I've always thought that HH and I perched precariously on the dangerous ledge of adventure. We've thrived off of exploring the hidden gems of our duty assignments. Usually, we share our stories and meet the look of "are you kidding me" or "wow...you're insane."
BK (before kids) we loved hiking, getting "lost" in Japan every weekend (hmmm...where do we want to go...peer at train map next to ticket kiosk...that name sounds good...what's there? I don't know but we'll soon find out. AK (after kids) we curtailed our adventures somewhat, but not by much. HS went out on a boat to look for whales at 6 months.....four hours way out in the middle of the Monterey Bay with a baby in a Snuggli is not what most parents consider "fun". Hiking straight up a hill with only a rope to hold onto and a baby in a snuggli, bus trips that took 6 hours, driving up the New England coast when I was about ready to pop with LD, sail boating with HH & HS in the Narraganset Bay when I was approaching the big phase of pregnancy. Flying several time without assistance with not only just 1 child over the pond, but now 2. It all seems so very natural to us.
Exploration. That's a word with a lot of meaning for our clan. However, I think we may have taken a jump off the ledge and even I am caught scratching my head at the choice we made on spending our Thanksgiving day.
The road to Hana is suppose to be one of the most gorgeous stretches of road in the country. The area prides itself on keeping Hawaii pristine and free of tourist clutter. It is nature at it's finest. I couldn't wait to see it. After briefing HH on it, he thought it sounded beautiful. It was settled. Getting up early on Thanksgiving, we piled the kids, DS, books, and of course, my travel bible, Frommer's into the rental car. We set our trusty Sophie (gps) to show us the way to our hidden Hawaiian paradise.
FACT:
Just because you are on Maui for Thanksgiving, does not mean that places will be open. Safeway, McDonald's, and Starbucks are your best bets.
In Paia, shops and restaurants all lobbied to be the "last stop" before Hana with antiquated signs waved us onward. "Whose ready, for this adventure?" I chimed. "I'm already hungry." HS mumbled. "Well, according to Sophie, we have 3 hours until we reach Hana and lucky for us, we've filled ourselves with Micky D's and have some yummy sandwiches, chips, and drinks!" I replied with pride. LD merely wailed from the backseat...3 hours must have sounded like a death sentence. "I don't think I'll make it..." HS grumbled. "We need to make sure to call everyone for Thanksgiving when we get to Hana." HH stated, avoiding Mr. Pouty's comment. LD giggled at her feet.
The first few miles were pretty, not unlike the stretch along the North Shore or Highway 1 as it approaches Santa Barbara. Open to the sound of waves crashing and the salt air filtered itself among the trees. There are very popular surfing beaches that were covered with mostly curious tourists watching the surfers. We watched in amazement as surfers enjoyed waves that were not for the faint of heart. In fact, this area we found out later is called "Jaws" because the surf will rip you up if you aren't good enough. Guess it is a good thing that we aren't that crazy.
Shortly after these beaches, we ventured into "the country" as Maui locals refer to the Northeastern shore. With Christmas music filling the car, HH began the curves. "WOW! Isn't that beautiful?" I exclaimed under my breath. "What do you think, HS?" Silence. "Hellooooo...." I inquired as I turned to look at the kids in the backseat. "I'm reading, mom." LD who had been busily playing with Cory, happily I might add began to cry. OK...I guess I'm the one enjoying this stretch, I thought.
Fact.
The road to Hana is not really a highway. It's narrow and patched together along 42 miles of approximately 600 curves and 54 bridges that lead to Hana.
As we approached the Koolau Forest Reserve, it was evident that the windward coastline here receives its fair share of the 60 to 80 inches of rain a year, as well as runoff from the 200 to 300 inches that falls from farther up the mountain. We enjoyed looking at trees laden with guavas, as well as mangoes, java plums, and avocados the size of softballs. HH, not yet into the serious curves of the road, commented on the beauty of this area. His driving stress was about to begin.
FACT:
About 1/2 mile after mile marker 6, there's a sharp U-curve in the road, going uphill. The road is practically one-lane here, with a brick wall on one side and virtually no maneuvering room. Sound your horn at the start of the U-curve to let approaching cars know you're coming. Take this curve, as well as the few more coming up in the next several miles, very slowly.
The tidbit to sound the horn was an understatement. I'm not sure that really would have done for us anyway. HH beeped the horn...once...began the curve and then began beeping it wildly since, well...it is a BLIND TURN in every sense of the word. I held my breath. HS read. LD let out a blood curdling scream. HH sighed.
Fact:
Hiking is an awesome opportunity to enjoy nature without the stress of life...especially when "trees are at work".
Waikamoi Ridge Trail, an easy .75-mile loop (Waikamoi means "waters of the king") meanders throughout fern, hala, and delightful smelling eucalyptus trees. LD enjoyed stretching her legs while HS searched for bees and beetles. HH and I chatted for the first time freely since getting on the road. Sitting along the roots of a huge tree, I checked the cell phone for service...no bars. Uh-oh.
Fact:
The Road to Hana is world famous for the natural beauty of its unblemished landscapes and towering waterfalls.
I couldn't get over the waterfalls along the drive. Some were just like out of a Hawaii picture book. They were serene, romantic, and well...jungle like. Tarzan could have swung by with Jane and HH would have missed it. I feel really sorry for HH. Since he was behind the wheel, he didn't get the opportunity to truly appreciate the size and power of some of the falls. We stopped at Puaa Kaa State Wayside. Puaa Kaa translates as "open laughter" and the sound of the falls lived up to that name. Beautiful ginger plants bloomed around the base of the waterfall and eager HS was devastated that he couldn't venture closer to the water. Others, disregarding the obvious barricades, went along the pathway, regardless. "Darlin', if it is misting down here at our level, it is pouring higher along the mountain chain. You don't want to be in the water." I reassured him as we walked back to the car. "OK. You're right." he pouted.
Fact:
At mile marker 32, just on the outskirts of Hana, shiny black-sand Waianapanapa Beach appears like a vivid dream, with bright-green jungle foliage on three sides and cobalt-blue water lapping at its feet. The 120-acre park on an ancient aa lava flow includes sea cliffs, lava tubes, arches, and the beach.
We hiked down to the Waianapanapa Beach simply fascinated by the darkness of the sand as it met the sea. Black sand beaches are a marvel and if you haven't been able to enjoy one, I hope you do before your lifetime is through. The sand is nothing like the normal grit that sticks to everything. Black sand is more akin to little pellets. LD is enamored by them. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch before taking in the coolness of the water. Although others were "swimming", we chose to just let HS and LD play in the sand and let the water rush over their toes. The undertow was nasty. At one point, I asked HH to move my fip-flops out harms way before he took HS to the caves. I proceeded to play with LD and giggle and scream in joy as the water crashed ashore. Until I spotted one of my slippers gliding towards the raging, churning waters. The other I suspect, had already brained a fish. Thank goodness, I had brought along my hiking shoes.
Fact: When you make the trip over to Hana, you'll see why it's referred to as The Land That Time Forgot.
"This would be the perfect time to call our families. Dinner would be over and we wouldn't be interrupting anything." HH said as glided his feet through the black sand. "ummmm...yeah. Let's see..." I said as I fumbled around for the cell phone in my pocket. [note:remember I said I had already checked and no bars...I checked each time we stopped and nothing. That being said,I expected a miracle if we had service here on a secluded beach]. As LD played on a log, HH, HS, and I huddled around the phone. I flipped it open. Groans ensued. The bars were nonexistent. We were after all, in paradise. Secluded. Charmed. Alone. Without service. Our Thanksgiving wishes would have to wait.
FACT.
The Road to Hana can bring you closer to heaven in more ways than one. With winding roads, blind turns, constant traffic, distracting views, narrow one-lane roads, cliffs, wet conditions, and locals who drive straight through yield signs, the road is incredibly dangerous.
We attempted to count how many yield signs we passed on our return back out of Hana. It was somewhere around 46. Although, I have to admit that we probably lost track because we were watching near death experiences with the cars ahead of us.
FACT:
The Road to Hana is amazing, a magical place where rainforests create vivid imaginations, and is unforgettable.
After experiencing the drive and marveling at the beauty along the road to Hana, I am glad that we did it, but would not need to do it again. The memories will last me for long enough and I don't think that I could pry the kids into the car again if they knew we were heading back down the curvy road to Hana. As HS said to one of our friends, "We survived the road!" We are crazy. What's next?
Note: Honestly, this is a gorgeous road but for our friends here on island, the road to Haleakala on Maui is just as breathtaking only without the risk of bodily injury. HH says that after driving it there is one way to appreciate the area without going insane: take a helicopter ride.
Rejoice! Jesus was born this morn in a lowly manger! If you stop and listen you can hear the heavenly hosts singing praises to the newborn King. Santa stopped at our house last night leaving our stockings overflowing with treasures that lit our sleepy faces as we came down the stairs! We thought of him hanging out on Maui with a mai tai, the reindeer, and Mrs. Claus as we peered inside our stockings with glee.
This Christmas was one of our most laid back. We took our time enjoying what Santa had left for each of us. While HS charged up his Air Hog (a really cool car that travels by following a beam on the walls), he built his Bionicle, and created new aliens with HH in his Ben-10 Alien Creation chamber. It delighted my heart to see him so excited and he marveling at the fact that Santa knew just what he really had wanted. This has been the first Christmas that HS tried to challenge the notion of Santa and he kept strong in his belief that Santa is real. I can only imagine what he'll share when he returns back to school! 
LD played with her adorable wood kitchen and made her doll "Corrie", her Christmas bear from Nana & Grandad, and other dolls wait patiently for their chance at being pushed merrily through the living room in LD's new baby stroller. LD also delighted in wearing her cooking apron and calling grandma & poppop on her new pink Ariel phone. She chatted and cut her fruit while keeping an eye on her big brother who would pop over to the kitchen to play, too. She was obviously very content that Santa realized how much she loved to mirror her mommy! 
Our family was more than generous this year...each gift we received was followed by a "WOW!" or a "How did h/she know that I love (insert word 'Bakugan','dolls', 'Ben 10')?" "This is just great!!!" It took us the greater part of our morning and well into the afternoon for us to finish unwrapping the presents. LD allowed big brother to assist in opening her gifts quickly ended as she desired to have her own moment listening to the sound of the paper being ripped and then the intake of air as she looked at what treasure was covered by the now mangled gift wrap. The problem we encountered was that she wanted to play with each of her toys (unwrap, get it out of the box, play) while HS wanted to see everything before setting his mind on playing with just one at a time. We preserved and took a mid-morning break for LD's nap~ perfect for us to have our own break watching "UP" and for me (SQ- Scullery Queen) to prep, stuff, and begin baking our 15 lb turkey. 
Throughout the day, the squeals and giggles of two very happy & loved kiddos filled our hale as Christmas music inspired a jig or two from HH & me (we love to turn the music up and dance...it's quickly becoming a nightly family event!). Dinner was very simple: turkey, homemade stuffing, and green bean casserole. We toasted with champagne and sparkling cider to a wonderful Christmas and wishes that the same would be said for all of our family and friends. 
As we settle in for the night with our eggnog and mincemeat, it would be wonderful if our family over the pond could be sitting with us around our tree. Our thoughts of family and friends who are far away are sent with loads of cheer and wishes for a wonderful Mele Kalikimaka!
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