From June 10 – June 20, 2021, we enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii with our extended family.

The trip was originally planned for June 2020, but of course we were unable to travel then because of the pandemic. We try to have some sort of family get-together in the summer, but this was special because it celebrated a number of “0-year” and “5-year” events. For example, last year was the Blomquists’ 20th anniversary, the Livengoods’ 25th anniversary  (and they were married on the beach on Kauai), and my 80th birthday. We ended 2020 disappointed but determined to make up for it in 2021. And we did!

We traveled as nuclear family units and arrived on Kauai separately. Glen (Blomquist “clan”) and Hrayr (Livengood “clan”) were new participants this year.

Ellen, Gillian, Rick, and Miranda all worked on the travel arrangements. We had some great fish lunches and dinners at Brenneke’s, Duke’s, and the Beach House in and around Poipu Beach, where we stayed. Archer, Glen, and Mike all caught ocean fish, which we ate FRESH. Some of us took a Na Pali dinner cruise, and we all cruised up-river to the Fern Grotto. All of us visited the National Botanical Gardens. Most people spent significant time on the beach and in the pool.

Travel was difficult mostly because of the pandemic restrictions still in effect. A lot of stores and restaurants were either still closed or have gone out of business. Competition from other eager travelers restricted some of our activity choices. Nevertheless we had a wonderful time with our beloved family and are eager to try another family-oriented journey in 2022.