A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{September 8, 2017} So…stuff happens, right?

It just sucks when it happens on vacation…Kind of like a summer cold.

I know I owe you a few posts from our Kauai vacation, but as things happen, I am delayed, my apolgies.

So… the first thing that delayed me was Monday night. Apparently with too much sun and too much juice, I have no idea, can have a negative effect. Let’s just say, I had too much sun, got a burn and then at the luau, I honestly think I had too much juice, sugar, whatever, I think I got a touch of sun poisoning, bad combination, and passed out, among other things. Scared PSM just a wee bit, but he was great, taking care of me and making sure I got back to the hotel safely and putting me to bed.

Tuesday, we did stuff, but at a much slower pace, that mack truck that hit me wiped me out!

I had some connection issues, so of course, frustrating there.

Last grrr…I dropped my phone, for the thousandth time, it seemed like, and my screen finally cracked! Oh no!!! At least it’s only in the corner and the camera is just fine in the front and the back. I was just talking about getting a new phone, isn’t that always the way? PSM said I handled it well, what else could I do?

Oh yeah, the sunburn, ouch! Here’s what happened there… I’ve been in the Hawaii sun a bunch and after the initial tan, I’ll admit, I don’t put sunblock on every time. Shh… don’t tell my mom! Now, if I’m going to be in the sun for a really long time, I put it on, especially my face.

For the past few months I’ve been wearing a bathing suit that is shorts and a shirt, I’m sure you know what I mean. Well, Monday, I decidedI was going to wear a bikini, yup, me! It’s actually a top and bottom that you would wear to work out, so it fits well. At least I think it does and PSM liked it.

Since I was wearing something new and exposing more skin, and in new places, I applied sunblock everywhere, that you can tell my mom! Ha ha. Well… even though I applied it everywhere, apparently, I forgot my midsection! Or, I didn’t apply enough! I am burned, red- lobster red, oh my! And ooouuucchhhh!

Let’s just say, you can tell what kind of straps for me top and it looks like I was wearing a cummerbun for a tuxedo! Oh my!

I got some good lotion and cooling gel and I’m getting better. Some of it is already starting to turn brown, so I’m good to go! As I always say when I come home for a bit, when I go back to work I want to look like I’ve been somewhere! Mission accomplished!

So… overall, not bad, just not fun when these things happen on vacation, right?

Moving on, I have so much to tell you, tomorrow!

{September 4, 2017} Ka lāʻekolu Kauai. He aha ke kiʻi hou aʻe ?!.

Day three Kauai. What’s our next adventure?!

Today consisted of driving up the Waimea Canyon Drive to the various lookouts, stopping along the drive at different scenic overlooks and a few hikes, or walks. I hope you’ll join us.

The next overlook stop was interesting and beautiful. Look at all the ‘people’ others have made stacking rocks. Of course we added us, mine has a red rock on top for the redhead I am!

The next stop was the Waimea Canyon Lookout. They say this canyon is the Grand Canyon of the Hawaiin Islands and its true. I know the photos don’t do it justice, but wow!

You know you’re on an island, and its not a huge island, but being up here, looking out at the vastness, it doesn’t feel that small, but you do.

There was another park overlook, Kokee Road, that we stopped at. This was looking over the Nopali Coast, where we were snorkeling yesterday. I took photos of this side of the mountain from down there looking up, just amazing!

Major props to PSM for sitting where he is! Like many, heights is not his thing, but he’s been challenging himself for a long time and the hikes he’s been taking since moving to Hawaii has been helping.

Next was Pihea Trail in Hanapepe. Some areas were mostly on the Hawaiian Red Dirt Hawaii is famous for and it looked like we were walking on another planet. Once on a while we geeked out feeling like we were on an episode of Star Trek!

It’s good we got there when we did, sort of. We had great visibility all the way driving up the canyon road and when we started down this trail, but the clouds had been threatening and then they started rolling in and when you looked to the left, nothing, literally, nothing.

The trade winds have left and this week is a little warm, even by Hawaiian standards, so when the clouds roll in, ahh. It’s like air conditioning and a mist machine all rolled into one.

We left just in time, as the rain started. Then coming down, it was as if it never happened!

Now, after all that hiking, time for some lunch. We found a little thai place that doubled as a shaved ice stand, treat shack and was attached to a clothing store.

Here are our breakfast and lunch companions. I don’t know if you remember me telling you that the chickens and rosters are all over Kauai, even at the hotel and in the restaurant since it’s open. No one bothers them and they don’t bother you, just pick up what you dropped. Who needs a dog…or a swifer!

After lunch, a trip to the beach at the end of the world! We went almost to the end of the island and took a left. Then, down a four mile dirt and jutted road with potholes, divits and bumps. As we’re driving, the clouds are slowly rolling in and just as we get to the beach, drip, drop, drip, drop. Doesn’t stop us from getting out of the car. What’s that saying? “A rainy day at the beach is better than a day at the office”. I would have to agree!

The people on the beach knew what they were doing, tents with flaps keeping out the rain. Or several open type tents with flaps next to each other creating a barrier against the rain.

We left the beach at the end of the world and headed back to our hotel, got two of our free mai tais and walked to the beach behind our hotel to swatch another amazing sunset.

Dinner at the hotel…with the chickens, who I continually promise I will not be eating.

Tomorrow starts early… another great adventure! Join us?!

{September 3, 2017} Ka lāʻelua Kauai

Day two Kauai. What a day! We started the day at the hotel at a Kauai orientation breakfast. This was presented by a local company that tells you about Kauai, navigating around the island and then different options for tours and activities on the island. The nice thing about the orientation was having someone to book activities for us in one place, instead of us going to multiple sites to book. We’re excited about what we’ve booked, starting today! We started off on our day of adventure through the Tunnel of Trees, isn’t it fabulous!? Then we stopped in the town of Koloa, toured an old Hawaiian village, look at that monkeypod tree, planted in 1925 by Howard Yamamoto. Then we drove on and stopped at Poipu Beach and saw Ke Kahua O Kaneiolouma, a map of an authentic Hawaiian village designed by Henry Kekahuna. We were at Poipu Beach, how could we not actually go to the beach! How beautiful, yum! Toes in the sand! Then, on to Spouting Horn State Park. Spouting Horn is located in the Koloa district on the southern coast of Kauai. This area of Kauai is known for its crashing waves, these waves erode lava rocks on the coastline which can create narrow openings, as is the case with Spouting Horn.

Then our first scheduled adventure! A catamaran, The Lucky Lady, out to the Napali Coast for some snorkeling and sailing back into the sunset! Do you see the Hawaiian Slipper Dolphins who came to say hello!

The Napali Coast was amazing! Caves, waterfalls, inlets, jutties, mountains, goats, private islands.

Snorkeling! Love, love, love my Go-Pro, thank you family!

Then, after snorkeling, it was time for mai tais, other libations and dinner, then sail off into the sunset, literally. Mother Nature even threw in a rainbow!

What an adventure and what a way to end the day! What could tomorrow hold!?

{September 2, 2017} Aloha Kauai!

What do people who live on an island do for vacation?

Why, they go to another island, of course! Aloha Kauai! We’ve been talking about where to go for a while and since we want to explore all the island before we move, Kauai was next on the list! PSM had spent some time here with his aunt and uncle a few months ago and wanted to share it with me now. Love that!

As you know, I got home last night, did laundry and this morning, up, pack and head to the airport. The beauty of inter- island flying on Hawaiian Airlines is that there are flights almost every hour and the flights are anywhere from 25-45 minutes. Up and down, nice. Not a bad view from the plane, eh? Then took a few shots after we landed on the way to lunch!

The nice thing about traveling for work is the points! We are staying at a Hilton Garden Inn on points, wahoo!

We went to Kapaa to a food truck that I saw the owner on Cooks vs Cons! But, alas, they were closed, off island for research, but they will be back on the 5th, we’ll go then! So, in search of food, we found Tiki’s Tacos!

It is a small place, tacos only, no chips on the side, as they say, tacos only, eclectic and the menu is written in chalk above the window to the kitchen. When you look for the menu online, its a photo of the chalkboard!

The food takes a bit to come out, could be why there are skeletons everywhere! Kidding of course, part of the Mexican ambiance, the one in the bathroom cracked me up, when the lights came on, disco lights! The food good, fresh ingredients and very filling.

No, the chickens in the parking lot were not used in the making of our lunches! The island is known for its population of wild chickens and roosters. They are every-where!

Off to find adventure!

We drove to a few fabulous lookout points, let’s be real, this is Hawaii, what isn’t a fabulous lookout point!

We went to see the Opaeka’a Falls, one of two waterfalls on the island that are view only. The others you have to hike or kayak to.

One of the overlooks we could see where some of Indiana Jones was filmed!

By now, it is happy hour time! We went to the Lava Lava Beach Club. This is a spot that is known for its happy hour, the view is amazing and the specials are the right price.

We started with a Gilligans Girl and Huggies Mai Tai. Not a fan of either, but, PSM enjoyed the mai tai, a few times. The tater tots and mango pineapple salsa was tasty.

Look at that view! We put our toes in the sand, mine in the water and said ahhh…

Not bad for a first day. I can’t wait to see what adventure awaits us this week!

{September 1, 2017} Three flights, $150, and oh so many hours, I’m finally home!

It is just about 10 p.m. in Hawaii, 3 a.m. in Chicago and I just got home.

The day started in Peoria, Illinois, wake up very early, workout, shower, breakfast, pack, airport. At the airport I had quite the shock…when I attempted to check in my third bag that I had already paid $150 for. Seriously?

I qualified for gold status on United within the last month. It was funny, PSM and I were talking and I said, why haven’t I promoted to gold by now, with all my flights to Hawaii this year and look at that! Well, with gold status comes two free bags, wahoo! I’ll take it! The bad part, that third bag isn’t a regular bag charge, it’s $150! Oh my! So, I paid it when I checked in for my flight yesterday. It would have been $300 to ship the two boxes, so there you go. Not everything ships to Hawaii via Amazon… even with a Prime account, go figure.

I looked at the gate agent like she had two heads and she knew my anger and frustration were not directed at her. She understood and worked with a supervisor and online with support, no dice. So out comes the credit card, $150. I could have driven to Chicago, checked in there and paid $150 once. Grrr

When I got to the gate I called the dedicated status United line. Oh no, that should not be happening says the second person I talked to because the dedicated baggage line didn’t know anything about baggage, hmmm… my heroine for the day, charge reversed!

Flight number one, 1035am flying time about 25 minutes in the air. I had about 4 hours until my next flight, United Club, sounds good. Plug in, grab some food and get a lot of work done.

Flight number two Chicago to San Francisco, 4.5 hours, 347pm, and what are the odds, someone who had been on my current project until last year, was sitting in the aisle seat across from me! We talked, caught up while people are boarding the plane, they noticed us talking and would try to stop before blocking us, it was funny.

We talked project, life on the road, travel, she’s going to Ireland in a few months, so of course I had lots to talk about! And like me, this is her first solo international trip. Such a treat!

Land in San Francisco, grab food, check the board, head to the gate, crickets… gate change, ugh. New gate, get in line, board eventually, flight number three, 5.5 hour flying time, get settled, try to watch what’s on the video screen but I don’t remember classical playing during the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy. Back to my phone, which I had downloaded a bunch of stuff.

So, it’s now just about 10pm, I started my journey to Hawaii at 845am leaving the hotel, 3am in Chicago, approximately 11 hours in the air, how many hours total travel time is that? That is way too much math for me!

But who cares, I’m home! For the week and I can’t wait to tell you what we’re doing for the week! Gotta get home and do laundry! Off we go!

{August 26, 2017} Saturday… what did we do?

More like… what didn’t we do?!

I got in late last night, no non- stops from St Louis to Denver in the evening. PSM got out yesterday morning, non-stop and was at the hotel bar relaxing when I landed in Chicago.

I was originally flying through Houston, but with Hurricane Harvey causing trouble, United called and re- booked me through Chicago, nice. I also promoted to gold status on United last week, so first class on both flight, wahoo!

I got in about midnight, got my bag and car, headed to the hotel and very quietly snuck into bed about 130am, talked to you, then crashed a while later.

The alarm…yup… went off about 630am, ugh. I snoozed a bit, then got up, dressed and walked out the door towards Coors Field, I was meeting LJ for The Color Run, you know, “The Happiest 5k on Earth!”

And you know what, it is! You can’t be unhappy participating in this race. You get to run through clouds of color and become a rainbow! This was LJ’s first 5k, let alone Color Run. We had a great time! We ran the start and finish, well, if anyone asks, yup, we ran!

I walked/ ran to meet her so I was pumped! After, we walked to get some food near my hotel, it was only about 1.5 miles, so by the time I got back to the hotel, 6 miles under my feet!

I don’t know if you remember how many races I used to do, about 2-3 a month for a few years. This is the first this year and it reminded me how much I enjoyed, not so much the running, but the excitement, the energy, the sense of accomplishment! I have one more scheduled this year, in Denver and I’m hoping to get back on track next year!

Denver is such a beautiful, interesting and eclectic city! While we were having lunch, we saw a class of service dogs and their trainers, learning… walking through crowds, sitting under tables, meeting other dogs, it was great!

We parted company, we’ll meet again later. I went to the hotel, showered, rested a little, then we headed out to True Foods for lunch with PSM’s cousin, D and her husband P, I don’t know if you remember me telling you about our last visit. They live in Denver and were fabulous to squeeze us into their schedule!

I have ordered food from True Foods in Chicago, but only their pizza, I believe I shared it with you, oing my, it would have been nice to actually share! It is a vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant, so something for everyone.

I had an amazing sandwich on 7 grain bread with a fried egg, tomatoes, almond ricotta, fried seitan and crisp lettuce. Oh my, my, my! Yeah, that’s all I have to say!

After lunch, we drove out to Longmont to visit my stuff, take care of storage business and get key for my new unit. A few months ago someone had driven off the highway and into two units, one being mine. My stuff is ok, some things crushed, but nothing horrible. I’m sorry the picture didn’t take, I was amazed!

Back to the hotel for a minute and then… Denver Broncos vs Greenbay Packers, pre-season game! LJ had texted last month and asked if we were interested in going to the game, you bet! PSM was in his best behavior, being a Pats fan, thank you.

We were in the nosebleed seats, almost to the top, remember when CKM went to the Bears game last year?! The stadium was packed! Mostly Denver fans, but Cheeseheads were out in force! I had seen a lot of them throughout the day in Denver.

There were some great jerseys out there, my favorite was a serious house divided. Mom and toddler number one in green, dad and toddler number two in orange! The halftime show was the junior Broncos cheerleaders and about 600 even more junior, cheerleaders! So cute! As the announcer said “this demo displays that girls rock!”

Greenbay was winning when we left, hope the home team wins!

After the game, we grabbed an Uber to City O’ City, a vegetarian/ vegan restaurant and oh my! We sat in the back cocktail area, full service at the bar. The restaurant was packed, eclectic, like the city and still cozy.

We started with a pretzel with cheese to dip in, one vegan and one straight up. Then LJ had a ‘chicken wrap’, PSM had a pastrami sandwich, basically a rueben and omg! It had pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and thousand island dressing.

Me, I had a to’fish sandwich and wow! It was like a giant piece of fried fish! It didn’t taste exactly like fried fish, but wow, it was fabulous! Lettuce, tomatoe, ricotta goat cheese, pickles with a side of vegan mac-n- cheese. Happy vegan alert!!!

After, we were done! Took our leftovers with us, can’t wait to eat the other half of my sandwich tomorrow! Back to the hotel, talk to you, chill and crash, flying out tomorrow.

Was that really just one day?

{August 25, 2017} So happy!! Dinner with my friend!!

Tonight, I got to see someone for the first time in years!

Go figure, two people I love working in St Louis the same week as me!

Tonight, I got to see KLS, someone I met on the University of Michigan Health Systems project, our first with Deloitte. We were both hired specifically for this project and our background training Epic, the electronic medical record software.

As you know, or may not know, I still work for Deloitte. KLS left Deloitte shortly after our first project ended. We are both still traveling the country training, she’s still training Epic and I’m on a new application.

She happens to be on a project in St Louis and as you know, I’m here for the week, how could we not see each other! It was as if time stood still and we just saw each other last week! Those are the best friendships!

We both miss that first project together, the location, some of our coworkers, the whole thing. We kept each other sane, talked every day, if we didn’t see each other and if we went more than two days without seeing each other, one or both of us had gone on vacation or home! We kept each other sane!

We compared notes on our lives, our loves, you know, not just the guys in our lives, but the wee tots, our nieces, nephews, grandbabies. We bragged and gushed just like we should. You know this included our fur babies of course. She thinks her Bassett hound, Greta looks like Mollie, with shorter legs. I’d say good call!

Parting was such sweet sorrow, out was like we were back in MI, going to our respective hotels, across the parking lot, she’s Marriott, you know I’m Hilton!

So cannot wait to see her again!

{August 23, 2017} Play ball!!

Tonight, a baseball game!

You mught remember that I’m not that into sports and then you see a bunch of posts at sporting events, huh? Well, even though I’m not that big into sports, I like going to the stadium, being around the crowds, the sights, sounds, smells and sharing it with you! Oh, I also add to my hat or tshirt collection, go figure!

Do you remember me telling you that PSM is in St Louis this week? We were determined to see each other! Last night he said he was going to see if he could get me an extra ticket. Guess what!

St Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium! And his company has a box at the stadium, sweet!

Food, drinks, fun! I met a lot of PSM’s coworkers, had some good food, good drink, good conversation, what more could you want?

Finally went to sit in the stands, being in a box means you have covered seats, so it was a little cooler, fabulous!

The game was close, then it wasn’t… unfortunately, it was not the Cardinals night.

After the game PSM and team headed back to their hotel and on my way to the hotel I stopped that the Hilton at the stadium, went to the rooftop bar to check out the view, not too shabby!

What a night! Oh… got a Cardinals hat!

{August 21, 2017} Aladdin, wow! And the meet, oh my!

Today was a day for first meetings and theater!

This afternoon we went to see Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace theater in Chicago and it was wonderful! The sets, the glitter, the fireworks, the costumes, the choreography, need I go on?!

A fantastic cast, bringing the story to life, both the ancient tale and the Disney animated movie. Everyone was fantastic, but who stole the show? The genie of course! He was larger than life, animated, excited, energetic and food Robin Williams proud, you know he made the movie… fabulous! We all loved it!

Who is we, you may be asking, well… you know how I talk about DLP and WIS, the two women I joke that I’m dating in Chicago, because I go out with each of them every week. They are the work wife and work girlfriend respectively and, you know that PSM knows about them. Well, today, they met each other and PSM! DLP met WIS and WIS met PSM. It was awesome!

Now, when I mention each of them, they can have a face to go with the name! My circle was complete!

After the show, a good meal at a local place, them PSM and I headed to the airport, we are both going to be in St Louis for the week, will we see each other? No telling, go figure!

Such a great day!

{August 20, 2017} Sleep in… brunch…culture… silliness

Guess where I am and guess who’s with me!

About 6am, my hotel room door, in Chicago, opened and PSM walked in! We get to spend the weekend together!

We talked for a bit, caught up on our Friday and then sacked out for a few hours.

Eventually, we needed sustenance, we headed out to The Chicago Diner, if you remember “Meat-Free Since ’83”. We started with poutine, I texted WIS, make get jealous! Then it was a Monte Cristo for PSM, made on french toast and Country Benedict for me and a small vanilla milkshake to top it off. Way too much food for us, the homeless guy was thankful.

Then we started walking, passed a bar with some live music and an even livelier crowd, dropped in for a drink then headed back into the city again. Guess who is also in town…The Blue Angels! I tried to get a few shots as we were walking.

We hopped into a taxi to take us to the Art Institute, there is a Gauguin exhibit that will be leaving in a few weeks. It wasn’t only his paintings, which he took up later in life. It was paintings, mixed in with sculptures, wood- blocking, screen printing, wood carving and painting, pottery, fan design.

What a talent! I didn’t know that much about Gauguin aside from his Tahitian paintings, which is what he is most known for, well, to me at least.

Then it was back to the hotel for a rest, then out to a local place for a less than stellar dinner, another happy homeless inhabitant of Chicago.

A short walk, check out the roofto bar, a chat with you and then…zzzz

Tomorrow, another full day and then travel. Goodnight!

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