Camping at Bonneville Campground

Last weekend we went up to Bonneville Campground with the Snow family. The site is located at mile marker 92 on Highway 21 (between Lowman and Stanley). We read about the nearby hot springs, but I didn't realize how cool they really were until checking them out myself.

No trip starts without some form of adventure. On the way up our Montero broke down (bad spark plug), with the tent trailer in tow. Fortunately, it was right in front of the Sourdough Lodge. After calling AAA to get a tow back to Boise and counting the trip a wash, Michael happened to drop by the lodge for some butter. His family had already checked into their site and set up. I loaded the wife and kids into their truck and set them off for camping.

We got an OK from the lodge to leave our tent trailer in the parking area (and spare a $300 tow) and I spent the night riding 90 miles back to Boise in a tow truck. The next morning I borrowed a pickup truck from a buddy (thank you Jimmy), which had a crew cab and could tow. By noon, I was at the lodge to pick up the tent trailer and get to camp. I was determined to do some camping, even if it was for one night.

Despite the setback, we all had a great time soaking in the pools, enjoying the sun and breeze, shooting the breeze, and watching the birds and deer. Perfect.

30 Hours Before Departure

My goal was to post a blog entry once a day during our trip. No such luck. That's OK, because the time was spent doing what we came here for -- playing with the kids in the pool; building sand castles on the local beaches like Anini and Hanalei; catching a pig roast and luau; and exploring the island. If you want to see pictures, the quickest way is through Facebook. Or you can now link to our Picassa album below.

Some highlights from the last six days:

• Pig roast and luau at Smiths Gardens
  
• Dive rings, goggles, kid's pool and water slide at the resort pools
• Making friends at the pool, like Anika and Anita from Napa, Calif., Tomas from Templeton, Calif. (former Boisean); Mike and Sarah, from Bakersfield, Calif., and others we'd mention but can't recall thanks to another San Miguel in my hand
  
• The girls having fun at the resort's Kids Club (a nice facility for the kids)
  
• Rachael discovering waves, while both explored tide pools at Waioli State Beach
  
• Watching the birds at Kilauea Lighthouse
  
• Sea kayaking and shave ice in Hanalei
  
• Soundtrack album for the week -- "Only By The Night" by Kings of Leon
• Bubba Burgers in Kapa'a

Sadly, we depart tomorrow night. So, tonight we feast. Steak and potatoes are ready for the grill, and San Miguel (for beer lovers, this is the real shit -- brewed in the Philippines, not in Mexico like you get on the Mainland bro). At our resort, they fire up the tiki torches all around the premises before sunset, so it adds a romantic touch. 

Tomorrow, we max out the day by heading to the south side of the island to get in Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaii). Check out all the photos below.

Metzgar Kauai Trip 2009

Swimming With Koi in Kauai

After a long day flying from BOI to SLC, SLC to LAX and then LAX to Kauai, we finally checked into our room at the Westin Princeville. Sunny, hot, humid, sometimes cloudy and rain is just what the doctor ordered for our first true family vacation. It's also our return to where we honeymooned over 13 years ago.  

Since Boise's four hours ahead of Hawaii time, it was midnight for the girls by the time we grabbed a late dinner. They were wiped out, but real troopers. I wish I could say that they slept in, but true to Boise time, they were up at 4 a.m. laughing, giggling and showing no signs of returning to bed. After a few hours of futile requests, commands and bribes, Daddy got the girls dressed at 6:30 a.m. and headed off to the resort market for coffee and fruit. Of course, Rachael and Rebecca were taken by the fish in the Koi pond. A minute later, Rachael slipped off one of the rocks and took a swim with the Koi. She was pretty embarrassed, but we got her back to the room to dry off, change and get back out. 

Our plan today is to pick up some groceries, show the girls Glo Manor (our honeymoon spot) and Anini Beach, and then spend the day poolside with the girls. And we're looking forward to a luau tomorrow night.

I Have Fallen Behind

Like one of my MBA professors said at the start of classes last year, "Don't fall behind." While I've managed to keep up in class I've fallen behind in our family blog posts.

Since January, Rebecca turned 5 in March. Rachael has lost two more front teeth and Rebecca's grown envious about the tooth fairy. She can't wait for her first tooth to come out.

Mom came out for Rebecca's birthday party, for which she was really excited. It was good to catch up despite my work and class assignments.

Suzanne has been active on the synagogue's board for the last three years, but her term is up so she's looking at other volunteer opportunities.

I'm leaving my post of treasurer for a local networking group and accepted a position on another board for a group dedicated to helping at-risk young adults. I'm very excited since it's all about marketing strategy.

And in June we're all looking forward to our first real family vacation in 5 years - Kauai, Hawaii.

I'm one month away from completing the halfway point of my MBA. The end is not soon enough!

And last, Suz and I celebrated our birthdays in the last month. The time sure flies.

Skiing for the First Time

The girls' first time skiing was a fun family event. In Boise, we have the fortune to live 20 minutes' drive from Bogus Basin. It was a crime not to get our girls into lessons. And they had a couple of friends who wanted to join them, so we have our own little private lesson group.

It took Rachael and Rebecca a little time getting used to skis -- stiff boots, - sliding backwards down the hill, learning how to stop, and learning how to get up. In the end they were fearless despite the falls and near-misses.

Take a look at the photo album to see the girls in action. 

Rachael Lost Her Second Tooth

Ok, I just had to post this since I don't want to appear to be an obsessive parent. Rachael lost her second tooth in just after a month after her first. Daddy tucked the girls in that night almost blew the Tooth Fairy gig. But with some quick sleight of hand and fancy footwork, the Tooth Fairy arrived handled everything perfectly.