Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Stormy Kauai...Stormy Courtenay/BC
After two great weeks here on Kauai we are heading home late this evening as our flight departs at 11:30pm.
Kels and Em left Sunday eve and we have heard from that they arrived home safe and sound. We loved our 8 days that we had together with them. True to Carwithen form we kept busy each day...exploring...beaching....eating......plus a little vino.
We have now experienced two flash floods here. The last one being Saturday after another full day of heavy rain. After a full day of dodging raindrops we finally decided to just head back to the cottage. We had heard lots of reports that there were many areas of flooding and several bridges were closed. Our cottage is in the country and as we approached the driveway we saw a road closure sign immediately past the drive. We could see that the once small creek on the other side of the road was now a swollen river with three cows nervously standing on their last few feet of ground. We four had to wade through ankle deep water to climb up the cottage stairs as it is built on cement pilings. It was driving rain...heavier than any of us had ever seen. We were worried about the cows, so immediately began looking up the animal humane society number. Within the next five minutes the river bank overflowed and was now rushing onto this property. We all knew it was too late now for the cows. It was now a raging river of brown water carrying broken trees and debris. We could hear in the distance as trees broke.....our driveway now blocked with debris and deep river water. Safely up on the lanai we decided our plan B would be to climb a tree that is close to this deck. The rising water was like watching a sink fill with water. Inch by inch we watched it climb up our rented jeep and was now up past the wheel wells. The owner's vehicle almost submerged......the garden tools floating and the tractor now almost covered as well. The caretaker's suite below us was completely flooded with the water level half way up his door.
So....Em got us drinks....Carol took photos.....Kels and Stu talked about stategy. There was nothing we could do but watch and wait. Stu called Wayne the caretaker to tell him not to try and come home now as it was now not possible. Wayne answered right away and was already on his way into the yard....but by paddle surf board! Wayne is a Hawaiian who has lived here all of his life and he said he has never seen anything like this before. Rain..yes....the odd flood yes, but never anything of this magnitude. Wayne paddled up to the stairs...hopped off so that he could have a beer with us before leaving again to go and stay with his Mom.
We were all so sad thinking of the cows being trapped in the water with no where to go. Kels....still watching, yelled that the cows were swimming into the property! The fence must have broken with the force of the current and the three girls were swimming right up to the stairs! Were they considering joining us on the lanai? For a minute we thought that could be true, then they turned and headed to higher ground doing well with their new found swimming ability.
After about an hour of watching the water began to receed and the rain slowed down. We were now able to get to the jeep which had been close to floating. It started first time, but it was so incredibly full of water and so so dirty. There was really nothing we could do about the damage now so we had dinner some vino and settled in to a ruthless game of scrabble.
The following morning was all about clean-up. Wayne had been in close contact with the owners who were horrified, but happy that everyone had remained safe. We were also in contact via e-mail. We did several hours of clean-up for Wayne and then off to the beach!
We hadn't been keeping in touch with home weather since being away. We heard from Em that there was also massive flooding in Courtenay and that it's two main bridges were closed. Gramma Joy was on alert to evacuate and had her bag packed. Crazyness! We were so happy that she was ok.
Inspite of the drama we have experienced here on Kauai, we have had a wonderful vacation and would come back in a nano second. Kauai is beautiful, laid back and still offers old Hawaiian charm.
Thank-you Kauai for giving the Carwithem family a wonderful holiday.
Kels and Em left Sunday eve and we have heard from that they arrived home safe and sound. We loved our 8 days that we had together with them. True to Carwithen form we kept busy each day...exploring...beaching....eating......plus a little vino.
We have now experienced two flash floods here. The last one being Saturday after another full day of heavy rain. After a full day of dodging raindrops we finally decided to just head back to the cottage. We had heard lots of reports that there were many areas of flooding and several bridges were closed. Our cottage is in the country and as we approached the driveway we saw a road closure sign immediately past the drive. We could see that the once small creek on the other side of the road was now a swollen river with three cows nervously standing on their last few feet of ground. We four had to wade through ankle deep water to climb up the cottage stairs as it is built on cement pilings. It was driving rain...heavier than any of us had ever seen. We were worried about the cows, so immediately began looking up the animal humane society number. Within the next five minutes the river bank overflowed and was now rushing onto this property. We all knew it was too late now for the cows. It was now a raging river of brown water carrying broken trees and debris. We could hear in the distance as trees broke.....our driveway now blocked with debris and deep river water. Safely up on the lanai we decided our plan B would be to climb a tree that is close to this deck. The rising water was like watching a sink fill with water. Inch by inch we watched it climb up our rented jeep and was now up past the wheel wells. The owner's vehicle almost submerged......the garden tools floating and the tractor now almost covered as well. The caretaker's suite below us was completely flooded with the water level half way up his door.
So....Em got us drinks....Carol took photos.....Kels and Stu talked about stategy. There was nothing we could do but watch and wait. Stu called Wayne the caretaker to tell him not to try and come home now as it was now not possible. Wayne answered right away and was already on his way into the yard....but by paddle surf board! Wayne is a Hawaiian who has lived here all of his life and he said he has never seen anything like this before. Rain..yes....the odd flood yes, but never anything of this magnitude. Wayne paddled up to the stairs...hopped off so that he could have a beer with us before leaving again to go and stay with his Mom.
We were all so sad thinking of the cows being trapped in the water with no where to go. Kels....still watching, yelled that the cows were swimming into the property! The fence must have broken with the force of the current and the three girls were swimming right up to the stairs! Were they considering joining us on the lanai? For a minute we thought that could be true, then they turned and headed to higher ground doing well with their new found swimming ability.
After about an hour of watching the water began to receed and the rain slowed down. We were now able to get to the jeep which had been close to floating. It started first time, but it was so incredibly full of water and so so dirty. There was really nothing we could do about the damage now so we had dinner some vino and settled in to a ruthless game of scrabble.
The following morning was all about clean-up. Wayne had been in close contact with the owners who were horrified, but happy that everyone had remained safe. We were also in contact via e-mail. We did several hours of clean-up for Wayne and then off to the beach!
We hadn't been keeping in touch with home weather since being away. We heard from Em that there was also massive flooding in Courtenay and that it's two main bridges were closed. Gramma Joy was on alert to evacuate and had her bag packed. Crazyness! We were so happy that she was ok.
Inspite of the drama we have experienced here on Kauai, we have had a wonderful vacation and would come back in a nano second. Kauai is beautiful, laid back and still offers old Hawaiian charm.
Thank-you Kauai for giving the Carwithem family a wonderful holiday.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tropical Storm
Yesterday as we were out and about here on Kauai we noticed how big the surf was.
Places that we have enjoyed swimming at were suddenly way too dangerous to go in.
We had a great day sight seeing.....but definitely no swimming.
Still unaware of what was in store for us through the night...we watched movies...cooked dinner and read our books. We heard thunder in the distance....a little smattering of rain here and there. No big deal.....
At 2am all of the peace changed! We were wakened by thunder and lightening and howling winds! Our little cottage looked like something from a horror movie. Four Cars up and watching the trees bed and twist and the water level of the grounds rise. This morning there is debris everywhere, the chickens are not themselves and the roosters aren't crowing quite as much and rather than scrounging around they are sitting in trees. Our little family of wild pigs look supremely irritated as they race belly deep in the flood water! Their little hairless back all slippery looking and muddy. This cottage as many are is raised up. It feels like we are in a tree house. Now I know why the hawaiians build this way, the water rose two feet up the cement pillers.
A night to remember...no damage and everyone safe here in the Aloha Plantation Cottage!
Places that we have enjoyed swimming at were suddenly way too dangerous to go in.
We had a great day sight seeing.....but definitely no swimming.
Still unaware of what was in store for us through the night...we watched movies...cooked dinner and read our books. We heard thunder in the distance....a little smattering of rain here and there. No big deal.....
At 2am all of the peace changed! We were wakened by thunder and lightening and howling winds! Our little cottage looked like something from a horror movie. Four Cars up and watching the trees bed and twist and the water level of the grounds rise. This morning there is debris everywhere, the chickens are not themselves and the roosters aren't crowing quite as much and rather than scrounging around they are sitting in trees. Our little family of wild pigs look supremely irritated as they race belly deep in the flood water! Their little hairless back all slippery looking and muddy. This cottage as many are is raised up. It feels like we are in a tree house. Now I know why the hawaiians build this way, the water rose two feet up the cement pillers.
A night to remember...no damage and everyone safe here in the Aloha Plantation Cottage!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A blessing realized...
Today I realized more than ever what a blessing it is to be together as a healthy happy family.
Kauai has been a great place for us all to spend time together.
It is very beautiful here. We all make little comments here there during these blessed days on how lucky we are to be enjoying this paradise with one another.
I have recently been reminded of how delicate and fragile life can be.
I'm sending warm thought to those who need them..
Kauai has been a great place for us all to spend time together.
It is very beautiful here. We all make little comments here there during these blessed days on how lucky we are to be enjoying this paradise with one another.
I have recently been reminded of how delicate and fragile life can be.
I'm sending warm thought to those who need them..
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Kauai ...we're here!
We arrived at the Aloha Plantation Cottage and it was much more than our expectations! This cottage is set in the country side
and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This morning we picked fresh tangerines, grapefruit and limes for our breakfast.
and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This morning we picked fresh tangerines, grapefruit and limes for our breakfast. Kauai is absolutely beautiful in every way. Today we swam........explored.......and felt truly blessed that we are in such abeautiful place with one another.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Packing....
Nothing better than packing for Kauai on a rainy October Sunday! Not long now until we are relaxing in the sun!
I'm ready are you?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time for a vacation...
A couple of weeks ago we decided to take a much needed vacation. We have decided to go to Kauai this time.
Stuart booked flights for us and I looked after our accommodation. My interest was sparked by some of the little plantation styles cottages that are slightly off the beaten path. The one that I decided upon is set on five acres of lush tropical growth. It happens to have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.....so after giving it about two seconds of thought we invited Kels and Em. They were also able to be spontaneous and will be joining us for seven full days. We are all so ecstatic to be able to have this very precious time together.
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