Well guess who found themselves in Maui…?

The best father in the world happened to have a very important birthday in the middle of November, so as a celebration we all flew out to the little rock next to the big rock to thaw out in some tropical waters for a few days.

It was a magical trip with some of the most hilarious and loving people in my life.

With some much needed swimming in the Big Blue, snorkeling with the fishes, hammocking, mai tai drinking and pupu eating, sunset and sunrise watching, Molokini Cratering and glowing bocce ball playing, we definitely made the most of our days away from the mainland. 

What a special treat.

Aloha nui loa,

M.

"Live every week like it's shark week." - unknown

(side note: we did see a tiger shark while we were on our way out to SNORKEL around Molokini Crater...ftw)

Look who I found floating in the abyss....

And who set up his own hammock with the million dollar view

We decided to rent some mountain bikes and head down the backside of Haleakala just the pair of us...the full-face helmets seemed a little excessive....although it was like biking on the moon minus the whole lack of gravity part....there was plenty of that. 

Look closely...this is the full moon setting with the SHADOW of Haleakala sitting underneath it 

(this is not a cloud)  this is a rare happening apparently

It felt like dinosaurs should be walking around the crater

Sunrise on a mountain top...check! (note Mauna Kea on the Big Island on the right side of the picture)

We were a little cold and ill-equipped for a mountain top morning, but still happy!!!

One of the most beautiful paintings I've seen in Hawaii- all the best colors.

The dinner crew! 

Our first sunset in Maui with Kaho'olawe (pronouced ka-ho-o-lav-eh) and the Molokini Crater in the foreground.

Nik befriended all the sea turtles...naturally.

Our last sunset on island with my new friends Jason and Moose swimming out to sea.

Back Back to Cali Cali

Long overdue, but a lot has been happening….

Here’s some facts about our trip:

We spent a total of 39 days on the road.

Approximately 3,951 miles driven from door-to-door (Murphys, CA being our starting and ending point)

We averaged 24.4 miles per gallon (yes we kept track)

We listened to every playlist I have on my iPod, including my workout mixes- poor guy…

Neither one of us ditched one another in an abandoned, one-horse-town in Nevada out of annoyance, nor considered it…I don’t think…

We spent about 3 ½ of those 5 ½ weeks sleeping in the truck (and no it was not uncomfortable, nor did we freeze to death) (we did wake up to snow and frozen windows a couple of times though)

We visited 5 National Parks despite the government shut down in the middle of our trip (Zion, Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde and Arches).

I only made Nik get up once to chase away a critter in the middle of the night who had found our food bin and thought he was clever enough to open it- Rocky Raccoon in Moab.

We only had to repair one bike, once, thankfully- my rear shock blew out in Moab and was repaired in Boulder at Dirt Labs which I highly recommend.

We paid for showers twice otherwise we charmed people into letting us into their homes to use their showers or were living in the condo in Breckenridge.  We stayed very clean thank you very much.

We drank local beers most of the trip.

No flash floods. Y-E-S.

No injuries except my pride at trying to bike at altitude.

No bears.

I finished one book on the trip.

We discovered a cast iron is an awesome piece of gear to take car camping and suggest it to all.

Sometimes you have to flop around like a fish to stay warm.

There is always time for champagne.

You can never take too many pictures.

Beaver, Utah does exist.

Speaking of, we finally saw beavers building a dam outside our window in Breckenridge

No moose…meese….mooses….moose-i to speak of.

I know now the plural is moose.

You’re welcome.

We learned if I do not eat for hours at a time, other than when I am sleeping, I turn into the Grinch and all I want to do is steal Christmas from everyone.  Hanger is a real thing.

My favorite chai was in Moab.

It’s best if you always have the following handy: chapstick, flip flops, headlamps, puffy jackets, spare keys and sippy top water bottles.  Life is easier that way.  Trust us.

Prepare yourself for Halloween no matter where you are, you never know what can happen.

When in doubt, bike it out, you’ll feel better.  J

All in all, what an incredible trip to places just a few hours east of here… ok, more than a few, but you get what I’m saying.

The adventures continue in Santa Cruz for a while longer and then who knows what will be next.

Until next time,

M.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”- Ernest Hemingway

Please Note: Pictures should be viewed from bottom to top....upload error....

just outside of Moab- Nik sacrificed a lot to get this photo as it was raining on us and freezing.

Arches National Park- Ham Rock or Balancing Rock....one of those

The infamous Delicate Arch

The landscape through Nik's glasses

Indian Creek- where we woke up

Mesa Verde National Park

BEAVER in Breckenridge!!!!!!!