Aloha!

Last week Brian and I were away on vacation, which is why it's been so long since my last post.  We took a rather spur-of-the-moment trip to Hawaii.  For anyone who knows us, this sort of spontaneity is not at all like us.  Brian didn't think he was going to get his vacation time last week and when he found out that he would get it after all, we jumped at the chance to get as far away from his work as possible.  So Hawaii it was!  Maui, to be exact.  We made the arrangements about a week and a half before we left.  Like I said, very spontaneous!  More planning time probably would have been good but we did some research and got a lot of great suggestions from Brian's cousin who was there in October.  We had more than enough to do there and had a fabulous time!  And of course there ended up being a whole lot that we didn't do so we're pretty sure a return trip is in our future.

I considered blogging while there but it didn't happen.  We were really busy (in a good way).  We did a lot of driving and hiking and spent some time on the beach.  The week just flew by!  Once I sort through my photos and compose my thoughts, I'll have more to share with you.  For now I'll leave you with just a few pictures.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali Beach

Wailea Beach

The "high surf alert" made for some pretty amazing waves.

 

We saw an agave plant at Garden of Eden - Maui Botanical Gardens & Arboretum.  I thanked it for its nectar that sweetens my favorite smoothies.

 

Everyone is so laid-back on Maui - even the birds!  This proud peacock was just chillin' out along the road at the Garden of Eden.

Coastal view along the famous Road to Hana.

Look at that wind!  It's normally windy on Maui but we were told that the winds last week were uncommonly gusty (hence the "high surf alert" mentioned above.)

Lahaina sunset

Another view at our resort

Swan at the Hyatt Regency Maui

  

Stopping to rest during our rocky hike.  SO glad I had on these Keen sandals instead of flip flops like almost every other girl we saw.

Summit area at Haleakala National Park (I felt like we were in Lord of the Rings!)

Gorgeous flowers were everywhere!

A lush forest near the 'Ioa Valley looks more like Washington state than Hawaii.

We went to Lahaina for their 4th of July celebration.  Fireworks over the Pacific Ocean are pretty darn cool, especially when Hendrix's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" is playing from the nearby Hard Rock Cafe during the finale.

Practically every mile along the Hana Highway is another waterfall.  This one is called The 3 Bears.

Thanks for visiting today!  Check back in a few days for my post about all the great vegan food I found.