hawaii living

I thought Arizona had wonderful weather but Hawaii takes the cake. It is truly an "endless summer". It is perpetually 80 degrees and our nights are a comfortable 70. We live in shorts and t-shirts, occassionally we will put on jeans or pants just so they do not collect dust or mold in our closet!!!

We went golfing last weekend at a 9 hole course in a town called Kaleheo which is the hillside town outside of Koloa where we live. It is about 8 miles away. It has incredible views of the mountain and ocean. The course was donated to the county so it is only $8 to play but that is for the entire day, so you can go to the beach and hang out and then come back for a second round later if you want. (a picture is attached with the view from the driving range). Kaleheo has a great steak house with Kauai grown grass fed cattle. Supposed to be better for the cholesterol. We are trying to find a house up in Kaleheo but so far no luck. So we have decided to stay in Koloa for the time being, Roby is only 2 minutes from work and the town is perfect. We have become spoiled.

This past weekend was awesome. It started with Roby's company Christmas party. They held it an historic plantation mansion converted into a restaurant with a great steak and lobster dinner. I of course got two lobsters since I do not eat steak. They had a band and dancing for everyone. The company also gave out gifts to everyone. Most received a $50 gift certificate or cash but Roby won a two night stay at the Hyatt in Poipu which is a $450 value, so we are very psyched to go and stay there.

Saturday we met up with our friends Brian and Julie and we went ocean kayaking out to a secluded beach called Kipu Kai. In fact you can only get there by kayak or boat. It is a great beach because it is a sandy bottom with very little reef near the shore. It is protected so great for snorkeling. some photos are attached. This is the beach where the airplane crashed in the movie "7 days 6 nights" with Harrison Ford and Ann Heche. We also caught an octupus and broght it home and cooked it up and made tako sushi (japanese for octupus).

I am getting good at kayaking so I am going to try and join the Koloa Canoe club. My surfing career is probably over before it starts. Roby is still giving it the old college try but getting hit by the waves is not a lot of fun!!!

Today we went exploring on Roby's worksite on our mountain bikes. There are a lot of cane haul roads that they used to use when they were farming sugar cane, which are now great for mountain biking. You get covered in the red dirt that Kauai is famous for and usually stains everything. (photos attached-so if anyone wants a lot just let us know we can get you the info for purchase!!!) The evening was finished off at the beach watching the sunset, and dinner at home.

I am still working as a guide for the time being but have some other options that should come through by the end of the year. Can you believe the year is almost over. We are so excited to spend New Years with friends in Phoenix.

We will be in touch soon. Write back

patti and roby