In Memorium of Our Grandmother

I took my cousin to the northern part of Kauai.  My grandmother had a timeshare in Princeville, which is on the north shore of Kauai, with her best friend Mary Jane for more than 25 years.  My grandmother was an inspiring woman.  She loved to travel, try new things, eat great food, meet new people, and have new experiences.  In honor of our grandmother's spirit we made a rash decision to get a convertible.  I never knew how much I missed having a Camaro convertible in my life until I drove one ..  SOLD!

We drove north to Hanalei Bay and up to the end of the road. 

Wai'oli Hui'ia Church where my grandmother used to go to church while in Kauai.  She had a painting of this church hanging on the wall in her condo in Denver.

Isn't the water just enticing?  We drove to the end of the road where you can hike the Na Pali Coast.  There is a great snorkeling beach and a few caves, Ke'e Beach Park.  There was no need to lug all of the snorkeling gear, which we left at the condo, because the fish were swimming around our ankles right on the shoreline!

Adventures in Northern Hawaii - Friday the 13th

I went for a 3 mile hike in the secluded southeastern shore of Kauai with my aunts and uncle. Kawailoa Bay has a lovely beach.

Along the way we met a couple that was spreading their mother's ashes on the beach. They left messages on the beach in honor of her.

We created some abstract art.

"Mother Kauai," as one of the groom's friends calls her, made sure that the weather was incredible for the wedding.  My cousin looked gorgeous and the couple was so happy.  I was so delighted to be a part of their special day.

The wedding was held at the Sheraton Kauai. Such a beautiful back drop.

The best way to end a Friday the 13th, you ask?!? With family and new friends.  We always seem to end up at the beach.

Aloha!

Well we made it to Hawaii!! We were awakened this morning by a welcome to Kauai rain storm.

Only one more trip to the airport and I'm headed straight to the beach! We are staying in Koloa near Poipu Beach, in a cute condo surrounded by GREENERY. The beach is just a short walk away.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe here we come!

My love for dance is purely as a spectator.  I remember when I first moved to Denver I watched "Dancing with the Stars" with my gma every week for two years.  We voted using both cell phones, the land line, and our email addresses.  Of course our favorite dancer, regardless of his partner's performance, always received the vast majority of our votes! Derek Hough, we know how to pick the winners, he has the most winning partners so far.

So why Albuquerque?!?! Well my fabulous friend J is an incredible dancer.  Of the times I have been lucky to be a part of her dancing world, I have been memorized.  She is totally in her element, so free and expressive.  We are spending a long weekend in Albuquerque to expand J's skill at the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival. Many of the events will be held in local bars, at Hotel Albuquerque, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Plaza Mayor.  

Will I be partaking in the wonderful art form of salsa dancing?  Yes, but from afar as an onlooker of the incredible talent and ability of the people around me. 

Some information about Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and New Mexico.

Until next time: "Vamos a bailar!"

Beaches, Bonfires, Beauties, and Fresh Fruit

40 days until the trip of a lifetime!!  September will be a month of incredible beauty!  Two weeks of Hawaiian destinations, love, food, and beaches. 

We will be staying in Poipu but indulging in the sites all over the island of Kauai for 5 days.

Then we will be jetting over to The Big Island for a few nights stay in Kona.

Ending our trip in Oahu for three nights, we will be walking on Waikiki Beach, taking in the sites of Honolulu, and touring the USS Arizona Memorial.

More journal entries and my personal photos to come. Aloha from Denver, dreaming of Hawaiian sunsets.

*All of these pictures are from google images.*