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Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July loves!
I love this time of year, and the 4th of July never disappoints.

I love the colors.
Red. White. and Blue. Multicolored fireworks.

4th of July 2008 - watching the fireworks at NAC

As a kid it was all about summer vacations in Mammoth.
Camping. Fireworks at Crowley Lake. Parades. Good memories.

4th of July at Crowley Lake.

Now it is all about backyard fun.
Family and friends. Street Fireworks. BBQs.

4th of July at our house - 2010

But most of all it is Independence Day.
A day to celebrate and remember our freedom and independence.
To remember the courage, sacrifice, loss and hope that gave us the Declaration of Independence.

Happy Birthday America!

xo,

Kona withdrawls

Still having withdrawls. I had forgotten how much I love the Big Island. It is still my favorite, yet I have not been to Maui or Kaua'i (I should really go!). It was so great to be back after so many years and I have to say it is still generally the same place I fell in love with the first time I went.

Here are a few places to check out if you are ever on the Big Island or in Kona.

#1 - The King Kam - The King Kamehameha Hotel is right at the site of where King Kamehameha resided when he prospered on the Big Island. This hotel is all about Big Island history and royalty. The bay in which The King Kam sits on offers a gorgeous white sand beach, the picturesque view of the Ahu'ena Heiau, the historic temple reconstructed by King Kamehameha himself. In the lobby they offer 20 paintings depicting the history of King Kamehameha, his predecessors and of the island, all painted by a local artist, along with tons of photographs, artifacts and a mural.

#2 - Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park - The City of Refuge - This is considered a sacred site as it was a place of sanctuary, where you could be saved. It was also Royal grounds in which chiefs came to visit and the many ki'i house the bones of these chiefs, that infuse the area with their mana, or spirit. Another great historical and spiritual site.

#3 - Waipi'o Valley - Hike down into this gorgeous valley and check out the waterfall, the black sand beach, the dense forest and river that make up this lush valley deep set in high sea cliffs. The hike back up is brutal, but if you have 4 wheel drive and a car that can make the climb and the trek through large mud puddles, that is a plus. Well worth the hike though, if you are on foot. The hike starts at the top of the southern lookout point, which also has great views.

#4 - Mauna Kea - Also, a sacred place, as are all the peaks in Hawai'i. Best known for being the highest peak in all of the state of Hawai'i. It is home to The Mauna Kea Observatories. Lots of stars to see and the drive is pretty awesome.

#5 - South Point - Down here you are at the most Southern point in the USA. There are giant sea cliffs that drop off into the ocean. Lots of fishing and jumping off of rocks happening here! There is also a green sand beach in which you can hike the 3 miles to or catch a ride with a few of the locals that take tourists to and from the beach for a small fee (it is worth it). The drive through this area is gorgeous! Lots of farm land and lots of untamed land that is rough, rugged and beautiful.

Here are some photos of our trip. Enjoy!

30 feet up at South Point

Green Sand Beach, South Point

Honaunau

Jimi on beach in front of the King Kam

Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i

Jumping off South Point

Kona Sunset

Waipi'o Valley

Waipi'o Lookout

Kona, Hawaii

I get to go to the Big Island, Kona, Hawaii this weekend for the first time since Labor Day in 2007! That is 5 years, exactly!

I am very excited to be there again, and see all of my favorite spots and be in the water. I am glad to get away and to Race in the Queen Liliuokalani Race, the largest long distance outrigger canoe race in the world. This will be my first time doing the 18 mile race on Saturday from Kona to Honaunau. I have done all the Sunday races, so now it is finally time to put my big girl pants on and do the long race!

When we are racing on Saturday, we will be thinking of Bruce and putting out the good vibes of a speedy recovery! xoxox

Here are some pictures of my past Kona trips! Enjoy!

Costa Rica 2012!

This trip was a little different for me because I was not going with my family like in the years past, but I was going with Jimi's family. I didn't have to plan anything, I didn't have to worry about anything and I didn't have to keep track of anything. That was nice, all I had to do was relax and have fun and I am so appreciative for that!

We flew into Liberia, Costa Rica and about 3.5 hours later (customs, immigration, baggage claim, lost surf board, car rental, 1.5 hour drive) we arrived to a house on the beach stocked with food, beer and drinks. Talk about a dream house, you must check out these picture of Casa Ohana!!! The views were perfect, the pool was calling our names and the house was big enough for everyone to have their own little space in heaven. We were finally in Playa Negra, Guanacate, Costa Rica!

My Aunt Mary who manages the property and live in Costa Rica was there moments after we arrived and it was so good to see her and spend a whole week with her as Jimi's family welcomed her to all of our dinners and events which I am also very grateful for.

Throughout the trip we swam in the ocean almost everyday, did some surfing, did some walking on the beach, laid out by the pool, played in the pool, ate lots of good food, drank lots of good beer and rum drinks, napped (siestas!!!), read our books, watched the waves, had so many great conversations, went shopping, relaxed in some rocking chairs, stared out into the horizon, star gazed, received one hour messages, went zip lining, and went on a sunset sail and snorkel.

What a great trip. It was hard to come for me this time around more then others, but the trip was so amazing there is nothing really that could have ruined it for me.

Thank you to the Spoto's, the Kittinger's, and my Aunt Mary for an amazing trip!

If you are interested in visiting Costa Rica, check out my Aunt Mary's vacation rentals on the beach in Playa Negra, Guanacaste (an infamous surf break of Costa Rica) from Beach Grass Rentals.

Enjoy!

Fun Things for Costa Rica

I am in Costa Rica right now and here are some fun things I love to bring with me when coming here.

1. Bathing suits...it is so hot at this time of year there that all you want to do is be in the water. Whether it is the pool or the ocean, that is where you will find me.

2. 3 or 4 good books....this one I always underestimate. Last time I finished my book on the plane! So this time I am stocking up so I have plenty reading material. Thankfully vacations are good for knocking a few good books off of the reading list. Here are some of the books I brought with me:

3. Fun sandals. I have my faithful rainbows and a pair from Target that is a current style with a little brass flair.

4. My iPod loaded with plenty of favorite books on tape and newly uploaded music to enjoy on and off the plane.

5. Last, but not least, some great cover ups that I can wear at the beach or to the pool. Fun right colors are in right now so I am making sure that all my suits and coverups have those great colors in them. So very festive!

Costa Rica Lovin'

Its Friday! And tomorrow I will be in one of my favorite places...Costa Rica.

For me it is a mix of Mexico and Hawaii, two more of my favorite place! ;) It has the tropical, natural beauty that Hawaii has with the Central American culture and life you feel when in Mexico. This is a winning combination with one more thing added. This is something that only Costa Rica can provide, and that is PURA VIDA.

Pura Vida, or pure life, is the care free saying to mean "full of life," that is used as a greeting or as satisfaction. A good explanation is that we are only here on this earth for a short period of time, so spread some cheer and be happy. You can definitely feel this when you are down there, and if you have been there before you know what I am talking about. They have a very relaxed lifestyle there. Everyone is outside on their porches hanging out with family, you see it everywhere. If they are not at work that is what they are doing.

I am excited for the change of scenery and the to get away for longer than a weekend. As much as I love weekend trips. Will post pictures on my return!