Hawaii Day 5 May 31, 2023

 We started the morning leisurely.  Grant and I went on a walk and explored the rocky peninsula just south of us.  Along the way we saw a 1,300 sq ft home for sale (on the beach) for $8mm.  

After that we took our time getting ready and around 10:15, left for Lahaina.  We walked thru the Cannery Mall and Grant bought bracelets.  Ryan’s looking for something for boyfriend Ben and we were looking for something for Phil (who’s watching the house) and Mom (who’s watching the dog).  No luck today but we have more shopping in our future.  We hit Star Noodle at 11am (the only time all week I could get reservations) and it was great.  The first main attraction was a woman who we thought was man who was wearing a matching plaid shirt and visor with a wood varnished brim (see photo). 

Left side

The drinks were amazing.  I got a Celebration (passion-orange-mango vodka, sparkling sake and Yuzu juice), Ryan got a strawberry lemon soda and Grant got a Ginzu (fresh ginger juice yuzu juice and club soda).  Nick had a beer – always good.  They’re known for their pork sticky buns.  The dumplings were great and ironically their noodles were not great.  But we sat looking out on the water and the place was packed (for 11am lunch on a Wednesday).  Grant loved it, Ryan didn’t (but was a good sport) and Nick and I thought it was great!

We went back to our condo, changed, then drove to the main entrance of Haleakala.  We went up to the summit and it was raining and cloudy and there was absolutely no view.  But I think the kids understood why we wanted them to see the summit – because that’s what the entire park is really known for. 

Not having clear skies for the view sucked but still very fun.  We went from there to Kihei and stopped for a drink and appetizers (onion rings and chips) at Ohanas Seafood Bar & Grill.  There were some of the biggest roosters I’ve ever seen roaming around and there was a hen with two babies sitting on the patio of the restaurant.  Ryan, of course, was freaking out as she confirmed her chicken phobia that we first learned of in St. John’s.  We did a quick detour through Wailea so that we could see the old hotel (Fairmont) that Nick and I stayed in 20 years ago, then we drove home.  Basically, on the drive home I started my period and got a massive fever blister AND learned that our returning flight from Hilo to Maui (FOR THE NEXT DAY) was cancelled.  When we got home, I jumped on my computer and got tickets on Hawaiian Airlines (departing a few hours earlier than the Mokulele flight we’d been on).  Crisis averted but STRESSFUL.

Home around 6:30? Then frozen pizza & salad for dinner and we rented Tropical Thunder and the kids liked it.  Long day, even longer tomorrow but so great!

Hawaii Day 4 May 30, 2023

 Long day today – up at 5:30am and on the road at 6am for the Road to Hana and Haleakala.  From where we’re staying it takes a good hour to get to Paia which is the starting point for the Road to Hana.  Our first stop was Ho’okipa Lookout – supposedly the home to world class surfers but today was the home to chickens, roosters and a bunch of ugly Instagram Influencer want-a-be’s taking stupid pictures of themselves. (see example below:)

Narcissist  Influencer

Next stop was the “Garden of Eden” which was pretty-ish but a rip off because we had to pay $70 to get in.  We saw a waterfall we could’ve seen from the road but walked around some and did see some cool plants and trees (e.g. rainbow eucalyptus and penis flowers).  We also pet a cat that matched the color of the gravel path – the kids determined he was highly evolved

Highly Evolved Cat

Next stop was Halfway to Hana for famous banana bread (and I will say it was warm and delicious).  Then to Wailua Valley overlook with a very tall skinny waterfall in the distance

From there, after passing lots of water falls and other beautiful sights, we stopped at Pua’a Ka’a Falls, parked and watched people jump in including Abs Guy.

Grant debated doing it but opted not to.  I told him that if the road past Haleakala was closed, which we’d seen signs that it was, then we’d have to double back and he’d have a chance to try again later.  As soon as we left, Ryan was regretting not doing it.

Next stop was the South Visitor Center of Haleakala NP (Kipahulu Visitor Center and our 51st park!)

We ate our standard picnic fare of pepperoni, cream cheese, ritz crackers and apples, then got our passbooks stamps and did a couple of hikes including the ½ mile loop Ohe’o Gulch (Kuloa Loop Trail) which was stunning (seven sacred pools and a black sand beach) and the Pipiwai Trail back to Falls of Makahiku.  

Seven Sacred Pools

Makahiku Falls

It was a LOT more humid on this part of the island.

We finished up the hike, bought the hatpins and magnets and then did have to double back because the road to continue west was closed – which sucked EXCEPT that we were able to go back to the Pua’a Ka’a Falls and despite the rain, both kids jumped in!  Grant went back a second time and did a back flip (in Crocs!).  They were both so proud – definitely created an epic lifetime moment. I think the videos are too large to post but here's a picture of them afterwards!

Smiles post jumping off waterfall in background!

The drive home was long and windy and we stopped once just to allow Ryan’s car sickness to subside.  We stopped at Las Pinatas of Maui which was surprisingly delicious Mexican food in a strip center in Kahului (the city where the airport it).  Then Rya drove us the rest of the way home. It was 6 ish when we got back to the condo.

We watched the sunset, played Cards Against Humanity again and then Nick and I got in bed – it’s only 8:45pm but I’m beat. 

Today was fun – the day was long and most definitely felt more like a normal Bomersbach Vacation Day but tomorrow should be relaxing and Bougie. 

Hawaii Day 3 May 29, 2023

 Today was awesome.  We got up early again (can’t not).  The day started with this as our view:

I did yoga on the balcony and Nick did a workout.  We laid out in the sun and did some more paddle boarding (I had to take a Gen Z pic of my breakfast on the lanai with the kids in the background). 

Kids on paddle boards in the background.

Then we drove to the Ohai Trail – it was short – like 1.2 miles but the views were gorgeous.  We saw a mom and baby mongoose! 

From there we drove counterclockwise 1.5 miles (back towards our condo) and stopped at the Nakalele Blowhole.  

The hike down was fun and a little challenging and we saw the thing spew some but not like what I’d expected.  We even timed it to coincide with high tide but no luck.  We were all beat so we went back to the condo.  

Barb & Nick near the blowhole.

Grant and I took another (final) spin on the paddle boards and it was windy!  We both fell in.  Ryan took a nap and Nick ran to the grocery store.  Dinner tonight was ono fish, potatoes and a salad.  After dinner we drove down to Lahaina and walked, shopped and bought ice cream/gelato/dole whip (delicious).  We bought a couple of air mattresses and made our way back to the house and went to bed!

Hawaii Day 2 May 28, 2023

 We woke up early today (go figure).  We decided to walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail which is about 1 mile north of where we’re staying.  The map took us to a parking lot that required us to pay which was fine but the thing wouldn’t accept our payment so we drove another mile and parked just north of the Ritz.  Things got a little tense because we didn’t know which way to go but we followed three different phones’ maps and managed to walk EXACTLY back to the first parking lot.  Exactly next door to the first parking lot was the second free parking lot with a big sign that said Kapalua Coastal Trail.  Good grief. 

The hike was amazing.  For one stretch we walked on the beach then walked back to our car. 

Family on the Kapalua Coastal Trail

Ryan on the trail

We were trying to get back to the condo by 9am (local time) because most unexpectedly, A&M was playing Vanderbilt in the SEC baseball championship.  We lost but it was fun to watch and more fun that the game was over by 11.  The kids took the jeep and went into Lahaina then into Kaanapali and they had a blast – that’s a first on any family vacation ever.  

Nick and I read and sat by the pool then Alex from Maui Stand Up Paddle Board (http://mauisuprental.com/) brought us two paddle boards and they were fun! (This was around 2pm).  I highly recommend Alex!  We all went out on them but Nick had a little trouble because he’d had four margaritas!!! 

And the best part of the day was the giant sea turtles swimming DIRECTLY under our lanai. 

Taken from our balcony

After spending the day outside the kids and I walked to the grocery store to grab some snacks and other things.  We had such a good time.  While we were at the store Nick cooked chicken thighs, asparagus potatoes. 

Walking home from the grocery store.

We got home and Grant passed out on the couch – like didn’t wake up for dinner and didn’t wake up until 9:30!  Ryan, Nick and I ate dinner outside and it was lovely.

Ryan and I had a good talk after dinner then we went to be around 8:30 or so.  Good grief the time change is tough!

VERY FUN DAY!

Hawaii Day 1 May 27, 2023

 We left the house at 4 am and drove to the airport, parked, and got on a 6:15am flight to LAX.  The funniest moment of the day was Ryan tapping Grant on the shoulder at the airport and saying: “Don’t move or look now but there is a cheetah loose in the airport.”  Grant turned around to a lady in full cheetah attire and laughed out loud.  We got to LA and at a $100 lunch of sandwiches and water at the airport and flew to Maui, arriving at 12pm Maui time (5pm Dallas time). 

We got a white jeep and drove to Lahaina, stopping for lunch at Captain Jack’s Island Grill – delicious. 

Captain Jack's in Lahaina

We got groceries at Safeway in Lahaina (the initial family grocery shop is always a shit show.  Note to self:  give no one options.  make a menu and tell family members what they need to go get.) We then drove to our condo in Napili which is in between Kapalua and Kaanapali.

The condo complex is a bit old and run down but our view is exceptional.  The kids got into the water immediately and Nick and I went for a walk. 

View from Unit A-1 at Kahana Sunset

We ate a small dinner, had some drinks, Grant got drunk on a pina colada with a teaspoon of rum in it (JK) and we played Cards Against Humanity and laughed until we cried!

Bed by 9 pm which was 23 hours after we woke up.  Very long, tiring day but everything went about as perfectly as it could – no flight issues, no car issues, and no grocery issues - except for the shit show.

Redwood/Lassen Day 8 Saturday July 23, 2022

 We got an incredible breakfast downstairs (custom-made omelettes) then made the very short drive to the airport.  We got there ridiculously early, in hindsight, because it took maybe 2.5 minutes to get through the security line. 

Our flight was uneventful - I finished the 4th Hunger Games book - and we drove over to Sally's house, picked up our happy dog and drove home.

August 1, 2022 - just a quick update - there's now a 50,000 acre raging wildfire on the California/Oregon boarded - I think it's exactly where we were driving the second day of our trip.  There's also a fire outside of Yosemite and many, many others.  

Redwood/Lassen Day 7 Friday July 22, 2022

 We packed up and left the house this morning a little after 8am.  

We drove to Berkley, parked at “Northgate”, ate at La Burrita (“Fine Mexican Food” – which it was not) then spent a short amount of time walking through the Berkley campus.  It was pretty and of course, the people were bizarre.

From Berkley we drove across the Bay Bridge into San Fran and drove down Lombard Street then parked along the northern shore at Fort Mason and walked about 1.5 miles over to Pier 39 where we enjoyed watching the sea lions. 

I was wearing bad shoes so b/c I couldn’t find any flip flops to buy, Ryan traded my slip on Keds for her Nike Blazers.  We went into several souvenir shops, the kids each got San Fran sweatshirts and we walked back to the car and drove out via the Golden Gate Bridge to the San Rafael Bridge.  It was a beautiful day.  The drive to Sacramento took a long time because of Friday rush-hour traffic but we got to the river-front (Sacramento River) Embassy Suites at 7 (our room looks right out onto a cool bridge crossing the river) and then walked to an amazing, outdoor dinner at Railroads Fish & Chips. 

The people here are whacked. Weed just wafts through the air everywhere but the town and the weather are amazing.  We walked into two different incredible candy stores with throw-back candy then walked back to the room after stopping and listening to a young girl and her younger brother play live street music (she – vocals and keyboard and he – guitar).  They drew quite the diverse, dancing crowd.   It’s 9:20pm now, Grant is flicking my leg because he is basically 5, and we’re about to watch a movie and go to bed. 

Grant thought San Fran was amazing.   We leave tomorrow around noon.  This trip was really great and we’ve now been taking these trips for 11 years.  I can’t believe we’ve been to 50 of these parks.