The Road To Hana
Happy Friday ladies, and welcome to Maui! Our somewhat last-minute getaway to this beautiful Hawaiian island is just what the doctor ordered. My daughter and sister-in-law have joined us so we’re having a family reunion of sorts too.
It took only a few hours for island time to set in, and I could feel my blood pressure start to drop. Long walks in the sand, listening to the waves crash, watching the sunset… we needed this little getaway.
Yesterday we decided to sneak away from the resort and take the long drive to Hana, a tiny place at the end of a 2.5 hour long and winding road along the coast. Along the way, we passed roadside stands selling coconuts and leis, waterfalls, and lush greenery. We were so excited to arrive at Hana… what an idyllic place this must be!
We got a good laugh when we arrived, as while it is quaint and cute it is SMALL. It turns out, the road to Hana IS the adventure… this trip is all about the journey. We slowed our pace on the way back, visiting a waterfall, grabbing some local coffee and treats.
By the early afternoon, we were more than ready for a dip in the ocean, and found the perfect spot, called Secret Beach! A long sandy stretch on the North Shore of Maui. It’s exactly the kind of beach escape we came for.
The water is warm and the most gorgeous shade of turquoise. We bobbed in the waves… so large that at one point, I got knocked off my feet and rolled on the sand until my daughter plucked me out. It felt like I drank a gallon of saltwater.
At some point (who knows when?!) I became the smallest member of our immediate family, and my kids started watching out for me… crossing the street, carrying large bags, rolling along in the waves. When did that happen?
On the drive back to our resort, we spotted humpback whales breaching and swimming right off the coast of the highway! It was absolutely magical, so we pulled over to enjoy the show.
Today was a special day of relaxing, adventure, and time with my family. I hope you have a beautiful weekend with yours.
Oh and just for laughs… Thursday is senior day here in Maui where I discovered that being carded has a whole different meaning over 65.
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I am so envious… enjoy every second of this get away and nice your beautiful daughter and sister came!
Oh happy days!
Our snow is melting in the Okanagan so looking forward to spring ❤️
Thank you for your blog feel like we are family ! Lol
I’m glad to hear the snow is melting. You live in such a pretty place.
Jennifer:
I’m so happy to hear you and your daughter are able to share these precious memories together in Hawaii. What fantasic photos. Isn’t is fantastic to visit Hawaii and live a life of relaxation and enjoying the warm waters of the islands? I am wishing you a lifetime of memories and an enjoyable time with the family.
Aloha! Have a wonderful time! Eat at Mama’s Fish House. Enjoy some Maui onions, the sweetest ever.
Thank you we will
Enjoy every minute of this beautiful paradise.
It is a bit scary when the grands and children watch out for you. But loving.
By the way, your daughter is beautiful.
We have a trip to Maui planned in December. I’m looking forward to your pictures and suggestions. Have a great time.
Lol!!! Getting carded. That’s so funny! Lucky you, being in Maui. I’ve been twice and would love to get back there. Love your beach fashion; some great finds. Have a great vacation!
Have a wonderful time, I love Maui, my favorite Island. My family is going to Oahu in April. We want to show our grandson where we lived when his dad was his age.
Ha ha … carded for discounts! And I thought it was the beverage! Do not miss the small town of Paia, if you like boutiques, and Makawao as well. I found a gorgeous hand painted silk scarf and a beautiful intertwined strands of gold bracelet in those shops. And Haleakala sunrise, magical! Kula Lodge on the way down for breakfast, or just go for lunch. Great views halfway up Haleakala.
Love Maui. Where did you stay? Our fav is the Napili Kai Beach Club just south of Kapalua. We prefer the north end of Maui to the south end.
Lovely vacation! We have been to Maui three times and never tire of it! Can you tell us where you are staying?
Enjoy each and every sunset! 🌺🌼🌸
Maui is by far my favorite of the islands. I can’t do the Hana trip, as I get too carsick. But I love the rest of that place! Such a relaxed and great place to visit. Go to Leoda’s pie and gift shop. Olowalu, Maui.
Yummy!!!!!!
Leoda’s Pie!!! I ate one a day! A small one… but still! Key Lime… amazing!
Hope you have plans for Mama’s Fish House!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Brings back memories for me. Enjoy your time there!
Hope you enjoy your stay! We are on Maui for one more week in the Kaanapali area. Where are you staying?
Have fun!
Isn’t it the best? We’re near that area too.
Thank you for sharing your Maui trip with us! We are going there at the end of the month and I’m wondering how to find Secret Beach? Is it near Paia? Any other tips for a great Maui getaway?
Yes, it is on the road to Hana, in Paia
Where is your daughter’s dog?
She has a dog sitter
You certainly deserve a getaway, Jennifer! Have a wonderful time with your family! xo
I so enjoyed your pictures of your visit to Maui . I moved back to the mainland five years ago due to my age and needing family closeness just in case. I lived on Oahu for eleven years experiencing paradise on earth. Although necessary and logical the move was heart breaking. Interesting how expensive the roadside fruit stand prices have gone up. Wow ! Yes, Hawaii and it’s laid back culture does lower one’s blood pressure. It’s one place I know of that procrastination and tomorrow is another day is the welcomed norm. 🌺
Have a wonderful time in the warm sunshine with your family! It looks so beautiful!
I am envying and enjoying your whole blog this morning! What fun. You look so relaxed. My kids are starting to carry things for me, hold my arm and take care of me too.😐😎. A different time in life. Enjoy to the max!
Lovely photos! Brings back many happy memories. We have often been at this time of year and yes once my husband had a similar experience in the waves I think at the very same beach – the undertow is so strong and the waves so big – do be careful.
Love your outfits. I need that shirt! Have fun with your family.
It’s the perfect time to be here. The crowds are smaller and the weather is perfect.
I love those slides you wore at the beach! You made me laugh out loud about the senior Thursday! So glad you had a wonderful trip!
As I am reading your post I’m Sitting in the airport waiting to board for Maui and then Kaui! Your experience is what everyone wants from a Hawaiian trip. 🤟
Have fun!! Aloha
Oh that’s an idyllic looking getaway!
Warm sun, a sandy beach and your family. Have fun!
Thanks Leslie
I’ve never had an opportunity to go to Hawaii. But I always said all I’d need was a one way ticket. Thank you for the photos ! Beautiful !
It’s a magical spot
Love the pic of you & your daughter! And, I guess it’s a compliment if we carded to prove we’re old enough for the senior discount? Aloha
My favorite island ! We went the fall with friends before covid broke out. Love the road to Hana!
Have fun. I ate seafood everyday we were there. So fresh!
Aloha! I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Maui many times. Be sure to buy some ‘reef friendly sun screen’ and you should check out what we feel are some of our fav’s: Maui Ocean Center (the restaurant is a good one!); Shave ice with a scoop of vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom of the cup; and poke!! The grocery stores all seem to feature some variety that is very tasty…you can see we love to eat! Also a mile long beach walk, Sugar Beach, is wonderful, but can be a bit windy — we also LOVE to go to the end of the road past Kihei to check out the lava where it meets the sea — oh I want to be there too! Enjoy!
Yes we are loaded down with reef friendly sunscreen. I took no chances and brought mine with me. Wonderful recommendations, thank you!
Oh how wonderful these pictures are!! Sorry for your tumble into the ocean, can be terrifying. That happened to me several years ago in Cancun, thought I was a goner, until some wonderful man saw me struggling me jumped in to rescue me. Ended up with two broken toes but my life was saved🙏🏻 Anyway, hope you have a marvelous getaway, enjoy your time with family and the gorgeous weather.
That is terrifying! Thank goodness he was there.
I loved the road to Hana and back along the very rugged coast. We weren’t supposed to drive back that way but sure glad we did.
We are booked for Wailea in November and hope it’s easier to get there from Canada by then. All the testing is a pain.
Have fun and relax!
Once you get here, the testing becomes worth it.
Have fun in the sun!
Maui is so beautiful! If you have the opportunity, do a helicopter tour. We did one that was just my husband and I with the pilot, no doors, and it was the most incredible thing we’ve done. Have a wonderful time!
That sounds thrilling!
Looks so beautiful and relaxing! Have the best time 😎
Thanks for sharing all of this! The outfits, the Road to Hana, personal photos … all wonderful! You’re making beautiful memories for you and your family and you brought back happy memories for me of our Maui honeymoon many years ago.
Enjoy your vacation – Maui is the best place for whale watching tours, and this is the perfect time of the year to spot them. I hope you have a tour planned.
We’re going to look into one today!
What a beautiful getaway. Enjoy your vacation!
Next time you should come visit the beautiful MS Gulf Coast. We have 26 miles of white sand beach, wonderful seafood and our prices are low. Oysters on the half shell. Soft shell crabs. Gumbo. Beautiful water and the casinos have great entertainment. Yes, Hawaii is beautiful and I loved the photos. Sorry for the almost drowning! You looked cute and toenails to die for!😊
Hi Eve! Yes, to the Gulf Coast – I live in Ocean Springs.😀
I’m so jealous of you and all my West Coast family…. five hours to Hawaii for you. Fourteen plus for me. It is magical! Have fun!
Thanks for the getaway. It was good to join you vicariously ! Great picture of you and your daughter. You both have the same beautiful smile. Enjoy your time away.
Haven’t been, but enjoyed vicarious travel! Thank you for your great description.
Heading north to Maine!
The first time I was ever carded was after I had birthed our first child. I was really flattered. But at 65 it would be a whole different story. Best wishes!
Jennifer, I so enjoyed your getaway story and photos! Thank you. By the way, I bought that green and white striped shirt to take with me when I go to Sanibel Island in March. I intend to use it as a beach coverup just as you are doing. Looks great! Enjoy your vacation and your family.
Ah, the road to Hana. It is not a trip for the motion sickness prone, ha, but such a beautiful drive. Our son was stationed in Hawaii for four years while he was in the Army. It is beautiful, but so very expensive to live there, and so isolated when beloved grandparents passed away and it was too expensive to fly back for funerals.
Thanks for posting these beautiful photos. It was a mini escape from the cold and snow in Toronto area. I think I will pull my album from our trip to Hawaii and enjoy the photos from a few years back. Hope you have a great remainder of your trip. Enjoy the family.
Thank you
Thanks for taking the time to send us those gorgeous photos. That would certainly take the blood pressure down. I had an experience like that in the waves on San Andres island a few years ago, and it is rather scary until someone gets you upright again. Enjoy the rest of your paradise, as if I need to tell you that. I found it interesting when we were there, the pineapple prices are higher than here, maybe just for tourists. Have fun.
Everything is so much more expensive here, especially the lodging! Prices have really skyrocketed.
We love Maui, we go twice a year! We are always so sad to leave but as my husband says “ if we don’t leave, we can’t come back! .“ Enjoy!
That’s a perfect way to think about it
That looks heavenly! Enjoy your vacation.
Looks beautiful! Love your outfits! Enjoy!
Sounds like a beautiful and peaceful time with those you love: perfection❤️
Enjoy your bread away with your family. Thanks for posting pics. Love all outfits. And being carded great first morning smile for Friday. 😊❤️🌈
Oh how magical Hawaii is! I’ve only visited once (Big Island) but it’s wonderful and fun for mood correction and lowering BP as you say. I’m so happy for you Jennifer! Enjoy every minute and swim together is great advice in choppy waves! (Love the pictures here! )
I’m glad she was close enough to fish me out. I’d forgotten how strong the waves can be.