MAUI COUNTY BABY!

After 2 years of anticipation, we finally earned enough miles on Hawaiian Air to go see the Eyres in Maui!  It was hard to know whether to use Sloan's summer break to keep traveling to potential places to live or to go on a relaxing, needed vacation. But once we realized we could look at options in Maui for work, we talked ourselves into it.

When Sloan researches an area to practice, he looks up their dentist per population ratio on a website that organizes populations by counties.  So, when Teisha asked him where in Hawaii we'd be going, he replied "Maui County."

Teisha didn't hear him say 'county', to Sloan's relief, but when he told me the story later, we laughed for about an hour.  What tourist has ever described Maui as "Maui County?"  

My dad and Roxanne watched Ruth & Reggie for the week, and we took Luke with us.  He was a good travel buddy except for the airplane.  That was a long 6 hours!

Sorry people in front of us

 

happy to land

and get his hands on some toys

 and cousins!

It was fun to see the Eyre's renovated home - love their style. Ana gave up her comfy bed for us and even shared her birthday M&M's.  That afternoon I swam some laps with Aja at the kids' swim team practice.  It's an outdoor pool that overlooks Kahului - I wanted to join swim team just for the view!

Meanwhile Jonah took Sloan surfing and the rest of us met them after swim team to see these amazing creatures as they came up to the beach for the night.  I was blown away - haven't seen them in the wild like this before.  Love how they snuggle.

The next morning they took us on the "bamboo hike" with the Andersons.  Gorgeous!  You have to swim to get to the last couple waterfalls 

so we got the floaties out for Luke...

and tossed him in

He wasn't too happy about it, but too bad.  I would do this hike every day if I could! 

at the end we jumped off cliffs on the side of a big waterfall and layed in the sun. 

Luke dozed home

That night we went with the Andersons to a Japanese Hon dance. 
They dance in a circle honoring their ancestors. 

Sloan and Jonah!

Such a cool experience. I felt like a fish outta water but so glad these ladies got me out there.  Sloan & Jonah were naturals.  This video's long, feel free to skim

Then it was Sunday, so we went to church with the Eyres. Very tender meeting with soft-hearted members.  Reminded us of New Zealand.

and another beautiful hike that afternoon

love these two

These families are a perfect match.  We loved being a part of their crew - Ruthie would have never let us leave if she had come with us. 

Sydney & Ana

Love this beautiful Maui gal - she's so sweet and mature for her age

These two aren't so bad either :)

Monday morning Aja took us out on another great adventure ...  to the Crater!

Po had to get up a little early, but she was a good sport. Even after the car started overheating on the way up.  We were taking it slow, taking breaks to fill the radiator with water, when one of the hoses popped and had a hole the size of a dime in it.  We worked together to use a clamp to cover the hole which was good enough to get us home.  But not to get us the last mile up to the top. So Sloan & I hitched a ride and made it to this spectacular view -  

the top of Maui!

it was cold & windy up there.  But thankfully we beat the clouds.

We hitched a ride back down to where Aja & the babes were patiently waiting. We had a nice & quiet coast down, quiet except for Luke's crying.  He was jet-lagged.

That afternoon we got a rental car and checked in at the Maui Lu for a few nights so the Eyres could get a breather from us.  It was a little dumpy, but right on the beach

The Eyres met us at Launiupoko that afternoon for surfing & paddle boarding. They were so generous to share their gear with us. These guys know how to show you round the place!

And from there to the Sheraton in Lahaina (best shouted LaHAIna)

Maui beaches are all accessible to the public, sorry Sheraton guests - the cove is fair game!

What would I do without my sis? She's honestly & truly the best.

We got there just in time for the Sheraton's nightly lighting of the torches and cliff jumping.  Jonah, Sloan & Ana went snorkeling and jumped off the cliff. 

When they were swimming back, we noticed a pod of sea creatures swimming towards them.  People on the beach were noticing and trying to figure out what it was because there was something popping out of the water rather shark-finnish.  I guess Ana started half-shouting, half-whispering to Sloan & Jonah "WHAT IS IT?? WHAT IS IT??" 

It was a pod of manta rays! This was Sloan's first encounter with snorkling & sea life - he was hooked

After Sheraton, we walked down to the Hula Show at the Whaler's Village

 

watchin the show, chompin on ice

We were happily sitting there watching too, till they came out to get people from the audience to dance. Ahhhh!! 

Loved seeing Sloan up there though - he's got a great tooshie for it.  I might've enjoyed that even more than seeing him do the Hon dance :)

The next morning we went snorkling and played tennis near our hotel in Kihei, then drove into Kahului to see the famous Iao Needle

this kid loves the camera

from there, dinner at Da Kitchen Cafe.  Pork Lau Lau was YUM

The next morning we were up early and had "Big Beach" all to ourselves

We went for a long walk and climbed up the rocks that lead to the nudist beach

but we didn't go

why not skinny dip at Big Beach? 

 

We put Luke down and went for a dip  (no pictures for that, be grateful :)

Sloan was brave and went snorkeling. 
I was too scared from the recent shark attack in this area

 

he loved it

 

then we took little Luke out

he was scared but trusted his daddy

the money shot

 

where'd his peeper go?

there it is :)

from there we had cinnamon roll french toast at Kihei Cafe

and met Aja & Jonah for paddle boarding.  Aja didn't feel like changing into her suit. I'm so glad she didn't. This is my 2nd favorite shot of the trip. 

That evening we went back to Lahaina for snorkling. I was so sad I waited till the 2nd to last day to try snorkeling - it was awesome!

and the most juicy, flavorful burgers we've ever had 
at Teddy's

yep, that good

and Hula Pie at Kimo's (a little too sweet for us)

Another perfect day in Maui!!  We were totally in love by this point.  Sloan shadowed a dentist on our last day. He has a busy practice and is looking to sell.  Sloan isn't sure he wants to buy right out of school, in a place we're not sure we want to settle for the long-haul (esp since we don't know how long the Eyres will be there), but it's still an option.  While he shadowed, Aja took me to see Oprah's property

her view

and the 1st LDS church built in Hawaii

beautiful spirit here, so peaceful

checking out Aja's abundant garden and lavish outdoor tub

last cuddle in the hammock

and off we go :(   
Thanks Eyres for an incredible stay - we are already saving up miles for trip 2.

we might've slipped him a little Melatonin

home sweet home!