sunset from our lanai. seriously.

Oh, what a wonderful respite. 

We had a lovely vacation on the Big Island of Hawai’i last week.  My husband’s parents found a house on the shore of Kealakekua Bay on the Kona coast, far from any resorts, tourists or crowds.  Our house sat right on top of a huge lava flow overlooking a marine life sanctuary.  We explored all kinds of lava with my geologist father-in-law, snorkeled right near our home, and toured the island’s rain forests, beaches, and volcanoes.  I’ve got so much to share, but for now, a few shots of our week:

Our little brown house on the lava

Lava Kitty, who came with the house

conquering the a'a

snorkeling with sea turtles

walking in a volcano crater--see it steaming?

studying geology with Papa J

Some additions to my list of gifts:

1. The miracle of ongoing, eternal creation
2. The mystery of ocean life
3. Family time without internet distractions
4. Booking this vacation before the economy crashed
5. Active, engaged grandparents on both sides
6. Ocean waves lulling us to sleep
7. Serendipity discoveries in unexpected places
8. The hope of flowers sprouting out of dry lava
9. People who still trust:  the guys who let us take their kayaks when we didn’t have cash with us
10. Pina coladas on the lanai

May the beauty of special places sustain us through “ordinary” times.