Hawaii

Most of this blog was written by Hayden in an email to Kristina. I just want to add at the beginning that poor Austin, who is having a blast and insisted, just insisted that he acquire a baby boogie board at the store yesterday, will not remember this vacation.

We are having a great vacation. Makes such a difference when you can stay with good friends. Our time in San Francisco was just long enough to explore the Mission District, explore the Fisherman's Warf and take a ride on the cable car. Jess's friend from Vassar has a huge home right in the mission district. She and her husband are really friendly fun people and very laid back California folks. So laid back that they let us stay in their house they day they were bringing back their newborn child from the hospital. Their second daughter.

Scott and Erin have been phenomenal hosts showing us several beautiful beaches that are within walking distance from their house in Kailua.

They have a small cute bungalow style house with a nice backyard. They live modestly but are living in true paradise. This weather is really hard to beat. About 80 and breezy during the day and low 70s at night. The huge mountain backdrop makes for breathtaking views. We have had nice dinners at home in their backyard and have enjoyed catching up with them and being around their 14 month old and large golden receiver. 

On Thursday we set out in our rental car up to the north shore. Famous for small town rural Hawaiian life, cute galleries and shops, local food and huge waves. We have been exploring all around yesterday and today.Tonight we will go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. A huge place run by the mormons that looks like the Disney of Polynesia but we were told the performances are entertaining. We will also go to the Samoa exhibit and see a performance before going to a Lu'au and seeing some traditional dance tonight. 

Jess and I commented to each other today that we really know how to travel. this is proving one of our best vacations yet.