When the temperature drops below zero, I start dreaming of some of my favorite beach experiences. Here is a little collection of our favorites. From florida, to Hawaii to the shores of Spain. We love sitting on the sand and enjoying the surf and sun. Hope to be warm soon!
When I opened my mailbox this past month and received one of my favorite travel magazines, Travel + Leisure, I felt a great sense of arrival. I had made the cover. I had sat in one of those beautiful ocean front chairs (exactly a year ago today). As a kid I had always dreamed of traveling the world and it is truly amazing to see some of the places I have discovered in the pages of a magazine. I am a traveler. Can’t wait to make my next cover…
In February we explored the “garden isle” of Hawaii. It was beautiful. It was relaxing. It was our first epic family vacation. I am not going to lie, I was terrified of the flight – anticipating a full fledged shut down of Homeland Security as we tried to get our mega load of baby stuff through – but we made it. (although it did include a full pat down with Maggie strapped to my chest in the babybjorn – but that’s for another post).
Some unforgettable sites, sounds and flavors of Kauai:
– Rooster crows in the morning
– Sunrises over the north shore
– Watching Laird Hamilton get towed into 30+ waves in Hanalei Bay
– Mai tais at the St. Regis of Princeville
– Waves crashing on Tunnels Beach while watching Doug body surf
– The best ahi tacos I have ever tasted from island taco
– Holding my baby while watching the sunset, thinking life is beautiful.
– Long walk along the coast with my husband (perhaps our first date conversation since Mag’s was born)
– Laughs with Barbie while exploring the beach at Hanalei Bay
– Wonderment at the canyon views of Waimea
This trip was a milestone – we can do this travel thing as a family (we may need a little more help – thank you Barbie!) – but we are excited about the adventures to come. I loved Kauai and can’t wait to go back someday.
While vacationing in Kauai, I read “The Descendants”. The novel helped me to experience the landscape through the eyes of a Hawaiian. I sat on the lounge chairs of the St. Regis in Princeville and read about how the family stayed at that hotel. A place can inspire great stories. Tonight, that novel won an Oscar for it’s ability to have viewers experience a powerful human story. Congrats to The Descendants.
Kauai became a place I will always remember as our first family vacation. I learned on this trip that our love of travel will forever be apart of our family story. I can’t wait for Maggie to love experiencing the world as much as her daddy and I.