Today was jam packed with sight seeing, shopping, and picture taking. Read on at your own perile.
I am still on Salt Lake time so I was wide awake at 4:00 am Hawaii time. I got up and got myself ready for the day. Eric was still asleep. So I decided to take a stroll out in the moonlight. I got some fun pics of the full moon and palm trees. I was literally the only person walking around. I laid in a hammock close to the ocean and just soaked in the beauty. I came back to the room and Eric was still asleep. So I started kissing him and trying to wake him up. I told him to get up because I was bored. He laughed. This is a total roll reversal for us. Usually he is the one that can't sleep.
We had breakfast at an open air restaurant by our room. It was a really good buffet. Had some yummy stuff. The birds would fly in if you left your food unattended. I went to get some orange juice- came back and a bird had been eating my bacon. How rude! It was cute.
We then rented a convertible Mustang and went for a tour of the ENTIRE island, 200 miles, and 8 hours of driving. It was a semi sunny day with intemittant clouds and rain (do I sound like a weathergirl?) I will just list where we went and the fun details because I fear my narrative will be pages long.
Waikoloa: Lava rock and fountain grass everywhere (except at the resorts where it is beautifully tropical.)
Parker Ranch: 2nd biggest cattle farm in the US. Surprising. Just drove through it.
Honoka'a: Stopped at Tex Drive In (by recommendation),had Malasadas-like a donut but much thicker and no hole. Yummy and filling. Also I got sweet potato chips with my sandwich wrap. They were purpley- tasted like homemade potato chips. Weird looking but good. Very friendly people.
Akaka Falls: So much vegitation and plant life that I was literally oohing and aahing the whole walk down to the falls and back. Took a million pics. The waterfall was amazing. It created a cave in the lava rock on the bottom from the force of the water. So beautiful.
Hilo: Biggest city on the island. Lots of stores and touristy stuff- but we didn't stop.
Kalapana: This was so cool! We went to the Mt Kiluea Volcano!! We were able to drive right up to the cauldera (the very top of the volcano). We went out to the steam vents- there were tons of them. And Eric's sunglasses fogged up from the heat. We could see a huge column of steam coming out of the volcano. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see any flowing magma- but it still was so amazing.
Lots of little towns: Drove about 25 miles an hour for two hours because it was raining really hard and people here apparantly have never driven in the rain. We were getting very annoyed. Couldn't see much because of the rain and dark skies.
Kona: Another medium sized city full of shops and big name places. We stopped and WAL-MART and stocked up on supplies. We were even able to get our souveniers there. Kinda fun. Driving along the freeway I saw 3 LDS churches and would get excited. But coming into Kona I saw a temple. I was so excited. I didn't even know there was one here. So we stopped and took some pics. It is very small but beautiful. We almost ran out of gas trying to find a gas station. But we barely made it. The mustang has fantastic gas mileage.
Got back to "home" and we were exhausted from an entire day of driving. We went straight to dinner although we should have freshened up first. We were too hungry and tired. Found a great little sushi bar and had our cheapest meal yet. We were in bed by 10:00. Party animals aren't we?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hawaii Day 1
Woosh, Woosh, Splash...do you hear the waves? We do!! We are here in paradise...Kona Hawaii at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. I am not kidding, it literally is heaven on earth. We will have to post pics when we return because the computer is not reading our memory card. We are having a blast and Eric is spoiling me rotten. If you want the nitty gritty details read on, it's a novella.
Here is a recap of day 1.
5:00 am Eric arranged for a car service to pick us up. The driver took our bags and everything. It was very exciting. Grama Dodie called us at about 5:30 to wish us a happy anniversay. What a silly bird- up with the chickens. That put a big smile on my face. We arrived at the airport and got checked in- had a bagel sandwich for breakfast and waited for our journey to begin.
7:10am Our flight left from SLC to Phoenix. We had a two hour layover so we strolled the airport and did a little window shopping. We found a lot of cool Native American stuff that we may get on our way back to SLC. We were very anxious to get on the plane and go. But there was a mechanical problem with the plane- so we waited about another hour while they brought in another plane. That made me a little nervous.
12:00pm Our flight to Kona finally took off. Wahoo! It was loooooooong. Six hours in the air. Nothing to look at but clouds. There were some movies and tv shows on, but we tried to sleep. I was terribly restless. Eric did sleep most of the way. He is a much better traveler than me. I kept saying "are we getting close?", "what time is it?", "can you see anything?". I know Eric was annoyed but he kept smiling at me. I can't help it that I'm so excited!!
3:30pm (Hawaii Time): We finally arrived. The Kona airport is so cool. You get out of the airplane on stairs that go directly to the tarmack. Palm trees and flowers everywhere. The airport gates were like outdoor huts, with benches. It was awesome. I took a lot of pics. We went to get our bags and there was a guy standing there with a sign with Eric's name on it. Wow! He had a flower lei for each of us and told us the car to the hotel would be here in a few moments.
4:30 pm We arrived at the village. I cannot describe adequatley how beautiful it is here. Palm trees, flowers, green plants everywhere you look, swimming pools, lazy rivers, dolphin lagoon,volcanic rock, beach swimming, hammocks and lounge chairs everywhere, amazing art and statues, a train to take you from one point of the village to another (because it's so huge!), or you can take a boat- CRAZY! We checked into our room- and my honey had arranged to have roses, cheese and crackers, chocolate strawberries, and a bottle of champagne, waiting in the room for us- with a card from Eric to me. How did he do that? I was amazed. What a guy!
5:30 pm We walked all over the property. To Buddha point, the dolphin lagoon, layed in a hammock, watched the sunset and beautiful waves roll in. It was HOT! By the time we got back to the room I had to change my clothes and felt like a shower was in order. But we just freshened up because we had dinner reservations.
7:00 Dinner at the Kirin restaurant, Chinese cuisine. It was so delicious. Even the rice smelled good. We had General Tso's chicken and ribs. It was hard not to make yummy sounds the whole time. I think I drank about 12 glasses of water because the food was so spicy. Oh yeah! Just how I like it!
8:30 We were totally exhausted. We showered and went to bed. We decided we were still on Salt Lake time so it was ok to go to bed!
Here is a recap of day 1.
5:00 am Eric arranged for a car service to pick us up. The driver took our bags and everything. It was very exciting. Grama Dodie called us at about 5:30 to wish us a happy anniversay. What a silly bird- up with the chickens. That put a big smile on my face. We arrived at the airport and got checked in- had a bagel sandwich for breakfast and waited for our journey to begin.
7:10am Our flight left from SLC to Phoenix. We had a two hour layover so we strolled the airport and did a little window shopping. We found a lot of cool Native American stuff that we may get on our way back to SLC. We were very anxious to get on the plane and go. But there was a mechanical problem with the plane- so we waited about another hour while they brought in another plane. That made me a little nervous.
12:00pm Our flight to Kona finally took off. Wahoo! It was loooooooong. Six hours in the air. Nothing to look at but clouds. There were some movies and tv shows on, but we tried to sleep. I was terribly restless. Eric did sleep most of the way. He is a much better traveler than me. I kept saying "are we getting close?", "what time is it?", "can you see anything?". I know Eric was annoyed but he kept smiling at me. I can't help it that I'm so excited!!
3:30pm (Hawaii Time): We finally arrived. The Kona airport is so cool. You get out of the airplane on stairs that go directly to the tarmack. Palm trees and flowers everywhere. The airport gates were like outdoor huts, with benches. It was awesome. I took a lot of pics. We went to get our bags and there was a guy standing there with a sign with Eric's name on it. Wow! He had a flower lei for each of us and told us the car to the hotel would be here in a few moments.
4:30 pm We arrived at the village. I cannot describe adequatley how beautiful it is here. Palm trees, flowers, green plants everywhere you look, swimming pools, lazy rivers, dolphin lagoon,volcanic rock, beach swimming, hammocks and lounge chairs everywhere, amazing art and statues, a train to take you from one point of the village to another (because it's so huge!), or you can take a boat- CRAZY! We checked into our room- and my honey had arranged to have roses, cheese and crackers, chocolate strawberries, and a bottle of champagne, waiting in the room for us- with a card from Eric to me. How did he do that? I was amazed. What a guy!
5:30 pm We walked all over the property. To Buddha point, the dolphin lagoon, layed in a hammock, watched the sunset and beautiful waves roll in. It was HOT! By the time we got back to the room I had to change my clothes and felt like a shower was in order. But we just freshened up because we had dinner reservations.
7:00 Dinner at the Kirin restaurant, Chinese cuisine. It was so delicious. Even the rice smelled good. We had General Tso's chicken and ribs. It was hard not to make yummy sounds the whole time. I think I drank about 12 glasses of water because the food was so spicy. Oh yeah! Just how I like it!
8:30 We were totally exhausted. We showered and went to bed. We decided we were still on Salt Lake time so it was ok to go to bed!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Diva Sleeper
My kids are always saying things that crack me up. This morning Tana told me that I'm a "Diva" sleeper. First I was flattered, but not sure what she meant. She said "You sleep through everything mom- even really loud stuff".. Then I knew she meant a "Deep Sleeper". Too Funny
Eric told me last night that we can take our laptop and update the blog while we are gone. I'm so happy... I'm addicted to blogging...I really don't think I could go 8 days without it. Plus it will be easier to update as we go instead of trying to make sense of it all when we get back.
Eric told me last night that we can take our laptop and update the blog while we are gone. I'm so happy... I'm addicted to blogging...I really don't think I could go 8 days without it. Plus it will be easier to update as we go instead of trying to make sense of it all when we get back.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My old truck
written by Eric
Back in 1991 I purchased a truck. I was in the military at the time and went home on leave. I needed a car so I purchased a truck I had known about since I was 16 years old. It was a 1950 Chevy with a V8 engine. It was pretty cool. I drove it from Missouri to Fort Drum NY and on the way lost a U-joint. I had to leave it on the side of the highway in upstate NY. A buddy and I went down to pick it up and discovered that it had been impounded. Once we got it out of impound we replaced the U-joint and the next morning we drove it FT Drum.
Over the next year I played with it and had big dreams for it. I did some minor engine work and finally got orders to go to Korea. So I drove it back to Missouri to store while I was away. It sat for 1 year and when I got back to the states I drove it to Kansas.
This is where I met some of the greatest people around. I made some great friends at the Auto Craft Shop on Ft Riley. One day I got a wild hair and pulled the engine and began the rebuilding process. It took a couple of months but by the end of it I had a 350 that was putting out about 370hp and I have no idea how may foot pounds. It was fun to drive. It was so cool to rev the engine and dump the clutch. The tires would just go away and the rear of the truck would dance back and forth.
After I got out of the Army I still had plans for it but it just wasn't in the cards. It sat in a field and when Jenn and I got married I brought it home and put it in our small one car garage. Where it still sat. Well tomorrow will be the end of an ERA. I have sold it to a guy who will part it out so he can finish his 51. I guess now I can start my collection of motorcycles. Good bye old friend.
Back in 1991 I purchased a truck. I was in the military at the time and went home on leave. I needed a car so I purchased a truck I had known about since I was 16 years old. It was a 1950 Chevy with a V8 engine. It was pretty cool. I drove it from Missouri to Fort Drum NY and on the way lost a U-joint. I had to leave it on the side of the highway in upstate NY. A buddy and I went down to pick it up and discovered that it had been impounded. Once we got it out of impound we replaced the U-joint and the next morning we drove it FT Drum.
Over the next year I played with it and had big dreams for it. I did some minor engine work and finally got orders to go to Korea. So I drove it back to Missouri to store while I was away. It sat for 1 year and when I got back to the states I drove it to Kansas.
This is where I met some of the greatest people around. I made some great friends at the Auto Craft Shop on Ft Riley. One day I got a wild hair and pulled the engine and began the rebuilding process. It took a couple of months but by the end of it I had a 350 that was putting out about 370hp and I have no idea how may foot pounds. It was fun to drive. It was so cool to rev the engine and dump the clutch. The tires would just go away and the rear of the truck would dance back and forth.
After I got out of the Army I still had plans for it but it just wasn't in the cards. It sat in a field and when Jenn and I got married I brought it home and put it in our small one car garage. Where it still sat. Well tomorrow will be the end of an ERA. I have sold it to a guy who will part it out so he can finish his 51. I guess now I can start my collection of motorcycles. Good bye old friend.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Last Minute Preparations
Only a few more hours and Eric and I will be off to sunny Hawaii. Temp is expected to be 82-89 while we are there. I am excited to get out of the gray cold weather here! I am trying to get the kids squared away and get everything packed. I think I have 12 lists so we should be good. My mom trained me from when I was little that you should always leave your house clean when you go on vacation so that you come back to home sweet home, and if you don't come back (God forbid)- the people who come in your house won't be horrified. So I am cleaning everything, including my closets... what is wrong with me?? I was thinking that this would help jog my memory of anything we or the kids may need while we are gone. Now I think I have gone into OCD mode.
I am going to miss blogging for a week or so. I hope to come back with a killer tan, a zen state of mind, and some awesome pics. Catch ya later!
I am going to miss blogging for a week or so. I hope to come back with a killer tan, a zen state of mind, and some awesome pics. Catch ya later!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
New Couch
Eric and I made our first major furniture purchase as a couple today. We have either inherited or been given LOTS of furniture over the years. But this is the first thing we have purchased together. It's so pretty, comfy, and we love it! Now the challenge will be to keep the dadgum dog off of it!
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Duggar's 17 and counting
Ok. I am now obsessed with this show. They have 17 children and another on the way. Barely making it with three kids- I find this family fascinating. If you have not watched this show it is worth checking out. Their family is of course, a lot more religious than mine, but the way they run their household is amazing. There are tons of fun links on their website that you can browse through. They built their house (7000 sq ft.) debt free- and it is beautiful. There are a lot of great recipes for food and household products they have posted that I want to try. They are both real estate agents, and they also rent commercial properties. I still want to see how they do their grocery shopping!! But I know they spend $2000+ a month just on food. Mom homeschools and teaches music & religion to all the kids. Wow!
They also do not watch tv & have very limited internet use. Can you imagine??
www.duggarfamily.com/houseguidelines.html
I found these rules so inspiring especially the J.O.Y rule; Put
(J)esus first,
(O)thers Second and
(Y)ourself last.
www.duggarfamily.com/photos.html
This is the most telling about their family. I am sooooo in love with the laundry room idea. I have been wanting to have something like this for so long!! Fascinating. I don't know how they do it! Their home is beautiful.
www.tlc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=2.14413.124738.37018.x
This link is the schedule you can see this show on the Discovery Channel. I have also seen it a few time on TLC Channel.
www.duggarfamily.com/
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!
They also do not watch tv & have very limited internet use. Can you imagine??
www.duggarfamily.com/houseguidelines.html
I found these rules so inspiring especially the J.O.Y rule; Put
(J)esus first,
(O)thers Second and
(Y)ourself last.
www.duggarfamily.com/photos.html
This is the most telling about their family. I am sooooo in love with the laundry room idea. I have been wanting to have something like this for so long!! Fascinating. I don't know how they do it! Their home is beautiful.
www.tlc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=2.14413.124738.37018.x
This link is the schedule you can see this show on the Discovery Channel. I have also seen it a few time on TLC Channel.
www.duggarfamily.com/
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!
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