Our little Boy is Growing Up

This past week we have enrolled our little Whistler into preschool where his cousin Kainoa attended prior to elementary school. 
Three days his first week went as follows: Tuesday from 9-11 cried the entire time, Wednesday from 7:15 - 9:15 he only cried 45 minutes and did not associate with other children, Thursday I dropped him in the morning; he cried as we entered the parking lot. As we went inside the school and I was signing him in, he had walked to his teacher and sat down with her. 3 hours later and no tears all day the teacher's said he did great and even played with other children!!!

We have decided that Whistler needs to be around other adults and children other than ourselves. We both agree it's time for our little one to learn to socialize, to play and have friends!

 

Most memorable part of the trip

I'd have to say the most popular question asked of myself since being home would have to be what is my most memorable part of the trip. Without question, my answer has always been about the moment the three of us were climbing in the Cascades. We started out for Rainy Pass, which the day grew longer and longer with not a whole lot of time to spare before sun down. We were not sure how much farther to the top of Rainy Pass and not to mention after would be Washington Pass. I began to get nervous for the safety of Whistler and where we would set up camp. Raining, snow all around, and not many options. Nick and I "talked" it over and turned around a short distance where we thought a slightly better place to set up camp was.
Nick hustled to get everything set up as fast as he could, meanwhile Whistler crying to get out of his chariot. He and I eventually went inside and I hurried as fast as I could to get him bundled in warm clothing so he would not freeze. He continued to scream and cry (mainly because he was tired), but we manged to get him situated. A little bit later I hear Nick talking with some people who pulled over to check on us.
Come to find  out it was a group of cyclists that just finished their own weekend trip and had plenty of water and food to spare. Nick came back to the tent with salmon, salad, Greek yogurt, and most memorable blueberries. When Whistler saw all of the blueberries his eyes lit up like he had never seen blueberries before. Within that very moment I knew Whistler was going to be okay, I knew we were all going to survive an evening of what seemed to circulate a great amount of nerves. It turned out to be such an amazing night, all cuddled in cozy and warm through the evening.

The next day was incredibly beautiful as we finished the climb, reached the top of two major passes, flew downhill as though we were flying with an amazing view of nature alongside of us. Adrenalin was kicked in and smiles just as wide as the pavement below us on our face.

Home

Wallace Idaho

(Around 2:54pm yesterday, I received this text from Nick with a picture of me and Whistler "That was a great day." "that was the day W did his first mile.")

To have these little reminders of our trip brought to life throughout our days  being back home on our Island, helps to continuously keep our trip alive.  Not much even has to be said to put a smile on our face as we drift down memory lane though conversation or as simple as a picture. 1 mile may not seem like so much, but that 1 mile made history for a little two year old boy and a larger than life impact for Nick and myself. His footprints will forever remain upon the paved path leading us to Wallace. One day when Whistler is older we can try to trip back to that same place for a second mile!

September: 10

HAWAII BOUND...

Looking Back

Almost three months of being with Nick and Whistler every waking moment together has slowly come to its end. The moment we road our bikes into Sarasota we new that we had accomplished something many only dream of and something others would never dream of. We rode our bikes more miles than  we would have ever imagined doing in a short amount of time, we traveled into areas the three of us have never seen before, maybe not even realizing these places existed, these people existed.
To know we are finished with our riding and tomorrow we can sleep in rather than race the clock getting up and on our bikes, is a moment of asking ourselves which we would rather be doing. We looked at each other and both said if we could we would continue biking all over the world. However; life is right here in front of us and reality is too, so as for now we will enjoy our next few days with our family before flying back to Hawaii, back to life, back to reality.
Our trip will remain in our hearts and will become a part of conversation for the rest of our lives. Nick and I will forever be telling Whistler about special moments we experienced and moments he experienced himself. Even though Whistler may only be on his way to 2 1/2 years old, we both strongly feel he will carry this journey along with him as much as we will.
No amount of words can truly describe how we feel inside,  not even the pictures that have filled our cameras full can show all of you the way we experienced the world ourselves.

August 25: Saturday

We decided to push the last 90 miles all the way to surprise the family arriving into Sarasota!! We couldn't have asked for better conditions to help make the day possible. We are here everyone, the three of us made it to Sarasota before the hurricane!!! WE MADE IT ALL THE WAY!!!

August 23: Not so sunshine state

Rained on, poured on, dumped on... This is the pattern of our daily riding. Nick and I end up looking like drowned rats and Whistler dry as can be...but we continue riding along the gulf coast of Florida. Hwy 98 has become our rode of choice all the way from Gulf Breeze to Destin to Panama city to East Point to Crawfordville to Perry to Chiefland. We are only days away from Sarasota (our final destination)...thunder, lightening, rain, and hurricane Isaac on the way is not enough to end our trip (not unless the weather is completely out of our control!) For now more adventure into the rain, riding over red & black caterpillars, dead gator parts, passing Windixie's from the 80's & liquor packages (that pretty much only carry Budweiser), and keeping hydrated from all the rain falling into our mouths while riding.