So, I survived the zip line!

Actually, I got pretty nervous just before. The anticipation on the long drive there, and second guessing myself as I saw the zip lines. (The first one was more of a test and didn't look too scary, but the rest sure did look scary!)

Of course, the irony was that everything on their website (and all over the internet) was how this company had the best safety rating, etc., etc. So when you get there, you pretty much have to sign your life away. Just what I want to read immediately beforehand: "$@!# happens!"

So I was nervous on the first couple (the second zip was the longest/fastest - great!). But, in the end it was easy peasy. I let go and looked down and was totally fine. (I am usually terrified of heights, but I think it just felt very safe. I think I usually get more terrified in the ferris wheel - was more like a tame amusement park ride).

IT was fun, and I am glad we did it, but it really wasn't *that* fun! Not sure I'd spend the money again. Dh and I both agreed. Of course, he really wants me to bungee jump (& he himself wants to skydive). To those, I say, "No Thanks!" I think the zip was good for me.

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We missed the heat wave, but it is October 1 and it feels like a billion degrees. Everyone was in shorts (some little siblings in swim suits) when we picked up the kids from school today. IT will be about 90F today. (It was triple digits while we were gone - I hear LA was 113F or so - oy vey!)

As we drove home today, and sweated in the car, I told dh I gave in. We will take the car in for a AC service. I give up waiting for next summer = yeesh!

Actually, we got some generous cash gifts for our anniversary, so the trip was probably 100% paid for. As I got in the car and said "Oh yeah - forgot about that - didn't think I would notice in October," I told dh since we spent no money on the trip (aside from the zip line) that we should just fix the AC.

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I am so glad we had the weekend to recover. Our flight was going to come into SFO at 10pm last night, but got delayed 4 hours. My mom is a night owl and was nice enough to come pick us up at 2am. We were the only people in the airport - talk about weird! The place is enormous - clearly we were the last to arrives for the night.

The cab either to their house or ours (45 minutes or 1.5 hours) would have cost a fortune - so I was so relieved. (Not sure how feasible a hotel was at that hour!) It is not the first time my mom has gotten us out of a bind like that. We were able to sleep 6 hours before coming home. Phew!

We at first thought maybe we could get a flight to San Jose, or home (though getting our car and keys back would be an ordeal later). But, kind of nice to think we could be home sooner, or just fly into our parents' backyard. BUT, then we remembered the flight curfew in SJ And how there was just no way. Going to Sacramento meant catching 2 flights (more risk of delays), so we decided the 4-hour delay was our best option. We had plenty of time to drive the 2 hours home, late this morning, and refresh and relax a few hours before the kids got off school. Phew!

The airline gave us two $250 coupons for future flights, for the trouble. We are considering Florida or Vegas - we would have to buy tickets within the year. Something to consider. At the least, could be a mostly free Vegas weekend for us in the future. The airfare was so reasonable to Florida last I looked though. Could be a good opportunity to visit dh's Grandfather again. We can stay anywhere for free with MIL's timeshare points.

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Kauai was the best vacation ever. I don't care if I ever travel anywhere else again. With MIL's timeshare, all we really need is the airfare to go back again. (Which isn't horrible, particularly for 2 of us).

I was so surprised how little we had to spend there. The first day there we loaded up on bug spray, sunscreen, food, etc.

All the beaches in Hawaii are public, and we did not have to pay to park anywhere (so unlike California!).

We splurged on 2 three-figure meals, because of the money we received. Other than that, it was pretty low key. We could have easily lasted on $200 for the week. We had fast food a couple of nights, cooked in, and mostly had cereal/fruit for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.

We had many runs for neosporin (the reef got me! & I was so careful...), aloe vera, etc., etc. Dh burned, and I turned a few shades darker than the dark tan I already was. But we were able to get small enough sizes to bring all that back.

I was impressed how we did with everything. We left an almost full bottle of bug spray (could not find a smaller size to take with us) and a fair amount of peanut butter and jelly. We went through all the rest of the food - or was able to bring most of it back with us. (We probably could have brought back the PB - but dh didn't want to mess with it).

Things we loved:

-I swear I saw no bugs. When you think tropical island - you think BUGS! But we really didn't see any. It's like paradise!

-We could drive anywhere in about 30 minutes - and so much variety to see.

-The night sky was AMAZING. I don't think we have ever seen such a star-filled sky, and we were right outside a populated area early in the evening with lots of lights. Dh said, "Forget camping. We should plan our next trip with a meteor shower." I kept meaning to wake up in the middle of the night and sneak outside to REALLY see some stars, but never made it out much past 8pm.

-With the exception of one trail along the Na Pali coast (which was just amazing) we never really came across many people. So, we are remembering the time of year for a future trip. We had most trails and sights completely to ourselves!

OF course, we were just plain lucky. It barely rained the whole time we were there, and we just had amazing views. When we got to the crowded trail, we weren't sure we could find parking, and this guy comes buy and says - "You want my spot? I am leaving." IT was the best spot in the parking lot - was just so funny. Kind of how the whole trip was.

I'd say the only downside was the snorkeling. MUCH better in Oahu. But, still fun, nonetheless. We were able to rent snorkel gear VERY cheaply for the week. That was a plus.

Having to spend all day in the airport on our last day, was the least of our worries. We had too much of a great trip to complain.

Not to mention that we just feel completely spoiled rotten!

Oh well - Back to reality!