Hana’s Red Sand Beach
April 10, 2009
Finally the last of the Road to Hana series! Snooze city for some maybe but we had a blast and we wouldn’t have had the opportunity if not for my clients! Thank you again for helping me attain my goal 
Okay so we were exhausted and hungry by this point. We’ve spent the whole day just GETTING to Hana and we still have to return home! But Patrick remembered that one of the items on my list for Hawaii is seeing the Red Sand Beach in Hana. Our guidebook didn’t list a red sand option for the Big Island so this was our only chance. I was so tired I was ready to just forget it but nooooo, he was not to be deterred. He found the location - with the help of a map from a general store - and he was determined we were going. We parked on a public street and went traipsing behind what was either a community center or school. It was at this point that I mentioned that the guidebook said we had to trespass on private property to reach the beach - he didn’t even pause. If we were on private property I have no idea but there were no signs forbidding us. We should have had better shoes though because the guidebook was right - flip flops were not the best option! The trail was steep in a big way, there were no steps, no hand rails but it was worth it. Unfortunately it was almost dark by the time we made it to see the beach so the picture of it is dark. But it was beautiful! If we’d spent the night I’m sure we would have returned the next day but we still still had to drive back to the Inn.
Road to Hana Keanuea Park
April 10, 2009
We played in the tide pools and the picture with the white legs is some type of sea creature. We saw several neat fish and black crabs. We also decided it would be fun to get the picture with the wave crashing behind us. Fun for Patrick, shower for Stacie! We had a great time though just poking around checking out shoreline.
Scenery Favorite
April 5, 2009
So “shutterbug” would be an appropriate word for me. Me and my SLR are fast friends! These are some of my favorite shots from our whole trip.
This amazing little area was right off the road. We had stopped to see some of the water recycling they have in action and were treated to this lush little view. I don’t remember all the details but they have an extensive water recovery system in place in this area. Along the side of the road there is a gulley of sorts. It’s concrete and open but sloped and curved so that all water ends there and then funnels into these tunnel pathways. So anyway we stopped to check out the water system and were rewarded with a little glimpse of paradise - nice trade!
And yeah, that sign does say “Danger - No trespassing” Unfortunately we didn’t see it until we had already crossed the bridge and came back
Hawaii was fabulous
April 1, 2009
I really had hoped to update while we were in Hawaii but I was too busy! 
I’ll try to recap through photos…
We flew into Maui on Wednesday arriving about 4:30 local time. By the time we retrieved our luggage, rode the shuttle for about 2 minutes (where I insulted the driver), and then finally picked a rental vehicle it was about 10:30pm our time. We were brain dead to say the least - oh wait I’ve already said this once in a previous post - but did I mention that we were so out of it we complained that our jeep wouldn’t start? Um, it was already running, just so quiet we couldn’t hear it. The poor little chick helping us tried not to laugh but I was howling. We seriously needed sleep!
On Thursday we decided to take the road to Hana. Here are some pictures of that adventure…
First is the Historial town of Paia
The view was a little obstructed…
A little farther down the road - oh and by the way we are greasing it out on pizza while driving down the road - very healthy food choices so far!
World Windsurfing Championships held here - Hookipa Lookout
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- Hookipa Point
More to follow
Shameful, just SHAMEFUL
March 18, 2009
Yes, I am shameful. So sorry to not update in so long. Several things have been happening in our household that have left me a bit distracted. But I am away in paradise for the next several days so I may have time to go back and catch up - because OF COURSE I have pictures to share!
So I don’t have any projects to share - sorry - but I do have details about paradise and the preparations! I hope that will do for some entertainment
This week has been nothing less than a disaster. I won’t bore you with all the details but trust me when I say NOTHING - just so we are clear - NOT ONE THING - went according to plan. I did manage to be daring and spray tan - what an experience! But when faced with showing my alabaster skin to people I know (i.e. my SU sistas!) it was worth the adventure. Considering my summer clothing decided to shrink while hanging in the closet - wink, wink - I had to have a shopping trip which even though it was successful I did not find all the parts and pieces needed. Oh I was wrong - I did order swimsuits and they did arrive. So one thing did happen correctly and on time! I also was surprised by some new shoes. Have you heard of SwitchFlops? One of my local boutique stores have them and I fell in love. I can’t resist a gadget - combine a gadget with a shoe - oh my word I’m in heaven!! Of course they did not have them in my size so they called to order but was told they would not arrive before my trip. Surprise! They did arrive! So I guess I’m wrong again - two things were good. Anyway, if you haven’t heard or seen them here’s pics of mine…
The picture above is of the “Taylor” and then the additional straps. This is where the switch part of their name comes into play - you buy one bottom and then can buy straps to switch out to match your outfit. WAY COOL! So you can see the additional straps I’ve purchased.
Here is another bottom called “Cork” with one of my new straps “Stella”. So fun and cute and they match my pjs! Also note the fancy design my pedicure chica decided to do. She was too funny, she glanced up and said “Okay, so we do a little design since it’s a Hawaii, right?” How could I resist? Now I feel all special because I have silver glitter polish and rhinestones on my big toe - my girls went gaga over the jewels that night. And of course now they want jewels too!
Today we flew in to Maui. WOW what a long day! We arrived at 4′ish local time which would translate to 9’sh pm home time. The “short” 1.5 flight to Dallas was no biggie. We left Dallas a little later due to some troubles with the video system (i.e. movie system for passengers - all else was fine) on the plane. Upon takeoff we were told the system would not work at all. But at that point we didn’t care - we just wanted to GO! The flight was 8.5 hours give or take a few minutes. Let me just say that’s a long time to be stuck in a small seat on a very large plane. All in all it was not horrific. The preteens in the seats behind us were well-mannered. The older couple in front was kind and although technically challenged, not bothersome
Of course I have pictures en route - did you ever doubt it? I think the girls will love them. For those of you who fly a lot you may snooze at them and that’s totally okay!
First sliver of view of the CA coastline…
More water….
With wing detail for a little perspective…
The ocean from 30,o00 feet - the white specs are the crest of waves which looked like ice…
Then while well “out at sea” the clouds looked like they were sitting on the water - again like ice…
Our first view of Maui…LAND HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Maui…
No more pictures - I really should have taken one of the baggage claim area. It is open air! So we were immediately immersed in salt air and felt like we had officially arrived in paradise!
We went to rent our vehicle which of course was a little hassled (I don’t think I’m able to rent a car without hassle - I’m a jinx.) But it turned out perfectly in the end. We have a brand new (only 4 miles on the odometer) Jeep Wrangler hardtop. By this time it’s 10:30pm our time and we were brain dead. However, I had forgotten my contact solution so we had to make a pit stop before finding the way to our Inn. K mart it was - a hat, a bag (I forgot to mention my purse strap broke before takeoff in Nashville), some beach “slippers”, contact solutioin and sunscreen decided to become ours and we were off. Sustenance was none other than the great arches! We were exhausted and it was the first drive through we came upon. They have banana pies - eeewwwww not for me. Oh and prices are higher, I think the med fries were $2.25 or so.
We found our Inn with no problem and let me say I’m very impressed. More on it in another post though.
Aloha to you all and MAHALO (thank you) to all my clients who helped me earn this extraordinary trip - I appreciate you so much!
Day 2 Founder’s Circle - The Jeep Tour
September 25, 2008
Our day time was free on day 2 with a meeting and swap scheduled for the evening. Prior to arriving in St. George Julie had booked a desert tour for us in an “open air” jeep. It sounded like fun and a great way to see up close all the beautiful scenery so I was in. We walked out of the hotel to see this…
Ummmmm, I don’t know what I expected (maybe a cute little Hummer?) but this wasn’t it. So we all climbed in and off we went. I laughed when I saw the lap belts but I diligently put mine on and soon we were zooming down the highway to our destination.
It was a little chilly to say the least going down the highway at normal speed. Those gals in the group with long hair were struggling but we all managed. I guess I should add here (in case you haven’t realized already) that I didn’t ask questions about this trip. Julie said it would be fun so I said okay, the end. Looking back do I regret it now? Nope, it was a fabulous trip.
I’ll only hit some highlights so you won’t be bored senseless.
Here’s a photo of three “generations” of SU!
My fearless leader would be the lovely lady with the fabulous red bandanna - Julie Salva. Julie’s fearless leader, whom she affectionately calls “Boss”, Joann Weimers sporting a lovely hat which I think she called her safari hat. I’m in the back standing very close to the edge (by choice - I loved the heights).
Of course the obligatory group shot
(Amy Celona, Me, Michelle Weinmann, Michelle Rahal, Julie Salva, Joann Wiemers, Dawn Raspas, Josee Smuck and Georgia Giguere)
The views were incredible and the ride was, well, let’s just say bumpy. At some points we were climbing rock going straight up and trying desperately not to slide down and squish the person beside us. I don’t think anyone was successful in this as I quickly decided the lapbelts were only to keep us INSIDE the jeep not from scooting around all over. I don’t know that you can see it in this picture but we were going straight down and so everyone came scooting to the front of the jeep. Even though I was at the end of that line so ultimately being squished I managed to hang out of the jeep (something we were told not to do of course) and snap this shot…
We had a great time and even managed to see a little wildlife…
a horned toad according to our driver/guide (who was quite a hottie). I don’t know how he managed it but we were driving along and all the sudden we stop and Todd is out of the jeep before the vehicle has completely stopped. How he spotted this tiny little guy from the jeep I’ll never know but it was fun to be able to watch Julie scream when Todd showed up at the back of the jeep with his treasure.
Here’s just one great view we were blessed to see and be amazed at God’s work…
In closing of course we all had a great time. While I was studying bug tracks that I was convinced were animal tracks, hahahaha, several of the gals were having a great laugh with me, Dawn Raspas shared her artwork in the desert…
But of course she could not stop there, not with that kind of talent!
I have to tell you I love this last image. I guess because it’s just a little validation that I was there and all my hard work paid off to earn this wonderful trip. I was so blessed to be a part of Founder’s Circle 2008!
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