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Often when we are on vacation John suggests renting something: bikes, scooters, kayaks, canoes, etc. and it makes me crazy. Why? With the exception of scooters (riding in traffic on a tin can with a lawn mower motor, no thanks), these are things I actually like to do. So why do I resist? Because while he is thinking of the result (having fun) all I can think of are logistics.

I just started to make a list of the logistical details that overwhelm me and any desire I may have to have fun, and I am embarassed at how petty and inconsequential they are. Yet they often keep us from doing things. How has John put up with this for almost 10 years? There is also an inherited trait that keeps me from asking simple questions that could clear up some hesitation–it stems from a desire to not bother people and to not look like I don’t know what I am doing. How foolish is that? And then, to cap all of this off is my need to get places. I have a hard time enjoying journeys. Why can’t everyone understand that getting to point B is the point of everything. You can see how taking scenic drives are sometime lost on me. No John we can’t stop at that scenic overlook because we have somewhere to be…even when we don’t.

All of this means, that in every facet of my life, my initial reaction to EVERYTHING is “no”. I am getting better at keeping this “no” to myself. This is especially important since often times the “no” turns to “yes” in a matter of seconds or minutes. And if I don’t immediately articulate the “no” it gives me a chance a second or two later to not be a stick-in-the-mud. I am getting to the point where I almost seem spontaneous (almost) when we travel.  One of the ways I deal with it is to plan all the bits that are controllable to allow more space in between for spontaneity and things that are out of my control. But perhaps even more importantly is that I try not to worry about long strings of details that need to be dealt with in order to do something. Instead, I have gotten much better at just taking things one detail at a time. It’s not to say I don’t still visualize the whole arc of things that need to happen for a successful result. That, after all, can be a very good trait. But it does mean that I don’t obsess that every one of those things is going to go wrong and therefore we shouldn’t even bother trying.

Although I know John would agree that I have gotten much better about these things, I am guessing that he probably thinks I have some work to do.

Day Three
I took John back to Lanikai beach which is easily the nicest beach on O’ahu, and because of its location in a residential neighborhood is not subject to tour buses. The sand is fine and soft, the water is always perfect (except on the occasions when Portuguese men o’war are present), and the view is unbeatable. It is on the windward side of the island so it gets more cloud and rain than the Honolulu side of the island, but when the weather is nice Lanikai is the best.

And, WE RENTED A KAYAK.  There is a wonderful company called Hawaii Beach Time that not only rents kayaks, but they also rent chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and other beach equipment and they deliver to (and pick-up at) any beach on O’ahu.  It was brilliant.

We had a two-person kayak and paddled our way out this bird sanctuary off the coast. It was amazing. The water was gorgeous and the island was beautiful. I would do that again in a heartbeat.

This is a little grainy since it was taken on an iPad. The island on the left is the bird sanctuary we kayaked out to. Absolutely gorgeous.

After we were done at Lanikai we went back Honolulu via Makapuu and stopped more than once at scenic overlooks. In one case I even turned the car around to take a look at one. Progress.

Makapuu Beach Park

It was a spectacular final day on O’ahu capped off with an incredible meal at Town, a farm-to-table restaurant in the Kaimuki neighborhood.

Among other things Town had amazing bread and the best foccacia I have ever had. And who knew that butter IN a pool of olive oil would be so delicious? Photo credit: Pursuing Wabi