Our Trip to Oahu

For my husband’s birthday, I used airline miles to get us to Oahu. A friend from our surf club told us about a condo we could rent and connected us with the property manager. So I had the flight and accommodations sorted. All we needed was a rental car. A trip to AAA took care of booking our car.

I laughingly referred to our trip as the senior version of a trip we made twenty years ago. Back then we were full of energy and headed for the waves. My husband joined the lineup of surfers, while I stayed near the shore to listen to directions given by a surf instructor. A beautiful Hawaiian girl yelled, “Howlie, stay in the channel.” Undaunted, I rode a wave that seemed to go on forever. Pure bliss. We explored the zoo, and the exquisite North Shore. It was a trip that is permanently engraved on my heart.

So our senior version was slower, and not quite as adventurous, but just what we both needed. My husband got on a rented board (hot pink no less), and I watched him from my covered lounge chair. He seemed to paddle slowly, and did not join the huge lineup, but chose the calmer area. He paddled so far out that I worried. He then sat up and stared into the horizon. I watched him for an hour and hoped he was remembering his glory days. I was relieved when he joined me on the lounge chairs.

We walked in the rain and sometimes in the wind. It was warm and wonderful. We also drove around the island, imagining that we could buy a home on the North Shore. We saw Diamond Head, and stopped at a food truck to get thai food. Then we headed back to our condo with store-bought food to put in the fridge, The condo had a full kitchen, which helped reduce the need to eat out. It also had a pool and hot tub, as well as an exercise room. Not much of a view, but with the beach an 8 minute walk, we couldn’t complain. Security was tight in the condo. Everyone had to use a special fob to get into the complex. I was sad to say goodbye to the serenity of the island. I hope we can come back soon.

We didn’t get home until 4:00 am. I am glad we made this trip. It is too easy to become complacent with a sedentary lifestyle. Traveling is a bit harder when you are older, but it isn’t impossible. Wait for us, Oahu, we will be back.