Around Town … with Robert Airoldi – Hawaiian vacation brings surprise engagement on sunset cruise

Published in the November 14 – 27, 2018 issue of Gilroy Life

My life is changing in a wonderful way. During an eight-day vacation to Hawaii in October, I proposed to my girlfriend, Kathryn Walker — and she said yes! We are looking forward to the wedding next year.

First, we spent five days in Maui, eating our way up and down the island. We attended a luau in Lahaina, snorkeled in Napili, hiked several trails along the west coast, laid on the beach in Makena State Park, drove to Haleakalā Crater, then to Iao Valley State Park where we saw the Iao Needle and just really enjoyed ourselves.

Then we went to Kauai for three days. There we saw the Spouting Horn (Google this to learn more!) on the road to ʻEleʻele and also visited Waimea Canyon State Park and Waimea Falls.

On Monday, Oct. 22, we had a sunset boat tour on the Lucky Lady up the Nā Pali coast-line where we witnessed astounding views of the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. It’s known for its towering sea cliffs punctuated by narrow valleys, streams and cascading waterfalls. It’s also where some scenes from the “Jurassic Park” movies were filmed.

That morning I grabbed the ring out of my suitcase and called Kathryn’s daughter, Mattie, to give her a heads up. We had trouble connecting during the day. First, she was busy at work and when she did call back I was unable to take the call as Kathryn and I were together in our rented Jeep on our way to the historic town of Hanapepe. With the three-hour time difference, I was finally able to get a hold of her about 2:30 p.m. Hawaii time. Hiding in the boat’s bathroom on our way up the Nā Pali coastline, I told Mattie of my plans to propose.

A few hours later on the way back, the sun sank into the ocean horizon in a splendid glow as a full moon rose in the east. I asked Kathryn for her hand in marriage. I’m so glad I took the leap of faith. It may have taken until the age of 59 to get engaged, but I know it will be worth the wait. I love you, Kathryn!

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Here’s a fun challenge for local garlic lovers as well as visitors to the Garlic Capital of the World. Visitors who want to savor all that Gilroy has to offer now have an easy way to find wonderful garlic experiences. With the new “Road to Garlic” maps in hand, tourists (as well as locals) can go on a tasty treasure hunt and find all the best places to enjoy the town’s signature spice.

Garlic lovers will discover nearly 40 different shops, restaurants, and other attractions with window decals proclaiming their status as stops along the “Road to Garlic.” During their garlic pilgrimage, visitors can find garlic in every form imaginable at iconic stops such as Garlic World, dine on favorite Gilroy Garlic Festival dishes at Mama Mia’s, or take a spin on the Garlic Twirl ride at Gilroy Gardens. They can also find Instagram-ready photo spots at the garlic mural in downtown Gilroy and bins of fresh garlic bulbs at LJB Farms.

And of course, no trip to Gilroy would be complete without a taste of garlic ice cream — which can now be enjoyed year-round at six different locations throughout Gilroy.

The new “Road to Garlic” maps are sponsored by Christopher Ranch and are available at the Gilroy Welcome Center (located in Gilroy Premium Outlets Building A, near Forever 21).

Visit www.VisitGilroy.com/roadtogarlic for details.

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Speaking of Garlic and Gilroy’s signature event, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association announced distributions totaling $255,000 to 170 different charities and nonprofit organizations. The 2018 figure brings the Garlic Festival’s 40-year total distributions to more than $11.7 million.

In the Volunteer Equity Program, instituted by the Gilroy Garlic Festival founders in 1979, net proceeds from the three-day event are distributed to local schools, sports teams, nonprofit groups, and service organizations based on the number of hours logged at the festival by more than 4,000 volunteers representing those organizations.

The reason the Gilroy Garlic Festival is still going strong after 40 years is because of the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers,” said 2018 Gilroy Garlic Festival President Todd Trekell. “It’s very rewarding to see their hard work translate directly into much-needed funding for many of our community’s most valued organizations.”

A complete list of distributions is posted on the festival website at www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.

Good job, volunteers!

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It’s time for the 85th Annual Christmas Bazaar created by the United Methodist Women of Gilroy. This Nov. 17 event has become a local institution and will feature an array of artistic crocheting and knitting, culinary delights, and whimsical crafts. A tasty soup and pie luncheon is served in the Fireside Room. The cost is $7 and this popular sidelight of the day offers a cozy venue to gather with friends and also renew old acquaintances as you enjoy someone else’s cooking. Local young people volunteer as servers.

The grand prize of the silent auction and drawing is an award-winning handmade quilt, with this year’s floral design completed by Sue Hice, who belonged to a weekly quilting group. After she passed away last January, her family donated the quilt, which is being featured in her honor.

The silent auction items include a stunning stained glass window and beaded art glass necklace, as well as gift baskets and other choice items.

This is the longest continuously held bazaar in Gilroy. For many years, longtime elementary school teacher Barbara Gailey, aka the “Bazaar Czarina,” headed up the event. After she passed away in 2014, Gilroy’s beloved historian Claudia Salewske headed things up. She had been cooking up some of Gilroy’s finest jams from the trees in her orchard for many years. This year Jan Kubik will continue the tradition of mouth-watering homemade jam creation.

Hope to see you there!