Big windy night and day. Easy decision to go to Lihue Lutheran. Head South to Waimea's Grove Cafe . . . New name! The final Olympic hockey match is being tevised; fsudden death overtime.
We stroll to the beach and the sand is too hot.
Time to check in at the Aston, we head to the pool, it is so windy and cool: the hot tub is really the only option now. Dan is a gpod sport!
At 6 we try a new dinner spot. . . Kauai Pasta. So many offerings! We each choose a simple bowl of spaghetti and a glass of red. An efficient operation there.
Once home we watch the closing ceremonies and watch the sun set one last tine. . . .
The funk is settli
G over me, too much analysis. At the end of this precious vacation time i often wonder how to integrate all the Aloha into life in Vancouver.
Eat fruit
Spend time outdoors
Smell HAwaiian
Do less
Relax more


Sent from my iPhone

Big windy night and day. Easy decision to go to Lihue Lutheran. Head South to Waimea's Grove Cafe . . . New name! The final Olympic hockey match is being televised; sudden death overtime.
We stroll to the beach and the sand is too hot.
Time to check in at the Aston, we head to the pool, it is so windy and cool: the hot tub is really the only option now. Dan is a good sport!
At 6 we try a new dinner spot. . . Kauai Pasta. So many offerings! We each choose a simple bowl of spaghetti and a glass of red. An efficient operation there.
Once home we watch the closing ceremonies and watch the sun set one last tine. . . .
The funk is settling over me, too much analysis. At the end of this precious vacation time i often wonder how to integrate all the Aloha into life in Vancouver.
Eat fruit
Spend time outdoors
Smell HAwaiian
Do less
Relax more

Throughout the early morning hours a shrill tsunami siren pierced the hour. Five, six, seven, and I notice i am afraid to get up. Dan says he needs to fill the car's tank with gasoline. This triggers some innate survival response. We make coffee and turn the TV on to the news.We fill all available containers with water and I boil up what little brown rice pasta we have, anticipating a loss of power. The television reporters are watching Hilo harbor for the first signs of approaching water.
The Cliffs are silent, a still and frightened hush. As we watch, afraid to leave our unit, the nervous energy rises outside. We hear folks churning about, settling at the ocean's edge on lawn chairs. . . .



After three hours we venture into the gathering crowd. It is almost carnival like! Such a gathering: all these people home for the day. (The roads were closed, and we were instructed to stay put!) At the pool, folding chairs lined the perimeter. Standing room only~


By two thirty the warning is lifted. Dan couldn't wait to get to Anini Beach. It was a swift transition to reclaiming the beaches in an easy trusting way.
For dinner we grilled Shutome and a rib eye steak. Just trying to eat up all the leftovers before we pack it up in the morning.

Mike and Nancy are flying home today.
Yoga is wonderful with Tara. She closes with the same chant, "Om asato ma sat! Gayama."
I WAS REALLY SWEATING. It's been warmer these past few days on the island. The whales have been scarce these past few days too.
Dan brought the ginger lemonade and we drove to Anini Beach. The fish taco truck was there and we enjoyed a wonderful meal for $13.50. A great day on the beach reading and wading.



Home for a few courses of happy hour then to Bar Acuda as the sun goes down. We have pre planned a salad and pizza and two beers to keep the cost down. Dan adds the grilled chorizo with apple which still makes it a reasonable meal.


Off to the St. Regis for the music and a martini. We stay until the musicians pack it up and go. Lovely Hawaiian music and a charming woman from Las Vegas who joined the trio for a hula.


On the 10 o'clock news we hear of an 8.8 earthquake in Chile. . .a tsunami may be generated in these Hawaiian Islands. We are on high ground.

Ah, sleep did not come. . .I often feel the pain and restlessness of those I hold in my heart :-)
I knew I was too tired to kayak as 'scheduled...(just trying to fit everything in these last few days.) And guess what! It's raining...
The island rejoices.
We drive West hoping for a day in Limahuli Garden. The clouds are spitting showers. Our shoes are flip flops, so we waffle as to whether or not to climb. I decide to make my contribution a purchase. I buy black and silver pineapples a pattern historically used in quilt making. They will replace the one I lost on the cruise ship in September.
So Dan and drive back to Hanalei for tonight's sushi roll and a slice of haupia, or coconut pie. This year it comes in vanilla or chocolate.
We choose the white version, tomorrow the cocoa.
We choose a new eatery: Bouchon's. It's a good choice. The veggie wrap is warm and juicey sauteed veggies with crisp ones. Dan has the chicken pineapple sandwich.
Then we go see Rosary. We have been discussing the purchase of a third week at The Cliffs. It's a pretty easy decision. On the way back to our unit we happen upon Mary, Earl's wife. Her eyes a glitter, she says, "Yeah!!!" Welcome to another week in Paradise. (Oh, yes.)
It's a bit drizzly so we decide to walk from the Hanalei Colony Resort to St. Regis. Once we need to duck under a big banana leaf near Puu Poa to escape a serious shower. Then we find the Hotel. OMG
I take quite a few photos. I Love the Fountain and Murano Chandelier. Have I already blogged this?
We hot tub to soothe the feet and meet a couple from Tucson. Dan grills a NY steak at the gazebo and we join up; me and my snow crab sushi.
The whales have been hiding today!
We sleep well tonight to rain . . . .Mahalo

It's only fitting in this year of Facebook that I post my daily entries~

Susan Morgan Gustafson Singing Holden Vespers in Lihue. . . .with islanders sweet

Susan Morgan Gustafson "we don't want the foot to 'Taco!' " Carole

Susan Morgan Gustafson A new meaning for lei greeting ;')

Susan Morgan Gustafson Five years since I have ridden a bicycle; can't wait to go

Susan Morgan Gustafson An ahi each day keeps the Dr away

Susan Morgan Gustafson Yoga Hanalei here i come. . . Dan always meets me after class with a fresh ginger lemonade.

Susan Morgan Gustafson Ancient leathery ninja disks surf Poipu Bay

Susan Morgan Gustafson Somewhere over the rainbow ne nes fly-

Susan Morgan Gustafson Two sun kissed navel oranges beached on Hanalei Bay

Susan Morgan Gustafson The most amazing meal at Bar Acuda. marinated Olives Mesclun greens with Kanuna goat cheese and crostini Crisp Polenta with mushroom ragu Flank staek banderillas in a honey chili glaze Pasta Carbonara with a Vermentino from Sardenga

Susan Morgan Gustafson Igneous rocks tread water at Ke e Beach

Susan Morgan Gustafson Off to the Kiluea Lighthouse and Pau Hana pizza and salad

Susan Morgan Gustafson Ash Wednesday. blustery and cool in Princeville. The kind of day to head South for lunch with Jim and Trudy my former employer & Dr. at the Hyatt. Pupus in Poipu with sister Nancy.. then the ashes at Lihue Lutheran 7 pm

Susan Morgan Gustafson Beautiful produce at the Hanalei Farmer's Market with soft shower, yoga at 5:30 is Relax Deeply

Susan Morgan Gustafson A little sun burnt: sushi and roasted asparagus

Susan Morgan Gustafson Birdsong and whales sound kauai sunrise.

Rainy at last. The island is parched; even the vines clinging to the palms are wilting.
We think it is too wet to kayak so we proceed West to Limahuli Gardens. It is spitting showers off and on. I buy earrings in lieu of an entrance fee, maybe we can still make the climb. Lunch today is at Bouchon's where Sushi Blues once was. it's okay!
We drive back to the Cliffs to talk with Rosary and buy another week here for $1800.That happens once Dan talks to Nancy Burke to be SURE he is not being laid off: "All right!!!"
We then devise a plan to walk from Hanalei Bay Colony Resort to the new St. Regis Hotel. It's a 2.3 mile loop that we enjoy. The furnishings , flowers, fountain and this fixture are magnificent.


Coming home we run into Earl's wife Mary! I share our great news of buying another week. With a twinkle in her eye she throws her arms up and embraces me , "Yeah!"

Hot tubbing is the natural next step to sore feet. We enjoy visiting with a nice couple from Tucson we we later see at the gazebo while grilling Dan's last NY steak.
We've enjoyed this cool afternoon. I eat my snow crab sushi roll and we end the day celebrating our new purchase with coconut haupia for $3.00 a slice.

We've been waiting to hear all week, "Which 37 Oregonian employees would be laid off? "
This morning Dan receives a partial list. Who else will be named by day's end?
I am off to yoga. Bring me a ginger lemonade if you are not among the lay offs I sweetly and thoughtfully ask expectantly. . . .
He arrives with lemonade. "aaaaaaah!"
We have our Lenten soup lunch at the Dolphin.
Then Dan takes me back to the Tantrum trying on all the 50% off dresses, and then some. None prove to be perfect~
We change clothes and drive to Aliomanu Beach. It is roasting hot, Dan wades and I read.
Changing clothes in the car we plan to meet Mike and Nancy at Dukes for happy hour and then wind up at Lihue Lutheran to sing Holden Vespers.
It's worth it to feel like we are part of a congregation. We are included in the whale watching pupu cruise Saturday night as well.
A nice full Perfect day. . . . .

I love to hear Carole sing during savasana. She came from behind us each in savasana, pressing into one shoulder and the other, drawing our neck length and tracing our brow, pressing a point near the temple. She sang to each of us so it was easy enough to memorize the tune and words, "Om, Asatoma Sat Gamaya..."
And now I know a new mantra and it brings a calm abiding.

Asatoma Sat Gamaya
Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityorma Anritam Gamaya


Lead me from the unreal to the real
Lead me from darkness to light
Lead me from death to immortality
May there be peace everywhere

The best value at The Cliffs is bicycle rental. . .3 hours for $5.00! The odds are good but the bikes are an odd assortment of dusty metal skeletons in a earthen shed. "Aloha?" we called to find a gentleman to fill the flat tires.
Then we were off. Very wobbly and unsure I could see enough to keep my balance and avoid crashing into anything. Each minute brought more confidence. I followed Dan out of the complex like a baby duck. The I took flight! We biked an hour and turned our bikes in feeling very good.Today was a good day to visit the lighthouse again. So nice!
We drove out to Big Mamas for a burrito. The kauai corn and black beans were excellent. I swear it took the mama 20 minutes to put the two together, Oh well, it's called Island Time!



We went to wainiha beach to enjoy the high surf and eat.
Home early to shower, and Dan takes a nap.
We meet Mike and Nancy, a beautiful couple at Bar Acuda at six. Mike drinks beer, a martini for me scotch for Dan and Nancy has a Mai Tai. Dinner begins with olives, then a warm chicory salad, a pizzetta, and Dan enjoys a pork butt, Nancy and I each have a scallop atop lemon risotto,
Each night we settle down to watch the Olympics.
Mahalo~

Monday. . . .yoga and a ginger lemonade begin the day. We drive to Anini and the fish taco mini van is not there! Off to Kiluea to the fish market for an Ahi Burrito wrap. It is so great. We settle for our picnic on Anini near Sylvester's old plae. I practice a little yoga and posing on the stump. We read and play before the rain begins. It's not real rain, just the 'hint' of moisture.
I fix an amazing pasta stir fry with brown rice and browned butter while Dan is grilling chicken.
Somehow we lost our energy early in the evening.
But, we're in Hawaii where even going to bed early is 'All Good!'

This little breakfast has become my favourite morning quick bite. Today it prepares me for Yoga , level one with Carol. I love her voice and gentle loving ways. We got a lot of soft adjustments and personal interaction, as this is the slow season: only 12 students today.
It was just the right amount of physical exertion and I felt terrific and happy afterward.
I love that she sings to us during savasana. I will bag the Relax Deeply and stick with this class on Wednesday and Friday!

It takes about an hour to drive from Princeville to church. We arrived 5 minutes early and the church was packed! Standing room only! Dan and I have never Not sat together: this was a first!
I called Mike and we agreed to meet at Brennekes at one. Lunch was delicious. Ahi Caesar for me and Dan Loved his Veggie burger with guacamole and grilled onions. We drove by The Point at Poipu to pay homage to our turtles. Remember my favorite poem Resilience?




Then we were invited back to Lawaii Beach Resort to enjoy Mike and Nancy's company. I was happy when Dan confided that "Mike is hard to read." He rarely looks at me and I feel a certain distance. . .Nancy on the other hand is quite lovely and presses me firmly and lovingly as me meet and say aloha, Dan agrees. Sometimes women are the glue that hold families together. We are easy with the heart : )
We left in order to shop at the Kapaa Tantrum. . .no luck, but I wanted to try on pretty dresses and give honey a dressing room thrill!
We decided to slide into the Olympic Cafe which we were slow to even try. Yet we absolutely love it! Even the drunken bar folk do not deter.



Once at home we were free to relax and enjoy the Olympics.
The highlight was turtle watching; why is this such a thrill? Longevity me thinks :-)

Farmer's Market at 10. Then we return to our neighborhood pool to read.
Lunch presents a 'problem'... (Our only decision each day is what beach and where to eat.)
Dan wanted to go to Anini for a fish taco. I wondered if they would be sold out at one pm...
Federico's is a newer Mexican spot nearby, but when we walked in they looked overwhelmed. There was no response to my happy, Hello!"
We agreed to drive to Red Hot Mamas and get a burrito to go and enjoy it at the beach. They were closed!
As we drove into Hanalei, feeling s little discouraged I said, " how about Hanalei Gourmet?" Dan answered, "sure~"The locals at the bar were crazy obnoxiously loud. We were proud we were able to hang in until our dinner came.
Whew that decision was over. We knew we wanted to walk Hanalei Bay on the warm afternoon and we did.
Once home we showered and went whale watching on the point. They whales were magnificent and plentiful.
Dinner was grilled chicken and asparagus with some lovely greens tossed with nasturtiums and poppyseed dressing.
More Olympics tonight.

One of our most FUN daya ever!
After a wholesome Hawaiaan breakfast we decide to have a beach day. Heading West we notice a couple of local boys hitching a ride to Ke'e Beach. They are entertaining. . .also in hot pursuit of a pair of Japanese chicks,"who are probably already eating spiritual pizza." (Huh?) did we miss something?
Pando and Lonnie appreciate the ride. They will be up the Kalaulau Trail for a week.
We settle onto the Ke'e Beach and watch the waves and tourists. It's rather pleasant weather today.
After reading a few hours we turn our car East to find lunch at the Mediterranean Cafe.
Dan loves his Lamb burger and the grilled veggie panini is very good.
It's no problem finding another beach and Haena is close. More deep relaxation. The sun begins to hide and we head for home.
We 'turtledoves' are nestled on the picnic table oohing and aahhing over the whales when, Guess who?! Hey, "Hi Earl~"
Then we dress for dinner at the Bar Acuda; reservations at 6:45!Boy do we order well and the price is pleasing too.
Spicy marinated olives
Local Mesclun greens with Kunana goat's cheese in a citrus vinigarette
Crispy polenta with mushroom ragout
Flank steak banderillas glazed in honey and ancho.
It was a big spaghetti (buscatini?) Carbonara with egg, bacon and tiny diced yellow potatoes which made the entree with all of $17.00
Doesn't Dan look happy?
He started with a Johhnnie Walker red and I studied the wine menu choosing the Vermentino form Sardenga. Nice!!

Thursday was a pleasant day and we were eager to see the Lighthouse. We weren't rewarded with whale sightings but the sun felt good after the cool spell. We strolled leisurely, anticipating the Pau Hana pizza that would come next.

We stopped for a beer at Anini Beach and I culled a few perfect shells that I could imagine turning into a tactile composition.

We spent the afternoon lounging at the pool with our books; my audio version, "Animal, Vegetable and Miracle.

I take in Melissa's Relax Deeply class.
Dan grills monchong and re heats the Walu for the best fish tacos I have ever tasted!
He's in a self proclaimed 'foul mood' and goes to bed early.
I love that each day is new.
Mahalo

The sun is setting it's amber light through the louvered shutters. The palms clack their Namaste. . .
"I invite you to explore relaxation." Melissa

Balasana
Anjanyasana R
Anjanyasana L
Blocks under heart head
Bolster horizontal under heart
Supta baddha konasana with strap
Sukhasana R leg forward fold
Suhkasana L foot forward fold
Supta tadasana at wall, adjustment to level hips
Supta pada gustansaana
Drop right leg
Thread the needle. Ankle fully crosses thigh!
Repeat on left
Alot of quietude. No poems or candlelight
(Dan says, "Good.)


Sent from my iPhone

Waking up to cool weather and blustery!
Thankfully we have plans to join Dr. Stenger and Trudy Lu for lunch at the Grand Hyatt Golf Club. We head South as KKCR broadcasts it's talk story . Jim asks, "Where is Mirage?" I pull out the small glass travel dog and set her on the table. The busboy comes to pour water and picking her up, asks to take Mirage for a walk! We had a good laugh and a superb lunch. Jim buys and they take us around the property to see the 'crooks and crannies'. Black and white swans and exotic birds. They retire to the pool and we speed off towards Nancy's place at the Lawaii Beach Resort. With Mike in Atlanta she enjoys our company. We sip two Mike Morgans on the lanai. Then leave for an early happy hour at Merriman's.



God was with me. I ordered Portugese Bean soup not even thinking about it being the Lenten soup supper plan.
Church is at 7 pm. We arrive are are fondly greeted by Pastor Paul. So many locals in long pants! Who knew? We sing some nice songs and have the ashes applied to our foreheads.
"From dust you were born, to dust you shall return."
I am giving up gossip for Lent. I think Dan has given up nicotine, today his patch is one third smaller.
Amen

Not last night but the night before if the name of this entry,
Sleep was a wrestling match. Slightly burnt and drained from a full day in the sun we collapsed upon our king sized bed. individually and Inwardly we struggled with the Walu dinner we had just ingested. Dan was so convinced that there was something wrong with it, he googled it. Sure enough, it is called the Butterfish and the 'exlax' fish euphonisticly. The blogger warns against consuming more than six ounces. Well we couldn't! The texture was oily though well grilled and I will enjoy the remainder in fish tacos tonight. Dan has chosen a new fresh fish to enjoy.
While our insides burned and writhed I was engaged in a tryst with the monk seal who lies across the top of the bed and is disguised as a pillow. The monster is about three feet long and a foot and a half high. Probably a monk seal's pup. Try as I would I could not subdue this small beast. If I lunged my body upon it I found myself in a deep backbend which I could not breathe and relax to sustain. Eventually I whirled it across the room to a safer cove.
In Hawaii it is All Good!
Dan found two other pillow tucked away over the entertainment center and the Walu experience is complete.

It's a beautiful morning, we are well rested. . . .
Dan searches the sea for whales each day upon arising. Today there are ga zillions of whales playing off shore. Two in particular are lazily drifting along, slapping their pectoral fins happily.
The sound resonates onto shore and beckons us to come closer. Dan and I, bikini clad, stroll quickly across the grassy knoll. "Hey, can I take your photo?" calls a familiar voice.
"Earl!, How are you?"
"Hello. ( We exchange names) Have you had surgery? You look amazing!" Earl cajoles.
He is a retired realtor from Vancouver, British Columbia. Once when Dan lost our room key he introduced us to St. Anthony.
"Tony, Tony, we need your help today.
We have lost our room key and we need it right away!."
Earl said, Be sure to Thank him!"
we love Earl~

The morning sun bathes the Cliffs in yellow gold light. I arise and wrap my nakedness in a triangular cocoon of woolly vellux and nestle near the doors facing the ocean. Choirs of birds sweetly tweet the morning glow. Meditation in Kauai is drinking in the warm moist ocean breath and floral fragrances, listening to the pec flaps of giant leviathans just yards offshore and the tiny scratch of doves' toenails as they parade across the lanai in search of a breakfast bug.

Relax Deeply
Sukhasana left leg in front
Sukhasana right leg in front
Gomukasana right leg on top
Gomukasana left leg on top
Upavista Konasana
Supta Baddha Konasana hips strapped
Legs up the wall ankles strapped
if you only have 5 minutes a super powerful pose
some call it a mudra
slide legs down the wall, roll onto one side
Supta pascimottasana with strap around thighs
Savasana bolster under knees
~Yoga is all about UNDOING~ Bhavani

This Poem says it all~ "The ear that was sold to a Fish" by Hafiz
http://books.google.com/books?id=_cdWZkYE_ZQC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq='what+is+the+first+letter+of+your+alpha

Our first day in Paradise was relaxed and easy.
Fresh pineapple with apple bananas and a squeeze of lime make my day!
The Lion brand French roast coffee is another treat.
We made our pool debut in the morning, realizing the pineapple beer recipe just before noon. It was refreshing and took $10.00 off our lunch tab.
The price of a grilled fish salad at the Hanalei Dolphin is now $18.00. Yikes
We strolled about town casually looking for hats to match our Kauaian style suits, and didn't find a thing to buy! We decided to hit Anini beach extending our tanning session through the mid day. I painted and Dan relaxed with a book near a palm tree.
"Stick a fork in it!" We have had enough sun and head back home for our private yoga lesson together, (he he),
For Valentine's Day I made Dan a sequence of 3 minute asanas featuring songs about love and the heart. Since it was a gift, he graciously accepts 30 minutes on the mat,
Showering and dressing, we attend the Cliffs Club Reception at 5. Where is Earl?
Once at home we are very content to watch whales off the lanai and trek to the gazebo to grill a new york steak as the sun is setting.


What beautiful weather!!! Thinking of all my snowbound friends on the mainland.
Mahalo

Bread
Jam
Juice
Milk
Yogurts
Coffee
Salsa
Beer
Scotch
Wine

Banana Joes
Pineapple
Papaya
Greens
Lemons
Limes
Tomato
Avocado
Bananas

Limahuli Gardens
Kayak
Hotel music

And we're off! At a reasonable time I might add. . . .
And it's St. Valentines Day. The flight and connecting flights could not have gone more smoothly. In flight entertainment included reading the large print version of "My Stroke of Insight" and listening to Barbara Kingsolver's audio book, "Animal, Vegetable Miracle". Dan enjoyed the music and a snooze. Lunch was manicotti. (Dan likes to quote his grandad, "I'll have two!"
I packed a vegan lunch: orange, apple, carrots, peanut butter sandwich and an oat granola bar. It's good to 'Be Prepared".
Sunny and warm it was when we landed. Picking out the only mid sized coupe, we hit the road that leads North and arrived at the Hanalei Fish Market just as they sold the last sushi roll and kebob. Oh well. . .
At the Princeville Foodland we were happy we had a list as our blood sugars were plummeting. Dinner was a pizza with spinach and mushrooms. We love sitting out doors and watching the sun set as the palm fronds clack in the breezes and the geckos sing their love songs. . .
A fine day, just doing our best to enjoy each moment. We exchanged Valentines and watched the Olympic skaters as the day faded. It's All good...

This is how we will begin our Vacation. . . .

No goals, no expectations.
Whatever is, is.
For now- just Be.

No future, no past,
Just the present.
For now- just Be.

Ups, downs,
They don't exist in this instant of time.
For now- just Be.

Cares and woes?
Don't worry, they'll still be there.
For now- just Be.

Wishes are good, Prayers might be better.
But not for now.
For now- just Be.

For one minute, for one hour,
It doesn't matter.
For now- just Be.

Breathe in, breathe out, focus on the present.
For now, just for now-
Just Be.

Don Winslow