Tedeschi Winery

Maui is the home of exactly ONE winery; Tedeschi Winery. It is located Upcountry (which means on the top part of Maui, away from the beaches). When last we visited (in 1992) they were only producing pineapple wine. Happily, they have discovered that grapes grow quite nicely on Maui.

We arrived just in time to take the winery tour...which is very short since the winery is small.Our guide was delightful. She's worked and lived here more than 20 years.It was a gorgeous spot for a wedding.We lunched across the road at the Ulupalakua Ranch which serves the World Famous Elk Burger.

You already know the birds joined us for lunch.

Sugar Cane

The last Hawaiian island to process sugar cane is Maui. The locals say it won't last long since it's much cheaper to produce sugar in Cuba and Brazil.

Flora and Fauna

The flowers came in red and pink.The Koi Pond was beautiful.Birds waited anxiously to share every meal.

I didn't know tropical islands were affected by drought, but they are.Even the table deocrations were green.Not all the fauna was still alive. But it was delicious!

Maui in a (macadamia) nutshell

Mike packed his suitcase.

We saw a lot of this on the flight to Maui.We stayed here.And did this oftenwhile looking at this from our suite.I drank ONE of these for $14while admiring this.

We sat here...but didn't do this because it involved rowing.

We sat around and ate really good food.

While You Wait

breathlessly, I'm sure, for the Maui post...

Wednesday was Ana's last day of school.

We had lunch at Olive Garden.

It's an annual event.

Each year on the last day of school the kids get to choose where they would like to go for lunch. Ana and her friend C chose Olive Garden.

Sam's last day is June 11th. He's talking In 'n Out Burger.

Sunday - Last Day

Where we might be today.

I'd like to be in First Class eating this, but we're booked for coach.

I'll look into an upgrade, but I'm not optimistic.

Saturday - Day Five

Where we might be today.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

I've heard it's fun.

I liked the movie.

I bought the book and brought it with me.

Friday - Day Four

Where we might be today.

Rumor has it we will be going on a sunset cocktail cruise courtesy of the company.

I think it sounds dreadful. I've been on one before and did not enjoy it.

Let me just say: I HATE RUM PUNCH!

UPDATE: PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

Thank goodness! We're dining at Spago instead!

Thursday - Day Three

Where we might be today.

The pool at the Fairmont Kea Lani

Wednesday - Day Two

Where we might be today.

The Shops at Wailea

Souvenirs galore

Tuesday - Day One

Where we might be today.

We arrive at Kahalui Airport this afternoon.

Ready to go

Almost.

Mike is packed. Two swim suits, socks and underwear.

What more do you need?

May 30, 1868

Did you know the first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868?

I didn't.

I'm at a point in my life where I actually KNOW people who have served our country in the military. It never occurred to me that this was a big deal until several years ago.

Now I get it!!!

I did a Google search for "soldier iraq" and was disappointed with the results.

I have some idea of the sacrifice from my personal knowledge of ONE soldier.

He doesn't talk much about it.

I think, in general, soldiers tend not to.

It's all in a day's work.

Not so for me.

Thank you ALL for the sacrifice you make.

It's not unappreciated.

Souvenirs

I've been inquiring as to what certain people would enjoy as souvenirs.

JOE - Pretty easy. Wants ONE golf ball.

JANIS - Pretty easy. Wants a shot glass from Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

Then comes my children:

ANA is keeping it simple. She'd like a t-shirt.

I suggested maybe some jewelry, too. A SEA TURTLE! Now she'd like a sea turtle, too. This one is nice, but at $1995.00, a little more than the budget for gifts for 14-year-olds allows.

And then we come to Sam. Some of you know Sam, so this won't surprise you in the least. For the rest of you, well, what can I say? It's Sam.

Sam: Mom. I want a tiki.

Mom: You mean like the little statue?

Sam: No. Like the torches on Survivor.

Mom: Oh! I can't really bring a torch on the airplane. Is there anything else?

Sam: A wand.

Mom: A wand?

Sam: You know? Like Harry Potter.

This is where I left it. I didn't want to get into Harry Potter never having been to Maui as far as I know. That's when I suggested that maybe I could have a tiki torch shipped to him.

Sam: But Mom! How will they fit it in the mailbox?

This is not my problem, but I did find this website, which seemed to fascinate him.

For all of 30 seconds...

Random

Time for a random post.

It's what one does when one has too many items

sitting in the "draft" pile and no real thoughts to go with them.

The carousel at the Las Vegas Outlet Center.

This is where we look for pants for Mike each year.

I've always liked the carousel.

The kids weren't with us, so no one rode today.

I did a shop at the Mandalay Bay today. We ate at Raffles Cafe. Mike had Corn Beef Hash. I always thought the beef was "corned", but Raffles said it was "corn" and who am I to argue?

I ate scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and toast.

Pattycakes. We spotted this store in a strip mall. Clothes, toys and tea didn't really seem to go together, but we didn't go inside to investigate.

And finally, at Walmart. Really? Who goes into the restroom at Walmart and PAYS MONEY to find out their TRUE weight. This is the LAST thing I want to know.

More Summer

Stolen, without permission and everything, from Ana.



















(She used my camera? Does that get me off the hook at all?)