The Nelson Narrative

Several years ago, I came up with a bucket list of places I want to take the girls before they graduate from high school.  We only have one more summer left to check these places off as 2026 is their graduation year and I thought we would all be going on a big trip to Greece or somewhere in Europe, but I think they will probably just do individual trips with a group of friends. At the time (probably 6 or 7 years ago) this was my bucket list: Yellowstone National Park Bryce Canyon Zion NP Mt. Rushmore Disney World (already been to Disneyland a few times) Grand Canyon Canada, particularly Vancouver, B.C. Washington, DC NYC Hawaii and Mexico would be on there but we had already been when I created this list. And now, as of January 2025, here is what we have checked off: Yellowstone National Park (we are going this summer!) Bryce Canyon Zion NP Mt. Rushmore Disney World (already been to Disneyland a few times) Grand Canyon (only the North Rim, though, not quite the same but still cou...

I should have just tacked this on to the end of my last post, but didn't think about it until later.  I left Kauai on Day 6, whereas my two travel companions stayed two more days. We slept in pretty late (9:00) and then took a walk on the beach/path in front of our hotel.  Then we went to the Coconut Marketplace to grab a quick breakfast and then it was time for them to take me to the airport. I think I posted this one already--the view from our room That's it for my Kauai trip.  It was really fun and such a great way to start the new year!

Day 5 was my final full day, but my friends stayed two more days.  We were supposed to go on a sunset sail along the Napali Coast, but due to weather conditions they had to change course and go to the Kipu Kai Coast instead.  I had already seen the Napali Coast last April when I was there with my family, but for the other two who really wanted to see it, it was a bit of a bummer, but luckily they still had a great time and were really glad they still went (we had the option to cancel and get a refund). Not a great photo but I like the boat right under the sun After the boat cruise, we went back to our room and watched the Golden Globes, and there were so many shows and actors that I have never heard of.  Sigh... Oh, and in the morning before the cruise, I got a little pool time for the first and only time the whole trip.  Unfortunately, however, I never actually got IN the pool because it was SO cold, but I did get to lounge by it and read for a bit, so that was nice...

Day 4 was awesome.  We went up to Waimea Canyon and did another, more challenging hike.  We hiked the Canyon Trail and at some point there was supposed to be another trail that went to a waterfall, but we kept hearing that it wasn't much, and the view of the canyon was way better, so we didn't bother to do the waterfall portion.  The trail was pretty treacherous with lots of tree roots and loose dirt.  Two out of the three of us fell at some point due to the loose dirt making us slip.  Anyway, the scenery was totally worth it! This was actually at a lookout after the hike It was a little hazy that day After the hike, we went back to Poipu and saw the turtles in the daylight.  This time, however, we were a little too early to see them coming in, but there were a handful already on the beach. We couldn't stick around to watch them coming in because we had dinner reservations to get to at The Eating House. I think I accidently posted this drink on the wrong da...

 On our 3rd day in Kauai we hiked the Heritage Trail and along Gillian's Beach to Secret Beach. The beaches were fairly secluded and so beautiful and peaceful, especially Secret Beach. After the hike we went to dinner at the Beach Club, and we were able to watch the sunset from there (my sunset pictures didn't really turn out, though).  After dinner we went over to Poipu Beach to see the turtles. We were too late to watch them coming in, but there were probably 40 or so already snoozing on the beach. Some vodka drink or other, supper yummy

I'm already not keeping up with the "blog most days" goal as the blogging app on my phone was not cooperating. We arrived on Kauai on New Year's Day (had to be at the airport by 5:30 AM so was in bed by 10 PM on New Year's Eve but woke up to fireworks at midnight).  We got settled in and took a walk on the beach and had dinner at Lava Lava Beach Club. The view from our room Drinks! The next day we did oceanfront yoga, then went to breakfast at Kountry Kitchen, where I had caramelized pineapple french toast with homemade coconut syrup. Delicious! Then we took a drive to the North end of the island, stopping at various viewpoints and beaches along the way. Hanalei Beach Kilauea Lighthouse We finished the day with dinner and cocktails at Hukilau Lanai.