When the Going Gets Tough, Things Just Start Breaking

Working for a school district definitely has its perks, one of which is paid summer vacations - something that I have been taking full advantage of this season. In preparation for an exciting week, Monday was spent cleaning the house, doing several loads of laundry, taking out the garbage, recycling, and compost, and finishing any yard work that was still lingering, so that the rest of the week could be spent adventuring in the sunshine, stress-free.

Tuesday set it off when two of my best girlfriends joined me at one of my favorite local beaches, for a day spent sunbathing and sipping on delicious beverages.

Then Wednesday came.

The first half of the day was spent at my best friend's-boyfriend's-grandma's-lake-house in Allyn, Washington. We spent the day laying in the sun, floating and swimming in the cool and refreshing lake water, and of course, enjoyed some more delicious beverages. The plan was to come home by 7:00 PM, where I would be met by my husband and we would set off on a two-hour drive to Wesport, Washington.

The company my husband works for rents a house out of Westport that they use to house employees and volunteers working on projects in Grays Harbor. My husband wasn't working there this week, but had a couple days of office work to complete, and thought we could take advantage of the open room at the house. He would put his eight hours in (I would lounge around reading books and what-have-you) and then we would head down to the beach and go surfing.

Well, things didn't exactly go as planned.

First, Aaron didn't make it home until nearly 8:00 PM. He had carpooled to his work-site with a co-worker, leaving his work vehicle at the gas station he always parks at when carpooling, only to find that it had been towed! Not to mention that he had been up at 4:00 AM and had been working for 15 hours when he was met by this less than convenient situation. After nearly an hour he was reunited with his vehicle and grumpily made his way home.

Our bags were packed, the surfboards were on top of the car, and after a quick shower Aaron's frustrations from his workday were beginning to subside. Besides, we were on our way to the ocean to go surfing on a weekday! It doesn't get much better than that. We stopped to get some food, filled our bellies and merged onto the freeway, destination: bliss.

By this point it was past 9:00 PM, and we had only made it about forty minutes from home (if that) when the "check engine" light went on in the car we just purchased only four days prior. Before we could even let the frustration of the "check engine" light sink in, the worst possible thing (for Aaron) happened. The straps which were securing our surfboards to the roof of the car both came un-done, resulting in Aaron's surfboard detaching itself from the top of our car and thrashing into the not-so-forgiving pavement.

At this point, several motorists must have reported the "surfboard in the middle of the freeway" because shortly after we had frantically pulled over hoping to retrieve whatever was left of Aaron's prized board, we were met by the lights and sirens of a police car. The police officer was kind enough not to ticket us for losing our load, and Aaron retrieved his now shattered surfboard.

I was grateful that my board managed to adhere itself to the top of the car, but would have happily let mine take the fall (literally) if it could have spared Aaron's all-time-favorite-board-of-all-time-EVER!

Needless to say, we didn't make it to Westport. Rather, we shoved the boards inside the car, and defeatedly headed back home, where we silently crawled into bed, not mentioning the events of our evening, and fell silently into an agitated sleep.

The next morning (which is actually today, about 6 hours prior to my writing this), we rolled out of bed and called up our favorite local auto-shop, Graff's Automotive. They said they could scan the "check engine" message to discern why the light went on. Apparently the light was referencing the catalytic converter, a several hundred dollar fix that would need to be taken care of before the car could pass emissions.

Unsatisfied with the result of the scan and frustrated that our "new" car was already breaking, I decided to do a little research before grumpily calling up the salesman we purchased the car from and demanding he pay for the repair or face my wrath, which consists mostly of angry customer reviews on every Yelp! Angie's List and user review type website on the internet (there is also what are called "implied warranties" that car salesmen who do not offer warranties have to oblige by if something major goes wrong with a vehicle shortly after it is purchased.)

After a bit of research I learned that one of the most common "check engine" light reads on Subaru's manufactured after 2000 (ours is a 2002) is in regard to the catalytic converter. The sensor on these 2000 and later Subaru's is extra sensitive, so even if the light does go on, it doesn't necessarily mean the converter needs to be replaced.

Feeling slightly relieved about the car, I was then able to focus my attention to the surfboard and my devastated husband. Knowing that someone you love has lost something dear to them is never easy. Aaron's surfboard wasn't just an object,  it was a custom-made, perfectly sized Stewart Surfboard. It was his key to mind-melting euphoria - his catalyst to oceanic one-ness. And now it was a chewed up, cracked down-the-middle piece of fiberglass. My mother says that everything is on its way to somewhere else. While I think that there is so much truth and peace to be found in that saying, I'm not sure Aaron's ready to hear it. Instead, I will let him bring up the surfboard when he is ready, and supportively make him sandwiches and offer him kisses, back-rubs, and the occasional beer, in the meantime.

The pro to all of this? Being reminded that no matter how frustrating a situation is, no matter how many cars break-down, how many surfboards snap in half, it is the love, magic, and adventure that we live by that makes our lives truly rich (something that only our spirits can break.) So, I raise my glass to those who never let the inconveniences of life hold you back, the ones who pull themselves up by their bootstraps when the going gets tough, and the ones who keep on truckin'.

xo.

Adventures In Used-Car Shopping

Several months ago my '97 Subaru Outback Legacy decided to kick the bucket with a blown transmission. Considering all the other mechanical flaws the vehicle had, my husband and I decided it would be in our best interest to scrap it on Craigslist rather than investing more money into it trying to fix. That left us with Aaron's '92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo, which needed some repairs itself (do you see where this is going?)

Aaron and I spent a few months looking at cars on Craigslist trying to find a vehicle that met our parameters and was within our price range. We found a few that initially appeared to be a good match, but in the end never quite fit the bill. Finally I suggested what would be the ultimate, but necessary, nightmare - car lots. 

Sure there are lots of terrible ways to spend a sunny, summer afternoon, but on that list you may find cruising up and down car row with the intention of forking over exorbitant amounts of your hard earned cash. That's exactly what we did yesterday.

First we made a list of all the features we wanted: 4 wheel drive, hatchback, roof rack, good gas mileage, low(ish) miles, etc. Then we determined how much we were willing to spend and withdrew exactly that amount from the bank. Well, apparently finding a car that met our requirements wasn't too terribly difficult, but finding one that met our requirement and was also in our price range was ($5,500.00 doesn't exactly buy you a luxury vehicle these days.) 

As the afternoon began to disappear with the setting sun and salesmen began locking their doors, it was either buy or bust. Do we go home empty handed or spend upwards of one thousand dollars more than we wanted to? Either way, defeat was staring us in the eyes. However, after six long hours, getting accosted by salesmen more than enough times, and one almost over-priced purchase, we found what we'd been looking for. 

A 2002 Subaru Outback Legacy (hmm, that sounds familiar). 97,000 miles on the odometer, an almost flawless exterior and interior, minimal features, and it was only $4,800.00? It sounded too good to be true. We asked the salesman if he had the CarFax, which he unfortunately did not, and asked him if he knew anything about the car's history. He claimed to know nothing other than he had bought it from an insurance auction. Feeling slightly uneasy not having any knowledge regarding the car's history, we left the lot and I proceeded to do some detective work. 

CarFax can be purchased instantly and easily with a vehicle's VIN number and a credit card, but rather than paying $40.00, I decided to see if I could dig up any free information first. After typing in the VIN number into a generic Google search, I was able to click on a link that redirected me to the auction site where the salesman had purchased the vehicle, to which I discovered that the car had been in an accident. Luckily, it was only a minor fender bender resulting in some cosmetic damage, which had evidently been taken care of due to the vehicle's pristine exterior condition. Feeling confident that the previous owner had well maintained the vehicle and that there was no mechanical damage from the accident, we decided to head back to the lot and make an offer.

Concealing $500.00 of our total withdrawal, we offered $5,000.00 out the door, everything included, and the salesman said, "yes!" A wave of relief surged through my body as I silently celebrated our purchase in my head. Aaron and I sat, hand-in-hand, as the salesman processed the final paperwork, and I'm not sure if it was the stuffy office or the instinctual fear associated with a used-car purchase that was causing me to perspire, but regardless of the culprit, it wasn't until we finally made it home and the Subaru was in our driveway that I found myself able to fully relax.

Now, this is the part where I would normally provide a list of my do's and don'ts for used-car shopping, but if you want to know the truth, I don't think I'm experienced enough in used car buying to provide an adequate "how-to" this time (or maybe I'm just one too many margaritas deep). The advice I can give would just be to know what you're looking for, how much you're willing to spend, check out all your options before you purchase, be flexible, and even after you buy, just keep those fingers crossed - it's a used vehicle, anything could happen!

xo.

What If Trayvon Martin Had Been White?

On July 13, 2013, a Florida jury of six women found George Zimmerman not guilty for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Charged with both second-degree murder and manslaughter, George Zimmerman was found not guilty on both charges.  This verdict has sparked tremendous controversy throughout the nation, as larger issues surrounding racism begin to emerge.

16 months ago on February 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was walking home to his father's fiancee's house when George Zimmerman, a volunteer for the neighborhood watch, began following Martin due to his "suspicious behavior." Zimmerman contacted the police, who informed Zimmerman that they were on their way and not to follow Martin any further. Disregarding the dispatcher's instructions, Zimmeman continued to pursue Martin, until gunshots were fired and 17-year-old Trayvon Martin had been killed.

Zimmerman, the only living eye-witness to the event, claims that Martin had physically attacked him and that during their altercation Martin had reached for Zimmerman's gun, upon which Zimmerman responded by shooting and killing Martin, out of, what he claims, was self-defense. 

While we cannot be certain as to what actually happened on February 26, 2012, we can look at what we do know, and come to some conclusions based on what few facts we have.

Things We Know

Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old, unarmed (besides for the candy in his pocket), black kid.

George Zimmerman (a grown, adult man) was armed (despite Neighborhood Watch guidelines which explicitly state members of the neighborhood watch are only to serve as "eyes and ears." See page 22 of the Neighborhood Watch Manual.)

Prior to Zimmerman's phone call to the police, Martin had done nothing to provoke Zimmerman other than look "suspicious." However, Martin's "suspicious" behavior does not correlate with the National Neighborhood Watch Program's definition of "suspicious behavior." (See page 21 of the Neighborhood Watch Manual.)

Zimmerman did contact the authorities, but failed to follow the dispatcher's orders directing him to stop following Martin and that trained officials would handle the matter.

Zimmerman did shoot and kill Trayvon Martin.

A Few More Things to Consider

Zimmerman claims that Martin attacked him and his gunfire was in self-defense. However, it has been stated that had Zimmerman been attacked, he should have sustained more severe injuries.

With the understanding that Zimmerman had contacted the authorities about Martin's "suspicious behavior" and then continued to follow Martin after being advised not to, is it not common sense that at some point Martin may have felt vulnerable and needed to defend himself against an armed man following him at night? 

If a white boy was shot and killed for walking home he would be avenged by the heinous sentencing of his killer. 

But George Zimmerman got off scot-free. 

After the Verdict

Over the weekend, outraged American's, Martin supporters, and opponents to racism voiced their opinions through various platforms, illustrating how, while the verdict may be over, the case is far from closed. Opposite that, supporters of Zimmerman also voiced their opinions, reminding Americans and the world, that racism and bigotry prevail. And, if you are one of the many white people who believes that racism couldn't possibly exist in 21st century America, click here to a view a webpage that has provided screenshots of various racist Twitter posts, highlighting one absurdly offensive post in particular.

However, while justice has not been served in the case of Trayvon Martin, what will hopefully result from this verdict will be a social uprising of the people and a surfacing of other pertinent issues regarding social-injustices and racism in America.

Additionally, I would like to note that I am someone who is fully in support of the right to bare arms. That being said, I am less supportive of that right when people start to abuse it. Zimmerman had a history of violence, was a gun owner, was advised not to pursue Martin, and ended up killing someone who was unarmed. Not trying to shift gears, I just think it's important to consider given the circumstances of the situation.

I also think it's important to remember that while this is an important issue regarding racial profiling and contemporary racism, the fact is that events like the February 26, 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin happen frequently, and fail to become publicized by the media. For an in depth look at how our culture is characterized by hatred, I recommend reading Derrick Jensen's The Culture of Make Believe. 

Also, check out We Are Not Trayvon Martin, a Tumblr page regarding white privilege, police brutality, racial profiling, injustice, and more.

xo.

references: cnn.com, huffingtonpost.com, and usaonwatch.org

Narrows Brewing Company: Grand Opening Weekend July 12 -14

On Wednesday night I had the privilege of getting a sneak-peak (and taste) of the new Narrows Brewing Company, located at Tacoma's historic Narrows Marina. The brewery scenically faces the Puget Sound and is an ideal vantage point of Washington's iconically famed twin bridges. Featuring three hand-crafted beers (with more on the way), Narrows Brewing Company is a refreshing and welcome new fixture to the South Sound's bar scene.

As you head for one of the tasting rooms, lining the walls you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful, blown-up photographs of Tacoma's first Narrows Bridge. And, in addition to the rustic beams, galvanized light fixtures, and a repurposed church pew, the tasting rooms also feature a 55-foot bar made from wood originally used as part of the Day Island Trestle Bridge.

Though heavily influenced by Tacoma's rich, cultural history, Narrows Brewing is nothing shy of contemporary. The Brewery's interior is clean, sleek, and modern, but ringing with hints of history, making Narrows Brewing Company an instant "contemporary classic."

As for what's on tap, try Head Brewer Joe Walts' featured Golden Ale, Pale Ale, and IPA. During my visit I tried the Pale Ale and IPA and was more than satisfied with what I tasted. My personal favorite? I favored the Pale Ale for its rich flavor and smooth finish, but I also appreciated the well-balanced flavor of the IPA. Coming soon will be a Belgian Blond, Stout, Imperial Red and Rye Bitter.

While Narrows Brewing does not offer a menu, they do allow guests to bring-in outside food, and are conveniently neighbored next to Boathouse 19 which offers a full-menu. In the future you will be able to order directly from the brewery off of a specialty grill menu that will be partnered with Boathouse 19.

Narrows Brewing Company far surpassed my expectations in terms of quality, atmosphere and location. I was expecting it to be good, but not that good! As a bit of a bar and beer enthusiast, I always enjoy trying out new places and brews, but tend to go once and then revert back to my old favorites. For me, Narrows Brewing Company became an instant "old favorite."

Enjoying some brews at the Narrows Brewing Company's soft-opening

Grand Opening of Narrows Brewing Company is this weekend, July 12 - 14. Grab some friends and come check out a great new addition to Washington's outstanding brew pubs!

xo.

His Dark Materials in Review

I recently finished reading Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass, the third and last installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy, and I can honestly say that no book or series has affected me quite like this one has.

Book I, The Golden Compass, is the enchantingly exhilarating tale about a young girl's magical adventure through a fantastical world. As the story progresses with The Subtle Knife and finally The Amber Spyglass, Pullman masterfully unveils additional characters, worlds, and themes that make His Dark Materials become a tangible and personally emotional journey.

Marketed for children and most likely catalogued under "YA," I am glad that I did not discover this trilogy until my mid-twenties. Had I read this series during my teen years I think I would have understood and enjoyed the general plot, but would have perhaps overlooked or failed to fully comprehend and appreciate Pullman's overarching theme surrounding religion and its hindering burden on humanity.

The Golden Compass masterfully sets the stage for the trilogy by introducing Lyra, her world, the mystery of "Dust" and the missing children, and by introducing many other leading characters. By the end of Book I you begin to formulate your own theories as to what Lyra's true mission is, although she is still uncertain what that is herself.

The adventure continues in Book II, The Subtle Knife, beginning in a more familiar world: late 20th century England. The Subtle Knife starts by introducing a young boy named Will and following the personal trials and tribulations he is faced with concerning the disappearance of his father and his mother's mental illness. However, the first few chapters are almost difficult to read as there is no mention of Lyra or her magical world. But when Will and Lyra's paths collide in yet another world, Pullman plugs you right back in to the adventure, weaving together Lyra and Will's journey into one.

Now aching for more, Pullman goes above and beyond in the final installment of His Dark Materials, with The Amber Spyglass. Pullman continues Lyra and Will's adventure by following them on their journey to the Land of the Dead, revealing the mysteries of Dust, and by unveiling the important roles that Lyra and Will play in fate of humanity through the symbolic war fought by Metatron and the Magisterium against Lord Asriel and his army.

As I read the last few chapters of The Amber Spyglass I couldn't help but allow myself to succumb to the emotional experience I was having as my time with Lyra, Will, and their adventures was coming to a close. Thumbing through the final pages, I strained to read the final words through blurred vision as my eyes swelled with tears.

That being said, it is understood that Pullman is working on a sequel to the His Dark Materials trilogy titled The Book of Dust. If you've read the series and wanted more, the wait will soon be over! I am eagerly anticipating the release of The Book of Dust, and knowing Pullman, I'm sure he won't leave his fans disappointed.

xo.

Hawaii Vaycay: Part 4 - Kauai

If I were going to publish my post about Kauai as if I were writing an academic paper and the question was: When travelling to Hawaii, would you or would you not recommend visiting "the Garden Island"? it would look a little something like this:

I. Introduction

1. Anecdote: Story about "scary man" hitchhiker we picked up who got in the car and then proceeded to inform us of all his felonies. 
2. Thesis: While Kauai may ascetically and geographically be the most beautiful of the islands, a prolonged visit is not recommended due to the obnoxious hoards of ex-yuppies, nearly non-existent economy, and the "island fever" that will inevitably develop due to the island's minuscule surface area.  

Then I would go on to describe my first-hand experiences in a series of supporting paragraphs that would back up my thesis statement. But this isn't English 102: Argument and Persuasion. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit harsh. I'll let you decide. 

First things first, Kauai is the most beautiful island we visited. While driving up and down the island's famous North Shore, to the West you will find lush and bountiful greenery lining the highway, with small dirt turn-offs every few miles to the East which will lead you to sandy golden beaches. Beyond Kauai's forests and pristine shores you will be awestruck by it's stunning mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls and more. 

While the South Shore is considerably more dry and barren, you will still find beautiful beaches, the famous "Spouting Horn," and entrances to several tropically forested hikes, including the massively scenic Waimea Canyon. 

A few photos of Aron and Waimea Canyon

While exploring the island we decided that our favorite spot was Secret Beach (Secrets or Kaupea Beach to the locals.) Located roughly 20 miles north of the town of Kapa'a, Secret Beach is 3,000 miles of golden sand and gentle waves calm enough to swim in and wild enough to body surf. Opposite the ocean you will find a lush cliffside complete with a freshwater waterfall and plenty of canopy cover to cool off in. The further down the beach you go the fewer people you will see, and much like Maui's Little Beach, you fill find suit-less sunbathers baring it all. 

Photo taken at Secret Beach

From Secret Beach you can continue traveling North 10 miles to Hanalei Bay. A spot famous for it's longboard waves, Hanalei Bay is 2 miles of beach surrounded by mountains. It is the largest bay on the island of Kauai. While the town of Hanalei is a bit of a tourist trap, Hanalei Bay itself is by far one of the most breathtaking sites you will find on Kauai.

Hanalei Bay at sunset on the 4th of July

The other pros to Kauai? The "bed and you make your own breakfast" where we stayed was probably the biggest score ever. Magic Sunrise, located just outside of the town of Kapa'a, is a Swiss run, laid back house that overlooks the Wailua River. The main house has two private rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen, and there is also a private cottage located on the grounds next to the house, complete with it's own kitchen and bathroom. The rates at Magic Sunrise are exceedingly reasonable considering the quality of the facilities, hospitality of the management, and general friendly atmosphere shared by all of Magic Sunrise's patrons. For a five night stay in the main house our total bill (with tax) came to only $340.00. 

What may have been the best benefit to staying at Magic Sunrise versus a standard hotel was that we had access to a kitchen. Restaurants in Kauai not only tend to be more expensive and of a lower quality than on the other islands, but they also tend to close fairly early. Being able to go to the grocery store and cook some of our own meals was a great way to save some money. That being said, we did find one restaurant that we couldn't get enough of. Kauai Pasta, or the KP Lounge, is a sort of pseudo-italian restaurant, and one of the few restaurants we found that offered late night food. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend the bruschetta and KP Lounge's take on shrimp ramen - yum! 

If you don't make it to Magic Sunrise or a resort equipped with a kitchen and you're looking for a place to get breakfast, Java Kai is another great spot. While you're there try the "surfer girl" breakfast sandwich, and don't forget to fill up on their Kona coffee! As for lunch, if you can hold out until 3:00PM, Sushi Bushido has great deals on their teriyaki chicken skewers, gyoza, and a select assortment of sushi rolls. 

Aaron and I at Sushi Bushido (thanks to our server for the photo!)

All things considered, our time spent in Kauai was phenomenal and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But now that I've been there, I probably wouldn't choose to go back. 

For the cons, the people there were all rich Northern Californians who were pretending to be hippies and complaining about how they didn't care for islands like Maui because of the high concentration of upperclass Southern Californians. Okay, obviously this is a generalization because not everyone on the island truly fits this bill, but I just want to make sure I get my point across (and for the record I only saw a handful of native Hawaiians - and that's not an exaggeration.) One gentleman I met, while reading on the beach, informed me that he himself was from Northern California and had lived on Kauai for ten years. He said it was his favorite of the islands because, "there are the meditation gurus like myself, then you have your yoga instructors and organic farmers. It's not like Maui with all it's bleach blonde, plastic, Malibu tourists." I guess he's right, but the difference is that I think I prefer the "bleach blonde, plastic, Malibu tourists" because at least they visibly advertise themselves, making it easier to avoid them! Sorry Mr. Meditation, but you're just as bad as they are. 

Next you've got the economy. Kapa'a where we stayed seemed to be the largest town on the island, and that wasn't saying much. I'm all for small, rural towns, but knowing that Kapa'a was the biggest town on the island kind of made you feel a little trapped, considering if you did want to go to a bigger town, you'd have to get on an airplane and hop over to another island. 

Then there's Alfred. Remember that anecdote I mentioned at the beginning of this post? Well, after hitchhiking our way across Kona more than a handful of times, we wanted to return the Hawaiian hospitality we ourselves had received, and since we were going to have a rental car in Kauai what better way to do so than by picking up a few hitchhikers. Oops! The first (and last) hitchhiker we picked up was a friendly, but disheveled looking gentleman who introduced himself as "Alfred." He entered our rental car and asked us where we were from. "Washington state," we said. "Oh, I used to live in Washington, until they kicked me out for all my felonies. Domestic violence, narcotics, heh heh heh." At this point Aaron and I quickly changed the subject, keeping friendly conversation and a watchful eye in the rear-view mirror. We made it to the fruit stand (alive and well), and upon his exit from the vehicle Alfred said, "thanks for the ride, time to go make some grown men cry, heh heh heh." I'm not exactly sure what that was supposed to mean, I was just thankful he was out of the car and banned from my home state. 

V. Conclusion

If you are planning on visiting the lush, mountainous, and pristine island of Kauai, be prepared to feel a little claustrophobic, meet some overly pretentious white people (and a few pschyopaths too!),  and unless you have a kitchen,  leave the late-night appetite at home. Aloha! 

xo.

Hawaii Vacay: Part 3 - Kona on the Big Island

Have you ever signed up for something thinking you knew entirely what you were getting yourself into, then noticing little things along the way that contradicted what you had in mind, until finally you are presented with something similar to what you know but also completely foreign and new at the same time?

That was what it was like flying on Mokulele Air.

Had we known anything about this airline prior to showing up to the airport we probably would have gone about our day a bit differently. Like for instance, instead of showing up to the airport two hours early to check-in and go through security we would have probably played on the beach, had a relaxing breakfast, maybe jumped in the ocean for a bit, and shown up ten minutes before the flight left because we didn't have to go through security at all and checking in was simply flashing our IDs to the gate attendant. And, instead of downing a few shots of rum at 8:00AM because I didn't want to see it get thrown out per typical TSA regulations, since the Mokulele airline attendent didn't check our bags, I would have stayed sober a few more hours and just brought the rum with me (except that part really wasn't all that bad). Then there was the airplane itself. I thought our little fifty seater from Sea-Tac to PDX was small, Ha! What did I know? As the attendant called us out to board the plane, up the ramp we walked to an eight seat plane (not counting the bench along the back like you might find on a bus). It looked like a toy. It was so small that you were practically sitting in the cabin with the pilot and co-pilot. In fact, it was the pilot himself who stood at the ramp escorting passengers onto the plane (how personal!) And you think back to when you had to buckle your seatbelt on that big Boeing plane that flew you from San Diego to Maui - that wasn't turbulence. Turbulence is big ten feet drops in a miniature plane as you're flying from one island to another watching schools of dolphins weaving in and out of crystal clear water along the shores of uninhabited beaches.

About to board our Mokulele flight to Kona.

Not even 40 minutes after boarding our teeny, tiny airplane, and we were in Kona.

We called up our friends who had landed just an hour prior and asked them what method they used to get from the airport to the hotel, hung up the phone, and threw up our thumbs. Within ten minutes we were picked up by a young couple on there way into town. The couple had only been on the Big Island for about four months, having recently moved from New York City in search of a change of pace. The wife was working doing snorkel tours, and the husband was an out-of-work personal trainer (but Aaron and I both agreed it was just Matthew McConaughey trying to keep a low profile).

After much friendly chit-chat and an exchange of business cards in case we needed anything or were ever in the area again, the friendly couple dropped us off in front of Uncle Billy's Resort, where we were meeting our friends Mike and Catherine. Uncle Billy's was an out-of-date family resort, dimly lit by blinky fluorescent lights and an inadequate bathroom at best. That being said, the sleeping quarters were comfortable and a little less outdated than the rest of the unit.

After dropping off our things we realized that we were hungry (as we always are after a flight) and decided to walk a few blocks to Huggo's On the Rocks, which had been recommended to us by the couple that had picked us up (and after some speedy research on my phone, proved to have great Yelp! reviews). Unfortunately, we were too early for happy hour, and too hungry to wait. We all ordered beers, which were reasonably priced, but served to us warm and in plastic tumblers. Okay... well the food must be good because it was roughly $14 per entree. Not the case. Aaron and I "splurged" and split a cheeseburger which was served with what must have been the worst beef I had ever eaten in my life. (Two days later we decided to come back for the happy hour and try the fish tacos which everyone had raved about. Happy hour prices were absurdly steep, the beers were still warm, and the taco was "meh" at best.) Would I go to Huggo's On the Rocks again? Absolutely not.

For the rest of the day we wandered the town, walking up and down Alii Drive, poking our heads into the shops, scoping out the beaches, and keeping our eyes peeled for a better happy hour. We ended our day by a trip to the grocery store, a dip in the pool, and some mango mojitos in the hotel.

The next day served us a little more exciting as we hitched up and down the Alii Drive, and spending part of our morning at a beach called Magic Sands and then to a beach just a bit further down the road which was ideal for snorkelers. Aaron and Mike wanted to go surfing, and so we ended up hitching a ride all the way to a beach called Pine Trees, located near the airport. The beach here was sandier than most of the others we had seen, and the surf was great! After several hours we went back into town where we ate dinner at Kimagure's, a delicious hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant. In the evening we went for shave ice at Scandinavian Shave Ice and then continued walking until we made it to the small, sandy, man-made beach just outside of the Marriott. Here we sat in the sand for hours, drinking beers and rum which we had purchased across the street at the ABC Store. From where we were sitting you could see boats as they sailed up to the dock, and watch the moon's smooth, glowing reflection gently ripple across the glassy water.

We spent the next day at Pine Trees, but this time we got there early, and left a little early too, with enough time to hit up a happy hour (are you seeing a trend yet?). Having learned our lesson at Huggo's, we decided to check out Bongo Ben's. During our first trip to Pine Trees we had been picked up by a friendly local who had been on the island (off and on) for about ten years. He told us about how he was a hasher, about his family, about life on the island, and about his adventures in picking up hitchhikers. When he dropped us off at Pine Trees he tossed Aaron one of his hand-woven palm-leaf hats and told us if we were ever in the area to stop by Bongo Ben's, the restaurant that he managed. Following his advice and looking forward to his friendly face, we sat down at a table outside and feasted upon their "pizza and beer for $8" special.

Our stay in Kona was short but rich, and it was time for Aaron and I to move on to our next, and final destination: Kauai.

From left to right: Me, Mike, and Catherine. 

xo.

Hawaiian Vacay: Part 2 - Maui

Located just beyond Kamaole Beach Park II, where the sand disappears and lush, waxy grass grows thick, stands the Hale Pau Hana. Aaron's Omi, a humble and cultured world traveler who's open-mindedness, world views, generosity, and authenticity inspire awe and adventure, owns one of the condos at the Hale Pau Hana, and hospitably offered us a free week stay in her unit for the first leg of our trip. Having been to Maui and stayed at the Hale Pau Hana with Aaron's family once prior to this trip, I knew we were going to have a wonderful stay, but memories cannot encapsulate just how magical the experience truly is until you are there again in the flesh.

First off, you should understand that Kamaole Beach Park II is one of the nicest beaches I have ever been to in my life (and I've been to quite a few beaches). Kamaole Beach Park II is nearly half a mile of golden sand that is met by gentle ocean waves, calm enough to go swimming in, and warm as bathwater. But, if nearly half a mile of beach isn't quite grand enough for you, you can walk a few stairs and across the grass over to Kamaole Beach Park I, which is nearly twice as long as Park II, and tends to be a bit more crowded. On the other side of Kamaole Beach Park II, you will find Park III, which is smaller than the others but just as lovely.

While Kamaole Beach Park II may be the Hale Pau Hana's backyard, the frontyard is the conveniently located S. Kihei Rd. where you will find a Whalers General Store, S and Q's Coffee and Shave Ice Shack (yum), the Cinnamon Roll Place (also yum), and several other fun shops and restaurants. If you travel further down the road it will lead you to several more shops, boutiques, tourist activities, surf shops, restaurants, grocery stores, a farmers market and more. Additionally, Kihei's overall location is ideal for those seeking to soak up some sun. Located on the West shore of Maui and residing in the rain shadow of Haleakala (one of Maui's mountains), Kihei receives less annual rainfall than most other parts of the island.

The view from Omi's.

After our exhausting journey the previous day, Aaron and I started our first, groggy morning in Maui by jumping straight into the warm, salty ocean. If that didn't wake us up, nothing would! Next it was to the farmer's market for produce, and Foodland for any additional food items. When on the islands you will generally find a better selection of food at Safeway or Costco, but since we had not yet picked up a rental car and were traveling by foot, Foodland was more reasonable in terms of distance. As for refreshments? Nothing better than sitting on the lanai sipping on rum and Pog. We had food, drinks, the beach and each other, and for the next several days we woke up early, went running on the beach, swimming in the ocean, ate delicious home-cooked breakfasts, started drinking much too early, lounged in lawn chairs reading from our books, baked in the sun on the sand playing games of smashball, jumped in the ocean to cool off, ran across the street to S and Q's Coffee and Shave Ice Shack to share a coconut and mango shave ice topped off with haupia (coconut cream), then back to the beach until our stomachs started rumbling. For dinner we would grill up steak or chicken, make a kale salad loaded with tons of fresh veggies and fruits, and to accompany our meal: a glass of wine. After dinner we typically dunked ourselves in the Hale Pau Hana's pool and watched the sunset. But we weren't done yet! Next was crossing the street for some ice cream and a stroll down the moonlit beach. After a few days of this general routine we decided to go exploring and make a visit to one of my favorite towns on the island, Lahaina. But first we needed a car!

If you've ever rented a car, you know it can be expensive. But not if you're thrift savvy! Kehei Rent-A-Car offers roughly (emphasis on the "roughly") used vehicles for a fraction of the price of what a newer rental costs. We were given a 2004 Nissan Seneca that looked as though it had gone through just about everything shy of being totalled. Banged up, scraped up, torn up, and I'm not even sure how to describe the smell, but for a five day rental it was just over $100 after tax (and they shuttle you to the airport)! We were ready to explore and head to our first destination: Lahaina.

Once the royal capitol of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Lahaina is rich in culture and bountiful in its natural (and less natural) attractions. From it's beautiful beaches, Lahaina harbor, and of course the famed banyon tree located on Front St. at Banyon Court Park. Once in Lahaina, you may want to rent a board and go surfing, sit under the banyon tree and read about the history of the tree and fort on one of the various plaques posted throughout the park, or just enjoy a stroll down Front Street. While Lahaina is one of the most visited towns on the island of Maui be sure to watch out for tourist traps! Don't expect to find any sale racks in any of the shops or anywhere reasonably priced to eat (except for maybe the Burger King located just across from Banyon Court Park.) But, knowing me and my thrifty sense of direction, there are ways to enjoy yourself in Lahaina on a budget. Throughout Maui and the town of Lahaina you will find coupon books that contain discounts for popular activities, shops, and restaurants. Additionally, if you're looking for something yummy to eat and don't mind dining a little early, check out happy hour at any of the popular restaurants on Front Street. My personal favorite is Kimo's. Right on the water, and featuring daily specials in addition to their already discounted happy hour menu, you can enjoy a Mai Tai right on the water as you watch the waves rolling in and the sailboats swaying in the tropical breeze.

 

Aaron and I enjoying Mai Tais at Kimo's

We made one other visit to Lahaina during our stay in Maui, as well as a trip to Wailea and a few other popular beaches. Wailea is for the upscale country clubber, as easily recognizable when taking a walk through The Shops at Wailea. Luis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tommy Bahama are just a few of the shops you will find here. They didn't have any discounts for these shops in the Maui coupon book, but it's still fun to explore and see how other travelers are spending their time money.

However, if you drive past Wailea's grand resorts and lush golf courses, past the roadside taco trucks and coconut stands you will find your way to Big Beach and Little Beach. Aaron was itching to go surfing despite disappointing swell reports, but he was able to find a few rideable waves at Big Beach. Here the ocean meets the sand with a bit more intensity than at Kamaole Beach Park II, but you will still find people swimming, and occasionally getting pummeled by the harsh breaking saltwater.

Next door you will find what at first glance appears to be a beach very similar to Big Beach, but with a keener eye and a closer look you may get more than you bargained for. Disregard the name, because what Little Beach lacks in size it makes up for in personality (and we all know size doesn't really matter, right?). You guessed it, Little Beach is a haven for those who like to bask in the buff. Like Big Beach, Little Beach shares the same golden sand and strong blue waters, but only at Little Beach is it socially acceptable to tan your cheeks or bronze your... I'll let you finish the sentence.

On the eve of our departure we decided to hit the town and treat ourselves to a nice cocktail in Kihei. Though we only planned on going out for one drink, I suggested we walk. Glad we did, because late night happy hour at Three's encouraged more than one drink each. With happy hour from 9-10:00PM, Aaron and I strolled up right as it was getting started. Regularly priced cocktails were $12.95, but happy hour special shaved off nine of those dollars. Exotic and gourmet appetizers, sushi rolls and more all at 50% off  - we scored, big. And that wasn't all. Think pseudo live music and professionally trained salsa dancers, all seamlessly interchanging partners between songs. We weren't entirely sure what we had stumbled upon, but we liked it!

It was a perfect end to our perfect week in Maui. But our trip wasn't over yet! Next stop: Kona on the Big Island.

xo.

Hawaiian Vacay: Part 1 - Flying Standby

Aloha!

I have just returned from my two week adventure to the Hawaiian Islands. While it is a pleasure to be back in the comfort of my home and the company of good family and friends, I would be lying if I said I didn't already miss the warm, tropical air and miles of sandy beaches.

Aaron and I visited three islands (Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai) during our travels. I would love to write just one comprehensive post about our entire trip, but if I were to do that I feel like I would either have to write a short book (which this isn't exactly the platform for) or leave a lot out (which would just be depressing). So to make my posts more easy to navigate and subject specific I am breaking them down into a series of entries. I hope you enjoy reading about my travels, and maybe even glean some helpful tips and information for your own upcoming trip (if you have one, and if you don't, I highly recommend planning one)!

Aaron and I left for the island of Maui on June 20, 2013. It was my first time flying standby, and Aaron's first time in a long time. Our sister-in-law, Staci, is a flight attendent for Alaska Airlines and was generous enough to share some of her buddy passes with us, saving us hundreds of dollars on airfare. She showed us how to check flight-loads and figure out which route would be in our best interest based on availability, date, and time, and we excitedly reserved our seats.

We woke up bright and early (although I wouldn't really say it was "bright" considering the sun hadn't rose yet) around 4:30 AM. Our bags were packed and the french press was loaded. We said goodbye to Gus the barn cat and we were on our way! Well, on our way to he Gig Harbor Inn where a shuttle would be picking us up and taking us to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The shuttle ride was quick and smooth and we made it to the airport just before 6:00 AM. When we entered the airport we could not believe the lines! Neither my husband or I had ever seen the airport so packed. After waiting in line first to get our boarding passes and then to go through the security checkpoint, we finally made it to our gate and were ready to board our first plane which would take us all the way to... Portland! Okay, our first flight was a little anti-climactic considering we would only be traveling about 160 miles, but once we landed at PDX we would be boarding our flight to Maui. Or at least that's what we thought.

We landed at PDX and hurried to our next gate to check the flight load and where we stood on the standby roster. A shared moment of anxiety stricken frowns simultaneously spread across our faces as we stared at the reader board. Not only had the flight nearly filled, but the standby list had tripled and we were at the very bottom! Things weren't looking good, but considering we had some time to kill before the flight boarded we did what anyone hanging out at an airport at 8:00 AM does and we loaded up on mimosas. While the mimosas did take the edge off, they sure didn't help empty up any seats on that airplane, and we watched our first attempt to Maui take off towards the sky.

Not to worry though, there was another flight boarding in just over an hour and we could just get on that one, right? Wrong. Another almost-full flight and an alarming number of people on the standby list. As there were no more flights from PDX to OGG (Maui) that day, things were looking dismal. Until a woman working at the gate helped reorient our tickets and got us on standby to San Diego where we would have one more shot of landing in Maui before surrendering defeat and setting up camp on the airport floor.

The flight to San Diego was fairly full, but there weren't too many on the standby list and we boarded stress free. It was only when we got to San Diego that anxiety ensued as we watched the reader board at our gate show empty seats slowly filling and the standby list growing at an alarming rate, bumping us down to the bottom of the roster with each addition.

Both hungry and tired, we ordered an overpriced salad from one of the airport food kiosks and slowly munched away, leaning against one another, shoulder-to-shoulder, sinking heavier into one another with each yawn as exhaustion began to set in. As our eyelids grew heavy and the salad box began to slide off my lap,  over the intercom they announced that they were beginning boarding. Like two kids on Christmas morning, we quickly sprang to our feet as if we had enough energy to run a marathon, and rushed over to the gate to watch all the happy travelers board their flight to Maui, fingers-crossed hoping there would be two seats left for us.

As the mob of people hovering around the gate slowly made their way onto the plane, the gate attendant began calling names off the standby list. "So-and-so party of four," they called. Then a party of three, then a party of two. According to the reader board the plane was full, and there were still people ahead of us on the list. Our smiles dimmed as we scanned the room to see if there would be a comfortable place to spend our evening, and then they called our names. It was like winning the lottery (or so I would assume considering I've never won the lottery). Involuntary tears began to stream down my cheeks as the exhaustion, relief, and happiness that my body was deflecting through all the tension released. It was 7:30 PM, and we would be landing at OGG at 10:30 PM Maui time.

The plane ride was long, and after about five-and-a-half hours the pilot came over the intercom announcing that we were making our final descent into Maui. Our original plan was upon landing we would take a bus from the airport to Aaron's Omi's (the German word for grandmother) condo, but given the lateness of our arrival we were stuck with a taxi. Exhausted and hungry (again), we ran up to our room, dumped our bags onto the floor and dashed across the street to Denny's for a late night bite to eat.

We scarfed down the warm, turkey club sandwich, washing it down with oversized gulps of ice-cold water, and felt our bodies begin to revive from the hot food and hydrating water. We paid our bill and shuffled across the street back to Omi's condo where we slept long and hard, preparing ourselves for what would be an incredible two weeks.

Standby Travel Tips:

If you want a relaxing travel experience, or you need to be somewhere by a certain date/time, do not travel standby.

If you want an inexpensive way to travel and are okay with spending some time in the airport, I highly recommend flying standby, especially if you follow these tips! And please note that I have only flown standby through Alaska Airlines and these tips may not apply to other airlines.

1. You need to know someone who works for the airline and request a buddy pass.
2. Figure out when you are trying to travel. It is advised not to travel standby during holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc, or during summer vacation (which is when Aaron and I traveled, so it is doable, just not recommended).
3. Look up flight loads in advance to get a general idea of what the flights look like, but be aware that even if there are 50 open seats and no one on the non-revenue (standby) list, that this is subject to change drastically and you will want to check this list the night before, or better yet just hours before you plan to travel.
4. Look at connecting flights and be creative! While a direct flight is more desirable, you may have a better chance of getting to your final destination from one airport versus another. For example, flight to Maui from San Diego had more open seats typically than direct flights from Sea-Tac to Maui. But, so did flights from Portland which is why we flew there first, and we didn't get on a single plane there. (Flying home we flew from LIH (Kauai) to San Diego and got on the first plane).
5. Be prepared! Anticipate that you will be waiting around for several hours. Bring a good book, a fully charged phone, snacks, or whatever you like to have on hand to pass the time and to keep you full and happy!

xo.