Feels like home

I discovered a nature park not far from our house yesterday that transported me right back to my childhood. Much like our back yard growing up, there is a slough, ponds, trails, wood ducks, blue heron, huge trees, logs and creeks. There is a big deck and a high bridge which both give excellent exploration opportunities. Stairs off the trail lead to secret tree forts and low hanging branches create natural tents under trees. Canoeing was a big part of our daily routine growing up, so it's thrilling to know you can canoe on this slough as well.

Aiden was immediately drawn to the big tree he could climb into. I enjoy knowing the bigger he gets the higher he will be able to climb it.

Aiden found the ducks and herons in the slough awe-inspiring.  He was fascinated to find 'birds' at eye-level floating in water instead of hiding high up in trees.

The boy loves dirt and there was no shortage of that.

Truly enjoying the adventure.

I've always had reservations about raising Aiden in 'the city' when my experience with being a kid was in the country. I felt he would be missing out without 'nature' in his backyard--something going to the playground couldn't fulfill. I can rest a little easier knowing the nature park is just a short drive away and that Aiden can have frequent access to the things I remember so fondly from my childhood. The park is sure to be a big part of our life. I can't wait to go back and create more memories! 

Gardening is...

...removing those handy plant markers.

...playing with tomato stakes.

...taking out the yucky weed trash.

...eating dirt.

Good times with Nana and Cousin Alex!

Puddles: The New Obsession

Escape Artist

Just found Aiden trying to escape. He pushed a side table over to the door, climbed up on top of it and tried to unlock the door. 

Watching the Storm Roll In

A big storm is rolling in and the thunder certainly got Aiden's attention!

To the park!

Cousins: Quincy, Aiden, Naomi & Lawson

Sunday Silly Time

Aiden's newest gesture--putting his hand over his mouth when he giggles.

There is never a shortage of big, hands-free laughs. :)

Back to Reality

The worst part about taking a vacation is the day it's over and you're back at the normal routine. The skies are dreary, the ground wet and there are no beaches in sight. *sigh*

Between catching up on laundry and cleaning the house this afternoon, I looked outside to see the sun peaking out from behind the clouds. A much welcome surprise! Aiden and I bundled up and hurried down to the playground for a stolen moment in the sun. After exhausting the swings, riding all four seesaws and splashing through every puddle in sight, we turned around to head home. This is what we saw:

 
The only full rainbow I have ever seen in Portland. Perhaps a little reminder from our city that it is still beautiful in it's own way.

Polihale State Beach

We drove to the very end of Hwy 50 on the East side and then off-roaded it for 5 additional miles over rocks, potholes and sand. We finally arrived at Polihale State Beach.

Looking North you see the beautiful Na'Pali coast. Local lore says these cliffs are the jumping off point for souls leaving the island. You never want to take a rock or shell from this beach because you just might bring a soul who had yet to jump home with you.

By the end of the day Aiden was sun-kissed and sand-kissed.

On our way back to the hotel, sad knowing we would be leaving the island the net day, Kauai gave us a beautiful good-bye. David captured it through the car window:

Botanical Gardens

One of my top priorities while on Kauai was to check out the Botanical Garden. Even though it was Winter and very few flowers were in bloom, the gardens were well worth the visit.

I feel in love with the variety of tree in the photo below--and if you look closely you can find me!

 
As far as tropical flowers go, orchids are my favorite. And this is by far my favorite shot of the day:

Here are some other beautiful flowers:

There was a huge, twisted vine so large it created walls, caves and tunnels. Amazing!

At the end of the garden tour was the most striking tree I have ever seen--it's bark is multi-colored and peels off in layers to reveal the colors. Simply. Stunning.

Waimea Canyon

Today we took a drive through the spectacular Waimea Canyon.

The road ends where Waimea Canyon meets the Pacific. This landscape is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Hideaways Beach

On our way to the beach this morning, we passed the taro fields and stopped to capure their simple beauty. Taro is a perennial, tropical plant primarily grown as a root vegetable for its edible starchy corm, and as a leaf vegetable--toxic until you cook it.



We then headed to Hideaways beach which was a steep 10 minute walk down the cliff.



Aiden has become a total beach baby--loving the sand and seeking out the water (quite a shift from the beginning of the trip).

Late in the afternoon we got a surprise visitor. A giant sea turtle made his way up onto the beach to warm in the sun.

Kalaula Trail and Hanakapi'ai Falls

We hiked as much today as we had in the entire trip so far. We did a total of 8 miles (with 2400+ feet of vertical ascent/descent) that was a healthy mix of steep ups, steep downs, rocky sections, slick sections and river crossings. Aiden was packed by Dave for 5 of the miles and carried by Kelly for 3 of the miles. It was an exhausting, but thoroughly enjoyable day and well worth the effort for the beautiful sights!



The first 2 miles of trail were along the Na'Pali coastline. The vistas were unrivaled and the water was so blue it looked fake.

 

The second two miles of the trail turned inland and followed a river. After 4 major riving crossings (3 of which involved removing shoes) and a serious scramble up a rocky cliff we arrived at Hanakapi'ai Falls. A beautiful 300 foot waterfall of which no photo does justice.

Tunnels Beach