Over the weekend, we kicked off our summer by camping at Polihale Beach. A gorgeous 7-mile long stretch of white sandy beach on Kauai’s wild west side.
We camped with some great friends and their families. All together there were 9 parents, 11 kids, and 4 dogs.
Here’s some of my favorite photos from our camping weekend…
Huge mahalo’s to Matt and Derek, who set up one deluxe campsite, and showed off their Iron Chef skills on the camp grill.
Matt can cook and surf.
Derek can cook and surf too.
Besides the main pavilion where we gathered for ono grinds (delicious food), the guys also set up our very own shoreline pavilion.
With the help of lots of little hands, Michael crafted one cool sand castle of fun.
Mary and Evan head to our beach pavilion for some beach fun.
Cute little Evan was the little man of the group, he was such a good boy.
Kaha was one of our four watch dogs. He did an outstanding job, when he wasn’t napping.
One of Derek and Jen’s four-legged family members, Copper, enjoyed the weekend too.
Melissa and Matt share a romantic walk.
While the boys head for fun and games. Even Max’s bud, Joel, who broke his arm four days before our camping weekend began, didn’t let his casted arm spoil his fun.
Sydney was the only girl among the eleven little ones…
But, with five years of Jiu Jitsu under her belt, Sydney holds her own just fine.
After some wave fun, Nathan and Tommy look for more fun to get into.
Besides fun in the waves, games on the beach include football…
Tackle football. Max takes Brendan down as his little brother Ethan and Michael look on.
There was wrestling and romping…
King of the Hill…
A boy and a stick, one of Max’s favorite games…
A sand-filled game of Tag. Melissa was it. Kaha and Goldie played too.
Matt (we had two Matt’s in our group) takes on his oldest son, Conner, in a strategic game of checkers.
Matt proved his Iron Chef skills, with his impressive morning crepes and pancakes.
Michael takes on Derek in Chess. Michael won…sorry Derek.
Just before sunset, Polihale treated us with this stunning gold lining.
Once the sun set, it was time for bonfire fun and s’mores, of course.
Then, Sydney raises the night’s Chinese flying lantern…
And we all watch as it rises up and out into the night sky.
Our last morning before we break camp…
I take a morning beach walk toward the “Forbidden Island” of Niihau. It was an incredibly peaceful and beautiful morning walk.
This was my very first camping adventure. I had always envisioned camping as roughing it.
But, after relaxing with friends, dining on Iron Chef camp meals, sleeping under the stars, and waking to the smell of IHOP, camping has taken on a whole new meaning to me.
It only took me 51 years to go on my very first camping adventure (because I’m not counting camping under blankets strung over a clothesline in my backyard in the 60′s)…
You can bet, it will not be my last.
Wow, how fun. George would absolutely love to do that as an annual event. He loves camping and doing that on the beach would be heaven. I remember throwing his 40th birthday surprise camping trip with many family and friends showing up as part of the surprise!!! Looking forward to seeing you and the family soon : )
Sounds like you have lots of fun camping memories! Looking forward to many more in our future too. Can’t wait to see all of you in October
We haven’t been to Hawaii yet. Would love to go, but for now, stuck on the mainland roads for the summer.
Mainland roads are fun too…just a lot longer
That is awesome Joy! Love the photos. Saying that Michael won the chess match is an understatement!
Rematch?