I posted in the General forum about the inauspicious start to our long awaited week's vacation in Kauai with our dear friends and the first extended vacation we have had with our son since 2021.

The synopsis on that is that due to high temps delaying take off from Las Vegas, our bags being removed from the aircraft and put on other flights to Hawaii, then a mechanical issue, we finally took off 22 hours later than originally scheduled. It was the same flight, same boarding passes, we boarded two different planes, and even the delayed flight was delayed by two additional hours so we ended up missing our connection in Maui to Kauai.  Fortunatley the airlines rebooked us while we were finally in the air.  Instead of Maui to Kauai, we flew from Maui to Honalulu, then Honalulu to Kauai.   

Surprisingly, our bags were waiting for us at Lihue airport on Kauai Sunday morning when we finally arrived.  We checked into our condo, had a few drinks and visited with friends.  Then the three of us had an amazing dinner at Red Salt. The food was great, but the restaurant was far too loud for conversation.  Not a do over as far as the ambiance is concerned.

Monday was day on a catamaran, swimming with turtles, dolphins, and a few sharks.  DW and SS loved it. I passed on that since I get insanely sea sick.  The last Kauai vacation  (2021) the catamaran trip to Niihau island was like a mass scene out of The Excorcist. Out of 24 people all but two were incredibly sea sick.  I was the only one on the 2021 trip who did not do the boat.  This trip, several others chose to not go.  Fortunately the seas were extremely calm this trip. The kid generally won't go in the ocean due to what he refers to as his healthy aversion to not being at the top of the food chain.  He surprised his mom, and me, by being the last person back on the boat.  He talked about the catamaran trip the whole week.  After I picked them up at the port, we did some shopping.  Our kid wanted some dressy-er tropical wear. We ended up at Tory Richard. A Hawaii designed and produced clothing compay.  Of course.... mom spoiled the kid and the credit cards were smoking by the time we finished.  Though I got a pair of shorts and two shirts.  You can never have too many Hawaiian shirts.  We had dinner at Stevenson's Library. Wow.  The lady we worked with at Tory Richard on the clothing recommended the Lobster appetizer.  That was the single dish that stood out for all of us this week.  We will dine there again if we are in Kauai.  

Tuesday we made the drive to Honalei.  It was beautiful. We could not do that two years ago due to a landslide over the highway.  Of course we had to sing Puff the Magic Dragon as we drive into the town. It is one of the road trip songs we used to sing when the kid was young. He still remembered the words.  Excuse the tender hearted dad moment.  Tuesday was the "family" dinner where our friends who sponsor the trip reserve an amazing restaurant and the entire group dines together.  29 people this trip.  Dinner was at Eating House 1849.  The food and service were outstanding.  Great signature cocktails.  Our son has a gluten alergy and they worked with him. Definately a do over.

Wednesday we did a chocolate workshop, several wildlife sanctuaries, gardens, and  a light house. We then did a great luau for dinner. Smith Family Garden Luau.  Beautiful location, good entertainment, and the food was pretty good for Luau buffet I had wayyyy too many fruity coctails.  

Thursday we hiked Waimea canyon, DW got assaulted by a pushy chicken, she slipped and landed on a rock on her tail bone, but, we all made it back to the car reasonably unscathed.  Most of our party chose to not hike the canyon due to the weather. It was overcaste and raining in Poipu where our resort was located.  We decided to drive to the canyon to at least see it. As it turned out, that end of the island the weather was beautiful. We had lunch at the lodge in the state park after the hike, made it back to our room in time to relax for an hour before getting ready for dinner, then had an amazing meal at Tide Pools restaurant.  Our favorite dinner venue this trip. Great food, absolutely beautiful ambiance. Definately a do over.

Friday we were checking out at 11:00 AM, heading to a garden tour, then a rum tasting, before catching our 8:25PM flight.  The plan was about the only thing about Friday that was good.  It collapsed almost from the beginning. Rather than 11AM, checkout was at 10:30. Housekeeping started pounding on the door at 10:30 and knocked every 5mins until we left.  That injected a ton of stress into the plan.  We left the room at 10mins till 11. The wind was howling, it was raining buckets, the slate tile on the covered walkways was like ice.  As we approached the elevator my bride slipped, fell backwards and bounced her head off of the concrete floor.  Instead of the garden tour, we headed directly to the hospital ER without even checking out of the resort.   A few hours, and a CAT scan later, no skull fracture, likely a concussion, and my bride was released to fly.  We missed the garden tour, made the rum tasting, and had a suprisingly tasty lunch at a dive looking place called Big Monster. It was very good.  The last two hours we spent watching waves and surfers at a park a few minutes from the airport.

And that is what we did on our summer vacation.

We had a great time.  Enjoyed time with our friends. Most importantly, we enjoyed being the three musketeers. Just as we always have been. Blessedly, my bride did not do herself any permanent damage though she is chewing on Advil and Tylenol like they are candy.  Sore, a headache, stiff neck, and a bruised sore tail bone from the slip and fall on the canyon trail.  The flight to Las Vegas was a rough one for her.

Our 29th anniversary is next weekend, I will surprise my bride with a weekend trip. Not sure what yet. Probably to Havasu so I can get a kiss on London Bridge.

 Our son turns 31 six days after our anniversary. He is a man that his mom and I are very proud of and proud to have raised.  DW turns 48 three weeks after our son's 31st birthday.

And... dad turns 81 a week after my bride turns 48.

July/August are big months for my loved ones... and me.

Have a great summer STalkers.  I hope it is safe, fun, and blessed.