It
was a rainy morning. The whole group enjoyed a quiet day in this
lovely house, watching it rain in the bluff. One couple disappearing
into their ocean-view room all morning. As I chose to read, and
Steve worked on the computer and telephone, Mom and her friend
were the only voices, as they played cards. The two waterfalls
visible in the heavy mountain mist were really pouring down, now!
By 12:30 all but Steve and I went into Hanalei and shopped the little stores
in the rain. Lunch was at Bubba Burgers, where the thatch-roofed outdoor tables
provided no relief from the downpour. Grocery shopping proved a challenge with
everyone wanting something different, but sharing the cost. Much light-hearted
ribbing went on about choices. The General Store surprised people with bargains.
Four T-shirts for $20 (oops. They're seconds), 3 shell leis for $1. But Mom found
the best bargain: She came home with an armful of big, long flowers: 3 dark pink
and 3 light pink Torch Ginger, with 2 great Bird of Paradise for $6. What an
addition to the decor! Now the indoors looks as much like Hawaii as the outdoors.
Around 3PM I realized I'd missed the Hanalei farmer's market. (Your best bet
is to show up 15 minutes before they open to get the best pick of the locals'
fruits and veggies, and carry $1 bills and grocery bags.) Steve and I hurried
out in the rain and found those vendors still left most grateful that there was
still someone grabbing papaya, mango, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and
apple bananas. . .and tipping them for sitting out there in the rain. I bought
too much of everything, but knew we were more often eating at home, now.
Happily, we drove off up to the end of the road, still in pouring rain, pulling
over occasionally to park under the trees and watch the (now more violent) ocean
waves. Each year we have some music that turns into our " theme" of
the trip: In '87 it was Richard Souther's "Innermission," in '94 the
music from Jurassic Park (filmed here). This trip it is "The Best of the
Journey," Adiemus. The original rhythms, heart-tugging harmonies, and sweet
voices against beautiful orchestration truly do enhance the majesty of the views
on North Shore. The road twists and narrows over single-laned bridges that open
the lush borders to views of valleys and rivers and the sea, always the sea,
always another secluded beach. On the way home, we stopped on the side of the
road to enjoy the fat rainbow over the mountains beyond Hanalei Bay. Such an
incredible sight.
It
was a rainy morning. The whole group enjoyed a quiet day in this
lovely house, watching it rain in the bluff. One couple disappearing
into their ocean-view room all morning. As I chose to read, and
Steve worked on the computer and telephone, Mom and her friend
were the only voices, as they played cards. The two waterfalls
visible in the heavy mountain mist were really pouring down, now!