Kauai

As soon as we landed, rented a car, and got food, we were on the beach (Poi Pu) soaking up a perfect afternoon in paradise. We listened to Brad Wilcox's 'His Grace is Sufficient'. My favorite things all at the same time; with one of my best friends, listening to a good talk, the sun shining on me, sand between my toes, and salty water five steps away.

The trip was far from what I expected. I planned on a tropical vacation and to come back more... tan? Instead I saw some of God's most beautiful creations, as well as the Lord's hand as I learned about what really is most important, and came back more... refined. By the last day I could see how the Lord loves me enough not have given me the 'perfect vacation' (I won't go into the craziness, but things didn't exactly go smoothly), but an experience that has made me a better person. There were many small miracles, and some big ones. And I am grateful for my experience. All of it:)

Saturday sunset

Sunday sightseeing at Secret Beach

Waimea- the Grand Canyon of Hawaii

We hiked along the Na Pali Coast, then to waterfall of gargantuan height. The hike back was beautiful. We saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever experienced. We got to the trailhead just as it was getting too dark to hike. After a six hour hike it was so refreshing to let my feet get buried in the sand as the tide came in.

Morning run sunrise

Where we kayaked to the falls. Probably the muddiest, slipperiest hike I have ever been on. But we DID go under the falls. And meet some great people from Alpine, Utah. They figured we were LDS from our tankinis:)

Our hostel was right on the beach so I got to see the sunrise every morning during my run along the coastal path. On the last morning I saw whales breaching. It kind of made up for the sleepless camping night.

Sunrise

Snorkeling in Kauai was amazing. A-MAZ-ING. I have never seen fish more colorful and beautiful. And so many of them, swimming so close to me.

We found a campground on the last night of the trip. After six hours of trying to fall asleep through what I thought was the beginning of a hurricane, we had a flashlight in our face and heard someone saying 'Wake up. It's illegal to camp here. You chose the most dangerous spot in Kauai. You're lucky you weren't assaulted.' We drove to a cliff on the east shore and watched the sunrise.

The bike ride along the east shore I had been looking forward to. Cruisers are so comfortable compared to road bikes...

Great talk with Bek on our last beach trip

Welcome Baby Mica!

Tressa, calm and collected as ever. Where did she get this from? Dad maybe?

Ready for the OR

Little miracle... lots of love here

Big Sur. Amazing cycling, sightseeing, hiking

Campfiring. Jamen and Melanie picked me up from the birthing center in Santa Cruz a couple hours after Mica was born. We headed down the coast and joined everyone... just as they were finishing setting up camp. I relieved some of my guilt by helping break down camp:)

Family pics. So sweet.

The girls, ready for hiking and biking

View on the ride down... kind of reminds me of Na Pali Coast.

Waterfall at Pfeiffer. Great idea Danielle.

Trying to get a signal for a rescue after Dave broke his chain (he does Crossfit...)

Dave, Me, Danielle, Jamen at the waterfall

The view riding back up Pacific Coast Highway. I was just trying to keep up with Danielle and Jamen so Danielle was kind enough to stop and take a pic while I attempted to keep up:)

Funky glasses... always make road trips more fun

Driving back up the coast on the way to dinner in Carmel