“Saying “yes” begins
things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes”
is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say "yes".” -Stephen Colbert
When we got to Hawaii, Eric and I agreed that we would say “yes” to everything. Already being outside our realm of comfort, it sounded like that would be
easy enough to do but, lately we found ourselves putting things off and saying “no”. Well, although I
wouldn’t say we learned this lesson the hard way, we definitely realized that
we should be saying “yes” way more.
I have mentioned Albert a few times
in my posts. He’s the guy that picked us up from the airport, taught us about
the Hawaiian culture, taught us how to be farmers, and invited us into his home for
Thanksgiving. Albert has been asking us to go camping with him since we met
him. Somehow, we always found a reason to not
go camping.
This time when he asked us we had a reason to go. Katie, a fellow WWOOFer, is leaving the farm, so we thought it would be
a good way to spend our last weekend with her. We borrowed the 1987 Jeep Cherokee from our host, piled in our packs and blankets and headed North on
Mamalahoa Highway. About an hour and a half later, we made our way down the nail-biting 25% grade, single lane, cliff side decent. I think Eric held his breath for the whole ten minutes. It was all worth it when we made it to Waipi’o
Valley, “The Valley of the Kings”.
I wish I had a bigger vocabulary to
describe this place. Breathtaking. Heaven. Paradise. Those are the words that come to mind.
After walking along the black sand
beach, we set up camp beside the flowing river right before it meets the ocean.
Surrounded by dense, lush 2,000-foot cliffs on either side, we stared in all
directions, speechless. We spent the night around the fire looking up at the
high moon and the glowing constellations. Eric and I were rocked to sleep in a
hammock for two as the Coqui frogs sang in the forest and the endless waves
crashed against the shore.
The morning air was thick and cool. The sun made its way out of the fog as a group of wild horses played in the river next to our camp. In no hurry to leave, we tested the legs of
the ol’ jeep as we followed Albert through the valley past the ‘End of County
Road’ sign. The blue sky peaked through the thick canopy as we drove in (yes, IN) the
streams, occasionally stopping to dive for prawns or to collect wild Taro
leaves.
Paradise is the right word.
It's easy to find excuses to not. To not go places, to not try new things,to not say "yes". After finally taking Albert up on his offer and after having the most memorable weekend of my life, I get it. "Saying "yes" begins things" and it can be much more rewarding than staying back where you are comfortable.
When asked if you guys are enjoying your adventure, I say "yes". I am thrilled that you two are immersing yourselves in the culture and experiencing as much of the island as possible. Take it all in.
ReplyDeleteLove Dad
On my....these images are just outstanding,good luck and be safe.
ReplyDeleteJim