California Weekending

 

We got home from Hawaii late last Friday night.  By the time we got in bed it was after 1:00 a.m. on Saturday - Les' 60th birthday!  I'm a horrible blogger since I didn't even mention it here, but I'm a good wife who showered him with love on his big day.

Four hours later, Les' alarm went off and he was out the door by 6:00.  He met up with friends in Ventura and they rode the Cool Breeze Century ride - 100 miles on his 60th!

Meanwhile, I went to the grocery store to get enough food to get us through the weekend.  I also bought supplies for another batch of homemade ice cream.  This time I made cookies and cream, cherry, German chocolate cake, and Heath bar.  I'm having SO much fun experimenting with different flavors!  I don't really measure the add-ins, I use about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup for each quart of ice cream.

We hadn't been up for long on Sunday morning when we received a text that church was cancelled for the day.  This was due to tropical storm Hillary, with the threat of flooding and road closures.  The rain started mid-morning and didn't stop the rest of the day.

Sunday afternoon, Les was taking a nap and I was reading when I felt something a little different.  The wind had been blowing all morning, but I knew this was something else.  Within seconds, our phones started going off with emergency alerts.  It was an earthquake!  This was in Ojai which is about 50 miles from us.  Later that evening we had another emergency alert - this time for flash flooding.  Our total rainfall for Sunday was about 3.7 inches - more than a fourth of our annual average of 12 inches.

Les received two birthday gifts on Monday.  A bag of coffee from his sister, Lisa:

 

And a flugelhorn!  

 

 

This is something he's been wanting for a while.  His horn collection is growing:

Trumpet, flugelhorn, pocket trumpet

 

Things are definitely odd - a wildfire in Hawaii and a tropical storm in California, but one thing hasn't change, I was with my best friend!

Hawaii Weekending

Our first full week in Hawaii was busy, busy, busy.  Les was at work while I was dealing with car stuff.  We hadn't been to Hawaii in 11 months, so first thing was getting the car washed so we could see out the windows.  I then had to get a safety inspection and oil change.  From there I headed to the satellite city hall to pay our car registration, then it was back to Jiffy Lube to get our safety inspection sticker!  Hawaii is pretty easy going about this stuff, but I don't want to drive around in a car that isn't legal.

Of course we were up early every morning while we were there.  Les joined me for a few runs and also rode his bike while I was running solo.  By the time Saturday rolled around we were ready for some R&R.  Les rode his bike to the north shore.   After my run, I drove our car there to meet him. 

We headed to our favorite Mexican restaurant on the island - Cholo's.  They never disappoint.  We then spent several hours relaxing at our favorite beach park - Kaiaka Bay Beach Park.  This park is usually just local families with kids and extremely mellow.  There were several giant sea turtles in the water very close to the beach and I enjoyed watching them while Les took a nap! We were there for over two hours, just relaxing and enjoying a pleasant breeze.

 

We then headed in to Haleiwa and Matsumoto's Shave Ice.   We both ordered SMALL shave ices that aren't actually small!

 

I got watermelon, lilikoi (passion fruit) and sour apple over vanilla ice cream.  Les got banana cream, coconut cream and blue pineapple with azuki beans over vanilla ice cream.  SO yummy!!

 

On Sunday morning we took our time getting out and about.  When we finally did, we headed to my favorite mountain - Tantalus.  I have been running and Les has been riding this loop for a decade.  This time we packed our trail shoes and explored some of the trails.  It was quite an adventure but so beautiful!  For the most part we were in the shade.  A little over 8 miles with lots of climbing over rocks and roots.

Although I didn't take any pictures, the real highlight was being at church on Sunday afternoon!  We have missed our First Church ohana and were happy to give and receive lots of hugs.  And of course hearing Pastor McGriffin preach is always a treat.

Wordless Wednesday

We were in Hawaii for almost two weeks, I'll share more details tomorrow, but here are some of the pictures I took:

 

 

Update from Lahaina

As you probably know, the news out of Lahaina continues to be grim.  The death count is nearing 100 and the need is great.  

At church tonight we prayed for those affected by the fires.  At least seven families in the church in Lahaina lost their homes and there is one confirmed fatality.  Pastor McGriffin shared a link to a fundraising page that will go directly to our brothers and sisters on Maui.  If you can give at all, any amount will be a blessing.  The link is: HERE.

All is not lost.  In the middle of the destruction, the United Pentecostal Church of Lahaina is still standing!!  God is a miracle working God!

Hawaii Fires Update

You may be aware that there are wild fires burning in Hawaii.  These fires are on the islands of Maui and Hawaii (also known as The Big Island.)  Les and I are currently on the island of Oahu, we are safe and feeling none of the affects.  

Sadly, more than 50 people have died this week due to the fires.  The historic town of Lahaina has been destroyed.  People are homeless and tourists are stranded.

We have loved this state for many years and are heartbroken at the devastation.  Please pray for everyone affected by this tragedy.