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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Post-Kauai...

Well everything seems so "everyday" once you return from Kauai and I didn't have that "drive" to post, but the reality is our life has been extremely crazy since we returned to SJC.
One major milestone was that my team that I coach (the Willow Glen Middle School Rams Competitive Cheerleading squad) took first place at their first competition of the season.
This comp is so unique because it's at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the girls perform on a stage with waves crashing behind them. If you are from Pittsburgh, like me, you cannot even fathom this. And again, I am so proud of the team because only 1/3 of last year's team returned (so it goes with those quick middle school year's and turnover) and you find yourself starting from scratch -again ;-(
Here is a video of their performance Also my mom was visiting and was able to come to the comp as a family beach day with Ayla and her 2 cousins. I felt really lucky yesterday!
Bob hauling the beach gear to the car with helpers Ayla and Gabriella

Then today was a super fun family pool day.

Who needs water?

Sunday ended with the best trick ever (according to the audience)


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Monday, September 17, 2012

8 miles... We (Bob) did it!!

Na Pali coast, Kalalau trail to the Hanakapiai Falls.
This picture really canNOT show the accomplishment. Really.
8 mile hike. HIKE. Not walking, but 8 miles of slippery, vertical rocks. 7 hours of Ankle-twisting, quad-burning, knee-stressing miles and Bob did it all with our little cannon ball, Ayla Jeanne, on his back. Yes she was on his back for 7 hours.
Bob and Ayla were the "talk of the trail". The most common comment was "best seat in the house!" or "can you carry me?" or "I'm embarrassed that I'm tired!" Or just "whoa!" (once people realized there was more than a backpack but actually a huge toddler on his back).
A couple people actually cheered when Bob walked out of the trailhead and another guy took his picture (seriously)!

Amazing views and sights the whole hike (upload to Flickr after we return) But minimal phone pics because you cannot linger, knowing you need to keep moving. You make friends keeping your pace along the way - really. Even strangers walking the other direction, extend and lend a hand to help you across that slippery ledge. Tree branches that you grab for balance have a fine polish on them from all the hiker hands before you.
We left at 9:30AM and returned at 4:30PM with only a 30 min stop. Misting rain along the way kept it cool but very slippery.
Rainbow says hello
This is an easy part where I could snap a pic
There was a smell of sweet guava almost the whole hike. I finally picked the perfect one from a tree but Bob didn't let me eat it - well, his exact words were, "I'm only carrying one person out of here".
Beach 1/4 of the way on the hike too dangerous to swim
Na Pali coast
Did I mention the ants?? Oh yeah, millions - during the first and last 2 miles you cannot stop walking because they crawl up on your shoes. I channeled Indiana Jones and his snake fears - you just have to keep moving and not think about it. Even Bob was creeped out. Treading knee deep through the stream was a welcomed task after the ants! We actually crossed this stream maybe 4 times during the switchback trail. Refreshing each time.



At the end of the trail, a guy pulls up his truck and sells coconuts out of the back, he uses a machete to cut them and supplies you with a straw so you can drink the refreshing coconut water - best $5 I've ever spent!
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Lumahai Beach Rocks

This beach is definitely a family fav... Something for everyone and it's So gorgeous


Amazing lava reef that, for the most part, protects the beach from high pounding waves.


Ahhhh


The lava pools are also mini "hot tubs" of water with fun sea life for keiki (kids) to explore


You have a small hike to get here, but it's out-of-this-world colors and things to do/see, I didn't sit by the umbrella once all day





PS Mom, Patty, Jackie... The water was a thousand times calmer than last year!!!


So energizing

YouTube Video

Big jump (more video to come later with underwater cam)

YouTube Video

This beach was made famous by the movie "South Pacific" when Mitzi Gaynor washed that man right out of her hair...


Ended the day with a shake, a lucky rainbow and an AMAZING (champagne) sunset over Hanalei... Life is good








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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

Self-timed family beach pics

Me and my beach babe


Pictures just don't do Hanalei Bay justice...



The fam


Sometimes it works...


Sometimes it doesn't


Take 20...


We are serious sandcastle builders








Video fun

YouTube Video

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pihea Hike

Hike today... Breathtaking!





Notice Ayla on Daddy's back


Bob said, " This picture doesn't capture how heavy she is."


The work was worth it!


Stretching her legs, it was hard work sitting the whole way to the top


Marker at 4,228 ft elevation


Heading back






the end is near!


One last look


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