Tuesday, October 12, 2021

A Good Monday for Exploration, Sunning and Dining


Monday, October 11, 2021 

It felt like a good day to embark on a new adventure, so we did!

About half way into the 45 minute drive from Kihei to Lahaina, you drive past the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge that has always looked interesting but we have never taken the time to explore.

Until today

The truth of the matter is that we wanted to buy some pies from a famed, out of the way bakery near Lahaina that did not open until 10:00 a.m.

So are plan was to stop at this refuge and engage in a measure of exercise on their Boardwalk at about 9:00 a.m. before heading to the pie shop.

And here is the Boardwalk

We were standing on that red dot
on the seashore below the "A" of Maui

The Boardwalk offers views of the
Pacific Ocean and the refuge area

Mark Johnson
Trailblazer

A good habitat for wildlife

Speaking of wildlife

Mark had a moment battling with Kāne, the ancient Sun god of the Hawaiians.

Kāne won.

Easily.

Nice beach bordering the refuge 

I wouldn't drink here but
the birds in the area liked it

I was REALLY tempted to dive in but
the siren call of the pies was in the air

Birds enjoying the refuge

I bet I'm going to enjoy a pineapple macadamia nut more.

Let's do it!

The wall of the old road to Lahaina above
the modern new one we were using

EUREKA!

Leoda's nondescript building is located right on the highway to Lahaina and next to a butterfly farm.

It had been HIGHLY recommended by our son Mike as a place not to be missed, so here we were.

Heavenly pies!

They only sell these mini-pies, not the normal sized ones we were expecting.

I looked at it as an opportunity for variety.

"Aloha."

"Two pineapple macadamia nut pies, one chocolate macadamia nut pie and an apple crumb pie, please."

"MAHALO!"

God help us all!

Beach time before pie

Culinary patience grows with age it appears.

Laurie and Susie under the umbrella

So refreshing!

Volcanic rock shorelines
are AWESOME!

We had the beach to ourselves today

No wonder really, it was only 86°F/30°C.

In the evening we headed back up-country to another nondescript building that houses . . .

. . . the Kula Bistro

If I were given the option for one last meal before departing this mortal coil, it would be the Kula Bistro's Luciano's Special "Old Time Favorite."

It is a generous dish described in their menu as "Delicious penne pasta sautéed in a light Oriental cream sauce with fresh herbs, white wine, tomatoes, bay shrimp and a combination of shiitake and button mushrooms."

It is the "light Oriental cream sauce" that gets me every single time I order it.

DELICIOUS INDEED!

I still feel the urge to learn
the art of glass blowing

Strange, I can't really explain it.

The four of us, fully sated and
more than a bit sassy after our shared
Kula Bistro experience

We ventured farther up the Lower Kula Road after dinner in search of a perfect Maui Sunset viewing spot.

Lots of chickens on Maui
constantly crossing the roads

I don't know why.

We found a good viewing spot
near this photogenic tree

We found it!

A perfect Maui Sunset as seen from the up-country was a great way to end a Monday paradise.

We ate some of the Leoda's pies for dessert once we got back to the condo, life was GOOD!

Reading Is FUNdamental!

A good vacation week read!

I have really been derelict in my normal voracious reading habits having been stuck in a disappointedly uninspired read from one of my favorite Nordic Noir writers for well over a month.

I picked up this action/adventure novel at LAX before boarding the flight to Maui last week.

Thank goodness for Baldacci's book getting me back on track.

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