Liz in Hawaii: Land-warming Party

Last weekend we hosted a big shindig on our new land, inviting good friends and our new neighbors to help us celebrate. My photos didn't turn out all that well, probably because I was having so much fun that I forgot to take pics until it was almost dusk! Fortunately, a couple others shared their photos and allowed me to use them here.

We spent most of the week ahead of time, doing massive party prep. Mike had just finished drilling and pounding the last of the perimeter fence posts in place so our full attention was turned to party preparations. The circle drive was mowed with the tractor, and all the smaller side roads, too, the better for hiking and exploring. More mowing to open up space for the pop-ups, tables, and chairs... and for parking... and the campfire...

Since there are no amenities on the land as yet, he built an outhouse, and then had to clear a path to access the rustic, but very appreciated, facilities. I left a marking pen inside and our guests had fun creating messages and graffiti. Acacia especially enjoyed having the freedom to draw on the walls. Fun for the child in all of us!

The day finally arrived. I tied surveyor's tape streamers to the front gate to help set the mood and guide folks in. The top end of the center field was party central. We set up horseshoe pits and a campfire circle in the house site clearing across the drive.

Of course, there was a plentiful potluck. Everyone brought something delicious to the table.

Both Spirit Horse, and Blackie-kitty made appearances. Blackie joined a few of us on a long hike, and afterwards she made herself right at home under the potluck table where she was fed bits of hotdog and cheesecake until she literally couldn't eat another bite. She was still right there the next morning when we went back up to gather up stray items! Spirit, on the other hand, is very shy, but he let himself be seen and accepted a few carrots offered at full arm's length.

(photo courtesy of Robin Bush)

Late in the afternoon, an almost vertical stretch of rainbow appeared, reaching up from a gap in the trees where the deep blue ocean can be seen in the distance. At the same time, an unexpected flock of pure white cattle egrets swooped and soared over the far end of the cleared land while King Kamehameha butterflies flitted about in the foreground. I'd say both our land and the gathering were blessed right then, if they weren't already.

(Photo courtesy of Robin Bush)

As dusk approached, people began to migrate toward the campfire.

It is such a calming and primal feeling, gazing into the flames as the dark draws in around us. Voices murmur, laughter bursts forth, faces glow. There were s'mores and stories and eventually the stars came out until the sky was dazzling despite the lack of moon. This was the first time Mike and I had been up on our land this late in the day - and it was deeply satisfying. So quiet, so dark and starry. It felt like being home again. Mike and I have spent the vast majority of our lives in the boonies, so it was indeed comforting to feel this once again.