Let’s Make This One Short & Sweet

This is my April Journal — and it is going to be (almost) exclusively about our trip to Hawaii, with 50 photos!

We were only there a week or so… but other than that it was just:

• Leave Arizona
• Drive two days across country
• Arrive Georgia
• Set up house, booth and Heather’s biz
• Perform first weekend
• Movie night
• And potluck Friday
• Oh and last minute pains-in-the-ass before our AZ departure.

 

But first, let’s cover our amazing trip to Hawaii.

May 14th 2008 was my 43rd birthday — when I opened the gift bag my wife presented to me, I found that it contained some odd items: A cheap pair of flip flops and sunglasses, Some Hawaiian Tropic tanning lotion, a plastic Lei… “We’re going to Hawaii” I asked? “Happy Birthday” she replied! We knew we wouldn’t be able to actually GO on the trip until the end of the year — but when the beginning of Arizona rolled around we were beginning to fear we’d never be able to take our vacation in Hawaii.

We decided that just wasn’t gonna happen: It took some doing — there was this mad scramble to get our packing done, Get Heather’s four booths packed-up (I didn’t have to help with that… much… or with my two booths - at all. But I did have loads of baby-wrangling to do). The other Tortugas — including my freshly minted understudy were already doing the long, tedious drive across the continent’s midsection. We Tortugas busted our asses to get PT trained — (so I could take this trip) and I do appreciate the support.

The night before the trip we stayed up too late. In the EARLY morning our dear friend Byron picked us and our excess of luggage up, strapped Scarlett’s car seat into the back of his truck (where we forgot it by the way… sigh) and braved the early morning Phoenix traffic to take us to the airport. It was Baby-Bauman’s first flight, and at six hours — it was a heck of a shakedown cruise. Scarlett came through with flying colors... (Get it?) She got a little restless; but sleep deprived, carefully ministered by mommy, and taken for a stroll or two by dad she (and the other passengers) survived the flight.

Our first view of the Big Island of Hawai’i was surprising. Blue, blue water we expected, and we DID see sandy beaches from the plane window — what I didn’t expect was all the dark, black and red lava. The Airport was mostly outdoors… after almost three months of Phoenician desiccation the island humidity enveloped us like a welcoming blanket. Juggling baby, carry-ons, stroller etc… we missed our lei upon arrival.

A fifty dollar cab ride, through what originally struck us as a blasted moonscape; finally brought us (after a near collision outside the Mormon Temple)of what finally started to look like our conception of Hawaii… a few more quick turns brought us to the Amazing Resort we were staying in.

Two things you should know about this trip before we go any further… This was Heather’s gift to me, this trip. She paid for everything. Hotel, airfare, meals, even slipping me moolah every morning so I had spending scratch. And we took over three hundred photos on the trip — I’ve whittled things down to about fifty.

Our resort was amazing. It was an incredible mix of opulent and tropical, modern and retro. I was impressed by the lobby I was impressed by the architecture, by the gardens, by the view, by the way that the hotel perched on an ancient lava flow.

As tired as we were (and we were… no sleep the night before, six hour flight, and for the whole time we were in Hawaii, we never really adjusted to the time shift!) But we went on an exploration of the amazing grounds. There were tennis courts and lava flows, there were gardens and pools, and grass! Our newly walking daughter hadn’t gotten the chance to “play outside” much in the inhospitable desert. She made up for that in spades on this trip… One day in the distant future, (if she buys a membership to the fan club) I can show her this journal and say “We took you here, Hawaii is where you did so many things for the first time”

Perhaps I was a little punch drunk, perhaps I was jet lagged, or maybe I was just getting into the tropical spirit. Heather and I are good at a lot of things, but we’rereally good at taking vacations! I cannot say too much about how beautiful The Big Island, Kona, Keauhou Bay, the Sheraton Resort, or even its gardens and trees are. It all still paled in comparison to my hot, and generous wife. I woke up every morning threw open the windows and curtains in our seventh floor ocean-view room, and just breathed in the amazing views… Kona, like Key West really lived up to the hype.

There was so much to do just at the resort village; pools with waterfalls, restaurants and room service, One of the other firsts was Scarlett’s first time on grass.

After the second day we mostly stopped eating at the resort. The view, especially at the breakfast buffet was gorgeous! But as wonderful as everything us was at the Sheraton, the food was really over priced and of barely average quality.

Our original plan didn’t include a rental car; but a lovely shuttle trolley took us to a nearby shopping center. We stocked up on booze and juice… mmmm guava! We got some snacks, found a Sushi place we ended —up eating at two or three times… but our first off resort meal was at a simple Hawaiian BBQ joint. I avoided the spam, but had the scrumptious (and cheap!) Korean chicken. The big surprise was watching Scarlett grab a set of chopsticks and start eating the same way as mommy and daddy!

Things on the trip were a blur; most nights by nine pm we were exhausted, and either in bed, or preparing for it. But each morning we, mommy, baby and daddy — all sleeping in the same bed, daddy with half of his ass hanging off the side as the girls hogged the entirety — were awake before dawn, out of the room early and getting so much done or seeing so much only to look down and discover it wasn’t even noon yet! Damned time shift!

I do know that early in our stay we took Scarlett to her first pool experience. They had a sandy-bottomed kiddy pool, and Scarlett was in swim diapers. We had floaties, and sunscreen, sunglasses and cocktails… Daddy showed his little girl the wonders of water under pressure… Yay fountains!.

I know there was a seafood buffet in this trim somewhere (crab legs for the lovely wife). There were sunsets, and manta rays… the Hotel was built on the bay where the giant rays came to feed each night. By standing on the patio, just after sunset Heather, Scarlett and I could actually see the giant sea creatures as the “flew” in the bay beneath us.

I expected Hawaii to be white sandy beaches, and palm trees, and tropical drinks — with umbrellas — and sitting on a web chair in the sand. What I didn’t expect, and really preferred was the many different environments on this amazing Island. We eventually rented a car (and car seat) with the intent of driving up the coast to Hawaii’s northern-most point. Parts of the trip were vast expanses of Lava. There was wind and amazing views… so many breathtaking vistas that eventually you were overwhelmed. Every time you think it couldn’t get any more beautiful we’d turn a corner, or the clouds would part, and we’d have our breath taken away again.

And you couldn’t forget you were not only on an island — but part of a massive chain. You could see Maui in the distance.

After a lovely drive, and a stop for some yummy road-side food, after fog, and sun, chills and views… we arrived. First a tourist shot of mommy and sweatered Scarlett then an establishing posed shot of your humble author please note the venue appropriate shirt (Costco — 19.99)

We gazed down upon the coast below… we were roughly at the tail end of Whale Watching season … but… and this was a relatively common refrain when we came to the trailhead leading below… we took one look at the trail, one look at the baby, and got back in the car for the drive back.

We weren’t really disappointed. Heather had done a lot of research both online, and with friends familiar with Hawaii… we didn’t end up here by accident. There was still quite a lot on our list, so much to see. And even with the all of our research, her research, we still got occasionally surprised… like this hidden stream we found on the trip back. Scarlett and I claimed it in the name of Tortugas.

We did some shopping, some for Heather but mostly for gifts for our friends “on The Mainland”. It was hard to find the right gift, for the right friends… Sharyn Watson made it easy — she just wanted some Lava. Riki and Jef took forever.

We saw some historical monuments. And some modern windfarms. the piece of property adjacent to the windfarm, (and the tiny airstrip) was for sale… if anyone wants to buy me a gift… please?

We didn’t drive straight back to our resort; Heather instead suggested that we drive the mountain roads to see the highlands. Again, on the mountain road we were surrounded awe-inspiring vistas.

We were driving amongst the clouds, literally, it was windswept and brisk and so unexpected on a tropical island.

Cows and Lava, wind and even snow… and all so pretty. Eventually we ended our way back down to the coast, and though we thought we’d had a full day, we even had enough time to find a beautiful beach for Scarlett’s first ocean experience.

Now this was a beach, like you dream about. White sands, blue, blue, waters, sunshine, heaven.

The family suited up, carried the baby to the water, and Threw her in! Just kidding. Scarlett was fearless. Independent. She’s got to get her guts from Heather’s side of the family! I tried repeatedly to hold her hand as we took her down to the water, and into the pacific’s waves… she fiercely insisted she could do it herself… giggling and in wonderment the entire way she walked un-held into the waves. I merely hovered nearby… until the first wave knocked her down… she suddenly determined that holding onto Daddy was (maybe) not such a bad idea.

I also have to mention something that I first noticed on the trip from the airport, and marveled at all during the trip. Scattered throughout the island were these white… monuments, on the blackish-red lava were stacked white corral forming messages, and remembrances, hopes, fears, and farewells. Message as hopeful as a proposal, and as tearful as “Rest in Peace” . Though I have to tell you Heather was kind of a pain-in-the-ass when I wanted her to stop so I could photograph a few.

During our entire stay we spent no more than 45 minutes on the various beaches… sure it was chilly while we were there. (Though not so chilly as to keep us from the pool) and yes, the beaches were certainly beautiful… Still, there was some, I dunno “sign” that we were supposed to limit our exposure to seawater. we never did find out what happened to the owner of the flip flops.

The next morning it was back in the rental car and off to our next “Sight” on our sightseeing list. Volcanoes

But first, Heather had to do some shopping along the route. Never mind that I was starving, and hadn’t had my coffee, and may have been a grumpy butthead… why should that prevent the wife from buying more jewelry from more roadside stands? Oh wait… didn’t she take me on, and pay for this entire trip? Please, be my guest… shop away!

Finally we took care of the important things… by stumbling upon the southern-most bakery in the US (and screw what you think Key West!) With Coffee in hand, baked goods in belly, a few spare biscuits on the dashboard, (more shopping). It was time to continue on our way.

Let me insert a note that doesn’t have a photo attached to it, yet. I’m certainly not a coffee snob, not even an aficionado… I can’t really tell one coffee from the other, other than to say that McDonald’s is good and Waffle House’s is crap… until I had Kona Coffee. We brought back bags of the stuff, and even though it is 2:10 in the morning — I’m jonesing for some now!

Mmmmm Kona Coffee.

We logged over 500 miles in that little car. Drove the entire length of the Big Island and still have so much more to see. But we saw it at our pace, and could detour whenever something struck our fancy. I don’t remember if this was part of Heather’s plan, for our trip to the Volcanoes, but when we saw the sign pointing to the black sand beach… well of course we had to stop.

The first structure wasn’t all that impressive, a simple beach hut like you’d find almost anywhere… but the views past that… WOW! This whole section of the island was created by black lava solidifying as it was cooled by the sea. As the black lava was pummeled by the waves, over time it formed pebbles, and then — black Sand.

Heather was captivated by a tidal channel, though she got pretty close to getting drowned when a wave came up that channel. The whole family wandered onto a lava shelf and posed for a pretty nice photo if I do say so myself I look pretty good, and those girls! Maybe we’ll use this photo for our X-mas card?

The Beach cannot be described, photos won’t do it justice. I literally have a series of photos, and even a movie just running my toes through the sands. We played, we looked at the water, Scarlett seemed impressed, but not as impressed as me.

And thus we came to the Volcanoes National Park.

No really, A Volcano National Park. With Volcanoes and everything. God I love Hawai’i!

Here’s another interesting note. The English language has twenty-six letters, Hawaiian has 13. Most of those seem to be vowels, and they love to repeat vowels, especially at the end of words. Hawaii is how we spell it, but Hawai’i is actually more accurate. Heather and I actually joked we’d start calling “Riki” “Riki’i”…

Funny story: Heather is a much better parent than me. She’s more focused, more attentive, soft, gentle, and so so patient! But our darling daughter just discovered “shrieking” not screaming, not shouting but horrible, ear-shattering banshee wails. Predominantly at the least convenient, most populated times… You should have seen the very sour looks we got from the busload of Japanese tourists who must have thought we were roasting our little girl; to judge by the nose.

All of the parenting books we’ve read say that the best way to deal with tantrums is to ignore them… Why did we have to read that? Surely beating her though ineffective would be more satisfying… but seriously folks — Heather was so over Scarlett’s bratty willfulness that she decided she was going to throw her in the volcano. Fortunately my (for once) calmer head prevailed…

Still there are times when I wonder if we made the right choice.

We saw steam venting from the ground beneath us, Stole a piece of Lava just for Sharyn… and drove past some really interesting hiking trails, lava tubes, a second volcano (cause sometimes one isn’t enough) saw the plume in the distance where the lava entering the ocean cast a pillar of steam, and drove all the way down to where the trail-of-craters road ended… and didn’t get out of the car. Our dear friend and former webmaster Andy Blau gave us a list of trails he hiked, things he explored, and places he got nasty while he and his ex girlfriend were on the big island some months ago… and there was this hike you could take and actually watch the lava hitting the sea, casting a glow after sunset… but we are parents first… and none of those trips were appropriate for our munchkin… maybe next time.

We took the long drive back home… made longer because our darling daughter got carsick, twice on the twisting mountains roads. Carsick, puking. Twice… in the rental car.

The next morning we once again were up before the sun. I fetched coffee and pastries from the shop by the pool and we once again relaxed in the glorious view from our room. No seriously, this postcard view was shot on my simple camera from our balcony (excuse me — “Lanai”). I can’t bear to think of it now for the longing…

We did so many things that you’re just “supposed” to do, and in Hawai’i that means Luau! There was a roast pig in the pit that with the help of some strapping young locals became part of a very tasty and only slightly silly dinner. I liked the food, and the open bar… I liked Taro root, but not Poi… ick!

The lady who sold us the event let us know it was border-line traditional there was dancing, and a Don Ho styled singer… The food was good, Scarlett was mostly really well behaved (no shrieking) and was utterly entranced by the dancing, fire, color and noise!

There were Hula, Maori, and several other pacific-island style dances. The acting was comical… but in a kitschy way, some of the men were pretty easy to look at — Eye candy for Heather.

And the Hula girls were not too painful to look at either. I drank a bunch, Heather drove home… all-in-all a great time.

Eventually all good, and some great things must come to an end. We had time to make a few final trips… one, almost a pilgrimage to Kona Joe’s coffee plantation. We checked out the selection and the overpriced (but damned tasty!) coffee. We read some stuff, toured a little, posed for some more photos… and went on our way.

Our final day there was surreal, we were out of the room by noon, but didn’t fly out till almost midnight. There was shopping and eating, and packing (an un packing, and repacking our newest suitcases). There was a fine dinner at a solar-powered Thai restaurant… there was getting to the airport too early struggling with three different baggage checks, and then chasing our ever giddier, and more impatient child around the muggy, outdoor airport for a couple of hours… the plus side of all that is that she and Heather were exhausted, and able to sleep most of the flight back.

Will we be back? You’re damned right… now look at the last photo just because it amuses me.

Our good friend Julius picked the exhausted Bauman Family up at the airport in the early morning hours. He drove us to our home where though we attempted to nap we couldn’t.

It is now 3:18 in the morning… I’m 3 days late — but probably the first one to get his journal in… I’ll leave the last minute truck and trailer drama in AZ for next time… maybe, and I’ll also tell you about our new puppy

Grrrrr