We’ve been enjoying some wonderful fall weather here at Casa Aloha lately, much appreciated after our hot, humid Kaua’i summer. We’ve had a few good soaking rains in the past few weeks which have washed the dust away, and our yard is thriving again. Rather than changing color to red or orange or yellow, the leaves on the plants have been changing back to their normal deeper shades of green, and the grass is thickening up. There are still a few bits of fall color to be found though . . . if you look for them.
The lanai is cool and inviting, the perfect place for a morning cup of coffee.
After a hot, dry summer the asparagus fern hanging on the lanai has perked up again, and is sporting a few (somewhat hidden) red berries for fall.
The side yard and hillside are cool and shady in the morning, and filled with lots of green. We thought we were going to lose the wedelia on the hillside from heat and thirst this past summer, but after the rains it’s come back richer and greener than ever, and it’s blooming like crazy.
The aloe vera that Brett planted right after we moved in was a washed-out yellowish-green for most of the summer but are now sporting their true green color again. One plant has even produced a lovely fall-colored blossom, which has been attracting little birds (Japanese White Eye) from time to time.
No changing leaves here, but the avocado and guava trees on the back hillside are completely leafed out, and have grown quite a bit. We did get to harvest some lemons from our tree.
This little fellow, looking ready for fall with his orange feet and tail, was waiting for us by the front door.
The ti plants across from the lanai seemed listless by the end of the summer, like they’d had enough of the heat and humidity as well, but these days they’re standing tall again.
The change of seasons is hardly noticeable here in Hawai’i; they all seem about the same and one segues right into the next. But, after three years here now we can notice and sense the subtle changes when they arrive, and appreciate more what each season has to offer.
The Occasional Nomads 
Thank you for another lovely post! There is a new article on the NY Times website today about Kauai (latest entry in their “36 Hours in….” series). The TipTop is mentioned in the article, and I was reminded of your posts about the restaurant there. My family and I spent the night there during Hurricane Iwa in November of 1982, and when I forwarded a link to your blog to them, we had quite a memory-fest. Again, thanks for your beautifully written and evocative pieces. Hope you are healing comfortably; take care!
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Thanks for the tip about the article in the times. I read it – interesting. They got a few things wrong, and if you followed their itinerary you’d be driving back and forth between the north side and the south and west sides a couple of times a day (at least two hours if not more each way these days) – like on Friday, starting in Lihue, then up to Kilauea, and then all the way back down to the Kilohana Plantation. It made me exhausted just to read about it! And the rum tasting isn’t even offered at 5:30 – the last one is at 3:30. But overall he included some great things to do on the island.
We haven’t been to the Tip Top for a while, but are planning to go when all the girls are home for the holidays. They love that place! (And, you don’t get a stack of pancakes there – just one giant one on a plate. Sigh.)
I wish I could have experienced Kaua’i in an earlier time – I think it would have been amazing, and even more beautiful than it is now.
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I love the aloe plants in the wall! They are one of my favorites. I had no idea they got a flower.
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When we moved here there were six tiny, sickly aloe plants in pots on the lanai, just about ready to give up. Brett planted them in the rocks and they have taken off and spread. The landlord was very happy with how they look there. The bloom was a BIG surprise – we had no idea either that aloe produced flowers.
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Great pictures as always. Please take care of yourself.
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Thanks Vivian! I am taking it easy (and it’s driving me crazy). I want to get better sooner rather than later.
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Beautiful!
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Thanks! The yard here is a lovely bonus on top of a great little house. We’re very secluded by the hills and trees, and it’s mostly very quiet. Also, our rent includes yard service so we don’t have to deal with the upkeep, which seems non-stop here because everything grows so fast whether you want it to or not. The only downside is that the hills on two sides can block breezes coming up from the ocean during the summer.
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