odds and ends

Went to Napa for a surprise birthday for Jeff, whom we first met in Tokyo way back when, along the Dan and Gena, whom we haven't seen in 20 years! 

Hall Winery was the site of a tasting - very nice selection of wines paired with food flavors in mid-afternoon. Our first visit to Napa, the weather was beautiful and the food didn't disappoint!  Not as old a tradition as in Beaune, FR, the experience - given the commercializing tendency of American culture - went straight from wine to commercial experience, not quite becoming a way of life.Mostly folks from their church, we ate and ate and returned to this rental nearby in Saint Helena for cake and presents.We gave a Japanese chef's knife (some LA chefs shop at Anzen's Hardware for their imported blade of choice.and binchotan, a special wood briquet from Japanese white oaks - emitting no ash and high heat.

Our
first meal off the church-made picnic tables!  Works great in the courtyard.

Beacon ended the year transitioning Denny as Head of School, as Jack received a math award and Michael for enthusiasm, baking these snickerdoodle cupcakes for the last day of class.

Carolyn had the class make illuminated letters, which she turned into a mosaic parting gift for Elle, who is making her way back East on Sat.

Some quality time before the big parting, we spent a weekend at Ojai, bicycling and playing Settlers of Catan.

also taking in a concert by ex-Peppedine friends at Fox & Hound in Studio city, where Elle joined with banjo.Some questionable behavior by plastered patrons made for an interesting lesson for the boys (and us!).

Michael got some great sunset shots recently.and a great Father's day!

Recital

Michael & Aiden, classmates at Beacon Hill, performed the final class piece of Mrs Loyd's 2014 Suzuki recital.

Jack began taking piano, adding to violin this year, joining the Star Wars finale.

 

Humuhumunukunukuapua

..the state fish of Hawaii, whose native sealife names Jack avidly learned by using a native Go Fish card set.Our own amphibians had only one thing in mind and we soon discovered the better staffing among the various surf schools: the younger one who 'gets' kids over the burned-out hippie, nice, but not much tread left.

We enjoy the lack of enforced regulation on the island, ie drinking beer on the beach, Coach Dave piling the boys in his car and taking off.

Michael is more advanced at this stage, but Jack kept up,

showing off for the camera, 'hanging ten'.

We scored on an exclusive ocean view this time at our timeshare, where the apartments are given first come first serve status.We also snorkeled

found these magnificent creatures!

right in front of the St Regis, where they were on the menu, 30 years ago.

The sea slugs, a delicacy, were easy pickings.
A monk seal at Kee Beach.

Jenna, our marine biologist and part of the Capt Paul outfit we'd used before, took us out a few times.

We often wonder how do people end up here, and how lonely they must get. Many wanderers, bohemian types, looking for food pantries, along with more well-to-do seniors was shocking.Carolyn guided us up a mile hike from Kee to see ocean vistas and the Napali Coast. Spectacular.

Some silliness, as well, as the bigger waves near Tunnels Beach proved immensely fun, where we got up early to snag parking and enjoyed breakfast on the beach.

Papaya, ham/salami/cheese sandwiches and peanut butter mochi with jo from Hanalei Coffee Roasters - true gem.

The boys tried coconut juice from a beach vendor and we had great seafood at Postcards.

Of course, shave ice, which still lacked the superfine quality I've had a few places on Oahu, but not yet in Kauai. The better ones offered azuki red beans!

Brunch

at the St Regis

which has those Bali Hai views.Beth, an old college friend of C's, flew out from St Louis, whom we introduced to bananagrams.

The Kilueha LIghthouse, now a bird sanctuary, was our new discovery, where a nicer range of shops - used books, bakery, and bistro!  Michael found a $2 Harry Potter. We will return here

Then on the last morning of our 11:12 am flight, we did something crazy, waking at 5am to set out on a 6am native-style sailboat!

Built by Trevor, who paddled across the bay like some South Pacific islander.

It was serenely beautiful, watching the sunrise from the water.

Michael took some nice shots this trip, tincluding these stunners from our balcony

 and this parting shot.