California Dreaming

Daydreaming of Kauai

Are you tired of hearing about my upcoming, annual visit to Kauai? I am sorry but I truly can't help myself. 

I pulled out last years photos and the memories came flooding back. Surprise, I found these guys. 

Note: Keep you fingers to yourself during feeding time, they are vicious!

Oh, I forgot about this guy too. I was fascinated by this snail.  You can't tell but this snail is slightly smaller than my thumb. The shell looks like it belongs in the sea, not on land.

Then there was this beauty.

I was a Monarch butterfly once. Yes, it was a long, long time ago. In a place called Pacific Grove.

Is there a special place that you daydream of? Please share.

Oh, the mighty Pacific....

Once you have lived by or close to an ocean, you are changed for live. Any where else you live from that point on, you will miss the ocean.

I do.

Don't get me wrong, I live in a beautiful place; many visitors comment on the beauty of the Sierra Mountains. But I once I am close to an ocean,  I realize what I am missing. It's everything from the obvious views but the smell, sounds and feel of the water.

Soon this will be my route for my morning walk.

 

It will be just me, the ocean,  a few birds and if I am lucky some turtles. 

Can you see the shadows in water, turtles?

Aahhh, I can't wait.

Condiments and other paraphernalia

I had a recent conversation with a co-worker about adult beverages. Bloody Mary's came up as a drink of choice. After further discussion, it was the drink's various garnish or garni that was the attractive part of the drink. Pickled green beans was one item that garnered a lot of praise. It was agreed that the best Bloody Mary's are spicy and accompanied with lots of garnish. A drink and an appetizer in one order!

I didn't think much of the drink until I saw this posting. This is my type of cocktail stirrer!

8 weeks until Aloha.

Yes, eight weeks from Saturday, I will touching down in my beloved Kauai. I can't describe the feeling or the smell that I experience the moment I exit the airplane. My pulse slows and the most serene feeling comes over my body.  The warm trade winds welcome me back by wrapping their moist warmth around my body and soul. Yes, I feel that this is a home coming of sorts.

This will be my fourteenth year visiting the "Garden Island". Some of you ask, "Why don't you visit another island?". We have but Kauai is our paradise home away from home. There's a familiarity that is comforting to us but with all things Kauai changes every year. No, we aren't locals but we try to tread lightly while we visit and respect those who live on the island all year long.

  

There are local flavors that I can't wait to taste, Poke, Kalua Pork Nachos, Musubi, Opah, Lilikoi's, Aloha BBQ sauce, Taro Chips from Hanapepe and big bowl of Saimin at Hamura's. Oh, man! My mouth is watering.

I am going to stop writing before I start to daydream away my day.  But for all of my blog friends, I wish you the warmest Aloha.