On the island

I just realized my dramatic post from Thursday never got published to the blog, so check that out (scroll down) to see my travel woes of getting out here. Good news, I made that last flight in Honolulu to Kauai on Thursday night, but my bag did not. No biggie; I picked it up on Friday morning.

It's nice to be back. I can't say that it's like I've never left since some things have obviously changed, but I definitely don't feel like a tourist either. I know where I'm going and where things are, what I want to eat, where to get that t-shirt or what road to take if the route to Lihue is backed up. I even ran into someone I used to work with on the beach yesterday afternoon--it's a small island, and in catching up with friends, to some extent, I feel like I still belong. It's a nice feeling.

It's been enjoyable. I'm staying with my old roommate, Kristin, and her husband (though currently I'm writing from my friend Rhian's house--I crashed here last night) and it's been great to catch up with my old friends. Friday I made some reservations for the wedding and checked out the beach we're getting married on--it's PERFECT! I am so excited! Thursday night we went to a documentary on the Kalalau trail at the local theater and I knew at least a half a dozen people in the crowd. Interesting movie.

Saturday morning started a little rough--my roommate's husband backed into my rental car parked on the street. I have to meet with the claims guy tomorrow, but aside from an hour or so lost on the phone and a dent in the driver's side door, I think it will all be ok. I had an appointment to meet with my wedding planner/officiant and she told me that she was going to be unable to officiate our wedding. I had been extremely fine with the travel stuff and the car being hit, but for some reason, when she told me that, I just started crying. She already had someone else lined up for me so it wasn't a big deal and no one else involved with the wedding knows her (and really, I had only met her half a dozen times), but it was upsetting at first. She's still going to handle all of the planning and such (and we got most everything cleared up over coffee) and I plan on calling the new officiant today. Maybe I can meet her before I leave the island. It will all be ok. Just breathe.

After that, I needed some beach time. I called Kristin and she and Josh met me down at Poipu Beach and we swam and sunned... it was nice. The water was perfectly warm and the waves were fun to ride. I have never been able to float in fresh water, but I suppose we were in the water for an hour yesterday and I barely used my legs to tread water. It was so nice. I miss using the ocean to cool off on a hot day. In the evening I came here to Rhian's and all of the old friends from Salt Pond came over--it was so good to see them and catch up. Time moves on and one couple is getting married next weekend and one couple is having a baby soon and another couple is engaged... but they're still the same friends and it was great to see them all.

I stayed out in Kekaha last night becasue I haven't really seen the west side yet on this trip and that's where I used to work and live. Kristin lives in Kalaheo and I had been running all my errands in Poipu and Lihue, so it's good to be back on the west side. I'm going up to see Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali coastline this morning. When I lived here and I was feeling down or out of place, I used to go up there and take it all in. It is so amazingly beautiful. I used to just stand there, over looking the colors and the scenery and think to myself, "I live here. How lucky am I to have such stunning beauty in my backyard." I am excited to see it. This afternoon I am going sailing and crewing on the boat I used to race on--can't wait! The boat owners were like my surrogate parents when I was here and it will be so good to see them again.

Monday is still up for grabs--maybe north shore--and I leave Tuesday for O'ahu (and work--boo). It has been awesome to have no real plans in a place so familiar and beautiful. Truly a vacation.

Oh, and just so the Iowans know, it's been mid-80s and sunny every day so far. Can't ask for anything more!