The perfect day

Because the grass is always greener on the other side of the Island, we spent one of our Maui days traveling to the north end of the island, and making our way back south across the day. Rachel had a vision in her mind of the perfect swimming beach for the kids, one which was perfectly calm and clear, and in which they could romp to their hearts content. I was of the opinion that she was describing the beach in front of our condo, but she wasn't hearing any of that.

First we went to Kapalua, which is the swanky end of West Maui, and we hit the beach in front of the perfectly manicured Ritz Carlton. It was a lovely little crescent of beach, but it featured some rough waves, and a steep drop-off pretty close to shore, so the kids didn't get to do much swimming. However, the adults and older kids were able to enjoy some primo snorkling, with tons of interesting coral and fish.

After swimming, snacks, and sandcastle building, we headed south to Lahaina, so that the kids could see and hopefully climb on the famed Banyon tree they have there. Unfortunately, they were having some kind of craft fair in the park, and we weren't able to climb the tree, so we walked down and had lunch. The kids were all in high spirits, and we played a few amusing rounds of telephone while our pizzas cooked. My favorite was where Rachel whispered something in Elizabeth's ear, and then Elizabeth sent "I Forgot What It Is" around the rest of the table.





After lunch, we wandered on the beach a bit, and Rachel and I admired the top-floor corner condo we'd stayed at right after we were married. This beach was calm, but it didn't really fit Rachel's vision, since it was pretty rocky. And then it was time for Shave Ice, which is one of Rachel's favorite nearly-all-sugar treats. Miranda opted for the ice cream.




After that, it was time to hop in the van and head home. We'd had a fullish day, and even if we didn't manage to find the perfect beach from Rachel's dreams, we'd all had fun. And then suddenly, on the drive down to South Maui, Rachel swerved onto the side of the road, sure that she'd found it at last.

The element of danger only added to the fun.



It was a wide, shallow, sandy beach that was utterly glassy and calm. There were large rocks and coral in abundance, and if the water hadn't been clear, it would have been difficult to swim there. But it was so clear, and so shallow, that I walked out about 75 yards, skirting around the rocks, and it was only up to my neck or so. The kids loved it.



We swam for a while, and then the Marcuses arrived and they joined in the fun. They had their snorkling gear, and the place was lousy with coral and fish, so it was great snorkling. I tried to get Parker to try snorkling, but he wasn't having it. He did enjoy swimming with the mask, while holding his breath. He's an ace under-water breath-holder these days.

Eventually, Miranda had enough and went to sit on the beach and play with the camera.



After swimming, Parker and Elizabeth climbed on the excellent climbing tree conveniently located on the beach.



Elizabeth took a tumble off the tree and needed some mommy time.



Miranda circled the tree but wouldn't climb it. Ironically, she was pretending to be a monkey.



Parker, on the other hand, climbed, climbed, climbed.




As we headed back to the hotel, I had to congratulate Rachel on her persistence in searching for the perfect beach, because we'd had a fantastic time there. In fact, it was so much fun, that we returned a few days later for more tree climbing, some bonafide snorkling from Parker, and taking turns on a makeshift swing that someone had rigged up with nylon rope and driftwood.