Changes

"This is not a good spot for a picture. We'll be squinting." I said.

"It's fine," Letty said. "Just don't squint. Open your eyes real wide."

This is my lady friend who I help. We do shopping, errands, gardening and scrabble!

Today we went to the mall and strolled along the "promenade".

* * * * * * *

After a long Southern California summer, the leaves are finally starting to fall. The mornings and evenings are cooler, and a few days ago I noticed the constellation of Orion rising in the east. Mother nature is shifting positions and soon will be comfortably settled again.

There have been changes in our home too. Subtle changes. I can see a patch of blue sky. It's as if the hand of the Lord has peeled off a cloud layer. And life's road is no longer as steep. We're going through a section of level ground, and I'm noticing things along the way. Items I have time to stop and examine.

Like God's promises. I feel a growing desire to KNOW his promises. After going through the storm, I know how important it is to have scripture in your heart.

Another item I'm examining is called "believing prayer". I have often transferred my burdens to the Lord's shoulders through prayer. But then I take them back and still feel weighted down. Now, I try to remind myself, "remember...you PRAYED about that. God's got it in his hands."

These are just 2 examples of many new things that have come into my mind...on this new stretch of the road.

On the subject of writing, I just got an email today from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They need some more stories on the topic of "running" and the deadline is Nov. 29 the Sunday after Thanksgiving. My friend is a runner, so I gave her a call...and it looks like I'm going to try to write up a story. It will be a miracle if I get it done by Nov. 29th. (You'd be amazed at how long it takes me to write a post!)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for at our home.

(Maybe I'll be back at the blog before Thanksgiving.)

Letty is noticing interesting items in the kitchen store—along the promenade.
We sampled seasoned mashed potatoes and pumpkin muffins!

Because of Them...

Photo from War News Radio website
"Soldiers Resting"


I'm thankful for this day.
A day of rest in the middle of the week.
I have rest...because of the young men and women who protect our country.
I have peace, because they are standing in the gap.
I pray for strength, courage and that they will know God, and His Son.

I think of the families who have lost their sons and daughters, and pray for them. It must be hard for them at this time of year...Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I have a friend who is involved in a prayer ministry for Military Chaplains. They need our support, too.

Hidden Places

On our last day on Kauai, Steve and Sheryl took us to...what the locals call...a secret beach.

We bumped down a dirt road for a few miles, and parked.



Then we hiked along a trail.



We found ourselves on top of grass covered cliffs.
"Surfers like to jump in from the cliffs," said Steve, so they don't have to fight their way through the waves.
I hope the dog doesn't fall off the cliff.
It was a hot hike.

Nobody was around...but there were signs of local fishermen.
Mozart is relaxing in a fish net hamock. (You should have seen him try to get out of it.)
A view...as we were walking in.

The coral was sharp, and prevented us from going out very far.
Later in the day, 3 surfers appeared on the cliffs. See the surfboard sticking up? A surfer just jumped in, and his board hit the water like a knife bouncing.
Do you see the three surfers in the water? (above)
As we were hiking out. I stopped on the cliffs to take these pictures.

I wanted to stay here longer and watch them catch waves.
Those waves are much bigger than they look in the picture!

We had a great time! And in the evening Mozart and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and our last day on the island.

The kind man at the next table took our picture. Here it is. (a little blurry)


GOOD-BYE KAUAI!

Well...it's not a dirt bike, but it's fun. Mozart is doing tricks on Steve's moped Hey let me try that.
No shifting! Just turn the handle.

I wish I had one of these on the mainland.

Distractions

You've probably been wondering what happened to the Kauai posts.
Well...I am immersed in a good book.
I actually rarely read...because I'm always so busy running here and there and doing various chores. But oh how fun to be in a good book. I'm finally relaxing at night. (I'm not much of a TV watcher.)

I feel silly telling you what I'm reading. Mainly because you probably have read it years ago. It's the "Left Behind" series. Part of the allure of this experience is looking forward to curling up in the evening and reading until I drop.

Oh...actually I DO watch TV on Thursday and Sunday. My husband I watch 2 shows together. This is a big deal to me, because he is always so busy with his work and I love having this sort of "date" with him. We watch Extreme Home Makeover and Survivor. We get a kick out of some of the personalities on Survivor.

Mozart does like those "cop" and "lawyer" shows at times, but I'm usually doing something else.

I'll be back soon with my "Last Day on Kauai" post. We hiked into a hidden beach.


Some of my favorite photos will be in that post! (But first I have to finish the final chapters of "Tribulation Force!)

Mozart has just informed me "Survivor is on in two minutes."

Talk to you soon!

Where the Road Disappears

I just checked the weather in Kauai today (October 29th) —its 83 degrees with rain. We didn't see much rain on our trip, but the day we drove to the North shore it sprinkled.

As we approached the our destination, the road narrowed, our car slushed through puddles and pot holes. We crossed a couple of one way bridges, then gradually came to a halt.

And there it was. The last beach accessible to humans. Beyond this point one would have to travel by boat, helicopter or a 15 miles foot trail through dense jungles and high precipices.



This map will show you where we were—where the road disappears. (top left)



Beyond this beach are the spectacular cliffs of the Na Pali Coast (pali means cliffs). Jurassic park was filmed here and so was King Kong. It doesn't take much imagination to feel you have stepped back in time to the dawn of civilization.


Ten years ago, when Mozart and I were here with my parents, we sailed along the cliffs in a boat. But today, Mozart and I simply enjoyed the beach.
(for more pictures of the Na Pali Coast click here.)



and the snorkeling.
I'm mesmorized by a bright blue and green Parrot Fish.

After snorkeling, a picnic lunch, and trying to photograph a hen with her chicks
I talked Mozart into something he would never do at home.



I talked him into hiking into the dense jungle and along the forbidden cliffs (just a little ways please) so we could take some pictures.




The trail was quite rocky.
"C'mon Mozart."


Just a little further.


To some great views.


Choose one to click on...and you'll feel like you're there.





Take a moment to look at the beautiful pictures of the Na Pali Coast and enjoy the handiwork of our Creator.

The next post will be about our last day on the island...spent with our Kauai friends...at a secret beach.

On top of the Red Lava

The road carried us through the old sugar cane fields and into the rugged mountains toward Waimea Canyon. As we drove through a clump of trees, we heard a noise that seemed out of place. We slowed the car and listened. Did you see that?



Through the trees we could see a dirt biker streaking in wild abandon across the red soil Kauai-style (no helmet) in his slippers.

We drove a little further...and sure enough...
Things were making sense now.



A lot of sense.



We parked the car and headed through the trees.

Well this was not quite what we expected, but it looked like it might be worth a spin. Too bad we didn't have our bikes.



We finally arrived at Waimea Canyon, but we were unaware of what lay ahead...or should I say below. We stepped out of the car into the cool air. We followed the pathway to the sign (below) then headed up a few rocky steps which opened out to a "balcony" on the top. We walked to the edge and looked over.



There are no words or pictures to describe the beauty. It took our breath away. The vivid colors and untouched landscape—not to mention the immensity of the canyon—made me think of heaven itself.
There is a high risk of these canyons being stuffed with clouds, much to the disappointment of those who make the drive. But today, at this hour, the clouds floated above the canyons and parted slightly allowing sunlight to spill here and there.



To the upper right of the picture (above) you can see people standing on the "balcony" of the lookout.



This canyon, and its red lava beds is 12 miles long. It is said to have been caused by a large earthquake that sent existing streams flowing into a single river, which then carved the canyon. Mark Twain called it, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific."



At the lookout I remember the people around me stood quietly, as if stunned. When they did talk, it was in a whisper. There was a feeling of reverence for this beautiful creation.

Coming up....The day we traveled to the North Shore (to snorkel) and found ourselves lured onto a treacherous trail.

Problems in Paradise

Under the azure skies and swaying coconut palms all is not well. There is an increasing drug problem among the youth. Not just marijuana, but also meth "ice" as they call it. Drugs find their way over on inter-island flights from Honolulu, which in turn come from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Marijuana "grows all over the island" according to the locals.

In the evenings, it is not uncommon to find young and old alike sitting at the beach drinking. It seems that most people, after being on the island for awhile, begin to take on a slower pace and develop an affinity for relaxing in this way.

Speaking of sitting at the beach, we had a nice time barbecuing steaks with some of the locals. Steve is playing some original music he wrote, laced with Hawaiian style praise to his creator. He has a great voice and the music was uniquely beautiful.




There are those who work, and many jobs are outside in the sun and humidity. Mozart and I noticed that our Mahi Mahi burgers, bought at a local food stand, were very salty. "Hawaiian food is known to be salty," says our friend Sheryl. "Most likely it evolved that way because people sweat a lot working in the humidity here."

Another problem is Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood celebration this year. Apparently not everyone is joining the party. Hawaiian sovereignty groups complain that the U.S. government forced the issue. They want to take their islands back. But most people are happy about statehood, saying that Hawaii would have been taken over by Japan or China, if the U.S. hadn't been there.

Back at the barbecue, the sun is slowly sinking.



I walked out toward the water to see the sunset.


Watching the water slap against the black rocks, I thought of Kauai's problems and felt compelled to pray. For the youth...for the churches...for God's touch on this island.



And then someone called out that sea turtles were feeding along the jetty.
Mozart grabbed his camera and managed to capture about 16 photos. This was more difficult than it sounds. One has to wait until the turtle comes up for a breath of air. And when you're standing in pitch darkness, leaning over the water, trying not to fall off the jetty—one can botch a shot. Below are the two that came out.




Coming soon: Road to Waimea Canyon and the dirt bikers...