Sep

19

Our vacation … pt4 - Volcanos and Villians

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20 JUN 08

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

My XXth birthday and I get to begin the celebration by taking my cup of coffee to the edge the lava and watch the sun rise over the ocean. SWE-E-E-ET!

One-by-one everyone begins to rise, eat breakfast, prepare for the day…and say nothing to Dad.

That’s okay…

…I’m in Hawaii on my birthday…

…an nobody remembers that its my birthday.

Eventually Julie comes out to wish me happy birthday, admitting that it was actually her friend Samantha who remembered (“Tell your dad happy birthday…”). Then , finally, everyone started remembering. BOY, DID I PLAY THAT UP!

We started our second day of Hawaiian adventure by heading to Ahalanui Warm Springs.

On the way we took a side trip to Cape KumuKahi. This is the most eastern point of the state of Hawaii. The “purest air on the planet” billows across this land as it has traveled thousands of miles across the pure ocean waters to reach this point. This is where much of the world takes its clean air samples to baseline. As our mountain goat kids make their way across the lava towards the beach head, Kathi and I work our way behind them. I finally find my way to the nice, level access road and here is where I trip, cut my hand and hip and tear my shorts on the lava. Not where it was craggy and difficult. NO! I had to wait till it was level and easy. HAPPY F@%&*!%G BIRTHDAY!

Leaving the fresh air “behind us”, we make our way to Ahalanui Warm Springs. This is natural/man-made pool where the water is naturally heated to 98 degrees. Incredible! The sea water flow in through an inlet, mixes with the fresh water that is heated from below by volcanic activity. Very relaxing. happy birthday.

We leave the springs and drive through some gorgeous country side as we make our way back to the house to prep for our trip to Volcano National Park. Kathi and I both admonish everyone to bring something warm!

As we begin our ascent up Mauna Loa we encounter mist and light rain and once we arrive at the visitor center and everyone gets out of the cars, they realize WHY we told them to bring something warm (which of course, no one did). “We thought ‘Its Hawaii and warm’” they said. Well, that’s how some souvenir sweatshirts get sold. Mauna Loa had begun erupting a few weeks prior to our arrival so some about half of Crater Rim Drive was off limits due to high CO2 levels. We visited the steam vents and Thurston Tube (a lava tube).

We left Volcano National Park and decided to visit the lava flow which is easily accessible from where we are staying (30 minute drive + 15-20 minute walk). We figured night would be more dramatic. We stopped in Kurtistown and got some food before stopping at the house because Erin and Julie weren’t too interested in visiting the flow. While looking for flashlights and getting the girls set up with popcorn…where did the popcorn go…and the cookies…and the rest of the food in the refrigerator…my iPod…

…the police say they have had a rash of burglaries in that area. They certainly hoped this didn’t taint our view of Hawaii in any way (which of course is did NOT). We never made it to the lava flow.

  • Popcorn
  • Brownies
  • Cookies
  • iPod shuffle (David)
  • iPod nano (Julie)
  • four brand new travel blankets
  • makeup kit (Julie)
  • glass dolphin (trinket from on top of the toilet)
  • travel bag (Julie – from Heather and Cassady’s trip to Thialand)

What’s kind of funny is, not only did they take the food, they stacked the boxes up by the front door to be thrown away.

What a Charlie Brown birthday.

Birthday forgotten, cut, scarred, burgled, and drinking my coffee out of a borrowed “Happy Birthday” mug I found in the cupboard…happy birthday to me.

Sep

12

Our vacation … pt3 - First adventures in Hawaii

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19 JUN 08

After a well deserved nights rest we awake to the sun rising over the ocean out the back yard of the rental we are in. Less than 50 yards to the ocean…beautiful! A cup of coffee and a walk across the lava flow that forms the three story tall beach head. Yeah. It’s worth it.

After everybody wakes and has breakfast we head out for our first day of adventure!

We chose to stay on the Hilo side of the island for a bit of time to make it easier to explore the eastern side of the island. Hilo is one of the two “major” cities on the Big Island. As we headed off for our introductory adventures, the day became overcast and drizzly.

Our first stop…Boiling Pots / Pe’epe’e Falls (Wailuku Rivere State Park).

No. Not pee pee, Pe’epe’e (pronounced pay-ay pay-ay).

WOW! In the middle of an average neighborhood, this state park demonstrates quintessential Hawaiian paradise. Yes. There is a rail, but there is also a trail worn by foot traffic off to the side. Take the trail to the bottom and you are at Boiling Pots (so named, not for their temperature, but for the fact that during high flow the water appears to boil as it passes from pool to pool). Turn north, cross the steam and follow the water through the landscape and you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of PeePee Falls and its receiving pools. Josh and Katie couldn’t resist the urge and took a plunge in the waters of the falls (along with others).

Cutting south across to Kaumana Dr (part of Saddle Road) we visit Kaumana Cave. Hawaii is a honeycomb of lava tubes creating an extensive network of interconnected and solitary caves. Kaumana Cave is one of the publicly accessible caves. As you climb down the steep stairs into the mouth of the “skylight” you are presented with the option to proceed in two different directions. We went right. The cave dwindled ever smaller for about 100 yards until it appeared you could go no further. Josh and Erin, however, located a small hole in the wall and decided to investigate deeper. They returned to describe a short crawl to a large room on the other side and probably a continuation from there. The entire Kaumana Cave system is 25 miles.

From the caves we headed westward to the Pana’ewe Rain Forest Zoo. Yea, a zoo. Erin wanted to see the white tiger.

  • A note for those of you who have GPS navigation systems…don’t trust them 100%. Ours led us to just outside downtown Hilo in search of the zoo which, according to the tourist guide, was on the road to Volcanoe (which it was — GPS was wrong).

We arrived at the zoo with only about 45 minutes till closing so we did a whirlwind tour. We found the tiger grotto in time to see the tiger, in its cage liar, just before they locked the gate for the night. Mountain goats, water buffalo, and even a spider monkey, were some of the other sites. I would like to go bake and spend a couple hours maybe. There was a lot more to see.

As we actually got off to somewhat of a late start, it was now approaching dinner time so Kathi and I decided to introduce everyone to Nori’s. Now, mind you, we had only been there once. The first time we visited as a couple. It’s not the kind of place that’s on any tourist map. A local joint, you see. It took us a bit to locate it, but thanks to my wonderful sense of direction (and a little prompting by a security guard) we located the dinner. Like I said…a local joint. We received quite a few stares as we enjoyed our food (“How did these howly find this place?”). The food is excellent and very reasonably priced.

After dinner, we decided to walk across the street and go bowling. We traveled thousands of miles to visit one of the most beautiful places on earth…and went bowling. It was a lot of fun!

Returning back to our rental, we ended our first full Hawaiian day.

Aug

15

Our Vacation … pt2 - We arrive

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The party’s over and the bags are packed!

We’re goin’ to Hawaii!

@#!*&%$ Forgot about airport security…

Let me say this about airport security at SFO: AAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that clear enough? Okay.

After surviving airport security, we get to our gate and wait. We get onto the plane…and wait…and wait…and wait…and…you get the picture. We sat on the plane for nearly 45 minutes, no AC, prisoners of FAA regulations requiring you to “remain seated with your seatbelt fastened”. As it was we were going to be getting in late enough (we have a two hour drive after we land to get to Hilo), and now it’s gonna be even worse!

FINALLY we take off…[flying over the ocean not much to say about that it's pretty boring really not much to see or mention about it lots of water not much else]…and land in Kona!

Now we get shuttled to the rental car agency and stand in line to get our cars. Yes. Cars. There’s six of us.

Once done there, we travel to the grocery store to stock up. GEEZ! Prices have gone up here! Milk is $5.00+/gallon! Well, after spending a hundred dollars on groceries we’re now starving and it’s going on 9:00pm. Fortunately, there’s a Wendy’s across the street from the market…and only the drive thru is open That’s Okay. So, now (by the time we’ve eaten) it’s nearly 10:00pm. Still a 2+ hour drive to our rental on the far side of the island. Good thing I snoozed on the plane.

Now, here’s some information for you. The state of Hawaii, and in particular the big island, has an agreement with the observatories. Hawaii is the most remote inhabited location on the planet. This makes it ideal for observatories. As long as it remains dark. Between towns…it’s dark.

Have you ever tried to locate a place you’ve never been before, in the middle of the night…no street lights…minimal signage…at 1:00 in the MORNING! Well. We did.

WHAT A DAY!

Jul

28

Our vacation … pt1 - Before we even LEFT!

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It took Kathi nearly a YEAR to plan this special trip for Erin and Julie’s high school graduation. We were really excited about sharing our new love for the Big Island with the kids!

Over the course of the next few entries, I’ll share with you the highs and lows of our vacation, starting with…

  • FEB 08

We’re ready to GO!

Got our tickets on ATA, a deal @ $473 each, and though we’ve never flown ATA before we’ve heard they were “Okay”.

We’ll be staying in Hilo at a rental for three days then over to Kona for seven days. We bought an “Explorer” package from Shell Vacations Club (SVC) and we’re using our points for a condo in Kona.

  • FEB 08

Found a beautiful rental to stay at in Hilo. The house is less than 100 yards from the ocean (cliffs drop off to the sea).

  • APR 08

OH SHIT!

ATA just filed bankruptcy!

I heard it on the radio on my way to work. I had to spend most of my day rescuing our trip to the tune of an additional $200 each and an extra day. When I started looking in the morning there were five or six airlines with a $600ish fair. By the time Kathi and I discussed the situation I was down to two (by around 1:30pm). Got tickets on United for another $1200+!

The extra day hurts too. The condo we’re staying at is completely booked and can’t give us an extra day’s stay. According to the SVC agreement we can’t request anything less than a minimum stay at any location until 60 days prior to our arrival.

We would need at least two rooms, for five of us, if we tried to get a hotel for one night.

We decide to wait and see.

  • MAY 08

Well. We lucked out with SVC. We got a condo for one night at their second Kona location.

Whew! The last bit of vacation rescue has been successful!

THIS IS TOO MUCH STRESS!

!!!!! I NEED A VACATION !!!!!

Jul

2

ALOHA graduation trip…

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After the hurrah of the graduations and ensuing celebration, we embarked upon our family trip of Aloha (the Big Island of Hawaii).

What an experience!

From the warm springs of Ahalanui State Park (south) to the peak of Mauna Kea to the floor of the Pololu Valley (north). We visited waterfalls and lava tubes, a rain forest zoo, the most pristine air in the world, beautiful beaches and amazing sites of all kinds!

We also had a few quirks along the way. But hey, it was a vacation in Hawaii! Hello!

Pictures will be forthcoming. I promise.

  • Aloha means much more than just “Hello” and “Good-bye”.

Aloha translates into “Everything good that I have, I give to you.”

Isn’t that a powerful message! It seems kind of a hokey Hawaiian word until you realize just what it means. In the tourist areas it’s thrown around because that’s what tourists expect to hear when they visit Hawaii. “Aloha.” Get off the beaten path and your more likely to simply hear “Hi” or “Hello”.

Jun

16

THEY DID IT!!!!!

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The time has come.

The last have finished.

Erin and Julie are now High School Graduates! :scholar:

The days of compulsory school are no more.

That’s weird. :alien:

The party was fun! Kathi created a couple of AWESOME edible fruit bouquets (like the ones sold here), we bought Rock Band (connected it around 3:00pm and it was played non-stop until around 7:00pm), and enjoyed the company of friends, family, and neighbors.

We’ll post some graduation and party pictures soon!

May

15

It’s an “outy”!

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Julie recently had an ultrasound and found out her baby is a BOY! :yes:

You can see her ultrasound yourself here (on our photos page under “Assorted Videos”).  You can also see her prom night photos on the photo page too.

Must be somethin’ in the air! :rooleyes:

Katie (my sister, not my daughter) just had her ultrasound and they are having a BOY too!  Congradulations!

Just some quick news…

May

5

Prom, graduations, and Hawaii

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When last I wrote, Kathi was in Hawaii with her mother.  During that time Julie had her Senior Prom!  WOW!  She looked gorgeous (photos).

Go, go, go, goooooooooo!  Kathi was home no more than a week when she was back in the air with her mother flying to San Diego to witness her cousin’s son graduate from law school.  Unfortunately, she returned from Hawaii with a virus of some kind (recirculating airplane air is my guess).  This thing really hit her hard!  She was down for at least two days and it lingers still (May 5th).  I got a little kick of it myself.  Put me down for a day and then held on for a couple of weeks.  NASTY!  :sick2:

Erin and Julie are closing in on graduation!  June 12th (Julie) and 13th (Erin).  We’re planning a big collective graduation celebration for Saturday, June 14th.  Hopefully we’ll have quite a crowd (besides our own immediate family [Bryan & Anna Marie, Heather & Cassady, Katie & Brian, Erin & Julie (of course), Kathi, me]).  :grin2:

Once graduation is over, it’s off to Hawaii.  The Big Island.  I just love saying that!  “We’re goin’ to Hawaii!”

LOTS to do and plan for!  All this and a baby soon too!

Ain’t life GREAT!

Apr

14

Me and the girls…

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Well.  It’s just me and the girls.

Kathi is in Hawaii with her mother until Thursday, April 17th.  She went with her mother as a traveling companion to assist her.  Her mother doesn’t get around too well.  They’re staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Villiage, the same place Kathi and I stayed when we went.  It’s a beautiful hotel!

Kathi tells me it’s been cloudy, but the volcanoe hasn’t been causing too much trouble (they’ve even opened the park again).

We will be taking a trip to Hawaii as a family in June.  Sort of a graduation celebration for Erin and Julie.  Josh and Katie will be travelling with us as well.

We had a little bump in those plans earlier…we had tickets on ATA. :furious3:

Fortunately we bought the tickets with our credit card (we will be reimbursed) and I was able to rebook our flight on United. 

This still created some complications…we’re flying out of SFO instead of San Jose, flying round trip to Kona as opposed to San Jose-Hilo / Kona-San Jose, and we had to add an extra day to get the better airfare (now we need to find a place for the last night — the place we are staying is completely booked for June).

Still, it is a vacation in Hawaii!  I’m looking forward to taking an “open door” helicopter ride over the lava flow! :evilgrin:

We’re renting a house on the Hilo sode for a few days, then moving to a condo in Kona for the “rest” of the stay (except the last day). :brood:

That’s all for now.

Mar

25

Life is a Gift

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There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.She told her boyfriend, “If I could only see the world, I will marry you.”

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?”

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: “Take good care of your eyes, my dear; for before they were yours, they were mine.”

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.

Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life is a GIFT

Today…

Before you say an unkind word,

think of someone who can’t speak

Before you complain about the taste of your food,

think of someone who has nothing to eat

Before you complain about your husband or wife,

think of someone who is crying out to God for a companion

Before you complain about life,

think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children,

think of someone who desires children but they are barren

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn’t sweep or clean,

think of the people who are living in the streets

Sometime we just need be reminded.