Camping, camping and more camping.

So, after the birthdays and camping with one family, off we went camping with the other two families.  First of all Cole and Lily accompanied us to Grand Beach for a glorious two days.  We had wonderful beach weather, and their mother and the cousins joined us for day two.  The next week we set off once again with our little pop-up trailer in tow, for Southern Ontario.  The two cousins from the east were happy to come with us to Fanshawe Conservation Area, with a side trip to Grand Bend (which quickly became one of my favourite spots in the world.  Who wouldn't love that Lake Huron beach?)

All in all I have to say that all of our grandchildren (well, not Aubrey yet, as she has yet to experience camping) are GREAT campers.  They don't care about dirt, cramped quarters, smoke in their eyes, critters (BIG critters in S. Ontario) -  as long as hot dogs and smores are on the menu, they are good to go.  I must admit, the four inches of foam on which we sleep is not as comfortable as it once was, and the up and down of the trailer is more difficult ( or at least more tiring) than it used to be, but all was worth it to see the happy faces.  We had great times hiking, swimming, splashpadding, crafting, even doing the dishes was fun! Thanks kiddies for indulging Grandma and Grandpa, and thanks moms and dads for trusting us with your precious children.  Memories are made of this.

 Can't go to the beach without donuts!

 Lego is always a hit!

 Yummy smores!  Marshmallows toasted to perfection!

 Token picture of Aubrey.  Even though she didn't get to go camping, I think she is my kindred spirit.  She spent much time just letting the sand run through her fingers, enjoying the texture of it.  Since sand in my toes is my favourite sensation, I think she and I are going to have great beach days together.

 Love the "angel hair"!

 Crafting with the playground ladies at Fanshawe.

 Time out to take Hannah to soccer.  She ran the entire game in 30 degree heat!

 Snow cones!

 Crafty bracelets!

 While Hannah and Grandpa were in the waves, Caitlyn and I had fun in the sand!

It was a quick visit, but a very successful one.  Hope we have many more.

So summer 2015 is drawing to a close.  After last year (our moving year) when we didn't get the trailer up at all, this was quite a departure.  Thanks kids!

Summer 2015 so far...

I haven't blogged for a while now, so I thought I would post a few photos for those of you who like to keep in touch this way.  So far the summer has been glorious, and much less hectic than was last year's summer, when we were waiting for a baby and packing up one house and moving to another.  This year is ....relaxed.

First on the list, a trip east (but still in Manitoba) to a great spot.  Splitting logs, attaching a hammock and cleaning the chimney were on the agenda.  Notice that I didn't do anything at all except take pictures!

Then it was off to Birds Hill Park, so that these two could experience their first camping trip.  They were great campers, and it helped that the weather was perfect.  We played games, read stories, did crafts, ate s'mores and popsicles and pancakes, and had lots of beach time.  We are looking forward to more camping with the others in the various families.

And the most recent events, two birthdays, one for the youngest in our immediate family (she just turned one) and one for the matriarch of the entire clan, who is turning 88 tomorrow, July 12.  We are so fortunate to have the birthday girls (and everyone else) happy and healthy.

And on a side note, we have had hazy skies here, due to the smoke drifting in from Saskatchewan.  This has resulted in interesting views of the sun.  Here are two from the last couple of weeks.

More news as the summer progresses.  Stay cool everyone!

The Mule Ride that Wasn't - or Molokai Adventure Part Two

So bright and early this morning we drove to the top of the world, at least the Molokai world, ready to start our mule riding adventure to Kalaupapa. It was a gorgeous morning, sun shining, light mist misting, and we were ready to ride. We met J.R. , the charismatic guide, and reconnected with Lulu and Nicolette, guides we had met by chance the day before. We got our receipt and told the other members of the crew all about the fact that my parents had done this ride many years before.  They brought the mules out, saddled and ready to go.

And then one of the worker's cell phone rang.

There had been rain the night before, and there was a problem on the trail.J.R. sent R.J, the 18 year old, down the trail a bit to see what was up. Soon he was back. Between switchbacks 3 and 4, the rain had caused damage.  The trail was gone. The National Parks people closed the park to everyone, hikers and riders. Our adventure was over before it had begun.

J.R. then expressed his regret, not only that we had missed the ride, but mostly because we would not get the chance to ride the trail, visit Kaluapapa, and be overcome by the sense of "aloha" (love) that he believes can save the world.  He talked for a long time about the dark time in Hawaii's history when they lost their aloha and condemned those with leprosy to be banished to live in an isolated spot with little or no support.  He compared the fear that Hawaiians had about leprosy to the fear people have today about Ebola.  He then talked about how the people of the world need to find aloha again, and said that he had enough for everyone.  He gave each of us a big hug, full of meaning, and we left feeling that we had indeed experienced something unique.

Will I ever get back to Molokai to take the mule ride?  I don't know.  I do know though, that I will remember being here even if I didn't get to Kaluapapa, and will try to go into the world with "aloha". 

This is as close as we got to the mules. The spotted one was earmarked for Ross, as it was a bit bigger than the others.

Kaluapapa from 1700 feet above.  We would have gone down and around 26 switchbacks.

These are the present day bumper stickers, and yes, we were given one, even if we didn't do the ride.

This is the car we rented on Molokai-NOT!

Last night's sunset from the beach in front of our condo.

And on that note, farewell Molokai.  We have loved getting to know you.

Molokai Adventure Part One

Whatever Maui is, Molokai isn't. Well, that's not entirely true. Molokai has the sun, the beaches, the friendly people, the varying terrain, the mountains and valleys just as does Maui. Molokai does not have the hotels, the commercial adventure tours, the chain stores or restaurants, the endless souvenir shops, the luaus, the nightlife. In short, Maui is American. Molokai is Hawaiian.

We are in Margaret's Molokai Shores condo, which is on the ocean, minutes from everything, clean, comfortable and decorated with everything Hawaiian. Yesterday we went to the west side of the island (20 or so miles of easy driving) and found the longest white sand beach in Hawaii-Papohaku Beach. During our hour there we counted four other people. We also found raging surf, very private homes, a kite factory and gift shop and a defunct golf course (although you can still stay in the condos).  We both said that if we were celebrities, that would be a perfect place to get away from everyone!Today we went on a narrow 27 mile drive around the east side of the island toHalawa Valley and Hipuapua Falls and Moaula Falls, neither of which was accessible because of recent flash flooding. Beautiful drive, and if we met ten cars going either way, especially the last ten miles, that would be a stretch.  At one overlook (from which we could see Molokai and Lanai) we met Lulu, a young lady who works on the mule ride. She said she would make sure that Ross gets the biggest mule tomorrow!

This has been a great visit, one I am glad we decided to take, and that's even before the mule ride (I thought the ride would deserve its own post). Aloha for now.

Happy Birthday

Dear Dad,

Today would have been your 88 th birthday had you not left us all so suddenly four and a half years ago.  It seems so long ago now! I guess that's because so much has happened in those years.

You now have more great grandchildren than ever, and they are all joys, especially the ones that belong to Ross and to me. (We are just a bit biased). We have been through some health issues, and thankfully are on the other side of them. Ross and I have had some fantastic trips, including a visit with Fred and Joan in England, but I know that today, on your birthday, we are in your favourite winter location, Hawaii.  We are not on Oahu which you loved best, but on Maui, which we favour. Tomorrow we leave for Molokai, and are going to ride the mules as you and mom did so many years ago. You will be pleased to know that every one of your grandchildren remembers the bumper sticker that lived in the bathroom at Take Courage, "I'd rather be riding a mule in Molokai".  It's our turn to find out if we agree with that!

The beaches are as beautiful as ever here, dad, and we haven't had a drop so far of that "liquid sunshine" as you called rain. Ross and I walk the boardwalk every morning and the beach every night, and enjoy every moment of both.

We miss you dad. I catch myself seeing you in other people. On Christmas Eve, as I was lined up with the choir, I almost cried out when a certain man came in through the door. He looked so much like you from the side view that it took my breath away. He turned out to be the father of a friend of mine, but just for a fleeting moment, you were there with me. It is moments like those I treasure.

Later today we are going to Duke's on the beach for Happy Hour, in your honour.  Happy Birthday dad. I have to believe that you will be there too, enjoying the sunset and listening to the waves.

Love always,

Brenda

Maui Magic

Ah Maui, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love, love, love Ka'anapali Beach. I love walking it in the morning on the boardwalk, and in the evening in the waves. I love feeling the sand in my toes. I love seeing the expanse of sand, sculpted differently each day by the changing wave action. I love seeing the whales frolic, and watching our stately resident turtle meander back and forth in front of Maui Kai.  I love seeing the sun set over Lanai, sometimes brilliant, sometimes subdued by clouds, but always glorious.  I love seeing the boats rock gently in the glow of the sunset. I love feeling the pull of the waves, and feeling surprised every time an errant wave soaks me. I love our nightly stroll right to Black Rock, the ritual touching of the lava rock, and the return with the setting sun at our back.

I love Lahaina, that whaling turned tourist town, with its kitschy shops and standard tshirts, its great restaurants, its sun, heat, tourists and spreading banyan tree, and its history ( and yes, I have read Mitchener's Hawaii many times).  I love shopping for goofy things for the kiddies.  I love having Safeway on one corner and the local fish market on the other. I love being able to pay a great deal for a dinner or being able to buy a five dollar bottle of wine and a couple of chicken breasts and some shrimp and cooking at the condo.

I LOVE Maui Kai condo, with ocean steps from the door, the sound of the waves crashing as a constant background, seeing the stars every night, watching the whales from our lanai, having the choice of the beach or the pool, being not in a high end resort but in a place where the same people have come for years, chatting in the hot tub, free coffee in the morning, lovely staff, everything we need in a studio condo, a terrific library and cable tv, all we could possibly need within easy reach.  We are so fortunate to be here. Thank you Tatiana and Mark, for letting us in on this secret spot!

I love being healthy enough to walk every day, to enjoy every moment, and to create memories that will stay with me forever. I love being here with my best friend and life partner, who never says no when I suggest another trip here. I hope we have many more trips here, but if we don't I will be satisfied by what we have had.  We are more fortunate than most. Mahalo Maui.