The Kellers Do Oahu (Again!)
That's a wrap on our month in Hawai'i🌴 Prepare yo'self for a beachy video of our time on Oahu (don’t miss the Jibs' Party Wave & Bennett's 180🏄♂️🏄♂️!)
We busted around the island of Oahu in search of all the amazingness it has to offer...picturesque beaches, massive waves on the north shore, deliciousness of shave ice/hot malasadas/poke bowls, rugged & lush mountains, friendly locals (except for our neighbor who didn't seem to care for *any* humans), vivid sunsets, heat & humidity, and the sheer magic of the islands.
We shared this trip with my mom who was beyond helpful in many different ways! We also welcomed Chip's parents during week three. We all took up surfing (even the grandparents) and found ourselves arguing over who got to use the surfboards first at each beach 🏄♀️ It was exhilarating to learn something new that is both (very) challenging and (very) fun. I think Chip is happy we all surf now!
We got in QT with friends, Cy and Angie, who live on Oahu (for the time being ⛵). We met them during our sabbatical 4 years ago and continue to connect with them every chance we get.
🌺But above all, we made time for daydreaming, delicious meals together, quality family time, evening walks, deep sleep, and space to laugh, joke, and create new memories. We found ourselves exclaiming "that was the best day ever" many, many times. We are back home safe and sound enjoying 40 degree temps in the Colorado sun☀️
My favorite kind of unforgettable moment is one that sneaks up on you when you least expect it and has you saying “holy smokes, did that actually just happen?” The day we hopped out of our taxi onto the dirt road of the small surf town of Troncones, we didn't know what was in store for us in this little village on the sea...
Vancouver Island was unchartered territory for us. It was perfect timing because our bodies were aching for a new sense of adventure. Our plan for this section was to ferry from Port Angeles, Washington to the capital of BC, Victoria. Then we would slowly work our way up to the tippy top to Port Hardy to catch our ferry through the inside passage to Bella Coola (more on that REMARKABLE trip in a later post). For the "Island," we had no real camping plans lined out other than Tofino since it is most popular this time of year. Tofino was a major highlight for us. The beaches are unlike any other I've stepped foot on, and it was here that the boys first tried surfing! But what was also a surprise to us was just how memorable Canada's provincial parks would be. While the cities were much more populated on the island than we anticipated, we managed to find some wild, rugged, and stunning spots.
Aloha! We had one incredible month in Hawaii and four videos to prove it! Each week we put together a fun video sharing what mischief we got into on Oahu. From beaches, to snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, to eating shave ice, to sailing with friends, to surfing North Shore. We managed squeezed it all in!
Two months in Hawaii served as a delightful respite from "Spudlife." Here, we were able to have a bit of a routine which we will admit to craving after 5 1/2 months on the road. Some habits and routines were welcomed back in our life, while others were a reminder (and at times a struggle) of the white noise we did not want to re-introduce back into our life. Those are the type of distractions we've worked so hard to let go of during this journey. Looking back though, we found ourselves contentedly entertained much of the days at the beach, exploring the island in a variety of ways often with visitors by our sides. This was the perfect place to chase warm weather and among all the places we've been, could be a contender with Oregon and Island Lake, Canada for "favorite spot." When the feeling of sorrow rushes over me when we're about to leave a place as special as this, Chip reminds me it's best to move on wanting more. I suppose I can agree with that.
It's official. Honolulu has stolen our hearts. All four of them. The whole island of Oahu, really. But there is just something special about this city. The energy of the people, the crescent shaped beach lined with elegant older hotels, the hustle and bustle of a city with the laid-back lifestyle of a beach destination, the most delicious tasting food, the numerous activities in water and out, and last but not least the inviting and mesmerizing turquoise ocean. Then there's Diamond Head, a prominant dormant volcano standing proud (and remarkable) over her city. Close your eyes, reach for that invisible mai tai, and envision yourself on the beach. Queue the Hawaiian music...now.
I had been dying to take the family on a kayak ride since before our plane even landed on Oahu. One of my favorite memories when we'd come to Hawaii would be our kayak day in Kailua. So naturally I had visions in my head of being able to provide that same memory for the boys (I know, they're only three but...). Finally though, on that 24th day of December we accomplished that memorable kayak ride together.
We decided not to send out Christmas cards this year. Wait now. Just hear me out. There were a myriad of reasons, but ultimately I didn't feel my card was going to reach all of the people I needed it to in the way I wanted it to. I hope no one feels short-changed and that this will serve somewhat as a personal note to you.
I actually just muttered to Chip out loud "how will I ever write about Biarritz?" As usual, summing up our time seemed like an impossible task. With a history as royalty’s summer resort destination and Europe's birthplace of surfing, Biarritz perfectly marries grandeur with laid back. In the three weeks that we spent here, we found ourselves slipping into sweet European beach life effortlessly. On several different occasions Chip and I would catch ourselves eyeing the real estate brochures in windowfronts and discussing what life might look like if we moved to Biarritz. Now looking back, it almost felt like we spent a whole year there with the amount we did and saw. Perhaps it was because my eyes, body, and mind hadn’t been in a place of such stark contrast to the U.S. in quite a few years. Flashbacks of silly moments with the boys as waves pummel our bodies, strolling through the cheerful Halles de Biarritz food market (almost daily), grandparent visits, sunset runs along the coastline, the colorful culture, people, and food all come flooding back like it was yesterday. I can’t quite put my finger on what was so special about Biarritz, but you’ll just have to take my word for it. As well as go and see for yourself.