If You Could Turn Back Time

Promoted trending Twitter topics are usually pretty lame; however, a phrase this week was #IfIHadSuperPowers  ... well, now that's interesting.  I'm sure I'd choose flight, time travel, world peace, super strength, go-go gadget arms or something just like everyone else, but in my allotted Tweet space today, I went with:

@StacieKimberly :: "I'd teleport myself all over the world, #travel through time & live lavishly like a local at every location #IfIHadSuperPowers"

The destination options are endless!  If you could turn back time, Where/When would you go?

Recent "The player who left" mumbo jumbo has triggered a multitude of letters to the editor, bloggeriffic bursts of positive & mostly negative feedback, news coverage galore and trips down memory lane -- back to times when Cleveland wasn't just a "shell of a city" outsiders see -- back to a time when our teams were winning teams and our economy was booming.

My first stop?  I'd go to there.

Let's make it a simple trip to Cleveland in the 1940s during the Big Band era, when the Browns were title-winners and before the Cuyahoga River caught on fire.  You might say this was one of the town's most intriguing periods in history ... booming arts, theater, employment, invention and nightlife.  I'd trip myself there, donning a luxurious gown, flirty curls and a curvy silhouette.  I'd roam The Flats in kitten heels, draping a faux fur shawl over my shoulders in the evening, perhaps even see a show at PlayhouseSquare.

Next would be France in the 1950s circa Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina.  An apartment overlooking a courtyard, glowing fountain and 4-piece ensemble playing La Vie en Rose would be absolute heaven.  I'd prop open the French doors to the terrace, lean way back in a wooden rocker and dream up plot lines for my novel.  I'd take an evening stroll in my skinny black pants and ballerina flats, just as the street lamps would start to flicker, take a cooking class, and maybe even chop my hair to a pixie, just cuz.  What a life ... maybe I'd never leave!

Since I'm already on the continent, I might as well trip my superself to England to hang with the Boleyn sisters and Queen Katherine's court in the 1510s.  What a sight it would be to gaze at the countryside in all its untouched glory, don the yards upon yards of luxurious fabrics and rub elbows with royalty.  I'd live through the flirting, hunting, conniving plots, scheming and corruption, then simply blink my way back home to modern conveniences.

Next, a New York City speakeasy during 1920s prohibition era in the summertime.  Why?  Because I can.  21 Club  on West 52nd Street was raided often by police, but the system levers to sweep the bottles and series of underground wine cellars, helped these bootleggers to never get caught.  The owners were legends at the time, often changing the bar name and rewarding regulars with souvenir scarves.  I'd go to there with a short bob, feather boa, embroidered dress and costume jewelry.  Why not?

After exploring opposing fashion trends, ways of life and blacks and whites, I'll need a vacation.  With my superpowers, I'd do a few super workouts until my body was in perfect beach shape. I know what resort beaches are like today, so I'd trip myself somewhere slightly different but still familiar enough to know what's what -- a California party beach circa 1988.  Sand volleyball, high-cut one-pieces, surfing and sunshine.  I'd be an extra in an episode of Baywatch, go to a Beach Boys concert and host a beach party at Malibu Sands Beach Club.  Could crazy big hair and fluorescent swimwear be so terrible? Nah.  I'd check out the sunrise, then magically appear at my next location.

The travel options are endless!  Where/When would you go?  What time period has always intrigued you?

  

Mahalo for Removing Your Shoes - Sunrise at Haleakala

This little sign was the first thing we saw upon arriving at our rented condo on Maui.  The "Mahalo for removing your shoes" sign hung so politely in the breezeway that we couldn't help but take only one step inside before slipping off our shoes and placing them neatly in the foyer.  Mahalo to you for your politeness.  You're very welcome!

We settled in and explored our new home-for-a-week at the Maui Kama'ole.  This place was all laid out for us, and we couldn't be more pleased with its amenities.  The ocean front view was to die for -- perfect for morning reading on the lanai and sipping wine and gazing at the sunset in the evening.  The owners left us authentic Maui Coffee for brewing, a Maui Revealed guidebook, along with several other tip sheets and pamphets, and an assortment of beach-read worthy novels, games and DVDs.  The condo boasted brand new stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, 2 flat screen TVs, granite countertops and the lovliest Hawaiian decor we could have hoped for.  It was adorable, beautiful and perfect for our getaway!

Before arriving on Maui we decided that there were 6 things we definitely needed to see/do before heading back to the mainland:

1. Driving the Road to Hana
2. Sunrise at Haleakala
3. Luau
4. Tedeschi Vineyards / Maui Brewing Co.
5. Eat like a local
6. Relax at the beach!

To make sure our trip felt like a vacation rather than a stilted trip with a regimented schedule, we agreed on something very important:  We'd have 1 goal/activity to accomplish every day with the caveat that if we changed our minds we would change our plans, no problem.  If you want to stay up all night and sleep in all day, do it.  If you want to go to bed early and wake up at 5am, do that too.  It's vacation!  My suggestion for Maui, is to follow what the sun is doing to maximize your daytime experience. 

We were surprised to find on that in the Hawaiian time zone, the sun rises around 5:30am and sets at around 7:30pm (much earlier than we'd expected).  Make sure you check sunrise/sunset times and plan your excursions accordingly.  Since the sun rises so early and we were making the 2-hour trip from Kihei to the summit of Haleakala for the sunrise, we had to wake up at 2:00am to hit the road in time. 

Sunrise at Haleakala

Whether or not you're a religious person, you'll be sure to have some sort of spiritual experience atop this giant dormant volcano.  Maybe it's being above the clouds in freezing cold temperatures that messes with your head ... but I prefer to believe that up there you're closer to God, seeing the sun rising in the East from as close to His point of view you can get on foot.  It's a truly remarkable experience that everyone should attempt at least once. 

If you plan to go, pack accordingly.  You might think you're tough -- especially if you're used to Cleveland winters like we are -- but the chill factor up there is a force to be reckoned with.  Plan to arrive at the summit when it's still dark (at least 30 minutes before sunrise) so you can experience the vast nothingness.  It's a void out there with no light, save for the twinkling constellations above.  If you're brave enough to face the wind, be sure to get there early enough to stargaze. 

Things you'll need:

• Layered clothing - think winter tailgate day in Cleveland and double it
• Flashlight
• Big warm blanket
• Winter hat, gloves, scarf
• Camera
• a snack for the road & lots of water

Here's us all bundled up at the summit as the sun was rising.  I'll never forget it!