Much to be thankful for

Kehei Lutheran Church

Three part harmony

The morning was spent in Old Lahaina Town. Jewelers, art galleries,and resort wear botiques flanking
the small harbor with restaurants galore. We lunched at Kimo's. We Intended to look up a friend of a friend. Her nautical map shop was closed.
We headed for an afternoon at our favorite beach: Keawaukapa, Bobbing like corks
adrift and reading in the sunshine. I love to stroll and Dan loves to doze, watching over the 'valuables'.
After watching the World Series we drove North to our, "Why ever eat anywhere else" Halii maile in Upcountry. This was the only dressy dinner we've enjoyed on Maui.
My Upcountry Martini was made with 'organic Ocean vodka, rum and fresh pineapple juice. Dan always chooses a Scotch for cocktail hour. A vegetarian menu was 'available upon request' I had the vegetable curry, Dan chose short ribs without the bones. Who knew?
It was served with a white truffle mac and cheese. On my goodness! Thanks for sharing. . . .
Soprano, alto, tenor and bass?
Well the bass notes would be this contented duo at sleep. This is the best bedroom we've ever slept in. A four poster,wicker,queen sized bed ( like Moses), with a ceiling fan, and ocean view; stars at night, sunrise and two screened doors to hear the jungle birds twitter at daybreak. What are they talking about? Paradise indeed.

It's my birthday. . . (where were you when Jerry died?)

What a perfect day it was. Dad and Margaret sing Happy Birthday to me from Omaha. Paris on the Missouri. 58 years on this sweet earth. Dan brings me coffee in bed.
Breakfast is papaya with strawberry bananas and lime. Followed by coffee and a raspberry oatmeal muffin in Pa'ia. Off we go to buy a new bikini. I need to retire two this year. The coral and cocao number is 'da bomb.



Lunch is at Halii'maile General Store in Upcountry. Just past Oprah's place. Bev Gannon is a world class chef. The meal was superb. I announced, "Why EVER eat any place else!" We shared a crab pizza. Then Dan enjoyed the Kobi beef burger I had the crab cake on Spinach greens with a very light tangy dressing. Very mysterious flavors. . .But so FRESH! My little radish sprouts burst in my mouth (Good thing I flossed.)
Then I walked through the screen door with my sun glasses on and while Dan napped, I had to call the owner down to please help fix it.
Off to Keawaukapa Beach. Thoroughly cooling Dan and 1.2 mile stretch for me to stroll.

Dinner is Sushi and Champagne. We watch Blue Crush a surfing movie and I open my present. . .a jewelry tree from Moab of all places. Dan makes all my dreams come true.
Oh, and Anna called to say I love you Mom!

The Best Ever Maui

We decided to take a trip, making a reservation in Hana for a sleepover. After Dan drives 60 miles on a single lane, century old highway with 600 curves and around 60 one lane bridges, it seemed reasonable to me, that honey would need to rest.
What a treat the North shore on Maui is.. We thought we would accentuate the local food opportunities en route to Hana. A lilikoi and papaya smoothie, a loaf of Auntie's banana bread, fresh smoked yellow fin tuna tacos and then pupus before dinner at the Hana Ranch Restaurant. It was truly Heavenly.


So many waterfalls, at least twenty, black sand beaches, verdant hillsides lush with tropical flowers, giant vines, bamboo forests, and cattle lounging in ancient cradles of civilization.


There was also a full moon over Hasegawa's General Store, where you can buy anything (except a dress appropriate enough to wear to dinner at the HOTEL Hana Maui.)Across the street at the Hana Ranch we were seated outdoors as the full moon dropped from behind some clouds to spill silvery over Hana Bay. Dan ordered a New York Steak with fresh Molokai corn and roasted Maui sweet potatos(which are purple). I was not as hungry. I chose the lime marinated chicken satay on green papaya sald and a small ceasar salad. we raised glasses of Pinot Nior to Aumakua, the ancestral spirits who dwell here. We said a blessing for Anna our 33 year old daughter. "Good Health, a Long Life and some wealth wouldn't hurt."We had studied the menu on line and saved room for the chocolate bread pudding. The best dessert I have ever laid my teeth around. No words are adequate for the pockets of warm molten semi sweet yum

The heavens opened an a warm rain showered upon us as we traveled back to our room. We love rain. Through the night the sweet rain flooded the Hana countryside.
Come morning, bountiful waterfalls, more of Auntie's banana bread, fresh banansa and Lion French roast coffee in bed. Yum!


We drove to the end of the road, visiting the east flank of Haleakla National Park and doing a little yoga at the seven sacred pools.
We breathe a lovely, cool breeze before lunching on Thai food in a hana front yard before returning to Kihei. This trip has been so refreshing to our Northwest souls.

Leaving Las Vegas!

Let's go to Hana, Mirage. . . Let's even sleep over, okay?
We must find Hawaii. I'll stop short of suggrsting it's 'God forsaken". (There are churches here.) We just don't care for 'Lost Vegas' on the Pacific.

seven sharks a swimming. .. . . .

Eight a.m. found the two of us still asleep! After our apple banana and shredded wheat breakfast I called my Dad. It is great to still have a living parent (and New Mother.) The time is 5 hours difference and we keep missing the window of opportunity.
Keawakapu Beach was a fine choice as far as Kihei beaches go. We met Earl and Evelyn , because we wanted to share the shade of our palm tree. . . . Then the Hawaiian police arriced on ATVs with foghorns, announcing, "Everyone out of the Water, there has been a shark sighting!. ." We watched the drama unfold. Then packed it up, home to shower and dress for lunch at Wailea Gold Golf Course. Dan chooses the Kalua Pork and for me, the spinach salad with baked pear, blue cheese and carmelised mac nuts. Yummy!!!
We ran by the Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Post office to mail a few birthday greetings.
Then to Ma'alea. There is an art gallery featuring Ken Loyd, a super fun artist. My art needs a kick start ( no violence intended,) just an inspiration to begin. This island is all about "FINE" everything and I admit to being intimidated. (Smile. . .)
We bought a print of Ken's that reminded us of Kauai.



Sharing a Maui Pineapple ice cream, we cooled our jets as the winds picked up. I have the beach bug now. I want to live in a swimsuit for the next five days. Dan dropped me off at the Kamaole I Beach while he shopped for a few staples. (Coffee, scotch, jalapeno, onion, garlic, greens, and basil.) There are no farmers markets down South. We found a yard table on the way home selling mangoes for a buck. Now we can make salsa for the grilled chicken breasts.
This little sail boat was afloat off the beach. And you'll see another sunset scene.
We vever tire of these. Love to All, Susan and Dan

Upcountry ( Mirage) !

Dan said," wake me up early to see the stars. . ." So I happened to wake up at 5:08, and we dressed quickly, groping again to the upper lanai, and beheld: Glorious stars.
Dan's eyes are much better and he saw four shooting stars, in no time at all. I am happy with bright stars.
We returned to bed to doze before our exciting trip to Upcountry; that's where Oprah lives. It's a jaunt across the island to the North and then East again. We climbed from sea level to 10,000 feet quickly, heading straight for the crater of Haleakala. We are both afraid of heitghs as it turns out. I knew we were high because my ears occluded and my optic nerves felt pressure. Dan paused enough to catch his breath and held onto rocks (vertigo)as each igneous rock formation attained, in turn revealed the next foothold. Alas, we never turned back. What a surreal lunar landscape,


remember we're severely oxygen deprived. As you see. . . Matsyandrasana or is it Savasana?

Did I mention I tried to call my Dad and Margaret?
I settled on sending them a photo of the crater, "High!"
We also called GDB to inquire about Mirage. "She's happy and healthy," reported Julianne.
Off to lunch at the Kula Lodge, where a fresh protea adorned each table. Dan had ribs in a mango BBQ sauce and I ordered the caprese salad with a pinot grigio. "Yummers" as Rachel Ray would say. (No sign of Oprah here.)

It was a really big day. After lunch we traveled to the end of the road, a serene and pastoral setting for Tedeshi Vineyards. We sipped four, buying two. A Maui Blanc made from pineapple and Ulu'palaku'a Red with a great label to accent tonight's pasta bowl.
Then we missed the Lavender Farm and lavender sherbet, but easily found the Surfing Goat Dairy. A very dirty pig wandered by as we parked the Chevy HHR. A sign, stated clearly that this spot was "For Saudis Only." It was nuts. We studied the menu, and decided on the Lilikoi Quark and Ole var~i~a~tions.( We passed on the wines.)



Ninety one at 5 pm here in Kihei. We enjoy a late dinner on the lanai and ponder tomorrow's adventure. Today left us exhausted. Maybe a beach for Tuesday.