Destinations

Maui sunrise

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Maui and Oahu. We were in Maui to attend my niece's wedding. I'm told that "destination weddings" are very popular these days. Sarah and Kort limited the invitees to immediate family and a few friends. They also are planning a bigger reception in March back in California for extended family and friends. We love Hawaii! Such fun swimming, hiking, exploring and hanging with family. We have been very lucky to go to Hawaii as a winter escape every couple of years for awhile now. We plan to continue this tradition when we are living full-time in our RV.

Part of my family (not everyone made the trip)

Greg has been busy adding sites and links to reviews/resources to his Campsite Review Map. As I look at each new place he adds and dream of our future - I can't help but wonder - how on earth are we going to decide where to go? Greg has added 364 spots to our map and there are literally thousands of options he hasn't found yet. So many choices!

I recently read Amanda's (Watsons Wander) post about planning for their upcoming travels. I like spontaneity, but I also LOVE to plan future trips. A friend and I were talking at work about upcoming trips. We both agreed that the planning and looking forward to future trips is a big part of the joy of RVing. At least for us.

Greg and I have talked and dreamed about how we will decide where to go. We have a BIG list of places we want to see and explore. We have lived in snow country since the mid 90's. We lived in South Lake Tahoe, Salt Lake City/Park City, Twin Cities of Minnesota and Los Alamos, New Mexico. We will be ready for a change. Like a lot of full-timers - we plan to avoid cold weather and snow. But, beyond following the sun, we also have destinations that will drive (pun intended) where we go.

We want to see

• Music Festivals
• Rodeos
• Airshows
• Shakespeare Festivals
• Hot Springs
• Astronomy Gatherings
• Orienteering Events

Group fire with music stage in the background at High Mountain Hideout
Music Festival this summer. We stayed in our van right next to the music
venue at Taos Ski Valley

Looking down from our hike at the temporary camping area at Taos Ski Valley 

Greg hamming it up on the set of The Tempest in Boulder this summer

Greg is continuing to build and expand our Campsite Review Map. I am working on gathering resource sites for our destination goals. We are going to add a destination page to keep links for our areas of interest to make it easier for us to find and track all these festivals and destinations we want to experience. 

Greg on one of our daily walks along the beach

Turtle Bay on Oahu

When we travel now, we always look up great hikes and any festivals/rodeos and definitely hot springs in the area.  After our family time on Maui, we went with my Aunt and Uncle (who I lived with from eleven to eighteen) to Oahu. We were staying at the Hale Koa on Waikiki. Greg discovered that there was a high school rodeo the week we were visiting. So, we rented a car and drove to the other side of the island. We stopped first at the Byodo-In Temple. What a stunningly, beautiful location. We then spent a few hours watching the high school rodeo. 

Waikiki from the air

Byodo-In Temple

Our sock monkey friend also enjoyed the peaceful grounds at the Byodo-In Temple

High School Rodeo at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu

Floating about with my Aunt

Can't beat swimming in January. Diamond Head in the background.