Memory making is like baking, an enjoyable hobby, but definitely a labor of love. But instead of adding ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices; you add in a heaping spoonful of family, a sense of adventure, and a dash of humor and patience. Much like cooking, the ingredient combinations are endless. Sometimes you end up with an amazing new dish or an incredible new adventure. Other times, you over-knead the dough, forget to set the timer, and admit the day was a flop. But today, the temperature was set just right, with a pinch of salt (ok, more like a heaping measure), and a bushel full of memories.

Our adventures today landed us in Kealakekua Bay. The drive from our rental house took us down winding, twisting, backroads with towering banana trees, ferns, and tropical flowers on either side. Wild chickens and mongooses darted to and fro across the street. Our GPS navigated us to a one-lane road that ended at what appeared to be someone’s driveway. “Great! Thanks again Siri!” (Sometimes, I think she enjoys getting us lost) But just when we are about to turn around, a friendly local greeted us and assured us we were in the right place.

Rocky, our kayaking/paddle board instructor, had a hardy chuckle and a friendly face, despite most of it being hidden behind a mandated mask, that makes you instantly feel welcomed. He patiently waited for us to get ourselves gathered, lather on the sunscreen, and debate who was pairing with who for the mile kayak trip. Once finally settled, he gave us a final set of instructions and wished us well.

Gabe eagerly jumped on the stand-up paddle board (SUP), although I am not sure he didn’t regret his decision when we finally glided into the pristine snorkeling spot. Kayaking across the bay, the turquoise waters are clear enough to see the coral below us, while in other spots it was a magnificent deep blue as it plummeted into the deep. The lush Hawaiian coastline towered above us off to the right, while the expansive Pacific Ocean stretched out before us to the left.

We tethered our 3 kayaks and paddle board together, since you aren’t allowed to land or dock in the bay, and then jumped in the blue inviting waters. Just below us was an entire underwater ecosystem of coral, sea urchins, and dozens of tropical fish. I have begun to understand the allure of snorkeling. It is as if you have stepped into an unseen forbidden world, where you shouldn’t be, and yet you are so entranced by it, that you can’t help but stay. It puts the saying “what lies just below the surface” into an entirely new perspective. I don’t know that all the kids feel the same way though. Sam is mostly bored by it and Abby prefers the more adventurous sports of riding the waves above the water.

One of the most difficult parts of the day was trying to eat a picnic lunch in our kayaks. It is not an easy feat to disperse sandwiches, chips, and waters to three floating kayaks. We were glad we ate though, because soon enough the ocean waves started to pick up and the sky began to grow dark. Before calling it a day Ben, Annabelle, and Abigail all tried out their hand in SUP. Not surprisingly, they all caught on quite quickly and looked like pros after just a few minutes of trying out the sport! However, knowing we had a mile long trip back to the black and white stone beach, we dipped our oars back in the water and started the journey.

The ocean waves were not as kind to us on our journey back to land. The Pacific Ocean seems to have quite the temper and can’t decide whether she wants to bash you against the rocks or sweep you out to sea. Luckily, we were able to navigate her mood swings and safely made it to our starting point without any trouble, just sore muscles! Upon pulling our kayaks back onto the launching point, a group of green sea turtles were lazily munching on algae growing on the rock, swimming right past us, as if we weren’t even there!

Today was definitely a day to be remembered, full of awe and wonder at the diversity of God’s creation. To top it off, we watched the sky turn from blues to oranges and pinks during a perfect Hawaiian sunset.

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