We're Back

Smooth flights from Lihue to San Francisco and onto Dulles. Left Kauai Sat. 1/24 @ 2:00 PM, arrived Dulles 1/25 @ 6:00 AM. Grabbed an IHOP breakfast and relived the magnificent memories of the last 10 days. 20 degrees - as evidenced by the birdbath in the backyard. Monday morning will arrive too soon.

Our Last Supper - Grand Hyatt, Tidepools - superb!
Heidi and Michael at Poipu Golf Course
Got my Uke and IZ songbook - Da Bes.

Critters at Poipu Beach

Puka Dogs rock!

This Monk seal showed up on the beach outside our condo. The beach was promptly roped off and he remained in this position for the entire day.

This gorgeous rooster is only one of thousands that are roaming the Island. They are jokingly referred to as the State Bird. They were scattered over the island after the 1992 hurricane
A Calla Lily - couldn't walk by this one without a picture.

This is a view of the NaPali Coast from Waimea Canyon elevation 5,500 feet – a five hour drive from where we’ve been staying.
Waimea Falls - ho hum - not another waterfall.

Napali Coast Survival Hula Dance

This trip was to take us along the Napali coast which is accessible only by boat. It consists of jagged cliffs and coastal sea caves – the best location to see whales, turtles and dolphins. Our little Zodiac craft struggled through intense currents, flying off enormous ocean swells and slapping down into oncoming waves. We saw four humpbacks – up close and personal. We all got soaked. We did not make it over to the Napali coast due to hazardous conditions, but received vouchers from the Outfitters to come back and try it all again. No pictures of this trip – needed both hands just to hang on!

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

We caught a glimpse of several whales yesterday from this vantage point. While driving to the furthest west point of the Island, we also got a quick peek of a green sea turtle. Today we head out by boat along the NaPali coast to officially whale watch and snorkel.

Sunset Dinner @ The Beach House Restaurant, Poipu Beach, Kauai

Can we have some sympathy here? That sunshine is so bright it hurts our eyes! Wah. (This is a taunt – we’re taunting you!) We had the best table in the house – 100 feet from the ocean. The best sunset picture is on Heidi’s camera and we don’t have the right connection cord to upload to my computer. The food was amazing. Heidi and I had fresh Macadamia nut encrusted Mahi Mahi, Barry and Michael had Truffle crusted Ono with Tiger Prawns – exquisite.

Heidi & Mikey Front and Center - NaPali Coast To the Right

Blue Hawaii Helicopter Tour - "Jurassic Falls"

The Grass Is Greener in Kauai

You can basically add an “er” or “iest” to any adjective used to describe this place. The sunshine is warmer, the ocean is bluer, the air is sweeter, the rainbows are bigger, and the mountains are the most magicaliest of any I’ve ever seen. We are smitten. Cruising in our convertible car with a panoramic view the Island is a mere snippet of a preview of what’s coming today via helicopter ride .

A Room With A View

We're here.

Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai...

1) Helicopter tour of the island
2) Whale watching tour
3) Snorkeling
4) Hanging out at the beach
5) Luau
6) Kayaking
7) Sunset dinner at The Beach House restaurant
8) Cruising in our convertible rental car
9) Downhill bike tour along NaPali coast
10) Surfing (this one is mine alone – Barry, Heidi & Mikey are looking forward to laughing their asses off)

We are due to arrive Lihue, Kauai @ 7:16 PM on 1/15. More to come...Aloha.

Hillary's 24th Birthday

My 8 pound 13 ½ ounce 21 ½ inch bouncing baby girl turns 24 – stats a mother never forgets! We celebrated her birthday with crab legs, jumbo shrimp and a carvel ice cream cake from our local participating carvel store. She is pictured here, with Zoey, in front of one of her most recent works of art – a dream sequence involving a tornado. Ironically, it is a reocurring dream that we both share –damn that Glassburn gene. I however, do not have the artistic talent and skill to put it all on canvas – she does. It is a joy to have her in my life, and her painting on my wall.

This is my "taunting" face.

KOUNTDOWN TO KAUAI

Four days until we make the trek to Kauai. My suitcase has been packed for over a week. The weather forecast shows an Arctic blast due to arrive the day we leave. Not only do we avoid icy temperatures, we will be away from Washington during the insanity of the inauguration. We will take great pleasure in taunting you all from the Tiki bar with our tropical temperatures and island serenity!