July 8, 2024
We can’t believe how fast these two weeks have wrapped up, but we’re so excited to share our Fourth of July and end-of-the-trip celebrations.
What better way to celebrate than with Griff! Griff, a former Moondance leader and now a resident of Maui, met us bright and early for a Fourth of July sea kayak and snorkel. Cate and Ainsley spotted a massive sea turtle swimming just feet away from us and called the group over to witness such an incredible experience. It was a core memory for our group, something to forever remember on a Moondance trip and on such a beloved holiday! On the way home, we stopped for lemonade and ice cream to kick off our celebrations. With such a fun day occurring, we all realized how much fun our van rides around Maui truly are. Witt screaming the lyrics to Jelly Roll and Ford consistently feeding us with a great aux became special moments that all of us would soon reminisce on, and soon find out that it’s the little things that mean the most to us.
For example, we ended our day with homemade poke bowls and watching the sunset on the mountain tops of Haleakalā. Throwing footballs, casual games of Spikeball (serious practice for the Olympics), and Jared teaching ukulele lessons proved to be such a happy memory of what it means to live in the moment. Sparklers, American music, and a classic Ricky Bobby quote from Ford to start Moonup ended such a wonderful day celebrating the USA!
Friday came fast with lots of action to unpack: morning surfing and OLYMPICS DAY! After a late sleep-in and eggs and sausage with veggies in our stomachs, we hit the road and got to surfing with the outstanding Maui Beach Boys. Palmer crushed it with his determination to make every wave to the best of his ability and ride it out to shore every time! Emma was not far behind as she mastered her stance and challenged herself to practice 180°s on her board.
Once arriving back at camp, we decked out in RED to get ready to show up and show out for the MAUI OLYMPICS! It was such a fun day, especially as Warner kicked off the relay races by showing everyone up in the down-and-back football field sprint. Soon after, Charlie stepped in as QB in the 6v6 football game and passed to Hampton for a touchdown each & every time. However, Liza and Anna took home the gold medal in the girls’ Spikeball game, absolutely dominating against white & blue. With burgers and hot dogs to end the night, our team stayed after to chicken fight, play the name game, and take pictures of our picture-perfect day. Rolling up camp just before quiet hours called for an immediate Moonup, hose shower, and early bedtime for an eeaarrrlllyyy morning wake-up.
Ending the trip with Redline Rafting could not have been more exciting! Although it called for an early wake-up, MAU B loaded the van and headed out to snorkel along the Molokini Crater. Caroline already got her songs in the queue as we rode around in the ocean along the coast of Maui. Captain Nick and McKenna provided the best breakfast, lunch, and day, closing the best two weeks with the best 12 kids. After making a few pit stops for some last-minute souvenirs and gifts for family and friends back home, we rolled up to our little slice of heaven to soak in the last memories made at the place we called home for the past 2 weeks.
An intimate banquet dinner—steaks, potatoes, mac and cheese, caprese salad, and all—allowed all 15 of us to eat family-style and debrief all the memories made with the loved ones by our sides. We then made a gelato stop before a long Moonup, where tears were shed and hugs were everlasting. There was nothing that truly could have altered this day to make it what it was: the best ending you could ever ask for to your trip of a lifetime.
With airport day upon us, how lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Family, friends, and those reading this, we couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for y’all for sharing such amazing people with us for the past 2 weeks. Jared, Sadie, and I (Hey! It’s me, Gretchen!) genuinely realized the reason why we lead: these 12 kids. It was a pleasure, honor, and blessing to know each and every one of the people that make up MAU 2B. A Hui Hou (until we group again)!
All our love,
Gretchen, Jared, & Sadie