My Favorite Place

My Familiar Escape In the story “The Way to Rainy Mountain,” by N. Scott Momaday, Momaday relates to his special place which is Rainy Mountain. It holds the harshest weather on earth, but is still spectacularly beautiful to him. There is a place I love as well, and find myself looking forward to every year. I count the days until I hop on the plane to reach my destination. I have nearly memorized every detail of my exquisite paradise and feel my “home away from home” is equally as excited to receive my presence. My special place is Hawaii. Maybe it’s because I was born there that I have this obvious connection. It’s not just Hawaii in its-self, there is a particular spot on the west side of Maui called Napili Bay. Describing it is like a mini adventure... Just five hours South-West from Santa Cruz are the lush tropics of Maui waiting for me to arrive. Getting off the plane, the gust of warm humid air invelopes you in the face as you disembark into the airport. Down the terminal, I race as quickly as I can to get outside. Finally reaching the doors, you immediately feel as if you had entered the gateway to heaven. Gorgeous palm trees swaying in the warm breeze. Tropical gardens every which way you look and the captivating aroma of sweet Plumeria filling the air. All in the midst of grasping at the beauty of this magical piece of land. First thing, a car is rented from Hertz Rental Cars, and we are set to Jet. About twenty minutes from the airport, we arrive in Napili and I am set free into my wild escape! Jumping out of the car, carefree about anything else, I run down the street (about 16 seconds).. My heaven waits. Here it is the place I have been referring to...Napili Bay. The archway leading down to the beach is entwined with bright pink magenta Bougainvillea’s and shades a golden sandy dirt path. At the end of the little walk way, leaning against the cinder-block wall are local Hawaiians welcoming me. Standing there talking, I stare out at the