88 and 78...

Ruth's generous offer to let any relatives or friends of ours come enjoy the bed and breakfast while we were taking care of it, was accepted by Bob's dear older cousins. Alice 88, was married to Bob's cousin Frank. Clara 78, was married to Frank's brother Arthur, and now, both ladies were widows. All her life, Alice had wanted to take a tour of the Hawaiian Islands, and offered to bring Clara as her companion, all the way from Colorado.

Bob and I had to take care of B&B banking and shopping in Lihu'e, the biggest city on Kauai. It's where the main airport is, near Nawiliwili Harbor where the cruise ships come in. We thought we'd surprise the two cousins, by meeting them at their ship, the "Constitution". We went on board, and asked around, but everyone seemed to be off the ship already. We turned a corner to head back out, and there came the two ladies ! What a nice coincidence. So, we took them sight seeing, on the south end of the island, through The Tunnel of Trees, and to see Old Koloa Town, to look at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Hotel in Poipu, all restored from the damage of "Iniki," and to walk about the beautiful grounds. Then, took them back to their ship for the rest of their tour.

A week later, when we arrived at the little Princeville Airport to pick up the two ladies, we could see the tiny inter-island plane coming in to land. Down the steps came Clara, a little pale and shaken, but poor Alice had kept her eyes closed the entire flight from Oahu, and her wobbly legs could barely get her on the ground. (We arranged for them to fly out from Lihue Airport on a regular jet the next week). We picked up their rental car, a bright red sporty little compact.

We took them "home" and showed them the two choices they had for accomodations. The "Golf Room" overlooking the golf course and the sunrises. Or the "Penthouse Suite" upstairs. They gasped when they saw the luxurious room from the top of the stairs, and we knew their minds were made up.

During the week, they became the center of attention during breakfast conversations, with a cute young surfer-type couple from So. California, named Joe and Judi. Also with Patsy, a lovely single lady and her Mom, "Pinkie," visiting from Florida. At breakfast, Bob shared his love of the "49 Character Qualities" reading the ones for Tuesday. Joe told us his grandfather was a Methodist minister, and Judi said she'd attended private Methodist schools. Next morning, Joe volunteered to ask the blessing.

Earlier, Ruth had invited Scott and Diane to use the Honeymoon Suite for a few weeks while their condo was being refurbished after Iniki. They had been living in a tent ever since the hurricane, and now it was winter, and it rained every night. Scott joined us for breakfast once in a while, but usually used the new kitchentte in their suite.

After the morning chores were done, we took Alice and Clara sight seeing. We went to Kapa'a and had a meal at "The Fish Hut" in the Coconut Marketplace, a cute shopping center with an art gallery, several restaurants, and lots of tropical-style shops. "The Fish Hut" has the BEST grilled mahi mahi on the island. We tried to coax the recipe out of the owner, but she said she paid so much for the recipe that she wasn't going to share it with anyone. (And for the next ten years, no matter how we teased and pleaded, she never gave us the recipe). It came with cole slaw, made fresh every hour, and a pile of seasoned French fries, or steamed rice. Only $6.95. Best buy on the island. We sent many B&B guests down there for their lunch or supper, and none were disappointed.

That evening, we four attended the Christmas pageant "From Heaven's Throne" at the Kapa'a Missionary Church. Before the program began, three Hawaiian men sang "The Little Drummer Boy" in Hawaiian and played their Ukaleles. Wow. The play was excellent. A huge Hawaiian named Bob, with a wonderful voice, sang the main parts. (Over the next few years, we got to hear him sing in every musical program).

On Sunday afternoon, we took the ladies to see the posh Princeville Hotel, just up the road from the B&B. We had lunch there, on the open-air terrace, and were amused by the little blue-faced doves which flew in and out of the room. All hotel lobbies and restaurants over there are open-air with sliding glass windows in case of inclement weather.

One afternoon, we drove all the way around the island to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." We stopped at every over-look to see the view. At the top there is a rusty old sign, saying "THE WETTEST PLACE ON EARTH" and claims that it rains over 451 inches per year. We walked to the top where we could see the Na Pali Coast. Absolutely magnifiscent. Everywhere we stopped, there were little red hens and banty roosters. Bob joked that they were Hawaii's State Bird, and people believed him.

On the way home, we had to stop at Lappert's Ice Cream Factory, in Hanapepe. The richest ice cream we've ever had. They claim it is 30% butter fat. "Kauai Pie" became our favorite flavor, made with Kona coffee ice cream, chocolate fudge, macadamia nuts, and coconut. Oh, m'gosh.

We drove to see the "Spouting Horn" near Koloa Town. It's a hole in the rocks on the shore, where the ocean rushes in and is forced up into the air like a geyser. Amazing. Then we drove past miles and miles of homes destroyed by Iniki. The Sheraton Hotel down there was still not repaired. The ocean surge had raced right through the lobby to the back parking lot, and left cars piled on top of each other. (We saw photos of that on TV in California). Even the concrete highway had floated away in pieces. Awesome.

Those dear ladies helped us stuff 1800 Christmas envelopes for the B&B that evening. I just thought I'd mention that, to confirm the belief that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Next afternoon, after morning chores, we took our cousins to the Smith Family River Cruise on a flat-bottomed boat, up the Wai'lua River to the Fern Grotto, where three Hawaiians sang beautiful Hawaiian songs in the natural amphi-theater. After the cruise, we went to the big Smith Family Luau, watched the pig roasting ceremony with interest, and then stuffed ourselves like pigs. Yes, they served poi and raw salmon. I loved it. A wonderful all-island pageant and hula show followed this. What a beautiful evening.

Next day, Herb and Ruth were to return from their vacation on the mainland, and we were to take our cousins to the airport. The timing was perfect, as Herb and Ruth arrived in time to meet the ladies. Alice and Clara expressed their appreciation to them, and we hugged our dear cousins goodbye and saw them off, on the same plane returning to Oahu. (Later we heard that it took 17 hours to get to Denver, as the flight was routed through Texas. Oh, my.)

Now that I am 77, I wonder if I will be as agile and adventuresome as those two sweet ladies at 78 and 88.