Aloha... HI from Kauai!!!
I am now here in Kauai, Hawaii and have been for 3 weeks today. Life here is unbelievable. Everything that you think Hawaii is... IS! I can't even begin to tell you what it is like. If I told those of you that do know me and tried to explain it, you'd think I was on some kind of drug. There are more shades of lush greens then I have ever seen, the earth is such a deep rich color, the beaches... WOW! I have been camping for a majority of the time and have met some great new family. Every wish or question you have is answered. And when they are answered, you are blown away and are constantly pinching yourself wondering how and why they are being answered and how you of all people in the word, why is it happening to you! Funny thing is, it doesn't just happen to you!
My journey to getting here all started in Skagway, AK of all places. My friend Dylan and I were talking one night at the campground, I am sure it was after a game of cribbage, and he was asking what I was doing this winter. I told him I was unsure and I didn't even know what I was doing tomorrow! He told me of this magical place in Hawaii where you could hike in 11 miles and stay out in a heavenly paradise hiking into town when you needed to replenish your food supply. A place where there were endless waterfalls, succulent fresh fruits that beg for you to pick them, feral goats and chickens that climb trees. Rainbows that are never ending, whales that breach right off the shore, sea turtles that will swim on by and say hello while you are out snorkeling, fish that come in every shape, size and color. Colors that you didn't even know existed! Well, let's just say, the seed of the idea was planted in my head. We only spoke of it once... and that's all that it took!
My mother passed in 2006 and I had planned on moving from good ole po-dunk Maine to live with my oldest sister in Hawaii in 2005. I bought my one way ticket and was ready to go! I had big plans of spending my 24 birthday in Hawaii, why not right? Well, Mum got sick and I cancelled my flight. She, my mother, thought that wasn't very smart of me and thought it would be good for me to go and get out of my small town. Long story short, I'm glad I stayed. She ended up passing in January after her third fight with breast cancer. So here I am, 7-8 years later with my one way ticket. That seed that was planted has sprouted and my life in between, well, it's amazing!
Now I am going to hike to Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast of Kauai. I leave tomorrow with Dylan and my friend Anna. I met Anna the first night (3 weeks ago) at the hostel. She is from Cornwall, England and we are the same age, have a similar upbringing and became instant friends when we met.
I would love to share photos with you all, but all I have is a backpack. No computer... which is huge for me! I will tell you right now, I have never truly gone backpacking. I have already learned so much and sent a couple packages home with items I didn't need. Now, Anna and I are staying at our friend Katherine's home. She met us on the beach in Polihale (a magical, magical spot). We went there with a family that we met from British Colombia. Teresa, Ricky and their beautiful daughter, Ashlyha. Ashlyha is truly a magical child. Kathy invited us into her home with love and care. She has allowed us the use of one of her cars and has not only given us a wonderful place to stay that is safe and warm, but has given us a wonderful opportunity to expand our options for work. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 and wasn't going to let that stop her. She is a firecracker and a damn hard worker! Her heart is that of an angel. I am unable to put into words the gratitude that I have towards her... and her dog Zoe that I LOVE! (Anna is good with kids, give me the critters!)
I want to write more, but I must get my rest for this glorious journey that the three of us are about to embark on... Ohhhh.... and the photos that I am going to take!!!!!!!! Love to you all and can't wait to share my photos, when I get back to Maine- Whenever that will be. Aloha!
My journey to getting here all started in Skagway, AK of all places. My friend Dylan and I were talking one night at the campground, I am sure it was after a game of cribbage, and he was asking what I was doing this winter. I told him I was unsure and I didn't even know what I was doing tomorrow! He told me of this magical place in Hawaii where you could hike in 11 miles and stay out in a heavenly paradise hiking into town when you needed to replenish your food supply. A place where there were endless waterfalls, succulent fresh fruits that beg for you to pick them, feral goats and chickens that climb trees. Rainbows that are never ending, whales that breach right off the shore, sea turtles that will swim on by and say hello while you are out snorkeling, fish that come in every shape, size and color. Colors that you didn't even know existed! Well, let's just say, the seed of the idea was planted in my head. We only spoke of it once... and that's all that it took!
My mother passed in 2006 and I had planned on moving from good ole po-dunk Maine to live with my oldest sister in Hawaii in 2005. I bought my one way ticket and was ready to go! I had big plans of spending my 24 birthday in Hawaii, why not right? Well, Mum got sick and I cancelled my flight. She, my mother, thought that wasn't very smart of me and thought it would be good for me to go and get out of my small town. Long story short, I'm glad I stayed. She ended up passing in January after her third fight with breast cancer. So here I am, 7-8 years later with my one way ticket. That seed that was planted has sprouted and my life in between, well, it's amazing!
Now I am going to hike to Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast of Kauai. I leave tomorrow with Dylan and my friend Anna. I met Anna the first night (3 weeks ago) at the hostel. She is from Cornwall, England and we are the same age, have a similar upbringing and became instant friends when we met.
I would love to share photos with you all, but all I have is a backpack. No computer... which is huge for me! I will tell you right now, I have never truly gone backpacking. I have already learned so much and sent a couple packages home with items I didn't need. Now, Anna and I are staying at our friend Katherine's home. She met us on the beach in Polihale (a magical, magical spot). We went there with a family that we met from British Colombia. Teresa, Ricky and their beautiful daughter, Ashlyha. Ashlyha is truly a magical child. Kathy invited us into her home with love and care. She has allowed us the use of one of her cars and has not only given us a wonderful place to stay that is safe and warm, but has given us a wonderful opportunity to expand our options for work. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 and wasn't going to let that stop her. She is a firecracker and a damn hard worker! Her heart is that of an angel. I am unable to put into words the gratitude that I have towards her... and her dog Zoe that I LOVE! (Anna is good with kids, give me the critters!)
I want to write more, but I must get my rest for this glorious journey that the three of us are about to embark on... Ohhhh.... and the photos that I am going to take!!!!!!!! Love to you all and can't wait to share my photos, when I get back to Maine- Whenever that will be. Aloha!
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