Buhr Family Vacation 2007

What follows is a brief synopsis of the recent trip to the islands the Buhr clan experienced. Each day is broken up into its own seperate post, complete with a few pictures relevant to the day's adventures. Enjoy.

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

We woke up before dawn and piled the sleepy boys into the car in my parent’s driveway, and after filling their laps with cinnamon rolls and bottles of milk, flicked the headlights on and headed for the Sand Diego airport. The first challenge of the journey would be to check all eleven of our bags at the curb without leaving something behind, losing the kids, or getting the cars towed. The mad scramble went fairly well, although at one point after getting my driver’s license back from the check in clerk I turned to see the boys, alone in their stroller, staring blankly at the piles of bags around them, probably wondering if they would be checked next. Cars were parked in a long term lot, and my dad and I cruised through the security, and met up with the rest of the crew in front of a large indoor, kelp forest fountain. Colt and Landon spent the down time before boarding, checking out all of the planes and other vehicles that scurried around outside on the runway, anticipating their turn to take to the skies.

Rhiannon and I were very nervous about the potential madness that could ensue during a 5 hour flight with two young boys trapped within the confines of a few seats on a plane. We were prepped with toys and snacks and more toys, and blankets. And thankfully the flight was uneventful. Colt slept for a few hours, and Landon lap hopped playing new games with each family member along the way. When I explained to Landon that the plane was going really fast so that it could fly through the air, he looked perplexed since it didn’t feel like we were moving at all. I guess he had hoped to feel the rush of a 500mph wind flowing through his curly mop.

After touching down we got to do the same eleven bag shuffle, except this time in the tropical heat, but that humid blast of Maui air awakened old memories that made the sweat nearly enjoyable. We piled in a big black van and headed to our final destination Maui Sunset.

The condo we stayed in at Maui Sunset - sweet, sweet B219, had been my grandparent’s tropical getaway since 1980. During my adolescence our family spent at least ten Augusts in Maui at the condo, and not only do I have a bank filled with memories from those trips, but I feel that this time spent splashing around has had a significant impact on my development into the person I am today. To say that I was excited to begin my sons’ baptism into this inspiring arena would be more than an understatement. Admittedly, it did feel a little strange to be a parent, while my parents were now the grandparents of the two latest Buhr boys. Time marches on.

Landon passed out in the van shuttle to the condo and was tired enough that we could transfer him into a stroller where he slept for the next few hours. Colt wasn’t quite as interested in sleep, but we managed to get him to rest in his travel crib for awhile as well. This provided us with time to unpack, grab some groceries, pick up rental cars and install the mildew infused car seats provided by the rental company. More importantly we got a chance to sit on the balcony and stare through the palm trees at the familiar Pacific.

After Landon awoke he joined Rhiannon and I in a game of shuffle board. The courts are right below the condo balcony and have always provided a source of entertainment for the family. Granddad Mleynek was particularly fond of the game, and so of course pushing around the discs with my son caused another flood of memories that I realized would become unavoidable throughout the trip. At one point in the game Rhiannon built a lead of 28 to -1, but I managed to overcome the 29 point deficit and claim victory.

Colt and Justin soon joined us so we decided it would be a good time to visit the adjacent beach. The beach fronting Maui Sunset is a very thin strip of sand that becomes inundated with stranded green algae after high tides. This abandoned algae quickly rots in the island sun and expectedly begins to stink. The condo has contracted a local tractor driver to pile up the offending plant material and cover it with sand daily which works fairly well to minimize the stench and clear the beach. This trip the algae seemed noticeably less present so perhaps the situation is improving. We found a clean patch of sand and proceeded to throw rocks and coral rubble into the gentle approaching waves. The boys ended up covered in wet sand and smiles. Justin caught two small papio for them to investigate. The sun began to set. It was a great end to the day of our arrival. We had some great local fish from Alexander’s for dinner and all were asleep at a relatively early our, which turned out be a good thing because….

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

….at 4:30 am Colt and soon thereafter Landon decided it was time to wake up and begin the day - it had after all been light for several hours back in Southern California. Not wanting to wake the rest of the condo up, and realizing that being locked in the bedroom with two energetic boys would be torturous, we plopped the early risers in the stroller and headed out for a pre-sunrise walk down the local street. The narrow street parallels the beach and is overgrown by the attempts at landscaping from the residents that call this street home. A few empty lots are overgrown with dense trees. As we walked the sun lined the peak of Haleakala with silver, and out of the darkness some of the local roosters began to welcome the day. Landon and Colt sat upright, listening intently for the next crow from the surrounding darkness. Our morning walk evolved into a rooster hunt, and for the rest of the vacation, any visit to this road, whether by vehicle or pedestrian became another excited search for roosters.

We returned to the condo and joined my parents on the balcony for a quiet breakfast. After finishing our meal, it was almost 7am, so we walked down to the local beach again but this time headed south. A little over 100 yards down the beach is a rubble construed coral reef that becomes exposed at low tides. As kids Justin and I spent hours on this reef turning over rocks anticipating what creatures might swim out and into our awaiting nets. So now some 25 years later I headed out on the reef again, this time holding a bucket and net for Landon while Colt babbled along in his mom’s arms. Before too long we had captured several different fish species which were investigated, kissed, and promptly returned to the water so they could, “go find their mommy and daddy” as Landon would explain. We then chased around a small octopus. I’m pretty sure this was Landon’s first experience with a cephalopod in the wild, so the squirts of ink and instant camouflage color changes continued to surprise and impress him. Eventually the octopus was corralled into the bucket so that mom and Colt could safely investigate. After a few pokes the octopus was also safely released. Soon Landon was hunting for crabs and catching the small ones with his bare hands and excitedly showing off his prize catches. Colt had some difficulty maneuvering on the wobbly substrate and eventually his frustration sent him and Rhiannon back to the condo. I really enjoyed revisiting the reef with my marine science background more developed, and relished the opportunity to introduce my son to some new ocean friends. Landon and I poked around until the morning breeze kicked in and then we too returned to determine our next destination.

It was decided that we would rive down to Kamaole Beach Park II for the remainder of the morning. This beach is a short drive to the south and includes a large sandy beach surrounded by lava points on either end. The southern of these points was our daily morning fishing destination in year’s past. This morning however we left the fishing rods behind, and instead replaced them with sand toys and beach chairs. The water was near 80ºF and the air temperature was slightly warmer. The boys rolled around on the beach and played in the small surf making sure to get sand into every possible nook and cranny. I pushed both of them into a small wave on a bodyboard, an experience that Colt seemed to enjoy more than Landon, although neither asked me to do it again. Both boys also got trips into the “deep blue water” in their dad’s arms, and giggled as the ocean surge rolled them back and forth while they stared at the islands that dotted the horizon line. I swam out for a brief snorkel and marveled at how little the reef had changed. The same coral structures and fish assemblages were present now that inhabited the reef a decade ago. The permanence of these communities, while the rest of my life has changed, provided comfort.

The afternoon was spent relaxing while the boys napped. Rhiannon and I challenged Justin and my dad to a game of bocce ball on the lawn which we handily won. We drank some pog, it was beginning to feel like a vacation.

That evening we journeyed down to the shore south of Makena to a lava encrusted stretch of coastline where we had spent many hours fishing and watching the sun disappear in the past. My cousins Ben and Leah and her daughter Chloe joined the rest of the Buhrs on the trek. We found a patch of sand with a large adjacent tide pool that the boys bombarded with stones. We tried unsuccessfully to get Chloe to catch a fish. A large green sea turtle came within a few feet of the shore grazing on algae, providing an opportunity for everyone to observe the massive marine reptile. Landon recognized the creature from his frequent viewings of Finding Nemo. The sky filled with color as the daylight slipped away and we packed our wet family into their car seats for the short ride back to the condo. Some local food was picked up from Da Kitchen on the way back, and we enjoyed a dinner of kalua pig out on the balcony while discussing the day’s events and the plans for tomorrow. It was a perfect introduction to the trip.

Thursday, August 8th, 2007

The morning had a more relaxing start, as our tired boys slept in until at least 6am, and their grandparents mercifully entertained them for a few hours after that so that Rhiannon and I could catch up on some much needed sleep. Colt went down for a late morning nap, and while he slept Rhiannon, Landon and I slipped down to the pool to splash around with Chloe. The pool itself is not well designed for a small child like Landon without any developed swimming skills, so he was restricted to hanging out on the steps when not being dragged around the shallows while playing “motorboat” with his dad. Landon is very cautious around the water, which is a good thing for my peace of mind, and would only venture out from the safety of the steps when his arms were firmly latched around his dad’s neck. I look forward to the days ahead when he will be able to swim comfortably through the aquatic realm.

Colt awoke shortly thereafter and we all piled in our cars for the half hour commute west to the town of Lahaina. The drive parallels the coast most of the way, and I immediately fell into the old habits of scanning the horizon for breaking waves. Unfortunately, as was the norm for the entire trip, the Pacific was exceptionally tranquil and the waves that lapped the shore measured less than a foot in height. After driving the wrong way down a one-way street in town we navigated to a safe parking spot and joined the rest of the family for lunch at Kimo’s. This waterfront restaurant was another favorite of my grandparent’s and we all ordered a round of mai tai’s and other tropical concoctions in their honor. Our table was directly against the seawall, and Landon was enthralled to discover some large shore crabs crawling over its rim. Leah and Chloe were not nearly as excited. We had an outstanding lunch, and any remaining leftovers were thrown over the wall to feed the hungry fish that cruised the shore. Landon and Colt had a blast as their uncle tossed French fries into the water and then pointed out the different fish that came to investigate a free meal. We all agreed that the lunch had far exceeded our expectations.

Landon still holds a strong addiction to trains, and has now fostered equal enthusiasm for the railway in his younger brother. To accommodate their obsession we ventured across town to the Old Lahaina Sugar Cane Train for a ride on the steam engine. The restored engine takes passengers on a round trip to the neighboring town of Kanapalii and back. The old line was bumpy, and the open coaches were hot in the windless afternoon, but the boys relished every minute. They scanned the views, studied the tracks as they passed underneath, pointed at the railroad signs and smiled. After we returned to the station from the hour long ride, both were ready for a repeat trip – their parent’s were ready for a drink.

After returning home we had a quiet evening and dinner while we watched the light fade on another day. After the boys drifted off to dream of the sugar cane train we gathered around the table for a few rounds of Boggle. Then as my parents also began to tire, Justin, Rhiannon and I walked down to the beach and shared a few drinks and stories under a big tree while the moon glistened off the ocean at our feet.

Friday August 10th, 2007

One of the driving reasons behind our family excursion to the islands this summer was to honor and memorialize my grandparents Mleynek and their recent passing. One request we planned to fulfill was to have their ashes scattered together across the Maui seascape that they treasured so dearly. The property managers for Maui Sunset also agreed to assist us in our tribute by planting a palm tree on the grounds to honor Frank and Harriet. So Friday morning, my parents accompanied Landon and I down to the front lawn to watch as a large tractor (the same guy that pushes around all of the seaweed) planted the tree. The palm itself was a significant tree, easily measuring over fifteen feet in height, so watching as the tractor hoisted and then dropped the entire tree and root mass into a large hole in the ground was quite a show. On the Maui Sunset property there is a large landscaped sign comprised of flowers that reads Maui Sunset. The sign measures over 100 feet long and grows on a small hill, located directly between the balcony at B-219 and the ocean. The tree was planted on the top of the ridge, directly in the middle of the signs upper perimeter. It was a well deserved and prominent memorial for an incredible couple. In the years ahead we plan to return and establish a plaque at the tree’s base. I could feel my grandparent’s smile from the balcony as we watched the palm fronds catch the late morning breeze.

By the time the tree was firmly secured it our stomachs began to signal that it was time for lunch. We headed down to Ma’alea where we met up with my Aunt Sheryll and Uncle Darryl and the rest of their crew for lunch at Buzz’s Wharf, another family favorite. The restaurant has a great ocean view of the small harbor below and the ocean and island beyond. The reef surrounding the break wall for the harbor is home to “Freight Trains” once labeled as the fastest right breaking wave in the world. Justin and I spent many summer days slipping into barrels here in the past, however on this afternoon the spray from the waves did not even reach above the rock jetties. Lunch again supplied us with good food, and also gave us a chance as a family to discuss and plan that evening’s memorial service for my grandparents.

The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium is located in Ma’alea, so after eating we ventured down the road to look at some of the splendid underwater residents of the islands. Both of the boys laughed and ran through the dark tunnels of the building, peering through illuminated windows displaying local organisms and their striking shapes and colors. The Aquarium has a large open ocean tank that is home to the only Tiger Shark in captivity in the world. The shark was impressive, and definitely appeared more menacing than other sharks that I had viewed in the past. It swam with a subtle power that was both intimidating and inspiring. It was great to sit right up against the glass with boys and with them chase fish around the enclosure with wonder filled eyes.

That evening at sunset we gathered around the recently planted palm tree and shared a quiet memorial to our family’s patriarchs. Small containers filled with a portion of the ashes were buried is the fresh soil at the palm’s base, flowers and stones were placed, and prayers, poems and memories exchanged. Then as the sun sank into the ocean Justin and I walked out to the tip of the rubble reef point and with quiet appreciation scattered the remains of Frank and Harriet Mleynek to the winds and colored skies of Maui. The trade winds gusted as we mouthed our goodbyes. We began our walk back to the bluff where the rest of the family awaited our return. As our feet touched the sandy beach, the usually predictable and powerful winds abruptly stopped. The coast was quiet and still. It was almost as if the island was also taking a pause to remember. The evening continued back at B-219 with dinner and drinks and happily shared memories and appreciation of family. The younger generation gathered around to play a few hands of Uno, a card game that always entertained our grandparents during family vacations. The night, as a whole, and in a greater sense the entire vacation served as a perfect tribute to the people that has influenced all of our lives so importantly. Rhiannon, Justin and Leah slipped out to the beach later that night; I decided to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the arduous day planned ahead….

Saturday August 11th, 2007

…at 5:30am I felt a tug on my foot, and there at the foot of my bed stood my dad, dressed and ready for our early morning hike. We grabbed some bottles of water and snacks and jumped in the car, next stop the outer rim of the crater of the Haleakala volcano. After a winding drive through the upland grassland of the mountain we arrived at our trailhead at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet. It was early and cold, and I was glad to have the long sleeved shirt I had stuffed in my back pack. A pair of Nene geese greeted us in the parking lot, along with a vanload of Japanese tourists that clamored over each other to get a picture of the rare endemic birds. We headed along the Halemauu trailhead on a hike that would descend 1,400 feet to the crater floor below, with a final destination of the Holua cabin. Total distance traveled on the hike would be just over 8 miles. As we descended the switchbacks into the volcanic landscape below the sun rose higher in the sky and so did the ambient temperature. Layers were shed and water was enjoyed as we plodded forward, pausing to share the expansive vistas. Fourteen years ago my dad and I trudged completely across the crater on a hike that still brings back hot and thirsty flashbacks of dragging through trails covered in volcanic sand. This return trip would be shorter than that preliminary excursion and avoided the trails that held names like the “shifting sands trail’. After that first hike I swore I would never hike the crater again. But now, as a father myself, I looked forward to the chance to spend the day along with my dad in the warm Maui sun, sharing the experience of a hike, a passion of his that he has nurtured throughout his life. We reached the cabin, took a few pictures, saw another pair of Nene geese, and checked out a shallow lava tube. I plopped a lava rock in my pack for Landon to share this experience across three generations of Buhr boys. We returned to our car at the trailhead by 2pm and looked forward to the fortification some food and a soft couch might provide.

Rhiannon, the boys and Justin spent the morning at the local beach in front of the condo. They had a relaxing time rolling in the sand and chasing sand crabs. Upon our return from the volcano Landon was still sleeping his nap away, and after the long hike in the heat a jump in the pool sounded more than refreshing, so Rhiannon, Colt and I headed down to plunge into the water. The experience with Colt in the water is far different than the time spent with Landon at the pool. Colt dunks his head underwater and laughs, and constantly motions for someone to ferry him around the pool while he squirms and wiggles, ambivalent to the possibility that he might slip out a grasp and sink into the water surrounding him. He splashes and squeals with delight and exhibits no signs of trepidation which is fun to watch but can be a little unnerving as well.

Refreshed, we loaded the boys into the stroller and walked down to the Big Wave restaurant located just down the road in Kihei at the Azeka marketplace. Chloe joined Rhiannon, the boys and I as we ventured down the local road on what evolved into another exciting rooster hunt. The roosters didn’t voice their presence, but we were able to locate a few pecking around a lawn for food. Everyone joined together for dinner and another night spent around the table with family was shared. Once returning to the condo my dad quickly propped up his feet and fell asleep on the couch. We took this as our cue to enjoy one last trip down to the tree which was highlighted by a meteor shower that occasionally zoomed across the night sky.

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

This morning Landon, Colt and I decided that we would make another trip out to the local rubble reef with nets and buckets to see what new critters we might be able to discover, and without much persuasion my parents decided to join us as well. A short while into our exploration we managed to corral a small, purple and yellow striped moray eel. Landon seemed to instructively know that this little guy could give him “owwies” so he gave the fish the respect that it deserved. Ha caught a few different species of reef fish again, and after catching one small mullet Landon asked to hold the little fish. Knowing that this might be a tough squeeze (literally) for the fish, but also realizing the impression holding the small creature might have on him, I relented to his request. He carefully grabbed the fish between his thumb and fore finger and then proceeded to tell me he liked to eat fish and began to place the wriggling fish into his mouth. I pulled his hand away before he was able to chomp down although I’m pretty sure he got a good salty taste in his mouth. Begrudgingly he agreed to release his potential meal and the little fish spiraled away back into the ocean. Colt and Landon both threw rocks for awhile and then we decided it was time to return to check on mommy. We chased sand crabs along the beach, until Landon decided it would be more fun to imitate the little crustaceans. We played a fun game where he would race ahead of us and then lay down like a crab to block our path. Once we dodged the obstacle he would run ahead to repeat the encounter. Both boys giggled excitedly, and enjoyed the game enough that we still play this game occasionally back at home in California.

We drove west to Lahaina again for a repeat lunch at Kimo’s which again did not disappoint either in the quality of food, or in the crustacean and piscine entertainment for the younger members of our group. This was Leak and Chloe’s last day, so we invited them for a short impromptu stop at the beach on the way home. We pulled the car over at the shallow reef and narrow beach of Olowalu. Justin, Chole, the boys and I splashed around in the water while Rhiannon and Leah observed from the safety of the sand. I dug a pair of goggles out of the trunk and paddled Chloe out on a bodyboard to check out some of the reef fish. She had lived her entire life on the Big Island of Hawaii and had never been snorkeling before, so this was an exciting experience for both of us. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more. It was great to interact with Chloe as a child, so often she acts like more of an adult than I do, and her animated points and responses about the fish we discovered were awesome. Soon thereafter the trade winds kicked up and the gusts picked up the fine sands on the beach and sent the grains hurtling into our exposed skin like tiny, stinging missiles. We retreated to the safety of the car and returned to the condo wet and sandy but mostly unscarred.

After returning to the condo we cleaned up and Rhiannon and I headed out to dinner, alone, and left the boys in the care of my parents. We headed south to Kihei and stopped at Pupu’s Grill along the main coastal road. We sipped a drink at the bar and waited for a table outside on the patio to open up. The time alone gave us a great chance to recant about the trip that was so quickly coming to a close, and also to discuss future vacations for the family. For dinner we shared a heaping sampler of pupus (appetizers) served on a rotating circular tray with a volcano like flame extending from its center to warm/cook the food. The food and drinks were enjoyable, and the time together alone was special. After over ten years together, Rhiannon can still make my smile erupt into laughter and warm my heart with her caring ways. I feel so privileged and blessed to have her as my partner through all of our crazy adventures.

After dinner we swung by the condo and picked up Justin enroot to a bar just down the street called Tip Up’s. The three of us had a good time watching the local residents interact while a few tourists fumbled around the dance floor. We walked back to Maui Sunset, at which time Justin headed up to bed while Rhiannon and I decided to stay out and continue our night down at the beach. We watched the continuing meteor shower and listened to the waves roll along the sand, and shared stories and thoughts, not worrying at all about what time might read on the face of our watch, lost for a few hours on a deserted Hawaiian beach. It was perfect.

Monday, August 13, 2007

The morning of our last full day of vacation was spent lazing around the condo, trying to decide how we wanted to spend our final hours of the trip. By late morning we packed into the car and headed south to Wailea and Ulua Beach. This beach sits among several of the high end resorts located in Wailea and displays a wide, white-sand beach, with a lush, tropical back drop due to the landscaping from the adjacent resorts. Lava points and their associated reefs to the north and south provide some good snorkeling, and the waves that lapped the shore were again small and benign. At this point of the trip, after spending several days playing in and around the small surf, both Landon and Colt had become noticeably more comfortable frolicking around in the ocean’s surge. They would giggle and flop themselves down in front of the incoming whitewater, unconcerned as water rolled over them and tossed them around. They both continued to leap into any available arms willing to carry them out into the deeper water beyond the swells, where again their comfort level in the water was significantly more apparent compared to similar ventures made early in the trip. Landon commandeered an abandoned sand castle that had roads and tunnels for his trucks and trains - it didn’t take too long however until hurricane Landon struck the compound, leveling it down to beach level in a few glee filled moments. The air was still on the beach and as the morning temperatures continued to rise Rhiannon joined me for a swim out to the reef to take a look at some of the local underwater residents, it was great to hold her hand as the ocean’s surge pushed us gently along the top of the reef.

We put the boys down for their final, Maui fever induced naps and Justin, Rhiannon and I slipped out for some last minute souvenir puirchasing. We ended up at Pupu’s Grill again and were distracted from our original shopping target by a few happy hour mai tais. From there we walked around the nearby flea market, but the only gifts purchased were a set of bibs embossed with Hawaiian prints for the triplets. Nothing jumped of the shelves as a fitting tribute to help memorialize our trip, and as the hours ticked away from our last afternoon we scurried back to the condo to pack up everyone else for one last island sunset and evening of splashing waves down at our traditional south shore beach.

The boys crawled into a large tide pool again and repeated their games of throwing rocks into the surging ocean. Justin caught a snapper species that we had never hooked before in all of our previous trips. The fish was released into the boys’ tide pool and swam around their excited feet for a few minutes before finding its way back out to sea. The sun flicked between clouds on the horizon, coloring them pink and orange as it slipped below the water. It was a beautiful end to the vacation.

As dark crept in, Justin piled into the backseat of our sedan and wedged himself between the car seats to join us for the drive home. The back seat erupted into a laugh filled ruckus developing first from the boys both screaming “Ducky!” at their uncle at the top of their lungs. No one is completely sure how this nickname developed, but the boys found it hysterical. The laughter then turned into a dance party as Justin and the boys kicked and squirmed to the beats emanating from the radio which was nothing short of hilarious. As we drove for the last time down the local, ‘rooster hunt’ road in the dark, Rhiannon jubilantly screamed as she pointed to a toad hopping across the road. I stopped the car and she jumped out, grabbed a net from the trunk, and proceeded to scream even louder in disbelief as she captured the warty amphibian. I drove the remaining few blocks to the condo with my hand out the window, holding the net and its imprisoned prize until we could park the car so Landon and Colt could investigate. Both boys seemed impressed by their Mom’s bravery and skill and after a few pokes and prods the toad was released to go find his, “mommy and daddy”.

My parents picked up Alexander’s again on the ride home, so the local fish that we enjoyed as our first meal of the vacation would fittingly also be our last. The food was a delicious repeat performance. We then headed upstairs to say goodbye to the rest of the remaining Mleynek family before they also left behind their island home for the colder shores of Portland, Oregon.

Soon thereafter, inspired by Rhiannon’s hunting prowess, Landon and I snuck out in the hopes of capturing a few more toads under the supervising glow of the moon. With flashlights and nets in hand we crossed the perimeters of the Maui Sunset lawn, and our exploits were not to be in vain. Together we located and caught eleven brown, bumpy toads, several of which Landon caught without any assistance from his Dad. It was another final trip down the memory road as Justin and I had underwent similar late night toad hunts under our dad’s supervision some twenty-five years prior. We returned to boast of our successes, and Landon’s pride filled descriptions of our adventures were the absolute prize of the hunt for me. After tucking the boys into bed we headed down to the jacuzzi for a short soak, and then joined my parents and Justin in a final game of Boggle. The game was filled with laughs and recollections and sighs as we realized that tomorrow morning our wonderful family outing would draw to an abrupt close.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Our last morning was filled with the unmemorable tasks of packing all of the piles of gear and toys into suitcases, returning rental cars, and jumping into the airport shuttle. As we drove through the green sugar cane fields Landon declared how much he liked Hawaii and that he had a lot of fun. He said he would miss “the Hawaii ocean and the Hawaii palm trees”. Our flight home was uneventful, and at just after 8pm California time we touched down in San Diego. At 11:30pm we crossed our doorstep in Rancho Santa Margarita where we were greeted by the wagging tail of Dakota. It was nice to be home within our familiar walls, but already I missed the ocean views and warm breezes of the balcony at B-219.

It has taken me a few weeks to find the time to record this brief history of our Hawaiian exploits. Life continues to be busy now that we have returned to the hectic lifestyle that unfolds around work schedules and day care and all of the other minutia the drapes itself across our days. A few final thoughts that might be worth recanting here before I turn away from the computer and hit ‘Save’ one final time. I never described previously the relationship that developed between my dad and Colt during the trip. No matter where we were or what we were doing, Colt made a point of searching out his granddaddy and squealed with delight every time he came to rest in his lap. I think the bond warmed both of their hearts. There were also some late night shenanigans that involved my cousin Ben that developed into an entertaining side story to the trip. For a trip that involved little fishing and no surfing, I had a tremendous time. More than anything, I came away from this trip awash in the good fortune that has permeated throughout my life. I treasure the early experiences that I was able to undertake as a child, knowing with such confidence the impact they have had on the person I am today. And I am motivated to ensure that my sons get to partake in a diverse and stimulating childhood as well. I want them to be able to look back on their past with the same appreciative smile that I wear as I type this. More than anything though, I hold tight to them and my wonderful wife, my companions as we tread through the life we share. I couldn’t have imagined a better team.

Aloha.