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!

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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Here's the Sitch

...and by sitch I mean:  Situation. I have waaaay more photos from my trip home.  I can't NOT post photos of Hilo.  It just feels sacrilegious.  I also can't just cram them all into one post - I mean, where's the fun in that?!  So gear up for seeing them every now and then!

Day Two in Hilo began with a quick jaunt down to Coconut Island.

Coconut Island is Hilo's picnic GO TO.  In fact, it's such a go to place that on the weekends you may be hard pressed to find a blanket spot!  There is usually an impromptu game of some sort on the large lawn - touch football, volleyball, or maybe even soccer.  There is an old tower that is the perfect place to launch yourself like a canon ball into the water.  It's the perfect place to go fishing with the kids.  There are some pavilions for covered parties as well but, you better book these early - they go fast!  In fact, I had a really fun birthday party there when I was a kid.  All that goodness set aside, the best part of Coconut Island are it's views of Hilo Bay!

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Blessed.

Cowboy Boots and Fancy Dresses + Lobster Boat Parties + Mama with Baby Cakes at Richardsons + Project 30x30 + Hawaii + Cousins in the Sun + A Beautifully Set Table + Akaka Falls in the Rain + Work Boots and Hot Pink Rain Jackets + A New Ship + Makalawena + Sailing Chief Mate (eff ya!) + Pink Flowers in Front of the Shed + Lobsters For All + Va Jay Jays and Champagne in the Park + Back Roads Through Autumn Colored Woods + Blue Skies + Light Houses + Many Many Many More Things I'm Incredibly Thankful For [gallery columns="4"]

Bottom Line?  I'm incredibly blessed.

(This is a belated Thanksgiving Post....I hope you had a wonderful day!)

Honu Town

I saw something incredibly cool yesterday. I happened upon four sea turtles sunning themselves while I was out and about with Travel Buddy. Seeing one is cool enough four was over the top exciting. Then, we spotted four more sunning themselves on the rocks. Soon, another turtle swam up to join the first four and then another one swam by! Which means, we saw a total of TEN turtles at the SAME TIME! Being a turtle (Honu) lover means I was so over the top excited I could barely stand it!

I'm convinced we happened upon a Honu town!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

When guests visit me on the Big Island I always make sure that we visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  I mean really, I live on an island where the potential exists to view molten magma.  How can I not take guests to a National Park where they can learn all about lava and volcanic activity?! The thing is, although I myself have been to the park about ten million kazillion times I still love to show it off!

I never have the same experience twice.  Volcano is tricky.  Sometimes it's gorgeous and sunny.  Sometimes it's misty and sunny.  Sometimes it's freezing cold and sunny.  Sometimes it's freezing cold and misty.

When I visited with my Cousin Rhiannon it was a little chilly, a lot windy and mostly sunny.  Yesterday when I visited with Travel Buddy it was freezing cold, raining with whipping wind.  Still fun!

The other thing is that the climate changes dramatically.  Yesterday, the viewing area around Halemaumau was miserable but as I descended the Chain of Craters Road the sun came out and the temperature increased by about 20 degrees.

My favorite things to do at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

Thurston Lava Tube, The Sulphur Banks, The Steam Vents, Chain of Craters Road (specifically viewing the sea arch and watching for sea birds living on the cliffs), Kilauea Iki, Jagger Museum and the Halemaumau lookout (which is currently featuring a glowing lava lake), and a pit stop at the Volcano Art Gallery (of course).

See more!!

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