Carcassonne and Craters

Yesterday was day 5 in Maui.  I didn’t get a chance to blog about the day because Brian, Amy, Keith and I were playing Carcassonne late into the evening.  I figured I would just fill you in as I sip my morning cup of Kona coffee.

I would say that yesterday was a successful family day.  Brian and Keith decided to accompany me on my morning run.  Their speed was much faster then my typical beach jog, but I kept up. 

We all made the trip to the Haleakala Crater.  We didn’t see the sun set or rise, which is supposedly a breathtaking experience.  I am not sure if the Hillier family would ever be able to wake up at 3am to see such a sight, and we got there a little too early to just wait around for the sun to set.  I thought that the crater was breathtaking, even without a rising or setting sun.  Kathy (Keith’s mom) seemed to be a little disappointed about the craters size.  I guess she was expecting much bigger.  If you ask me it is quite large.  The next time I visit I would love to make it a day trip.  My dream would be to watch the sun rise and then hike down into the crater.  We were not sure the hike would be safe for the entire family, so we didn’t make that journey this trip.

On the way to the Haleakala Crater we made a stop at the Maui Agricultural Research Center (MARC) and the Kula Botanical Gardens.  The highlight of the MARC was that I got to peak into the Biochemistry Lab.  This isn’t allowed and is actually off limits, but I was “searching for the bathroom.”  At least that’s what I was going to say if someone said something.  I am a total science geek and it is unfair to tempt me with microscopes and staff only signs.  It only makes me want to “scope” the place out.  I wish the facility would have done a little tour of the lab or explained their research a bit.  I think that would have made the stop a little more enlightening, but it was free.  My 2^nd favorite part of the MARC was the Rose garden.  I found out that mine and Keith birthday (1984) flower was named “Intrigued.”  It was a pretty little purple rose.  No one else in the family had a birthday rose.  They didn’t go back that far.

The Kula Botanical Gardens was $10 per person, but well worth it.  There is NO senior discount, trust me, Kathy asked a few times.  However, there is a AAA discount of $8.50 per person.  The garden was beautiful and well kept with benches, lawns, trails, flowers, plants, mini waterfalls, streams, ponds, and animals.  It is a perfect venue for a small wedding.  The best part was cracking macadamia nuts and eating them.  Keith even ate off the tree this time.  I would highly recommend this for a family stop.  It is one that is fun for everyone.

We drove back to the condo and Kathryn made the family some delicious chicken tacos.  You know exactly how I ended my night, Carcassonne.

Thanks for reading (Mahalo!)

Jennifer Marie

Rewriting Maui Revealed

Today we drove the scenic windy road to Hana.  The first day I got sick on the plane and the second I got sick on the short drive to the Waihee Ridge Trail.  I was not going to be caught nauseas again.  I started the morning off with a single chewable Dramamine.  Yes a chewable.  I prefer the orange flavor of the chewable tablet over the soap taste of the non-chewable.  That soapy taste is enough to make me vomit, which is completely counterintuitive being that I am trying to prevent vomiting.  Besides, absorption starts in the mouth so the chewable tablets are likely to be more efficient nausea preventers anyway.  The problem was that I became extremely exhausted.  I could barely keep my eyes open for the drive. I actually remember dreaming about fire works and the Giants game.  I hear they won actually.  Anyway, when I purchased the Dramamine I noticed that there was a non-drowsy form, but I completely bypassed it.  I assumed that the non drowsy formula wouldn’t be as effective, like that of Nyquil.  I swear the orange non-drowsy formula doesn’t work like the real thing..... the green one.

Let me start off by saying that the trip was not my idea by any means.  Keith’s dad and sister were the ones who really wanted to go.  We told them that it was an all day trip and that it was probably going to rain.  In an attempt to avoid the “We always do what you guys want to do,” phrase we went.  My friends Mike and Kath actually recommended the trip, so I figured it would be worth a shot even if I am prone to motion sickness.  The plan was to leave at 7am and meet at the Kahanu Gardens.  Ray and Katherine were not ready to leave, so we left before them and headed off for the journey.  About an hour into the drive we received a text message from Katherine, “We are turning back.”  I guess they didn’t want to endure the rain.  I really have no idea, but we were already on the way so we pressed on. 

We made our first stop at Pua’a Ka’a.  According to the Maui Revealed book we were supposed to make a 5-10 min hike up a trail in order to find the perfect photo-op under a waterfall.  Needless to say we hiked for 2 hours in the pouring rain and deep mud and found no such waterfall.  The adventure was actually one that tested my comfort zone.  We crossed rushing water and narrow bridges.  We did find this old building, which looked like an excellent opportunity to seek shelter from the rain.  Inside was this old wheel.  Brian decided it would be a great idea to tell Keith to give it a little turn.  All of a sudden water came rushing down the bank.  It turns out that wheel opened a dam ahead.  We quickly closed the dam and continued on our way.  We ended up hiking around and found ourselves back at the main road about 200 yards from the car.  We were surrounded by numerous “keep out” and “no trespassing” signs.  OOPS.

Stop number two was the Kahanu Gardens.  Ahead was a sign that read “Road Closed.”  It had been raining so hard that the road was a little flooded and the garden was closed.  We crossed anyway.  Brian drove the car through the water and we walked around the closed garden.  It was nice because we didn’t have to pay the 10 dollar fee and we had the place to ourselves.  Amy and I found some really cool shells on the beach.  We really had to be careful around the coconut trees though.  Those things burrow in the ground when they fall from the trees and could potentially be quite dangerous if you are standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We actually attempted to crack one open.  It looks so much easier in the movies.  We were not successful.  We went to leave and were unable to cross the road.  In the hour that we had been touring the garden the road had completely flooded and there was no way we could drive through. We ended up finding an alternative route through private property and muddy roads.

Stop number 3 was the Black Sand Beaches and Caves.  This was actually the only stop we made that I didn’t feel like I was breaking a law.  We did make a few “adventure pee stops” on the way in addition to these listed, but I don't count those.  We attempted to find a fresh water swimming hole, but ended up hiking in wet muddy terrain once again,  only to find nothing.  We did see some awesome caves and stuck our feet in the black sand though.

Overall I would say that the trip was a success.  I guess you could say that we found a few new adventures that could be written in the next addition of Maui Revealed.  The day was coming to an end so we drove back down the mountain.  The rain diminished and the sun was shinning.  Score, a rainbow.   

Thanks for reading,

JenniferMarie

Diving Deep 36 Feet

Day 3 is wrapping up in Hawaii.  Keith is working the BBQ and I am filling the world in on the days adventures.

As you probably know I love mornings.  I love to wake up before the world and sip my coffee in peace, followed by a bike ride or a run.  It is the most relaxing situation and starts my day off just right.  Hawaii has even more so magnified the glory in my mornings in a way that I never thought were possible.  It is the “me” time that takes place during the family vacation.  I listen to the waves crash against the rocks, and think about the thoughts I allowed to rest over night.  Don’t get me wrong; I love family, but sometimes its nice to take a moment for you.

The family decided to partake in the beach today.  The weather was perfect so we took advantage.  Keith did a bit of snorkeling with his brother, while I sat on the beach with the rest of the family.  I am trying to even out my cycling tan lines before the Miss California USA pageant......... kind of crucial!  At the end of the day I ended up with a red lobster body and Keith with every vessel in his eyes bleeding.  After 26 years he is still falling for those older brother “I dare you tricks.”  I am the oldest, so I know these games.  It turns out Keith dove a little too deep in an attempt to figure out the water depth for Brian, his older brother.  Conclusion, 36 feet.

As we walked along the beach watching the Hawaii sun lay to rest, I thought about tomorrow morning’s coffee being sipped in peace.

A word from the big snail....... hang loose, chill, whatever that sign means.

Keith and I did a little bit of cloths shopping today. haha

Thanks for reading!

JenniferMarie

Aloha from Hawaii!!!

I am in Hawaii with Keith’s family for the week. We arrived at the Kahului Airport yesterday morning. We took a shuttle over to enterprise to pick up our two Dodge Chargers. One of them is red and I absolutely love seeing Keith’s mom drive it. Just picture Sophia Petrillo from The Golden Girls driving a huge red Dodge Charger....... quite funny. I’m not even sure she can see over the dashboard. We made ourselves at home at the Maui Kamaole Condos. We are just a hop and a skip away from Kamaole Beach 3, so we went for a short walk and swim last night before hitting the hay.

This morning I woke up early and had my typical 2 cups of coffee and a banana followed by an hour run. Keith, Amy, and Brian did a little snorkeling while I was out, then we all met up to hike Waihee Ridge Trail. The trail was an out and back 2.5 miles uphill, then down. Unfortunately, it was foggy at the top and we were unable to see the view from the top. The best part was eating the random fruits from the trees. Keith doesn’t want anything to do with my tree eating habits. He says he is waiting for me to get sick. I am just banking on my stomach of steal.

Here is the trail we did today. We found it in the Maui Revealed book that Kelly Fiock let us borrow. Thanks Kelly!

http://www.hawaii-guide.com/index.php/maui/spot/waihee_ridge_trail/

Here are a few pictures.

Thanks for reading!

JenniferMarie

Lucky n Life

I couldn’t be more thankful then I am right now. I am finally home in Sac after being in Daly City since Monday. I absolutely love my new job at Seton Medical Center. My co-workers are wonderful and my patients never allow a dull moment. I feel blessed that Seton was willing to give a new graduate a chance over several other candidates that applied for the position. I think I am still in a little bit of shock that I was able to land a full time/benefited career in an economy like this. I guess an Exercise Physiologists job isn’t the hardest to come by when Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the US. I guess I chose the right major. I enjoy going to work everyday and practicing what I love. It makes me feel like all the things I went through in college were worth it. It saddens me to hear young people and the media try to break down whether or not college is financially worthwhile. There is more to college then the job at the end of the tunnel. The relationships that I built during both my undergraduate and graduate years of college have impacted my life in such a way that has shaped me into who I am today. I have stayed up late, pulled all nighters, laughed, and even cried with my peers. I will never forget my friends that were apart of my college journey. Now that the journey is over, it is time to move onto the next. Keith and I are in the process of moving to the city. We will now start a new chapter and build new relationships that will impact our lives. The previous chapters will never be forgotten, but new chapters must be written in order to prevent individuals from becoming stagnant.

Thank you everyone who has helped me in the past and the present.

Thanks for reading once again.

Love you guys and gals,

JenniferMarie

Urban Cow Half Marathon

Most of you know that I am partial to cycling. During the year I do very little, if any, running. I spend hours on the bike commuting, cruising, training, and racing. In September a few of my girlfriends (Jenny, Amanda, Whitney) and I decided to register for the CIM relay on December 5th. I figured I needed to put the old running shoes on if I was going to survive. I didn't want to be the one to die during our relay. I decided to participate in the Urban Cow 1/2 marathon. It starts right here in Land Park. I figured I could just wake up and walk over. I hate the 8am start times and 1-3 hour drives for cycling. I don't intend to wake up early every weekend during the off season too. This was going to be perfect. The problem was that I only had a month to prepare.

My friend Kath gave me a training plan that was 12 weeks long. I just skipped right to the 8 week mark because I didn't have the 3 months. I was hoping that my cycling fitness would help me out a little. I tried my best to follow the schedule. I substituted the Wednesday running speed work day for a cycling speed day. I was having a hard time running fast enough on the slower pace days anyway, and it was a good excuse to ride my bike. Keith and I would compare my cycling data to my running data. I could race my MTB bike at an average heart rate of 185 for an hour and a half, but I couldn't get my HR over 119 while running. Ya I was slow, my muscles just didn't respond quickly to the running thing. I just continued to train and decided to bring Keiths fathers dog along on each run. She was getting a little chubby so I figured she would benefit. I'm sure she enjoyed every bit of the training.

Well, today was the day of Urban Cow, my first half marathon. I must say I completely surprised myself. I finished about 10/15 minutes faster then I thought I would. I guessed that I would run about a 10 min mile pace. I guess the dog slows me down. ha. She had to sit out for the big race today though. I didn't have time to stop for her bathroom breaks. I only had to make one pee stop! I was planning on two.

Keith came out to watch me which was quite encouraging. I looked for him in every crowd. It was like a "Where is Waldo" game for me. He just looked so cute with the camera. I love that boy. He had to leave for work right after the finish, and I went searching for a family friend (Mary). I found her! I enjoyed hanging out and catching up:) I also bumped into Vee and Jill. You won't find them in the results. haha. Tagalongs.... wait is that a cookie? Yummmmm. I must say Vee and Jill were quite ambitious and decided to run a half marathon at the last minute (this morning).

As you probably figured, I am an extremest and randomly just do things. Today I was thinking about qualifying for the Boston marathon. I looked up the qualifying time (3:40:59). Hmmmm Maybe next year. haha. As of right now I am not sure I will be able to stand after sitting so long to write this blog. I hurt. I also wish I would have known about this arm pit chafing thing. People mentioned thigh chafing, but my hips are so wide there is no way my legs would ever rub together...... apparently my arms rub quite a bit against my shirt though. I don't even know what to do to prevent that. I have butt butter. Do I use that? hmmm. I put a little Neosporin on my armpit rashes after my shower. It seems to be feeling better. I finished the day with a Chipotle Burrito. I ran into Rich there. I swear I am always seeing someone from the Land Park crew at Chipotle or Big Spoon. A girl can just never spurge without it being known. I figured the 13 mile run was enough to justify the burrito though. Maybe someone would like to accompany me to Big Spoon later.

Well here are the results of my first half marathon!:

Finish Time: 02:00:03

Pace: 09:10

Overall 956 of 3117

Female 361 of 1972

Female 25-29: 52 of 307

Here are some pictures, CHEESE.

The warm up

The Start

The Run

I'm DONE!

Thanks for reading!