Leaving for Paradise

Tomorrow we leave for 2 weeks in Kauai. We were there 12 years ago as a family and loved it. I’m glad we have a reason to go back.

Our long-time neighborhood friends’ daughter is getting married there on Thursday. We probably would have gone to her wedding wherever she decided to have it, but it was really nice of her to pick such a gorgeous destination.

In addition to the wedding, we will be spending 4 hours or so with a naturalist who will give us a quick lesson on the flora and fauna of the island, with an emphasis on the many birds. He was referred to us by my friend Deborah, who was in Kauai just this spring.

We will also take an hour-long helicopter ride with the doors removed. They let us know that we can’t carry anything loose -- nothing in our pockets, cameras only fastened on to our wrist, etc. The temperature will drop significantly, so we need warm clothes.

And of course we will be doing lots of snorkeling, taking in the coral reefs with their myriad of colorful fishes. I will miss my children, who were always my best snorkeling buddies.

I realized a couple of days ago that the tiny carry-on just wasn’t going to do it this time. So I have a rolling duffle filled with all the things I need for this 2-week adventure. If for some reason it doesn’t make it, I will be in serious trouble.

We’re staying in a friend’s condo with the couple who accompanied us to France and Italy. We travel well together, so it will be an easy time of living away from home. I purchased a beautiful 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle entitled Kauai Moonrise based on a painting by Al Hogue (below). In the event of rain, we will still have plenty to do.