Maple "Grave" Hot Springs Tradition (Covid Restrictions)

Our annual Maple Grove Hot Springs get away was beautiful as always! 

The management was cautious of Covid and limited 

the number of visitors through advance reservations. 

Tiny pears were everywhere. 

Loved looking at this view of Oneida Reservoir 

while soaking in one of the pools. 

We stayed in that wonderful water until the sun set and stars lit up the night. 

<3

Slot Canyons and camping on BLM Land

We headed for orange rock and slot canyons 

with Scott and April at the end of September. 

They've have lots of experience camping on BLM 

(Bureau of Land Management) lands so they showed us the ropes. 

The first slot canyons were in 

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. 

Cottonwood Wash Narrows was a new one to us. 

Willis Creek Slot Canyon was next. 

We'd hiked it with the twigs many years ago.

(Cute kids <3)

It was just as beautiful this time as we remembered!

Grosvenor's Arch was just off the dirt road near where we camped. 

Little Wildhorse Slot Canyon was our next destination

and along the drive we got to watch Scott fly his drone. 

It's an amazing little piece of technology 

that flies back to you when it gets 

just about out of range 

or just about out of battery - very cool!

Near Little Wildhorse, we camped right next to the bluffs below

and it was one of my favorite memories of the trip. 

The stars and stillness at night filled my soul.

We've visited Litttle Wildhorse Slot Canyon many times but can't get enough. 

Can't say enough how grateful we are for this beautiful world 

and for dear ones to enjoy it with!!

Maui #4 Sooo fishy!

Snorkeling was the main activity planned for the trip to Maui
and it was even better than I'd dreamed.


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We headed out to Molokini Crater on this boat early one morning.





I didn't have an underwater camera 

but did try to use Scott's camera once. 

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It was way more difficult than it looked

to catch great underwater pictures 

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cause all those fish are on the move 

AND the current has 

YOU on the move. 

There's a LOT of moving going on!

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That all means that none of the fish pictures 

in this post are mine.

(photo credit unknown)

Hats off to great underwater photographers 

and thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures.

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We snorkeled every chance we got, 

well, not here

but lots of other places!

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We floated along the reefs for hours 

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looking at the incredible 

shapes and colors of fish.

The yellow striped goatfish

were always swimming in schools.

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I was too busy looking down

so I didn't notice these for a long time. 

Then I caught a flash of light out the corner of my mask

and noticed needle fish on the surface 

swimming beside us.

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We saw some turtles in the water too.

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It was so much fun to swim along and watch all the critters,

that is all except for the guy I saw that looked like this. 

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He swam up and out of some coral 

right in front of me 

and opened his mouth wide!

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I could see past his sharp pointy teeth 

and clear down his throat!

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Didn't know it was possible to scream underwater

but it is! 

I screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed, 

arms, hands and fingers spread wide

until he retreated back into his coral!

Poor Scott was wanting to get a picture 

but that bright yellow moray eel 

wasn't coming out again!

I learned later 

that they don't open their mouth 

because they're looking to take a big bite out of you. 

They don't have gill covers 

so they open and close their mouth 

to BREATHE. 

Sorry, pal.
;)

Such a beautiful

underwater world!!

(photo credit unknown)

Maui #2 - the food

Thanks friends for sharing your favorite Maui food recommendations with us!

The Nash Family said they loved Coconuts Fish Cafe Fish Tacos - we agree!

(photo credit Coconuts Fish Cafe)

Jason and Natalie's family (who live in Hawaii) said after the kids games, 

a treat teammates parents often bring for the kids are Spam Musubi's. 

 They got some for all of us.

Yummy - seaweed, spam and all! 

They also took us to Leodas for AmAZing mini pies!

The key lime were just as fantastic as the chocolate macadamia nut!

(photo credit - Leoda's)

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We never tried any poi

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but we did see some taro plants growing. 

On that same hike we came across this little plant

and all agreed it must be a pineapple - 

so interesting!

Scott and April found a place for us to try one night 

called Down The Hatch

and we all shared tastes of 

Lava Lava Shrimp
which was super spicy but the best shrimp 
I've ever had

(photo credit unknown)

and Lobster & Shrimp Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. 

Mmmmm!

(photo credit unknown) 

This plant took the prize for giving it's all

with the hugest blossom.

How do you like them bananas!