Thought I'd better make one more entry here before we're back in Idaho (temporarily!) and on dial-up. I posted a few more photos, too:
*May Field Trips
*New Countertops
*A Walk Through the Garden
We've mostly been working on getting things wrapped up enough before heading back to Bonners Ferry for Lori and Dave's wedding. (Lots of planning and such for that, too, although I think we're pretty much as ready as we can be from a distance.) Many of our recent field trips were to do some of the things we always meant to do but never got around to, and to do them while Kerry is still with us. After the wedding, she'll be moving to Seattle, and we'll help her get started there before we head home again. This is definitely a working vacation. Already Mike and I are looking forward to coming back to the island!
I love the new countertops that Mike built for me. He had phone support from Matt but did all the work himself - and they turned out beautifully! And they are truly appreciated. The finished wood facing edge is so smooth. We'll install the door pulls after our return, and do trim-work throughout the studio, and paint the siding, and finish the outside trim, and repair the water pump, and..., and..., and... You know how it goes.
We've had a few guests staying at Hale Pomaika'i this spring, a party of 4 just left yesterday. It's so fun to be here to meet the people who choose our vacation rental, and to help them with planning their daily excursions. We have had very positive responses from every one of them. I find that I really enjoy playing hostess/concierge. I hope we will be able to continue doing this in spite of the downturn in tourist travel to Hawaii. It's about as exotic a location as you can get without a visa! If only the economy will get itself straightened out...
Mike and I have transplanted those that needed it: bouganvillea, ulu, hibiscus, Okinawan spinach. The latter is interesting: its leaves are lance-shaped and green on top, purple underneath; it's very mild, eaten as a salad green or in stir-fries.
Packing is proceeding apace. There are suitcases and duffle bags lining the floors, as is usual before a 5-week trip. And for Kerry it's a one-way trip, so ALL her stuff gets packed. Lists abound, you can be sure! We pick up a rental car tomorrow so we can just store our car here at home. Leaving early on Thursday, with an overnight at a hotel in Spokane (due to our midnight arrival). Jim is picking us up on Friday and letting us use his minivan while we're back in Bonners. Still no idea on the status of our house on the farm, or what we'll do with all our stuff there. But, wedding first, and lots of family coming for that! It'll be a great time!
Aloha, Liz
