Back To The Beach

When Keith and I first came to Maui (on vacation, a year before we moved here), we spent several nights in our rental camper at Papalaua Beach Park. Being on vacation, we were able to simply hang out at the beach, listening to music, swimming, and chatting. It was wonderful.

So, what is retirement (in theory, at least!) than a permanent vacation? And so, the day I returned from vacationing with family in Arizona, we went right to that same beach to camp.

Haircut

In February, 2020, I got a haircut and beard trim at a Great Clips in Tempe, Arizona, after which I went home and died my hair its customary brown. I had no idea that would be the last time in a year and a half.

Soursop

Our friend, Kai, owns and runs a fruit stand about a mile from our property; and he gave me a fruit that, he says, he grows on his property and is considered a delicacy. It's called a "Soursop". So, as soon as we got it home, we attempted to cut it open to eat it. And that turned out to take longer than anticipated.

Tour of Lot D

My daughter, Jenny, has decided to sell one of our two lots as 28 acres is really too much to care for. (The invasive turkey berries are rapidly overtaking us.) So the real estate agent asked if I could take some photos and maybe a video of the lot we are selling; and of course I was happy to oblige.

Wahikuli Park

Since Keith and I spend a lot of time on West Maui Doordashing, we also spend a lot of time visiting the many little parks that have been set aside there. Today we visited Wahikuli Park in Lahaina.

Orange Colored Skies

We live in an extraordinarily beautiful place, there's no denying that. This morning, after car camping at Papalaua Beach, I woke to an exquisite sunrise.

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Purloined Quad

So, Keith and I were waking up to a beautiful morning at Papalaua Beach, where we'd spent the night after some Doordashing in Lahaina, when I noticed a message on my phone. "Do you have the quad?" one of the work traders had asked, referring to our workhorse all-terain vehicle.

"No," I responded. "We're on the other side."

There was a pause. "Shit," she texted finally. "Then it's been stolen."

Flipping The Quad

Keith and I had just come back from Hana to pick up mail and a couple of things, and we'd loaded the quad with ourselves and the bags of loot, when Keith noticed a car at the gate and someone waving. Without given it a moment's thought, I headed the quad directly up the slope to the gate. The quad slowed as the hill steepend, and I gave it a little more gas. The next thing I knew, I was looking at sky.

Reading At Koki

As the past year of (mostly) isolation has gone by, Keith has found himself pausing most days to do some meditation and studying of philosophy whilst sitting on the beach or near the shore. The spot he likes best is at Koki Beach, whic, even now that Maui has reopened to tourism, remains mostly a local secret.

Feral Cats

One of our favorite spots is Hana Beach Park. The parking area backs against a cliff, and today I spotted some feral kittens on what might well be their first day exploring since birth. Not to worry; on Maui, cats are apex predators. No one else messes with them. So our feral cats don't need to be "rescued".

Scenes From The Other Side

Keith and I live in Hana, on dumbbell-shaped Maui's east side. Drier Papalaua Beach is on the west side, which locals call "the other side". And it's true the two sides are as different as pork and beans. Both sides are beautiful. But we spend so much time on the other side, that I've collected a lot of photos of it and so…here they are.

Kula Sunset

We had occasion today to drive up the slope of Haleakala to the town of Kula, where the truck had been taken for repairs. Along the way we enjoyed an exquisite sunset.

Remember the Cottage?

As you may recall, when I first moved to Maui in March, 2020, I was expecting to camp for a few weeks while our bamboo cottage was shipped from Bali and assembled. The pandemic and shutdown put a hold on all that, of course. And so my husband and I have been camping for a year and a half, while I turned 70.

The Littles at Hamoa Beach

I finally got to see my grandchildren for the first time since they arrived on Maui for vacation. In addition to 4 (almost 5) year-old Dominic and 6 (almost 7) year-old Gianna, we are also hosting 9-year-old Julianna, Dom and Gianna's cousin from New Jersey. And we decided to go to Hamoa Beach.

The Littles at the Hyatt Hana-Maui Resort

A year and a half ago, when I first moved to Maui, my first couple of nights were spent with my daughter and grandkids at what was, then, the Travaassa Resort. Since then it changed owners, having been bought by Hyatt. So when Jenny and the kids flew back this month for vacation, that's where they stayed.

More Cows

As previously described, we share our property with a small herd of cows. I must admit, they are a hoot to watch, especially when the babies are new. So, here's a few new ones for those of you not yet tired of them.