Welcome to my blog!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit! We hope to share with you our journey of raising a child with Achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism. If this is your first time here, please start by reading Caitlyn's Story. It will share the beginning of her life with you. Enjoy!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Maui x 11!!

I finally have finished all of my different posts about Maui.  Yes, I did it again and split up the posts.  I think most of you would rather take the time to read several shorter posts than than ONE LONG post!!  I’m one post shy of my 12 from Nashville. 
We had a blast and hope to return soon!  The weather was wonderful as it always it – mid 80’s everyday and getting down to the low 70’s at night.  The humidity was similar to Nashville, but in Maui, we were either at the pool or the beach and there was a breeze. 
Hope you enjoy our adventures!

Maui – My Girls

I simply love these two!
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Maui – Our Zipline Adventure

Scott and I decided, I guess that I should rephrase that, I decided that we were going to go ziplining.  He’d asked me if I wanted to get a massage while we were in Maui and I thought about it, but decided that that was something I could do while at home.  I remember seeing the Roloff’s ziplining while in Maui and that’s when I knew that that’s what my island adventure would be. 
One night, after the girls we were in bed, we walked across the street to Whalers Village.  We found a zipline kiosk and checked about dates.  The next available day was the day before we were leaving.  So we signed ourselves up. 
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I was super excited as the days got closer and closer.  Finally the morning of the 28th was there.  We were up and out the door by 6:15, having to be at the Skyline Eco Adventure store at 6:30.  We signed our lives away and waited for departure.  We hopped in the van with 10 others and up into the West Maui hills we went.  Once off the main road and onto the gravel one, we bounced, literally, for 15 minutes as we climbed higher and higher.  We arrived at the hut and got strapped in our gear.  We then loaded into yet another van, this one completely covered in red dirt – thankfully I decided at the last minute not to wear my white shorts.  Finally after another 10-15 minute bouncy ride we were at the first zipline. 
I can’t explain how much fun it was!  It took a little getting used to “flying” from landing to landing, figuring out how to turn yourself while crossing the zipline and how to not come in for the landing on your butt – they told us to start running in place before we landed, which helped most of the time – I think twice out of the 8 ziplines, I came in on my butt.  A few times, I turned towards the end and I thought for sure I was going to come in backwards.  Luckily our guides, Pete and Patrick were right there to help catch us.  Once when I came in, I landed but then as I was trying to walk up the ramp, my feet barely touched the ground. 
There were 8 ziplines altogether.  The shortest was about 400 feet and the longest one was 1200 feet.  Most of them were over so quickly, which was a bummer.  The 1200 foot one only took about 30 seconds as you’re zipping rather quickly. 
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The view of Ka’anapali
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Here I go!!
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The view of downtown Lahaina
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Looking over at Lanai
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As you’ll notice in some of the pictures of the start of each zipline, there are stairs, that you just walk down until you’re in the air and zipping.  Well not this one.  Notice that it’s a ramp.  I was the lucky one that got to go first.  You had to get strapped in, where Scott is standing, and then walk back up to where that HUGE pole is.  From there you run down to the end of the ramp and jump.  OMG!!  It was scary and crazy and exciting all in one!! 
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Hiking down to the next zipline
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Nice, graceful landing
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Our guides Pete and Patrick. 
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What an awesome experience this was!  I highly recommend it, if you ever get the chance!

Maui – The Road To Hana

Scott, Caty and I took a road trip together and made it Halfway to Hana.  Caty was a trooper even though she was queasy and did her fair share of complaining - “are we there yet?” “can we stop?”
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