Our big move to Maui

We were back on Maui for New Year's — but this time as residents! You know the saying, "Leap and the net will appear." Well, that's what we did when we relocated from California to Hawaii nearly six months ago without jobs or a place to live.

We were warned that Maui either embraces you or chews you up and spits you back out. I'm happy to report that we fall into the first category:)

After a few nights at a Kahului hotel we bounced around to different Airbnbs throughout the island before landing a longterm rental in Kihei. We have since migrated to Upcountry Maui. Both of us have found employment and the kids are doing well in school (Ediza's tried windsurfing and is learning to play the guitar, while Gus has taken up breakdancing).

What a difference a year makes!

Maui magic

We said good-bye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with an incredible week on Maui. It was tricky getting all of us COVID tests before we flew (plus, waiting in a line that stretched the length of the airport once we arrived) but it was all worth it. We got to explore beaches with sea turtles, stroll through a lavender farm, travel to the top of a volcano and hike in a valley dubbed the "Yosemite of the Pacific."

Here's a link to a story I wrote a few months ago that was based on our summer trip: "The parents' guide to flying with your kids in 2020." I guess the same tips could be applied, so far, in 2021.

Pandemic travel

We flew cross-country last month to visit family. Not only did the journey go smoothly, but Amber and Gus were even able to get in a power nap on the airplane.

It was interesting to see some of the ways travel has changed due to COVID-19 — and the role technology has played in that. My phone served as a digital room key at Hilton Oakland Airport as well as boarding passes for our Southwest flight. It even acted as our waiter at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore.

Our itinerary included a trip to Hersheypark, where we rode roller coasters (with our masks on of course), as well as a pilgrimage of sorts to Scranton, Pennsylvania (home of “The Office” sitcom, a favorite of Amber and Ediza).

Wanderlust during COVID-19

One of the advantages of “sheltering in place” is that you can catch up on things — like posting on your blog you’ve been neglecting since last year. 

One of the disadvantages is that you can’t travel. Here are some places I wrote about last fall for the L.A. Times that are worth checking out (once you’re able to leave the house again):

“Mirages? No, these California desert oases are real yet magical”

Now from hot to cold: “Are you tough enough to take the polar bear plunge? If so, try these” 

With NBA and MLB games being postponed indefinitely, here are some other sports worth trying: “Everybody’s getting into the ax at ax-throwing clubs” along with some unusual games played with a ball.

And a few Gold Country getaways:

Preston Castle

“Visit a haunted hotel and creepy castle on a weekend trip to Ione”

“There’s gold (rush history) in them thar California saloons”

“Hop on the Polar Express train on a weekend trip to Jamestown, Calif.”

Along with an old favorite hangout: 

“Your guide to Monterey: Tide pools, tacos and more”

Thirteenth trip to Lake Ediza

We ended the summer with our 13th annual backpacking trip to Ediza’s namesake, Lake Ediza. It was one of the prettiest times we’ve been there — everything was green and lush with clear skies and not that many mosquitoes.

We spent four nights camping — two nights at our “base camp” and the other two up above the lake. Yes, backpacking with kids (more specifically, a recently-turned 4-year-old and nearly 13-year-old) is a lot of work. But not only can it be done, it can actually be fun and rewarding. 

After leaving the trail, we continued our adventure on the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain. We walked around the mountain’s 11,053-foot summit, visited its interpretive center (where Gus got to pet different animal furs) and we ate our first non-dehydrated meal at its cafe. It was good to end the summer on a literal high note.

Unusual meats and cool caves

Our summer adventures have taken us from cities to the mountains. On a trip to Mammoth, we passed through Yosemite and had to wait an hour in the car at the entrance station. That reminds me:

Want to avoid Yosemite-size crowds? Sample other national parks in California

Ediza and Gus enjoying a hike in Mammoth.

Some other travel pieces from this summer include:

If yak and other unusual meats elicit a ‘yum’ from you, check out these restaurants

Exploring Calaveras County caves keeps you cool, puts your imagination in high gear

We recently passed by Moaning Caverns on our way to Utica Reservoir. What made this camping trip different was we took kayaks out to camp on an island! Here’s a photo of us hauling our gear back to the boat launch. 

More travel topics

Here's some more L.A. Times travel articles I wrote just in time for summer:

How to safely share the highway with semis 

Heading to Yosemite? Consider a weekend escape to historic Groveland

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is hidden in Yosemite National Park's northwest corner.  

Wapama Falls

Eat your way up and down California 

These luxe places take the ‘ugh’ out of camping 

Take the plunge in these California swimming holes to keep your cool

Travel topics

Well, it has been awhile. Here are links to several new travel pieces covering some pretty diverse topics:

Admire baseball legends, soak up baseball history at museums across the U.S.

Forest bathing, or how you can experience nature without getting wet (Below is Ediza forest bathing as a toddler in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest. What a trendsetter.)

May Day may mean maypoles, beer or leis. But it's still about spring (Below is present-day Ediza and her class during this year's May Day Festival at Sierra Waldorf School.) 

In Depoe Bay, Ore., a family weekend getaway means relaxing walks, pizza and play structures 

Where to commemorate D-day, in the U.S. and overseas

Where to chase rainbows? Here are six stunning places to see them

Mountains 2 Beach

We started this summer with a trip to Ventura over Memorial Day weekend so I could run the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon. Now, three months later — just in time for Labor Day weekend — here's a story about our trip: Explore Ventura's beaches, shops and family-friendly restaurants on a weekend escape (also in Sunday's L.A. Times).

Full Speed Ahead

We made our annual trip to Lake Ediza this summer. The journey started with smoky skies (from a nearby lightning strike) along with being attacked by killer mosquitoes. However, we persisted and it paid off with a fun adventure. 

Gus cooking falafel and mashed potatoes 

Ediza at "her" lake

Shortly after backpacking in the Mammoth Lakes area, Amber and I headed to the Lake Tahoe area for a Ragnar Trail Relay. Our group of eight ran continuously for about 30 hours, including with headlamps in the middle of the night.  

And just recently Gus celebrated his third birthday aboard Sierra No. 3, a historic steam locomotive at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. Here is Gus blowing out his mini red velvet cupcake from our friend's catering company Lila & Sage in Murphys. 

Sonora and Shakespeare

Washington Street in downtown Sonora

We didn't have to travel far for A weekend escape to Sonora, Calif., where the charm of the Old West remains. Also, this upcoming weekend Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' comes to Yosemite — for free.

Exploring the property at Indigeny Reserve 

Moss Landing

Hope your New Year is off to a good start. Here's a link to a new travel story (also in this Sunday's L.A. Times) about a different spot we checked out on the Central Coast: Escape to California's quaint Moss Landing for a family weekend filled with kayaking and fresh seafood. We visited there back in October for Ediza's birthday and we actually just got back from the area for Amber's birthday.

Warm Wishes from the Wild West

We got this Old West photo done at Kamice's Photographic Establishment as part of my latest L.A. Times travel story: Just in time for the holidays, a family-friendly weekend escape to California's Columbia State Historic Park. Happy holidays!