THE IDEA
Head outdoors when the wind is calling and embrace it.
During our recent adventures in Hawaii, the winds in Honolulu were at times fairly fierce – at least by my Los Angeles standards (and I’m all-too familiar with the infamous Santa Ana’s). The difference is that although strong, the gusts offered a cool and refreshing break from the otherwise hot, tropical climate.
OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Vacations will cause you to do things you might not normally do. Like hike up to a lookout point at one of the windiest places on Oahu on one of the windiest days during our visit. Who knew?
But it wasn’t until we reached the halfway point of our journey – at the Makapu’u Lighthouse Lookout – that I realized we should embrace the wind, not fight it. While my friends tried to wait for that picture-perfect, wind-free moment to snap a shot, I asked them to make sure to take one of me and the big explorer with our hair flying around like mad.
After all, the wind was the experience.
Once I stopped fighting nature, I unlocked that silly kid within who just wanted to chase the wind with open arms. I wanted to see if it was strong enough to push me back up the trail as I made my way down.
Of course, I encouraged my Big Explorer to do the same. It certainly took some nudging, because his little legs were tired and I’m sure he thought mom was more than a little annoying. It didn’t help that most of our fellow hikers were hunkering down when the breezes came. Even our friends thought I was a little crazy.
But together, we chased the wind back down the trail with open arms. I told him to pretend his was an airplane flying high above the clouds. By the time we reached the trail head, The Big Explorer would spread his arms and open his mouth to embrace each breeze that blew our way.
And there were plenty for us to catch that day.
TAKE-HOME TIPS
The good news is that you don’t have to go to Hawaii to find a nice breeze. To add some fun to your next windy day adventure, try these tips courtesy of Nature Rocks:
- Dress in light layers to let the wind in. The layers will trap the wind and make your little explorer feel like he or she has taken in some serious air.
- Bring along something to chase. Bubbles, pinwheels, flower petals – anything that might be fun to watch take off in the air.
That's something we need to remember around here where winter can get gale-force-windy. I agree with Melissa–long hair makes wind so much worse; hats are a necessity (if you can keep one on).
Mel, I hear you about the wind/hair thing — it's a total pain! I've found that a hat works wonders. Hope your baby Roo's are doing well! 🙂
My long hair always makes the wind a pain, especially when I'm sans hair clippy! Your adventure DOES sound fun though and that pictures is AWESOME! My son would have loved acting like an airplane too!
Dawn, Cat & Jana, I'm glad to hear there are fellow wind lovers out there. I'm convinced everyone on the trail with us thought I was nuts! Have a great weekend you guys!
Growing up in Fontana, we had no choice but to learn to love the wind. Where I currently live with my husband we don't get as much, but just about every time we go to my mom's the wind is blowing hard. We are very familiar with the Santa Ana's. I do want to take my son to fly kites soon, we just bought one and I can't wait for it to get a bit windy in my neck of the woods to try
I love playing in the wind like this!
This is a great post Debi… <br />Moving to Nova Scotia has most definitly taught me to embrace the weather more… The wind has never been my favorite so this is a great reminder to go with the wind… not fight it!<br />Thanks!