Paddling to the Moks

The evening following this glorious day, I happened to tell a local resident of Hawaii that we'd "kayaked to the Mokulua Islands" that morning. This person looked at me blankly and asked "you did what?" Knowing that this was a pretty popular activity in Kailua, I was confused but later realized I wasn't using the correct terms. I should have said that we "paddled" to the "Moks".

After getting an all too thorough review of how the clip a life vest, we were finally released from the rental company with two lovely tandem kayaks tied atop the Strawser minivan. We pulled up to the gorgeous Lanikai beach, unloaded, topped off with some additional sunscreen for all and started off on our journey to the beautiful twin islands that look like small green covered volcanos dropped a mile off shore. In addition to the four adults, we also had little 3 year old Kyriella with us. I, personally, found it hard to focus on my paddling with her adorable dimpled and smiling face waving at me from Eun and Steve's boat shouting "Hi, Auntie Jill!" Jonathan had to redirect me more than once.

There is a continuous wave that makes it's way around the island, which is great for surfing but terrible for landing on shore Ina small craft. But, we made it with Steve's help and pulled up our boats on shore. You can hike around the island on specific paths so as to avoid the natural bird sanctuary that I so this particular island. The entire island is basically volcanic rock so shoes are important. Our destination was a famous pool that has been naturally carved out over time. It is probably 5 feet deep and is a lovely long oval. It is named The Queen's Bath and it's become a tradition to take a couple's photo in this salty tub. This trick is getting in and out as it's surrounded by high rock and lots of hidden sea urchins. But we did it with only minor scrapes and a great photo to prove it.

After a nice nap back on the warm beach for some of us, while Jonathan played with Kyriella by the surf, we got back in our kayaks and started the journey back to the Oahu shore. Oh but wait! Just off the Moks, we came upon not one but TWO beautiful sea turtles!! Right then, this officially became my favorite day so far (actually I've said that almost every day). The sea turtles, or "Honu" in Hawaiian, are so magical to me! I don't know how something resembling an alien head with a hard shell on its back and giant hands and feet can be so graceful and beautiful to me but they are. They swim up to the surface and appear to be smooth rocks until the heads pop up for air and they drift below the surface again and eventually drift out of site, making you wonder if you actually saw them or just imagined it.

Hawaii is such an amazing opportunity to use your body and strength to access and appreciate the miracles and exquisite moments in nature. Getting fit in such a beautiful place with such dear and beautiful friends is a gift like none other. I'm so grateful that we are able to be here.

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Aloha!

We have arrived in Hawaii for two weeks of much needed vacation. We are on the island of Oahu (where Honolulu is); staying with our friends Eun and Steve (and their three wonderful children) for most of the time.

We had a little bit of a hectic flight getting here, with two short connections. United did not provide a meal on the 6 hour flight from LAX to Honolulu, and then they ran out of food for sale. Luckily Jill was able to buy the last two bags of mixed nuts or we would have been really hungry. Eun and three-year-old Kyrie picked us up, and Kyrie gave us each a lei. (I can see why the tradition of leis continues: they look and smell beautiful, and it is a very nice way to feel welcome.) We then went out for a tasty thai dinner in Kailua, made all the more delicious by the fact that Jill and I were famished.

From Eun and Steve's house it's about a 15-minute walk to the beach. And conveniently, the Kalapawai Market and Cafe (est. 1932) is en route. Our first morning we went for a run along the water, then got coffee at the cafe and walked along the beach, immediately starting one of our favorite island traditions. There is something magical and peaceful about walking along the ocean, listening to the waves crash. It makes me think that someday we might want to live near the sea.

We have also quickly adopted another tradition of walking into town and going to Lanikai Juice for smoothies and delicious frozen bowls of fruit. Yum!

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Forest Park; a true gem of St. Louis

So often when I run or bike or walk through Forest Park (which happily lies half a mile from our doorstep), I'm bowled over by the beauty of the trees, the wildlife and even the joggers, cyclists, and families taking advantage of this wonderful place.   Since we moved here last fall, I've been meaning to take our camera on a field trip to Forest Park, in an attempt to capture a few moments of natural beauty.

Just to preface, Forest Park is a park the is apparently larger than Central Park in New York City although probably quite comparable.  It holds 2 museums, a zoo and endless bike paths, ponds, creeks, hidden bridges, benches and picnic spots.  Autumn is particularly beautiful as certain tree varieties seem to be on fire from their tops down.  I remember falling in love with the park as we first moved here in October last year.  

Oh, pardon the ridiculous amount of photos.  I've been longing to explore some of these paths for a year now and couldn't resist posting at least one from each location...ok more than one. 

This is one of the many bike paths that we often run together.

Here are some of these fiery trees I mentioned above.

I stood watching these butterflies for quite a while.  They are so stunning!

This is a suspension bridge that we often run over, although it's sort of unsettlingly bouncy.

The art museum is in the distance.

Ugh!  I love those trees!

Bridge and walker. 

Willows by the bridge.  I often rest on this bridge mid-run for an excuse to take in the scene. 

World's Fair Pavilion.  I discovered that there are both steps and a bicycle path that wind their way up to the pavilion from the street at the bottom of the hill.  Lots of people take advantage of this place for sprints, yoga, step workouts.  

Sleeping in or perhaps a mid-morning nap for these ducks.   

The pavilion at the top. 

This steel sculpture celebrates the zoo and captivates me every time I ride by.  The birds on top really seem to be in flight.

Umm...there are horses at the park!!! The first time I discovered the path that went past the horses we changes our running route to accommodate my obsession :) 

Oh, and there are dinosaurs!!  (thanks to the science museum)

What's that enormous building over there.  Oh!  My workplace.  Well, I guess even Forest Park isn't perfect ;) 

I have run past this bridge so many times but honestly wasn't really sure how to get over to it.  Isn't it beautiful? 

Well, I found my way over and I put my bike in the photo to show how big the bridge is.  And there are benches on it!!  And, there's another one like it just afterwards!  I think I found a new running route...

There were tons of mallards busy in the marsh.  It was so quiet apart from their splashing and paddling around. 

One pic to feature my fearless companion for this adventure :)

I apparently came upon Mr. and Mrs. Mallard during their morning bath time.  Oops!

Another hidden bridge!  I don't even think I'd seen this one before. 

Last photo.  Forest Park is definitely used by many for exercise and sports and events.  But, I love that it rarely feels overcrowded.  

We've been Strawserfied!!!!

We were SO lucky to receive a visit from our dear friends, the Strawser family!  They came all the way from Hawaii (and visited lots of other people within the eastern half of the country).  We had a blast!!!  I for one, actually felt like I was on vacation though we never left home.  It was also nice to see that our condo holds 7 quite comfortably, even if our tiny kitchen table does not.  Sorry for the wave of pics.  There were probably hundreds between all of our cameras and phones so I think this is a reasonable amount :)

Favorite moments:  watching the amazing sea lion show at the zoo with all their tricks, observing Kyriella's sheer joy at climbing and sliding "by herself" at the City Museum, eating lots of clean vegan foods together at home, grown-up porch hangout after kids bedtime, working together to down three pizzas at famous Pi pizza, and seeing these three children crawling over and cuddling with Jonathan for much of the visit (especially Emma).  Oh, and Jonathan whispering to me at one point "Maybe we could have three..."  Ha ha, my plan is working!  

We're already looking forward to the next time we'll see them, likely on their turf in beautiful Hawaii!!!!  I always say it's sad to have dear friends so far away but it makes you really appreciate your times together.  You're never far from our hearts, sweet Strawsers!!!