Meeting musicians on the bus

The express bus from T-Town to Seattle was PACKED this morning. I was even starting to try to convince the hubby to just drive, but we didn't. Hubby took The Eldest & The Boy to a pair of seats while the Baby Girl and I squeezed in next to a stranger also hauling a didn't-fit-in-the-luggage-carrier guitar. Which was completely fine. I was just glad I didn't have to stand. But then I turned out to have a lovely conversation with songstress Kate Graves (not related to former Tacoma arts reporter Jen Graves, I asked) who is a fairly new Northwesterner who'd just played a show at Plenty in Olympia. Lovely person, and lovely music. Click here to hear.

Can't wait to introduce her to Tacoma.

Oh, and as lovely as the day-trip to Seattle was, I was very happy to come home. I feel blessed that there are so many nearby opportunities for "mini-vacations" ... but I love coming home the best.

p.s. It sounds like Kate has chalking experience. We'll have to drag her out on a Friday. Otherwise, if you're ever having coffee in Queen Anne ... watch out, there might be a talented songwriter behind the espresso machine. Kudos to Kate for following her dream.

Impending travel to Kauai: Any tips?

So, we're planning a trip to the island of Kauai for the middle sib's wedding this fall. Still can't believe my brother is getting married, but we're ecstatic about who he's marrying ... and that he picked a small wedding on a far off island, thus giving us all the excuse to leave the continental U.S. We're even leaving the kids ... somehow. We'll take them with us to the islands someday, but we parents have not had a true vacation on our own since ... well ... our honeymoon? And that's nearly 9 years ago. And we only went as far as the Oregon Coast. (And our only overseas travel has been to cold countries ... Ireland for me, Russia -- IN THE WINTER -- for the hubby.) We're ready. And very willing.

So, my question ... any tips on vacationing in Hawaii? And in Kauai in particular? I think we're going to rent a condo or house with some other family members ... and other than the wedding day, we have no plans. Other than exploring Kauai and relaxing.

And for those friends and relatives nearby, I may be calling on you to take a "shift" with one or two or three of the kids. A night, an afternoon, a playdate ... any volunteers? I'm trying to spread the love. And yes, I'll owe you. ;)