Vacation on Maui

Oh, how I love Maui. Hana, Maui, to be exact. It is fabulous. We stayed at this great place called Hana's Heaven that was secluded but still had an ocean view. Great sunrises on this side of the island too, if you are awake enough to see them. We saw a few because it gets dark early and therefore we ended up going to be earlier.

As we went with my parents this time, we repeated a few activities, but also went to a couple new places. The most notorious was our 4 mile coastal hike on lava rocks from Waianapanapa State Park to Hana Bay. (Boy, was that a mistake). This is a hike I wouldn't recommend to anyone unless they start early, pack lots of water, and are willing to wreck a pair of shoes. Sure, the view is great of the ocean, but besides that it's just hot lava rock.

View of Hana from up on Fagan's Cross....

We of course took mom and dad to Haleakala one day, and did a little bit of exploration along the Hana Road too. My favorite part of the entire trip was when Justin and I drove past Kipahulu to see Alelele Falls and a few old churches along the coast. Really, that was the BEST. One could easily swing at Alelele Falls but it had rained quite a bit so I wasn't going to get under the stream or in the small pool. Still, definitely worth the visit.

 Church where Charles Lindbergh is buried...

An old church with Haleakala and some gorgeous clouds in the background.

 Alelele Falls.... beautiful. We actually had it all to ourselves!!

 Justin had a hard time cracking the coconut...

And I'll end with an unnamed falls that we scrambled over a rock wall and through the stream bed to get to. Props to mom for being a trooper with the rest of us explorers!

Pinnacles National Monument

The third weekend in May, we took a hike in Pinnacles National Monument with Jay, a friend from church. It's really a great park with lots of diversity in a small space. And it's only $5 to get in- $10 is a season pass. That's what I call a good deal!

We came in from 25 to 146 from Hollister on the east side of the park and parked at the Old Pinnacles Trailhead. It was crowded and it's a good thing my Honda Fit is small or we would have had to find a place elsewhere. To start the hike, we went up High Peaks Trail because we wanted to gain our altitude first thing, while it was (maybe) a little cooler in the morning. But man, it gets really hot out there. I think this would be a better spring hike for sure!! Then we followed High Peaks Trail to Tunnel Trail, and then around to Juniper Canyon Trail and the Chaparral Ranger Station. Some picnic tables made it a nice place to eat lunch, but there isn't any shade. The last part of the hike took us along the Balconies Trail through the cave (or you can go around the cave if you forgot your flashlight) and then back on Old Pinnacles Trail, which was flat and partly shaded for the last few miles of the hike. Why in the world they have a zillion trail names I'm not sure...

Next time we visit I think I would like to go to the southern part of the park into the Bear Gulch area. It's probably a lot busier than the section we were in though. I'd like to see the other cave, though it was closed when we visited because of the bats.

Here's some pictures from the hike. Truly some funky rock formations around here!

 We like to take funny pictures... plus it was a good excuse to take a breath!!

 Jay forced us to take a picture in that tunnel... And after that the caves came....

 Make sure you SQUEEZE!!!

Marble Falls Hike at Sequioa/Kings Canyon NP

In mid-May Justin and I went on a hike in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park. The hike to Marble Falls is a nice one- steadily uphill and then a crashing waterfall at the end. The waterfall is one of those with multiple steps down- not one big stream down. It is very pretty with the mist coming off. The trail basically follows the river and goes in and out of shade. Lots of pretty wildflowers to see too. We saw lots of little lizards but, thankfully, no snakes! The only downer on the hike was that there isn't really a place to sit when you get to the falls. There is room for a few people to sit out on the rocks, but it was a little chilly with the mist and all. Not really any grassy area to speak of. It's hard to get a good picture of the falls all together because of the foliage and curving length of the falls. When you're there though, it's beautiful.

I would recommend this hike because it's about 8 miles- a good length for a day hike- and it's easy to get to Potwisha campground and the trail head. Coming from the Modesto area, take 99 South and then hop on 198 East. It takes you right into the park at the Ash Mountain entrance. There is an entrance fee. Park across the road from the campground and then head toward the back of the campground. (Use the restrooms at the campground or visitor's center before you start!)

 The falls are way bigger than this little spot behind us, but we couldn't really fit it in the picture.

Go try this hike!! We're just pretending to be utterly exhausted in these pics... :)

Double-yolked luck!

Just got back from Maui (more on that in another post) and went to the grocery store. When we returned home, I started making meatballs for spaghetti for our Sunday dinner tomorrow. I've never made meatballs before so it was a fun experience. But get this: when I was cracking the egg, it was a double yolk!!! I haven't seen one of those since I was back on my grandparent's farm in Ohio. You just never see those in store-bought eggs. I'm calling it a sign that this is going to be a fantastic summer!

Baby Danielle

Over spring break I went to visit my new niece, Danielle Elizabeth. She is so precious! Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are a few:

Grandma and Grandpa's 60th Wedding Anniversary!

Wow! 60 years!!!!! Go grandma and grandpa!

On Friday we went to a place called Old Canal Smokehouse in Chillicothe to celebrate grandma and grandpa's anniversary. They had yummy food, but the really great part was just being able to be with everyone again. All my uncles and aunts were there as well as a few cousins too.

I love you two so much. Justin and I want to emulate your commitment and dedication to each other.

PS. Grandma, I just want you to know that I left out the smooching picture because I knew you wouldn't like it being online! 

Weekend in Elk

Last weekend we took a trip to Elk, California, about 3 hours north of San Fransisco along the coast. It is a beautiful drive, though it is quite windy. Compared to other places in California, it is nice to see history again with some historical buildings and a relaxed atmosphere. We stayed at a place called The Griffin House Inn, and we were pleased with our lodgings. The bed and pillows were superbly comfy, and there was an old wood stove as a fireplace, with wood ready-cut and ready to burn. While we didn't have an ocean view, access to the beach was nearby.

Our cottage was half ours, and the other half another guest rooms. Of course, it was completely cut off from the other side of the house with a separate entrance. (You can't see the entrance on the left from this picture) Once we were there, we wished that we could have gotten one with a ocean view, but they were a little too much for our wallet right now. The other cottages are just to the right about 50 feet and sit right above the ocean. The whole complex is like a little neighborhood)  We also ate at their dinner house and it was pretty good too- we just shared a pizza, but I'm sure the other selections would be nice as well.

One thing I really liked was the breakfast. Around 8:30 they bring you hot drinks  of your choice- we had some fabulous homemade hot chocolate. About a half hour later, your hot meal comes delivered to your door! Talk about service! Saturday morning we had french toast with baked apple topping, and Sunday it was eggs, hearty bacon, and potatoes. Of course they have fresh fruit and orange juice also.

After breakfast, we went down to the beach area even though it was overcast and threatened to rain on us. The beach was filled with driftwood and all types of sea kelp. The rock arches along the coast were some of my favorite parts!  Apparently this area used to be a major logging region, and the historical center nearby was a quaint place to visit, though they were only open from 11 am- 1pm because it was staff by the locals.

All in all, it was nice to relax. There really isn't much to do in Elk, and I think that is why I like it so much!

Windy, Rainy, Yucky!

Well, I'm not sure where "sunny California" comes from at this point. We've had rain every day for a week straight! I know that rain is winter out here, but I sure don't like it. If it's going to be cold, I would rather have snow instead of rain. I definitely miss the warm spring rain from back home in Ohio....

Justin was up before me today. After I finally got out of bed, he told me I should go take a look at the barn. Since we rent, our landlord has an old barn on the property. It's been roofless since we got here. He's planning to fix it up. (But he says that about a lot of things) So I went to look, and here is what I saw:

Isn't that nuts? I mean, I knew it was windy, but this must have been an extreme case of the furious flurries! Luckily, all is just fine in the house and everything.

-K.

PS. I'm trying out this new recipe since I had Nutter Butters to use.... I'll let you know how it comes out next time!

I need a getaway...

To say the least, life has been exciting lately. There are several opportunities that I have, yet it is hard to know which one to take. I am trying to pray more and more for a peace about everything and for God's guidance in every area of my life. It is hard to trust sometimes, especially when you feel like you are hanging in that limbo on that rickety swinging bridge of life. But God sustains, and stops the wobbling, at least for a time until I can get a grip again. Because you know, it is me that lost my grip, not Him. He is always strong.

I just received our VBS material in from Desiring God Children's Ministries. The teaching is so solid; I think it is going to be great! We are in a bit of a conundrum on how to decorate, but thankfully I have delegated that to my aunt who is super creative and will do a fabulous job! People from the church are volunteering, and other items are coming together. It will be our second year of VBS, and I have an eager anticipation for what the Lord holds for this year. Most of all, I want children who are unchurched to come so that they can hear the gospel message.

Beyond that, life goes on. I stay busy with work, committees, and classes. And God sustains. Always.

Lifesavers....

It's amazing how we humans can get so distracted by silly things.

This might be a humbling post, so be careful if you read on. For Christmas this year, my mom send me a pre-packed stocking since we wouldn't be together. It was really sweet of her, and one of the things that she put in the stocking was a Lifesaver book. So classic, right? Who doesn't like Lifesavers?

I certainly do.

Too much, in fact.

You see, I brought a roll with me to church so I could savor the delicious cherry, mango, pineapple, and banana flavors. And since I had several rolls of Lifesaver packs, I kept bringing them for the next several weeks. Then, I forget how this thought came upon me- I might have been listening to Christian radio, or reading my Bible or something- but I realized that I was so wrapped up in those Lifesavers that I wasn't focusing like I should in church. I am so easily distracted! Of course Satan knows this too....

In ladies book club at church, we just finished reading "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. While it is a deep read, every Christian should read it. Though it is fictional account, it reveals how easily we are duped by Satan and his minions into things besides Christ. In my case, all it took was some Lifesavers.

So what is your distraction? Getting to the gym after church? Watching TV till you're too tired to read your Bible? Thinking about what color your getting your nails done? Maybe it's a person that is taking too much of your attention. Whatever it is, please give it up before God so that you can focus on HIM!

In my case, I stopped brining the Lifesavers to church.