Life of Larisa or LOL

I've returned to Oahu from breezy San Francisco and immediately found myself sniffling, coughing, and congested. Yep, caught a little cold, a souvenir from my travels. Buuuuuuut, I didn't let that stop me from hiking this past weekend.  Since I was a little tired and under the weather, we chose the easiest, shortest hike in the world. Although I'm sure there are those who would argue the true length of this trail, we only went as far as the bench at the top...my trusty feet tell me our overall hike was a mile. Don't laugh. We did break a sweat...it was close to noon and hot out. 😂 Don't let the signs scare you. Yes, there are cliffs. Yes, we heard an explosion (did I mention this hike is at the back of Schofield Barracks Army Post?) We walked up and back without incident and every other hiker we saw along the way had kids...this helped ease any worries starting to creep in about safety.  This hike is perfect for when you are sick, not in shape, or have kids. Or all

Attention moms! Take time for yourself! It's imperative. It's a must. It's what I did this past weekend...in beautiful San Francisco! First annual Giiiiiiirls Trip was a mini vacation success! My off Oahu exploration combined a wedding, a fortieth birthday celebration, and kid free time---a trifecta of fun. And laughs. Deep belly, good for the soul laughs.  There are too many sights in the Bay Area to squeeze them all into a few days, but we managed to check out the Peace Tower in Japantown, Golden Gate Park, The Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans Wharf, and the Ferry to Sausalito. Gotta save a few things for Giiiiiiirls Trip part two! Being a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of my college roommates was a great way to kick off the weekend getaway. Bridesmaid duties included time at the Spa, making fresh flower bouquets, eating a most delicious Middle Eastern meal at the rehearsal dinner, and finally---biking in a four person Surrey from Ocean Beach to Peacock Meadow i

It was a double hike weekend. Well, sort of. Saturday we pretty much rock climbed (see Oahu Exploration: Kealia Hike post). Sundays are for yoga, so we decided to take it easy and go for more of a stroll instead of an uphill, tear my knee ligaments hike. The perfect solution to this hiking dilemma: Ka Iwi Shoreline Trail.  Most folks may know this area as: 1. The trail below Makapu'u Lighthouse 2. Pele's Chair 3. Alan Davis Beach I knew it as none of those, because despite living on O'ahu off and on for twenty years, I have never ever been here---even though I've hiked the Lighthouse trail directly above a bazillion times.  This was the perfect hike to follow up the previous days Northshore trek up the side of a mountain. This trail leads to the beach (perk number one) and is pretty flat (perk number two). This trail is so easy..."how easy was it?", that you can do it in rubbah slippahs and a bathing suit. No hiking boots or hiking stick required! Needless to