There's No Place Like Home

After two beautiful weeks on the island of Kauai, the time has come to return home.

Two weeks was the perfect length of time: enough to really dig in and see everything we wanted, but short enough to leave us still enchanted. 

More importantly for me, it was enough time to decompress and give my brain a chance to stop working, planning, thinking, and creating. I know people who go on art retreats, to take break from regular life to spend some quality time with their creativity. However, as a hard-working artist, I needed a vacation FROM my creativity! 

I used this precious time to slow down and stop working. Fortunately, the tropics make it easy. The humid heat makes your body work hard to cool down, which takes a lot of energy. This makes people feel tired and worn out, forcing us to slow down and rest. I think that’s why everyone seems so laid back on the islands. You just can’t be rushed around.

We did pack the two weeks with tons of fun!

Horseback riding along the coast!

No, I didn’t pack my cowgirl boots! These were on loan from the riding stables. I couldn't miss a chance to sport some broken-in vintage boots!

We even took a sky tour in a small plane! 

No helicopter for me, thanks. This plane ride was fantastic! We got spectacular views of our favorite beaches.

 The island is home to a large population of wild chickens.

We didn’t ask this rooster why he crossed the road. Who needs an excuse to strut?

And this fellow confused us for a while. Chicken? Goose? Duck? The good ol' internet gave us the answer.

Moscovy Duck

Along with a lifetime’s worth of memorable activities, there was also plenty of time to do absolutely nothing.

My main objective in Hawaii was to not have an objective. 

But there was one thing I hoped to achieve. My long-time dream, which has become a continuing quest, is to swim with a sea turtle. One of my favorite animals, turtles have always held a special place in my heart. They encourage us to come out of our shells and step out into the wide world. After all, you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t stick your neck out!

We took a dreamy kayak trip down the Waimea River, and spotted several freshwater turtles.

River turtles on the Waimea

And looking out from the beach, you can often see the heads of turtles bobbing above the surf. But of all the times I’ve gone snorkeling, I still have not seen one swimming under the water. 

Our favorite snorkeling spot, Hideaways Beach.

I guess that’s all the more reason to go back!

My only creative endeavor over the two weeks, was arranging this little flat-lay of some island treasures I collected.  

I fulfilled my goal of taking real break from my art, and now I feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

I have a few painting projects waiting for me, and I couldn't be more excited to get started!

Now it's time to get back in the studio! 

 P.S.  Thanks a million to my guest blogger Lucinda for keeping the blog going while I was away! She did a fantastic job; I even enjoyed reading my own blog! 

I might have to have her fill in again some time…