Kauai trip

I took a very quick trip to Kauai to visit family a couple of weeks ago.  I hadn’t been since I was a little kid and it was really nice to visit again, even with the crazy intense heat and humidity from the hurricanes.  Kauai is small but beautiful.

One day we drove to Hanalei, over on the north shore.  On the way, we saw the Kilauea Lighthouse, which was unfortunately closed but we could still see it.

And we were treated with seeing actual nene, the Hawaiian goose, which almost went extinct.  I’ve been to Hawaii many times and don’t remember ever seeing one before.

As you go down into the Hanalei Valley, there are beautiful lookout areas

This is the famed Hanalei Valley Lookout, but I actually thought the one above, which was right across the street, had prettier views

There was a mama and baby chicken wandering around

I think the mountain in the middle that’s under the clouds is Mount Waialeale (why-ah-lay-ah-lay), one of the rainiest places on earth, but don’t quote me on that

Right before you get to Hanalei, you cross a one lane bridge, but everyone is polite and takes their turn

It may not seem very Hawaiian, but this is the beautiful Wai’oli Hui’ia church, built in 1834 in the American Gothic style.  It offers services in English and Hawaiian.

It was raining in Hanalei so I didn’t get many other pictures there.

Back in Kapaa on the east side of the island, we saw the Opaeka’a Falls.  My family has to pass by these waterfalls all the time.  What a hard life, right?!

I forgot how many chickens there are wandering all over Hawaii.  They were everywhere! This is the beach near our hotelMore pictures coming soon!

Santa Cruz day trip

I went down to Santa Cruz with a friend for a very long, but fun day.  I hadn’t been to Santa Cruz in many years and it was great to get back.

First, we hit Natural Bridges State Beach.  Gorgeous!!

I saw this bird walking around the tide pools

  I thought this stone (sandstone?) was pretty Then we headed down West Cliff Drive         At the end was Lighthouse Field State Beach, with a charming lighthouse, of course

The lighthouse now holds the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

After lunch, we relaxed at the Tea House Spa.  It was lovely to just sit in a hot tub for an hour, although I admit it was way hotter than I expected it to be!  The room looked out over a little backyard area.

After all of this relaxation, we needed some caffeine!  Luckily, there was a great cafe across the street.  Then we shopped around downtown, including the fantastic Bookshop Santa Cruz.  I couldn’t resist picking up a couple of books.  After, we had dinner at 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, which was really cute.  It felt like being in someone’s house because there were couches and cozy chairs everywhere.

It was such a beautiful and restful day.  I hope I get the chance to visit there again soon because there was so much more I wanted to see!

Monterey Day 2

Well, we only stayed in Monterey overnight, but I wanted to explore the area a bit since I rarely go down there.  After breakfast with all the aunts and uncles, we headed our separate ways.

My parents and I went over to Carmel, while the auntie went outlet shopping and the uncles went to watch golf. Too funny.  Carmel is adorable, with little cottages.  The downtown area has little nooks and crannies and is a nice mix of stores, from art galleries to gift shops to luxury clothing.

A candy shop

A tea shop, where I picked up some Wendy Addison things

The Anthropologie store

I thought their library was pretty
Then we headed over to Pacific Grove to wander around.  Pacific Grove is also nice, but in a very different way.  The downtown was smaller and more "real" – no Coach or Bottega Veneta, but the kind of stores I could actually afford to go into! 

There were some pretty old houses around.  This one is now a B&B called Gosby House Inn

Deer on the golf course

The Point Pinos Lighthouse

Near the tidepools

Then over to Asilomar Conference area, designed by Julia Morgan.  It's huge, so I just walked over to the two buildings nearest where we parked.  This is Merrill Hall, the last building in the complex built by Morgan.

The side of the hall

And this is the Hearst Social Hall


I really want to stay here sometime!  I didn't know until this weekend that anyone can stay.  It's a mix of cute cottages and lodges.

It's probably lame to admit, but it was a bit hard to go to Monterey since the last time I went was last fall with a certain someone I was dating and it was such a happy experience.  But, it was still a beautiful weekend.  And for just about the first time this summer, I saw the sun!  This summer has been way colder and foggier than usual here in San Francisco and although I don't love hot temps, it was nice to be able to walk around in the warm, sunny weather. 

Maine

This was my first visit to Maine and it did not disappoint!  Coming from the mountains through Quebec down to the coast, everything was gorgeous.  Lakes, rivers, the Atlantic, lighthouses, wild animals and lots of blueberries….

I had read that the first 15 miles or so from the Maine/Canada border were for good moose spotting, and I was determined to see a moose after not having seen any the last time I was in New England.  I stared hard out the window, trying to see through the trees, when suddenly there was a clearing and I spotted a female moose!  I yelled "Moose"!  And my dad hit the brakes and reversed (don't worry, no one was behind us, this was a one lane road in Maine!).  After taking some pictures, a second female moose came out from the trees!  Both just stood there staring at me.  I was so excited the entire day. I gave myself motion sickness, but it was totally worth it.

The gorgeous Kennebec River

And a little waterfall into the ocean in Camden.  Camden is so beautiful.  We stayed at the Camden River House Inn and I recommend it.  Nice staff, good room, right by the downtown area and water.   It didn't feel touristy or tacky, unlike some of the other seaside towns.

The Curtis Island Lighthouse in Camden.  It was pouring rain when I took this.
Attempting to find the Rockport Lighthouse (never found it).  Still raining….

Marshall Point Lighthouse.  The keeper's house is now a museum (and bigger than the lighthouse!)

The Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth.  I think this is the most visited lighthouse in the state. 



Next was Kennebunkport, famous for the Bush family's summer house.  It was a cute little town, and it had finally stopped raining!  It was a little touristy, but didn't feel like it.

Next was Perkins Cove in Ogunquit.  We stopped here for lunch.  It's basically a small area with a few restaurants and shops and this tiny harbor.

A lighthouse in Kittery

So gorgeous, and great food everywhere.  I had the best homemade wild blueberry pie at a tiny diner in the middle of nowhere , and an amazing dinner at Vignola Cinque Terre in Portland.  Portland seemed like a cool city and I really hope I can go back and vist. Maine is definitely one of the most beautiful states that I have visited.