BANYAN TREE

I was thinking this morning as Hudson and I strolled along Front Street that so much has happened since we have been here.  Significant growth with Hudson... new routines, new rituals.... a new appreciation for a slower pace and learning to use the Shaka (a friendly sign used as a greeting).

I have to admit that this is the only place that I have taken naps when Hudson sleeps without feeling guilty knowing there is so much else I should be doing... exercising, laundry, cleaning..... work. There is a beauty in this that I am really hoping to take home and keep in my daily life! 

As we walked by a lovely church service with open walls and beautiful hymns being sung it dawned on me how free it feels here.  Somehow you feel closer to the earth here.... 

The Banyan Trees at dusk are magical!   Listening to hundreds of birds chirping in the trees it is a distinct, unique music that you will here no where else!  These are the things that you take home with you from Maui!  I love these trees and the peace you feel walking under the sheath of branches, pretty special!



Well off to take a little snooze!  ALOHA for now! Lisa

HALLOWEEN KEIKI PARADE

The Wynn's had such a fun Halloween this year! Lahaina has a Keiki ( children) parade and closes down Front Street for the event and festivities! It is a BIG deal here!  The costumes were elaborate and fun, everyone really got into it!  The kids costumes were so creative, late night the costume got a little more risqué.  The onlookers lined the side of the street to watch all of the kiddos and parents walk on by!  Lots of photos being snapped, smiles and hands in the air waving - it was loud, chaotic and FUN!

 Hudson was a Tree Frog and daddy was the tree:)   It was a hot afternoon so for most of it he just wore his hat and booties.  We went with some friends that we made on the beach the week before, they have Austin 3 years old, and Tony who is 5.  Hudson loved having all of the kids around him and was in awe of the costumes!  His favorites were Dinosaur Train mama and baby and of course Elmo. We all marched in the parade and then froggie and his tree went up on stage for the costume contest!

We had a beautiful sunset and enjoyed the weather & trade winds of the evening!  Really , really cool to be a part of this!  What a special Halloween in Maui - we will always remember!

As we get closer to ending our trip, only 5 days left, I already know I will miss this place dearly!

ALOHA!  LISA

EVACUATION

True Island Experience!!

Another experience to share! We were evacuated last night due to a

Tsunami warning from the 7.7 earthquake in Alaska.  We heard about the watch at 7:00 pm and by 8:00  the sirens were going off and police cars were brocasting the evacuation!  A first for the Wynn's!  Hudson was fast asleep and we had to wake him as we packed and prepared to leave - gosh what do you really need - whoa!

We left the house with Donna and Nani, Donna the pet sitter and Nani our Golden Retriever neighbor. Talk about a bonding night!  We got in our rental car and drove and drove up the mountain!  Wade found a spot that faced the ocean... .too dark to see the waves but like we said we could see if the lights went off in town. 

We waited & waited and waited!  Hudson slept peacefully in the car thank goodness as we waited for the unknown!  All of the Hawaiin islands were under this warning so no way we could ignore!  You never know with Mother Nature! 

 We met some great people as we hung out, many who were staying at resorts and had to walk up some serious inclines to get to safety!  Some houses were even having "Tsumani parties" and living it up  - wow good spirits all around! 

After 3 hours of waiting we decided to head back , we stll didnt have the clear but knew that the waves were not too terribly dangerous.  Captain Safety 

(Wade) was not 100% on this decision but thankfully it worked out ok.  Wade stayed up til the news called everything safe... yay !!!  

So all is well but had to share yet another crazy island experience since we have been in Maui! 

ALOHA, LISA

MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN!!!

On Friday we took the incredible journey of driving up endless switchbacks on our climb to scale the steep slopes of Haleakala!  We were so lucky to have a clear, gorgeous day that offered outstanding views of Maui and the valleys below! We started at 500 ft elevation and ended up at 9740 ft!  The dramatic altitude change almost took your breath away, it was pretty darn amazing!

Haleakala which now is mostly referred to here as "the crater", is an extinct volcanic crater.  It is different from the volcanic craters on the Big Island in that it is an erosion crater that was partially filled with lava and gravel from the crumbling sides.  Looking down into this desolate crater was simply wondrous... what a site!  All I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!!

Little Hudson was having trouble with his ears during the ascent along with nursing his newly arrived molars so we had a short visit at the summit. However we were able to get some great photos an enjoy this almost spiritual experience!

As we drove up and down we saw people taking the bike tour down.... which looked extremely intense and some other insane folks climbing mountain!  They were pedaling so hard they were almost at a stand still... whoa!  After the Jack and Back we have a new appreciation for challenging hills.....this one was just nuts!

At the bottom we ate lunch at the charming Kula Lodge that had a garden was heavenly.......I was so happy here you could smell the Plumeria and ginger... awe my kinda place!

We ended the day at a place called "Surfing Goat Dairy", how much fun we had here too!  We took a little tour and Hudson got to feed some young lady goats who were anxious for some hay!  What an operation this was such a neat place, everyone was so nice and the property lovely!  We even had a tasting at the end which was absolutely delicious!  I am a goat cheese freak for life now, I liked it before but even more now!   baaah baaah

After a long 8 hour excursion we were happily pooped out! Another day in paradise :)

ALOHA,

Lisa

SHARK PIT

SUNSETS. TURTLES. YOGA. 

My random topics for today! 
First I have to tell you about an amazing site we saw on the beach!
I should start by telling you that the beach walking distance from the guest house is called "Shark Pit".... yea sounds scary and yes there are sharks but it really is a cool baby beach with little waves and cool low tides.  No Hudson is not out surfing yet so no worries Grannie and Nana :)
 Anyhoo....the reason I mentioned this fact is that a Green Sea Turtle was killed by a shark and pulled to Shark Pit shore by a paddle surfer. Wade happened to be down there right soon after he was pulled out, peanut and I soon followed. 
It was so sad but at the same time really neat to be able to witness a glimpse of ocean life.   This turtle weighed about 200 lbs and the locals told us he was about 70 years old.  They knew this guy because he was missing a flipper and had stayed in this area for a very long time! The shark that bit him took a huge chunk out of his back and shell..... a big mouth.... oh a very big shark - yikes!    Poor Honu :(

As for sunsets....so we took our nightly stroll down to watch the sunset Sunday evening and found people, babies and dogs everywhere!  We had no idea that the social scene on Sunday was so hip!  We met several of our neighbors which was so cool!  We are now starting to recognize people in our area. There are many little ones that Hudson can play with and we have introduced him to some cool kids!  One little dude Jackson learned to swim in the ocean ( holding his breath under water and everything) before he learned to walk!  Surf's up man that's what I am talking about!  HA HA  
 Today I decided to get out take a yoga class. I have been having the MS "stiff, icky legs" thing for about a week so I knew this would do the trick!  I was right the class rocked and challenged me in good ways!  Very different than I have done in the past, the teacher rocked and the room was open to outside with fans blowing and the wind in our hair!  A very "Maui" like yoga experience!
So anyway the part I had to share was after the class, a lady offered to do a free session of " Sound Healing".  Yea I know what the heck is that??  Well I had time so I said me, me! Hard to explain to you what really went down but apparently I had my energy cleared by a series of sounds that ranged from .....hummm maybe a Howler Monkey, opra singer, to a shrieking cat.   Does that conjure up any images for you?? This lady was crazy....she says she is only one who does this? Really well wouldn't she need to learn it from someone somewhere?  Interesting!  Well its no matter cuz I feel really awesome this afternoon!  Whatever works huh!  Will never forget this experience that's for certain! LOL

Ok well enough on this lovely day!  See ya tomorrow!

ALOHA Lisa

HALLELUJAH!

It is 1:00 pm I am sitting on the beach enjoying the quiet murmer of the small waves crashing on the sand.  The wind is blowing the palm trees and the boats and paddle surfers are off in the distance. 
 Boy could I get used to this, what awesome "Lisa time" that I am savoring!

Three words to share today ..... Health. Relaxation. Inspiration. 

On the health note I am so happy to report that Hudson is fever free, rashes almost gone, IV bruising fading and most of all his spirit is back and the smile in his eyes is shining bright! 
 Hallelujah, yippee, whoo hoo, AMEN!
I cannot explain how grateful and thankful we are.  Thankfully our little guy will not remember this chaotic time of sickness... wish I could forget - ugh!
So on to our adventure here in Maui with this behind us!

Relaxation is the name of the game here in Maui.  It is so amazing to see the difference from the rat race in other places.  No one is in a hurry ..... unless they are trying to get their surf boards out to catch a wave!!!  Everyone rides beach cruisers, skateboards, or walks all over town.  The other day Hudson and I were taking our morning walk and we went by the elementary school and saw a mom drive by in a VW Bus white with flowers on it.  All the windows were down and the kids were singing in the back...... mama in a bathing suit, everybody chill!  HOW COOL IS THAT!  I even had a crazy thought- thats how I want to live!!!  I told Wade and he laughed - REALLY???
I have to share with you that since we have been here I have not wore makeup!  Ok for some of you that isn't a big deal at all, but those that know me know I rarely go without.  It has been 11 DAYS... WHOA!   I can't remember the last time I washed my hair, it goes up in a pony everyday.   Guess I had better watch out I could end up heading back to Tennessee with dread locks - HAHA!
So zero time primping around here - how refreshing! 

It made my heart happy when Wade told me the other day that he has fallen into the "Maui groove" .....there really is such a thing! To see him chill out after all of the stress with the job transition really was a goal.... looks like we hit it!  YAY!  Wade continues to job hunt each day, a few things have surfaced in Nashville so we are hopeful!  But until something happens NO WORRIES!

We started a new ritual of being on the beach each evening for sunset.  The serenity and beauty rocks me every single time!  There is something different here -  a kind of magic as you watch the sun dip down behind the island of Lana'i.  I keep reminding myself we get to see this for another 17 days!  This trip has already given me a taste of perspective that reaches new places....  for that I feel amazingly blessed on this day.

ALOHA!

Lisa
  

LIFE HAPPENS.... EVEN IN MAUI!

Well it has been a whirlwind few days!  Between some annoying things like our rental car getting a nail in the tire and me having a dead IPhone after a drink mishap .... much more serious things came into the picture with Hudson!

Day #5 we noticed that Hudson was very irritable and saw that a bottom molar had popped up.  We figured his fussiness and low grade fever was due to teething... we were wrong!
Within a 24 hour period we had been to an urgent care clinic and spent 6 hours in the ER!  Next thing we know Hudson is getting an IV for fluids and blood work, chest xray and  a urine analysis. This is how we spent his 17 month old birthday.... the scariest day we have had since he was born! 

I believe I aged a few years on this day...... for sure shed many tears. Whoa my first experience and hopefully the last seeing my baby be held down to get an IV while laying listlessly in a hospital bed.  It was simply awful. 

Thank the good Lord the ER doctor came back and said his tests were normal but he was very dehydrated from his fever that spiked up and down to 103 for 2 days. He believes the fever was due to an ear/throat infection that the urgent care didn't catch, the other physician thought he had Fifths Disease a viral infection.  So not exactly sure still but after a round of IV antibiotics and fluids Hudson limped along yesterday not himself, today he is improving. 

Life had been on hold since Monday.....  I cant even express how grateful I am that my baby is on the mend and smiling.   I have never felt this terrified and again I am reminded of how precious my baby boy is.......how precious life is!  Nothing else matters, not a phone , a car, where you live.... 

I plan to be writing much more positive and happy experiences very soon!

Aloha!
Lisa

MAUI REALLY?

Our spur of the moment decision is finally real and happening....holy cow are we really in Maui?  Did we really escape real life and end up here in this paradise?

How did we get here? Well it went something like this...Wade gets laid off after twelve years in corporate America..... over wine one evening we discuss getting away.....what if we moved to Maui for a year over?  A long visit?  Two weeks later we are here -me, Wade and sixteen month old Hudson. 

Have we lost our minds?  Is this a smart thing to do, especially with no job and a baby??

Whatever it is...it feels RIGHT like we were meant to have this experience all along!

Spontaneous, liberating one of these crazy once in a lifetime opportunities             !

So here we are after a grueling day of travel....about to settle in for 28 days!

Let the adventure BEGIN!

Aloha,

Lisa