Adventuring in Maui
Coming off a busy spring work season and the race-centric lead-up to Ski to Sea, we chose to wind down with some bona fide R & R in Maui.
No races, no real estate deals, no expeditions or circumnavigations. Just the beach, a SUP, a mini-van and 7 days to enjoy watching Hayden — and each other – experience this watery wonderland.
We chose for our basecamp the mellow beach-town of Kihei on Maui’s southwest shore.
Since our bodies (and certainly Hayden’s internal adventure-clock) are on west-coast time, we’ve been up at 4 a.m. and on the beach by 5:30 or 6 both of our first two days.
It’s good timing: the early-morning water is glassy calm and perfect for taking Hayden out on a sea-turtle scouting paddle and snorkel.
By 8 a.m. (almost lunch-time by Washington standards) we’re heading back to the condo for our 2nd meal of the day, and by then the wind is starting to wind up.
Today, we were back on the beach for the 2nd time by 10:30, and Hayden was ready to go out in the warm waves. Much to our satisfaction, the boy is made GIDDY by the water, waves, sand, sea birds, sand castles and everything else that defines this way of life. Even the condo swimming pool thrills him into an hour-long stream of laughter and games.
Today we ventured in the afternoon to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium. What a trip and a treat that place is!!! Hayden ran from colorful, life-filled tank to tank, face pressed to glass as critters of the deep swam up to meet the boy. His coolness as giant manta rays and hammer head sharks charged by him was kind of unnerving. Jacque Cousteau the sequel?
In the next few days, we’ll travel the legendary Road to Hana, explore the 7 Sacred Pools of Oheo, and stare into the crater of 10,023-foot-tall dormant volcano, Haleakala.
‘Til the next update from Maui… Aloha!!!
