Camp Sugar Pine

Both Amara and her sister have been Girl Scouts since Kindergarten and they love all things Girl Scouts. But they especially love cookie season and for Amara, sleep away camp is something she has looked forward to for the past 4 years.  She kills it during Girl Scout Cookie season to help make her way to camp. Last year, Covid shut things down right after cookie season and after all that hard work (1200 boxes sold), she was unable to attend camp due to the global pandemic. It was a huge disappointment. This year the pandemic put a damper on the cookie season but both girls managed to sell well over 1000 boxes combined, with the hopes that maybe camp would open up.  Selling that much put Amara even further along to securing her season at camp and she had her fingers crossed. When we finally found out that camp would be open (with Covid restrictions in place), we all did a happy dance. But the number of attendees would be severely limited for safety reasons. Because of that, I was on-line the first minute registration opened and registered Amara for two weeks at Sugar Pine. This would be the longest she would be away from home and while we'd miss her (she might not miss us!), it would be such a wonderful part of her summer, especially after the past year and half of the global pandemic having rocked all our worlds. 

Being able to go to sleep away camp is a very special opportunity, one where a child can be a kid, have fun without parental influence, a place to make new friends and try new things. In camp, life long lessons and  memories are made. With high school looming after summer, I wanted Amara to have as much fun as possible. Still, we held our breaths, because with the pandemic not quite under control, there was a good chance things could be cancelled. 

Luckily for Amara, and all the other Girl Scouts who were ready to resume summer festivities, camp was a go. The only difference, no transportation. We'd have to drive her ourselves to Arnold. It'd be a long day driving there and back (about 6 hours round trip) but it would also give us the chance to see Sugar Pine in person (and allow me to take photos!)  So off we went on a Sunday morning in early July and left Amara at camp, once she got her lice check and passed the Covid regulations. 

A few days after she arrived however, and on the same day Havana and I were preparing to leave for Maui, we got word that a fire, some hundred miles away, was causing so much smoke at Sugar Pine, they'd have to evacuate.  In a normal year, I'd be in shocked and disappointed. But 2020 and 2021, they were far from normal so it barely fazed me. I mean what else could happen, right?!  The plan was to bring the entire camp all the way back to the Bay Area, to Camp Bothin for a few days, where they could have a few days of camp and then hopefully the smoke would clear and they could return back to Arnold. I dreaded this news for Amara and feared her camp days would end before they started. I called Sugar Pine and asked them to get Amara a message; did she want her dad to get her at Bothin and put her on a plane to Maui (I hope she realizes how lucky she is to even have that option!) or did she want to stick out? Brave, adventurous Amara was ready to stick it out, no matter the outcome.

 During Havana and I's first few days on Maui, I kept close eye on my email for the updates. Two days later, good news came. The girls were going back to Sugar Pine.  As an adult, the idea of three roundtrip drives to Arnold in less than a week seemed exhausting but Amara later told us, "It was a lot of fun. We got to go on a big bus and it went quickly."  Those camp memories I mentioned earlier; well this would be one of them. Full on camp fire evacuation, going to a different camp, trying new things, then going back for almost ten more days of swimming, hiking, archery, water sports, cooking, singing and late nights with new friends; wow, what a summer experience Amara ended up having.

As a life long Montessori kid, Amara planned, organized and packed all her gear for camp with little adult input. (and Mr, Kai, he wanted to go do but sadly, he had to stay home because otherwise, he might be bear food!)

All packed and ready to go!

We finally saw Sugar Pine in person. It was so beautiful amongst the redwoods and other trees.

Amara always gets patched for her archery. She is quite skilled.

Drop off.

Two sisters saying goodbye.

Some of the girls sleep in covered wagons like this. They come with bunkbeds inside.

Lice check! No one wants a lice outbreak at camp, or anywhere!

Don captured photos off pick up day. I was very sad to not see her until we got back from Maui.

One tired but happy camper (who started planning next year on the way home!)

Maui Swap Meet (& more!)

                                       

It is a well known fact in my family (and amongst friends) that I love to check out local food and craft markets. Especially when traveling. There is something special about meeting the locals who grow (or sell) the foods we eat and whose hands create beautiful works of art. Even though I may not often buy, just looking and taking in the creativity, nourishes my heart. I am proud to say that my children now share this as well.

While planning for Maui, I posted on our therapist conference FB page, that the Maui Swap Meet was back up and running (which in my opinion, is the best swap meet on all the Hawaiian islands), after a year and half shut down due to Covid. We'd only been to Maui once prior but we found that the Maui Swap Meet was one not to pass up. I was delighted that it was re-opening prior to our arrival and I was equally thrilled for those whose livelihood depended on markets like this. What makes the Maui swap meet so special is the amount of local artists versus mock Hawaii tchotchkes that are made overseas and passed off as authentic souvenirs (which do have their value!)

I was not sure if we'd make it to the swap meet until after the conference (when we had a rental car.) Luckily for Havana and I, a few other therapists were up for the challenge to get up early on Saturday (like be the car at 630 am challenge!), hit the market and shop and head back to the first seminar at 9 am (and mind you, it was a thirty minute drive from our resort.) One woman Norine kindly offered to drive us all, so off we went. The time in the car, early and us sleepy was alot of fun and when we hit the market, we each  took off on our own to do our thing. Havana and I found some great things but knew we'd have to return the following weekend when we had more time. We all ended up with some sweet finds including some yummy produce. 

During the rest of our time on Maui, Havana and I wandered into a bunch of shops and made some great finds for ourselves as well as others (Hello Kitty Hawaii!!) We did make it back to the swap meet, as did Norine. We both went to town at one particular booth before we headed our own ways again. Part of traveling is to find quaint knickknacks to bring home to share with family and friends as well as to take in that local, creative art I had mentioned earlier. 

One a funny note, I was working on this post last week. Then over this past weekend, our family went up to Apple Hill in the foothills for apples and to check out the crafts at High Hill Farm. There was one vendor that we loved so much in Maui who told us he sells at Apple Farm in the fall.  Low and behold, we ran into him here. I have told the girls repeatedly, if you keep an open mind and heart, you have some interesting and often spontaneous encounters in life. Traveling allows for that to happen even more so.

The photo above this one is of a vendor we met in Maui and then again here in the foothills. Michael Runningbear, he makes powerful and stunning pieces. Or which I know own a couple!

Sun Yet-Sen Park

 

                                                                      

                                                                                                  

When doing some research on things to see on the road back from Hana, this park came into my awareness. It was much smaller than I thought but it was fun stopping to see the moments and learn some  history. Havana, however, was not that interested. We'd been in the car for hours and finally hit cell phone service. The same day we were returning back from Hana, Amara was being picked up at Sugar Pine by her dad. Speaking to those two trumped seeing this interesting park. But that's park of traveling with others; each person can enjoy their own thing independent of each other. I enjoyed this stop and was glad to see the moments. 

Signs from Hawaii

 

                

                                                     

It was a lot of fun capturing photos of the various signs we saw while on Maui. I thought there was something quite artistic about it all. So Havana and I both snapped some photos for this post.

The Road to Hana

                                                       

One of the highlights of our time on Maui was the road to Hana, including an over night in the remote town itself. During the only other time we were on Maui, the girls were too little to make the drive. We'd heard lots about this world famous road trip and I wanted to be able to enjoy it with kids that were old enough to also enjoy it (i.e. not needing frequent bathroom stops when there were none, not wanting to hike or make stops, napping through the good spots, getting bored and picking on one another; you know all the stuff that happens with wee ones!) So while Don and Amara would miss out, Havana and I set early in the morning, with lots of water, snacks and the Shaka app, which would be our guide. 

Despite all the hoopla we'd heard about the road to Hana, nothing could compare to seeing and driving the road firsthand. The non-stop, winding roads, they reminded me of the country roads of Jamaica, which thrilled me to my core. Where most would hesitate (and were, we could tell by their slow, cautious driving), I was amped up with all the twists and turns that hugged rich, lush greenery, with frequent waterfalls just off the side of the road. Driving those roads was as equally exciting as the landscape and natural beauty that surrounded us. 

We made frequent stops to for photo opts at some of those falls, to take in awe-inspiring views of the coastline and we even explored a cave. We hiked up a trail to take swim by swimming hole, fed by a crisp cool waterfall. Baptism by Mother Nature was heavenly. Havana snacked on vegan ice cream at food truck and we purchased local fruits from one of the many local fruit stands that sold by a good faith system. By the time we reached Hana, we were ready for a good meal. The food trucks by the center of the small town were okay. A later supper at a restaurant overlooking the ocean was more relaxed and tasty. Our sweet B&B (Hana Joe's) was the perfect location for a night of rest and recharge. With the windows cracked, the lush breeze helped us to sleep soundly. In the morning, while Havana slept, I went to see the glorious sunrise, praying and giving thanks for the blessing of being present in that sacred place. Back at the B&B, we had tea, bread and cheese, along with some bananas from the property (which they were more than abundant in and very generous in their sharing) before the long road back on the other side of the Hana Highway.

The ride back was remote and at other times, otherworldly.  My good friend Roger told me to expect an almost out of this world experience but his description, while accurate, was not the same as being first hand in such a unusual and special place. The narrow, gravel roads, which reminded me so back of back a yard (Jamaica) but at the same time, it felt like we were at the edge of the planet (and we were literally on the edge of the road, with the ocean below us.)  It truly was a magical experience. 

When we got back in civilization, we were well tired but well nourished, in our hearts, minds, and bodies. I was also deeply grateful that Havana and I made this journey together. Sure, we missed the rest of the family. But with just the two of us, Havana being the navigator the whole time, as well as my encouragement when I felt tired, I felt that it made the whole journey all the more special. Together, we made those memories I had hoped for and those times together, they were priceless.