Boy, were we ready for this trip! All four of us were running on fumes, but we knew the restorative powers of the islands would do us some good!
We banked our week from last year and spent two weeks this year, staying at our timeshare.
We were all in the zone within the first three days.
I discovered that a run buddy from my local run club in CA was going to be there are the same time. She was staying in south Maui, but was willing to come over to the west side to join me for a run. So glad she did. It was a beautiful day and I was able to share with her one of my favorite runs, along the coast from Napili through Kapalua.
Eunice and I
I can’t find photos of the boys underwater, but they got their SCUBA certificates while there! They are fish, I tell you. Easy for them. So glad they enjoy and appreciate the life below the waves.
We focused on eating at home for breakfast and lunch and aimed to make ramen for most of the lunches. Here is a particularly awesome ramen lunch David made for us.
David and I also went on a date night to one of our favorite places, The Sea House in Napili. From our table, we watched a middle age couple get married on the beach, then this amazing sunset. Photo comes no where near to how spectacular it was.
Our friends, John and Ann Jenks, were on the island as well. We coordinated dates so we could be with them. They went with the boys on a whale watching trip! They had an excellent time and got to see many humpbacks.
Hawaiian ice after. Yum!
This photo was taken during an eleven mile run along Kaanapali. And the lovely beachside recovery…
Group dinner at Aloha Mixed Plate with the Jenks, their son Brian, and his girlfriend, Cosi.
And, a couple shot at Leilani’s…
Snails grow big here…there are five or six on the photo on the right….
Brunch with our winter bird friends Jeff and MC. They live in Minnesota, but winter here…we met them when our boys were toddlers and try to re-connect when we are there in the winter.
A big bucket list thing happened for me this time. I love food and follow ‘Top Chef’. One of the contestants who has been on Top Chefs a few times, including Top Chef Masters, opened a little eatery in Kahului. We have visited some of the other places he has been involved in, but not this one. Sheldon Simeon opened Tin Roof and rumor is that the place is always packed. It’s really more of a “to go” place and their website lets you order online and pick up. So glad I did that. We got there and the lines was out the door. My son ‘A’ was with me and his face dropped. But, we walked in an our food was sitting on the counter all ready to go!
On the drive home, we stopped to pick up some individual pies at Leoda’s to have for dessert…(another place Sheldon was involved in at one time. Whether he still is or not, I don’t know.)
Hand held apple pie to tide him over for the ride back…
One of the most delicious and memorable meals I have had….Tin Roof and Leoda’s
I discovered that there was a half marathon race while I was going to be on Maui. I decided to run it. The Valley to the Sea. The original route was to have the start in the Iao Valley and run down to the ocean, but recent storms ruined parts of the valley and closed that area. Instead, the route started in Kihei and went to Ma’alea Harbor and back. It started at 6am, which meant I had to get up at 3:30am to make the trek over. But, the early start time was good because it got hot fast. The heat and humidity made it hard form me to run toward the end. I pretty much walked the last two miles. I’m glad I did it, but would not do it again. We ran along a highway and had to deal with cars. Since I am a slower runner, I had to run with more cars the later it became.
These photos were taken early morning. These views all are along the highway we ran from Kihei to Ma’alaea
I cannot recall this woman’s name, but she was lovely and encouraging and stayed with me from about mile eight to the end. It’s so much easier when you run with someone else.
We also had dinner with friends Cowboy and Carol, and I had an additional breakfast with Carol after the race. Special memories and we look forward to our next visit.