets, loves the peek-a-boo song with scarves, and loves some of the dances we learn. We have a CD of the songs to listen to at home, which is also great.

The fourth summer favorite is simply the great outdoors. We have learned that Ben is a child that loves to be outside. In fact, sometimes he cries when we have to go back in. He explores the grass, enjoys walking up and down the sidewalk, points at all the birds he sees and says "buh", checks out all our trees and bushes, and even likes to sit on our porch chair. I'm so thankful that he likes being outside so much, as I get a bit stir-crazy being inside too long myself.

The fifth summer favorite is a selfish one of my own. It is nap time and bed time. I love spending my day with Ben, but I also thoroughly enjoy a little summer time to myself when he is sleeping. I look forward to summer to have some time to read or do little things around the house. The peacefulness and quiet that nap and bed time bring is so, so sweet and never unappreciated.

We are hoping to add another favorite to our list soon, if the weather will warm up a bit. That favorite will be the Ankeny Splash Park and the baby pool in our own backyard! Hopefully, those adventures will occur soon.

Oops... apparently I forgot one thing. As I was sitting here on the stool at our breakfast bar, I looked down to see Ben holding his current favorite book. He was looking at me with pleading eyes, so I had to take a break to read it to him, followed by quite a few other favorites. Reading would not just be a summer favorite, but an all-the-time favorite for Ben! I wonder where he got that?!?