After 13 days of traveling by car, we arrived in Los Angeles and flew to Hawaii! We are now in our rented house, which is spectacular. My dh greeted us at the Honolulu airport with lovely leis for both my dd and me.
The road trip was very long but safe. We took it slowly so as to not overtax my dd. We stopped and visited some friends, stopped in the little town in New Mexico where my dh's grandmother taught school for awhile in the 1930s and toured the museum, spent a night in Las Vegas so dd could see the lights and the fountains (and spent a whopping twenty bucks in the slot machines - such high rollers we are, right?), and toured the Hoover Dam. We spent a day in Disneyland, because dd wanted to see the new Star Wars exhibits and rides, and I was able to rent a wheelchair there to prevent her from having to walk too far. It was the perfect Disney day as the holiday crowds had left, it was a school day, and perfect weather, and there were almost no lines. Any lines that were there were only about 10 minutes or so. We stopped in Roswell, New Mexico to see the alien museum and the weird attractions (dd thought they were amusing - I thought they were cheesy and weird, but...oh well). Dh treated us to a night at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California. He had been there for a conference once and thought it was magnificent (which it was). Such luxury. Mostly we stayed in very reasonable motels, but that night was like stepping back in time. The bathrobes that were laying on the bed ready for us were the most luxurious thing I have ever worn. (I realize that some of the things on that list are out of chronological and geographical order - I was just trying to recall the trip highlights). There were lots of long hours driving through the desert, and I was pretty tired of being in that car by the time we got to Los Angeles. We unloaded everything into our hotel room, thoroughly cleaned and emptied the car, and drove it to the shipping pier in San Diego, then took public transportation back to Los Angeles. The car should arrive next week sometime, hopefully!
The flight was long but comfortable and the food was delicious. Now we are in the process of unpacking, figuring out how everything works in this new house, etc. It's an old plantation home, built before electricity, updated and modernized, but still with the feel of a beautiful old home. We briefly met the owners/landlords before they left on their own adventure, and they were such nice, welcoming people. They've gone to Florida, and then on to the Bahamas, and then to a few other places, as they've recently retired. My dh told them about dd and her medical issues, and in the room that would be dd's, there was a gorgeous basket for dd, arranged personally by the owners. It contained some Hawaii souvenirs, some lovely pens, a blank journal, a calendar, some local treats, and some local healing oils.
We have a large yard, and two lanais, one with a large grill and some chairs, and one with a large table and chairs. It's so nice to sit out there in the evening.
Dd's eczema is still bothering her, but it's in it's waning cycle of the flare-up. She's utterly exhausted from the trip, and has a sore throat, so we're letting her have the time she needs to rest. Dh took us on a driving tour of the island, but we will save any walking or beach-going until dd feels less tired.
So I thought I'd let you know we got here safely, and thanks for all the lovely thoughts and encouraging prayer as we undertook this long voyage! Who would have ever thought we'd be living in Hawaii?
What a nice post! Glad you made it safely and had such a wonderful trip!
The three best years of my life were living on a beach in Bermuda...I miss that life terribly!
I love this "question" it's by far one of my favorites since I joined this site many years ago!!!
E. I truly believe Hawaii will be magical and medicinal for ALL of you. The treatment you received from your landlords is so typical of island people, whether they are native or white or whatever if you spend enough time there you just become happy and gracious by nature.
Relax, settle in and ENJOY your new lifestyle :-)
I was wondering about you and hoping you would post when you got to your new home.
Thank you for letting us know you are ok.
It sounds like you made the most out of the road trip and had a great experience!
Congratulations and keep us posted!
I was thinking of you today and wondering how you were! I came home and decided to PM you, and here you are posting the highlights!
I am SO GLAD you made it and that you managed to have so much fun during what was a grueling trip. I am glad you and your husband are back under the same roof and I hope this new home will be wonderful for you all! I hope the tranquil setting in the back yard will be restorative for your daughter, and that the scenic drives and ultimately the beach and nature settings will be inspiring for her!
How lovely that the landlords left her such a nice welcome gift! I hope it makes her feel special!
Please take it easy on the unpacking and searching through boxes, and take care of yourself! You've been through an ordeal! Here's to good times for you all!
Great to know that you made it. Also your trip or "adventure" mom driving across country and seeing the sights. You can add all these wonderful memories to your journal or diary and enjoy in the future.
Do rest and enjoy the island and its breezes and smells and take it all in in moderation. I hope to one day experience the islands as well.
the other S.
you made me smile BIG to click on this 'question' and see your update. thank you so much for taking the time to let us know how it's going!
it sounds as if you handled it all beautifully. i'm so glad you got to sightsee a little, that your daughter was up for some fun side trips, that your dh snuck in a little pampering, that your logistics in LA worked out, that the flight was good, and most of all that you're there and it sounds WONDERFUL.
oh, to be on a island right now. the east coast is swathed in miserable cold, and we're expecting feet of snow momentarily.
thanks for the glimpse of sunshine, warmth and island hospitality.
:) khairete
S.
Thanks for filling us in! What a wonderful trip by the sounds of it :)
So glad you arrived safely. I hope your daughter recovers from the stress of just traveling and adjusting soon :) Hawaii sounds incredible.
Enjoy :)
What a beautiful journey. It sounds like it was a lot of work, but a time to remember. I am so glad you have landed on your feet and you are with your DH.
The Mission Inn???? Wow! While in Riverside about a month ago, my DH told me to go on Priceline and book a room at the Mission Inn. I chuckled, as it does not work that way at all. We ended up at the Ayers.
Enjoy.
I'm a little jealous of you living in Hawaii!! I would like to spend 6 months living there after I retire!!
Glad your daughter is okay - hope the sore throat goes away once she gets some rest!
What a great happy ending to your trip! And I hope you continue to experience the happiness you and your family so deserve!
Your new place just sounds beautiful!
Thanks for updating us.
You will feel so happy in the Hawaii sun. Congratulations.
Thanks for the update, I've been hoping you would let us know that you made it safe & sound. Continue taking it slow & one day at a time :) Hawaii sounds wonderful and I'm hoping that it will be just the right place for your daughter's health to improve.
So, so glad your trip went well and that you're settling into paradise. Amazing! Great job, mama, of turning a necessary trip into an adventure. Wishing you all the best!
Sounds lovely, glad to hear you are there safe and sound!!
Oh I'm so glad. Enjoy your new home and I hope your daughter flourishes there.
ALOHA!!!!
ooh so great!!! i loved Hawaii!!
My husband had a job offer in Hawaii and turned it down - BOO!! oh well...that's the breaks!! VERY happy for you!!! So glad the drive was safe and good for you both!!
It sounds wonderful and so much fun!
Thanks for letting us know how you're doing!
I am so happy for you.
