Surfin' Safari 2013

When I was in college my family decided there was no point in having a big Christmas time extravaganza.  The decorating, the gift giving, the sense of obligation seemed a little empty and everyone felt like it would be a good time to phase in a new tradition.  Hence, the annual Surfin' Safari was born.

Between being in college and shipping out I've been present for about three out of eight.   My other five Christmases have either been spent stuck elsewhere or on a ship.  Nowadays, I do my ultimate best to make it home for the Surfin' Safari because I just love, love, love it.

What does it mean to go on a Surfin' Safari?  Well....it's essentially a stay-cation.  We book a condo or hotel on the other side of the island (Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa) for a few nights.  We wake up every morning and hit a beach.  My Step-Dad surfs, my Mom cruises the beach for treasures and I take photos....and join in the treasure hunt.  The whole thing stays super low key.  We pack lots of food and eat out of coolers.  We don't give gifts (instead putting the money towards our accommodations).  We hang out and enjoy each others company at the beach.  

I believe in the spirit of Christmas.  I agree that it's fun to feel festive.  I enjoy seeing Family.  I enjoy Christmas Caroling with my church.  I enjoy making wreaths.  I enjoy rum and eggnog.  I enjoy sending Christmas Cards.

I don't enjoy feeling obligated to buy gifts.  I don't enjoy wiping out my savings.  I don't enjoy seeing copious amounts of plastic and paper waste lining the streets on the 26th.  I don't ever want those things to be part of my life again.  

I don't have kids and I know there are some of you out there who are rolling their eyes thinking, 'easy for you to say you don't want a big Christmas to do'.  I just hope, hope, hope that my Kids can't wait to go to the beach!  (As a side note:  I read an article about a Mom who implemented 'something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read'.  I thought it was genius and a way to keep gift giving mindful.)

surf.

On this years Surfin' Safari we hit the following beaches:  Anaeho'omalu Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park, Mahaeulas, Kealakekua Bay, Ke'ei and, Kiholo.  I joked later about how our trip could have been called Island Appreciation Day.  We started in Hilo and drove over Saddle Road - the day was gorgeous.  After spending three days on the Kona Coast we drive home via South Point.

toast.

We spent Chrismas Evening on our lanai celebrating the day with a sunset champagne toast.  (A shout out to the champagne sender - I can't thank you enough!)

ornaments.

For me, one of the highlights of the Surfin' Safari is constructing a 'christmas tree' at the beach.  This year, my Mom and I remembered to bring raffia and hunted for ornaments at the beach.  Our tree was a total winner - the best one ever!  

snow

I also had a blast photoing Kona Snow (coffee tree blossoms).  They were so fragrant.  They were crisp and clear.  The bees were actively making honey.  I just snapped and snapped away!

memories.

Needless to say, this trip was a memory maker and isn't that what Christmas is all about?  I hope you all had a glorious holiday season!

There are more pictures!  Click through at your leisure!

Rain. Thunder. Cozy.

This morning Hilo Town is totally socked in.  Through the night we had really heavy rain paired with the kind of thunder that makes the house rattle.  

If you ask me, sometimes a day like this feels heavenly.  I'm cozied up with a snuggly sweater and a cup of coffee...and to say I feel content would be an understatement.

This side of the island is under a flash flood watch so for the local readers out there - you should cozy up too!  Stay Safe!

hilo town socked in.

SEA + HOU

When we left each other last I was snuggled up enjoying a London Fog. Lets catch up, shall we? Thursday (as in last Thursday) I spent the night with Cousin Rhi and her Dude. She made some delicious food. We ate cheese. We drank wine. I know, I know...you're jealous...but this, this my friends is what you should be jealous of:

There are really very few times in my life when I've been lounging on the couch in the morning and been handed a cappuccino. With frothy milk and everything. This was one of those times. See...I wasn't kidding. Jealous.

Friday morning I got back on the road. Breakfast with Canadiaunt and then back over the border.

It always blows my mind how friendly Canadian border crossing agents are in comparison to American agents. I always feel like saying, 'I'm American! Let me in! Really? You're searching my trunk?! Maybe I should turn around...'

Anywho. I was on my way to Baisey's house. I had so much fun. I played in the woods. I built fairy houses. I did some crafts. I had some Mimosas. Fun.

Is that not one of the nicest fairy houses you've ever seen?!

From Baisey's is was back to Seattle. I met up with AuntE, UncleM and CuzL for some geocaching. Ding! Ding! Ding! Yep, it's on The List! I'll go into great detail about it later. For now, rest assured....it was awesome! Here's a sneak peek:

On Sunday I went to church (cause that's what you do when your dad is a minister) and then I drove down to Olympia to visit my Step Bro, Sis and Baby M. First off, Baby M is hilarious. Like actually funny. I had so much fun just sitting on the couch listening to this kid. But guess what we did....I made them geocache with me! I think I'm addicted! Needless to say, awesomeness ensued.

Monday found the fam back in the car headed to Cle Elum. We trekked though the woods - Checked out wildflowers and got rained on - Afternoon card games in front of the fire - Bliss. Here's a rare Mountain Lady Slipper:

Then poof! Before I knew it I was flying back to Houston regrouping for my next adventure!

I had to get these gorgeous windows up on the blog. Hobby Airport you're purty.

After a few days of laying on the couch (ie 1.5) I'm gearing up for more action. I'll keep you posted friends!

SEA + YVR

Since I've landed in the Pacific Northwest I've spent the night at a different persons house everyday! Well, technically I spent two nights at my dads but it only added up to 24 hours of visiting time! After arriving on Saturday we headed straight for cocktails. Because clearly, that's the best thing to do when you haven't seen people in quite awhile!

Sunday was church...cause you know...my Dad's a minister.

As soon as church wrapped up I drove to Redmond to watch Cousin Rhiannon cross the finish line at The Ride To Conquer Cancer. (I have lots of photos and will most likely give them their own post....when I'm not blogging from my iPad in a coffee shop...). Bubbly chilled in a Pyrex pretty much makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy. Congratulations on a successful ride Rhi!

When I was hustling out the door to go to the airport leaving Houston I pulled my passport out of my purse and threw it on the table. Then as I was doing the mad dash out the door I picked it up and put it in my purse thinking, 'this way if I get called back to work early I'll have it'. Ummm...what?! How about I'll need it to cross the border?! Monday morning you could have found me making the drive from Seattle to Vancouver...with my passport in hand thank goodness...

First stop in Canada? Cousin G's house for a little Stanley Park action. Golly, I love Stanley Park! Check out this heart that can be spotted at low tide with the city in the background. A little treat for a lucky!

Tuesday found me grilling vegetables and salmon for a family dinner. To be fair I had help withy the salmon and burnt the zucchini but seriously, beggars can't be choosers! I spent Tuesday night at my Canadiaunt's house. This means one thing. Lots of tea drinking. Listen, I have had many cups of tea in my life but tea at Canadiaunt's house actually tastes better.

Wednesday meant a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle marathon at Cousin C's house. I had no idea the turtles were back. It pleases me enormously that another generation understand Turtle Power! Is that strange? Unfortunately I have zero photos to illustrate the awesomeness I witnessed.

Which leads me to Thursday. I took a self guided tour of Stanley Park. Hello photo safari. Apparently, four hours flying solo was much needed. Beach combing happened. I heart sea glass so hard!

Here I am. Curled up in a chair in a coffee shop blogging on the trusty iPad. Snuggled up with my Pavo Ash & Anchor scarf...Vancouver is rainy and cold, yo! Cold fingers? Not any more - my London Fog warmed me right up!

Apparently, the car wash makes me...

...wet my pants (or these days almost wet my pants)... I really don't remember what car I was in - or which parent I was with - but I distinctly remember wetting my pants in the car wash as a kid.

I remember the brushes came down and started doing their thing...but the car started to shake.  This CRACKED me up.  I started laughing hysterically and subsequently wet my pants.

(Mind you its not uncommon for me to laugh hysterically and then wet my pants.)

Except now that I'm an adult I find that I need to stay busy in the car wash.  Otherwise, I immediately feel a bout of the giggles coming on.

If you asked me to pinpoint what I find funny about the entire thing I could NOT tell you.  I have NO CLUE.

Yesterday, the sun was shining and my car wash turned into a disco light show.  At times, it was colorful and sudsy at other times, dark and primordial oozy.  Either way, it was a psychedelic experience.

I drove out of that car wash in a rush to get home because I had to pee really bad!  Thank goodness I had my iPhone camera to help fend off the giggles and prevent pant wetting!

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Between Mummikins being in town...and then my recovery from having Mummikins in town...I needed a bit of a blog break!  Let me welcome myself back:  Welcome Back Me!

Just waiting....

For the writing bug to bite me. I had grand plans.  GRAND.

I was going to write a do-whoppy of a post about how I kicked 2012's ass and then, I was going to follow up with all my hopes and dreams for 2013.  Tied with a bow.  Because that my friends, is how you package hopes and dreams.

This clearly did not happen.

I've sat down about ten million times ready to put my 2013 intentions down on paper - I guess I'm just not quite ready.

In the meantime, can I share more Hilo photos?

For this set I've selected some 'randoms'.

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