Hawaii Day 8--Saturday New Year's Day

New Year's Day we headed over to G&G's cottage so that M&D could actually see it during the day. The tree in the picture is the one Aunt R helped me climb on Wednesday. Notice how close they are to the beach. Almost a private one--only the five other cottages use it. And because it is in a cove, it is protected from the surf so calm enough for me to swim in anytime.
The cottage that G&G, Uncle B&Aunt M, and Aunt R all stayed in. It was across base from our lodge, but only about a 5 minute drive.

Calm beach, but notice the surf breaking way off in the distance.

By 9:30 we were ready to head off base and hike Diamond Head, an inactive volcano on the island.

Getting ready to start. We started at the bottom of the crater and worked our way up to the top and the view of the island.

Honolulu and Waikiki.

The Diamond Head lighthouse below us.

The expensive beach homes along the coral lined shore.

C had the easy ride up. At the top she had a fan club. A Japanese family couldn't get enough of her and actually came over to ask if the kids could get their picture with her. I mean M thinks she is cute but it was still crazy how this teen Japanese girl (who didn't speak a lot of English) just could not get enough, kept touching her, laughing and smiling at her. They say that blue eyed blonds are in the minority!

Everyone else enjoying the views and resting before heading back down. The mile hike/climb included 200+ steep steps, a tunnel and out the barricade on an old gunnery fort. But coming from Colorado that was nothing. I climbed it all by myself!

D and I resting after the hard climb.

The last obstacle before reaching the top. It used to be the lookout/gun fortress.

Climbing down the steep stairs. Besides these stairs there were also round stairs near the top.

In the tunnel.

The view looking out of the tunnel over the island.

Stopping for a family picture.

Uncle B, Aunt M and Uncle W hiking down.

G&G coming down.

After hiking, we headed into town to get a bite to eat. Due to limited parking spaces we ended up parking in the KFC lot, so D and I went there to eat while everyone else went to the Japanese noodle place down the street. After lunch we headed back to base to enjoy the cabin and the beach. We stopped at our lodge to get games and books, while everyone else went to rent a kayak for the rest of the day. To get to the cottages we had to drive across the active airstrip. It was gated, but was usually open and no sentry was every there, which was good because M's pass only allowed entry to the lodge and Wade's barracks. This day however the military police were in the road. When asked where we were heading, we said the beach cottages. No escort was currently available, so we were told to try back a little later. For more details see me sidenote entry! 1/2 hour later we headed back to the cottage. M, W, R and G headed up a little further to snorkel. C was sleeping so D and B stayed in the cabin with her and watched the Bowl game. G, M and I played on the beach. When G came back, we tried to go out in the kayak, but it was very difficult to maneuver around the coral; so M and R tried to take over and got out even less than we did. When we got back to shore, we realized why. It was low, low tide and lots of coral was sticking up out of the water. So Uncle W and Aunt M took the kayak to another beach and surfed the waves, capsizing a few times but that's the fun of it. When the sun started setting, we grilled chicken and Aunt R played some dice with me. Uncle B and Aunt M said good-bye and headed to the airport for their overnight flight back to MN. As we were eating supper, M saw a gecko on the wall. It freaked Aunt R out because that was the room she was sleeping in. G just said, "that must have been the animal we heard last night in the wall." We headed back to the lodge about 9 for bed. C had been pretty needy all day so M was pretty sure another tooth was coming in. The way C slept that night was also a indicator--she finally slept better after 3 when M gave her Tylenol.

Hawaii Day 9--Sunday

Since C was absolutely done with the car, we decided to spend most of the day just enjoying the beach right by G&G's cottage. After breakfast, M and us girls went to the cabin leaving D behind in the lodge room to watch football. Uncle W was going to head over and set up his computer so D could have access to his NFL ticket and watch the Broncos. That didn't work, so they ended up across the street at the base sports bar.
M just realized most of these beach pictures are from Saturday. But they still work. We were at the beach both day!!

Hanging out in the water.

The cool overhang rock and the snorkelers just on the other side of it.Low, low tide. No wonder we had difficulty kayaking Saturday evening!

The view of G&G's cottage from the beach.

This morning, the tide was at high tide so G&G had already taken it out. Aunt R and M let me come along for a short ride, before they headed back out closer to the breaking surf.

C even wanted to go for a ride, so after G, Aunt R and I headed to church G pulled M and C around.

We grilled steaks for lunch. Since the kayak had to be back by 3, W wanted to try the beach he had been to the previous day--Pyramid Rock. However the lifeguard wouldn't let him down with the surfers and swimmers.

Packing it back up on the car for the short 2 minute drive back to the cottage.

From our shore, Uncle W and Aunt R went out to catch the waves. They capsized and then they came in to get G and went back out again. W and G also capsized. But even out at the waves, the water wasn't too deep.

M and I played with the fish. M snorkeled for a while and saw a bottom/flat sand colored fish trying to hide. Only the eyes blinking and gills flapping gave it away. Some minnows came up to play with me--I think they were actually attracted by M's blood from a small scrap from the coral.

M and her girls on the beach.

At about 4 we headed out to find supper. M wanted to see the west coast. Luckily both C&I slept so M&D didn't have to listen to an upset little girl about her carseat. The west coast was definitely the locals area. Not nearly as nice houses, the beaches were packed unlike the tourist beaches up north. The surf was just as good, so there were lots of surfers. We also passed more industry--the water treatment plant and electricity plant. Near the end of the road was the hobo/tent city. It was amazing to see how inventive people are with a few square feet of land and lots of tarps. It was a crowded, messy area but a reality of life. Even in the midst of such a beautiful location as Hawaii, people struggle to survive.

At the end of the road, the other entrance to Kaena Point State Park, is the weather satellite tracking station.
Also at the point was a destination wedding. M took a picture of the bride&groom getting their picture taken.

More 4 wheel drives enjoying the mud!

The surf breaking on the rocks.

Since it was so close to sunset, we stayed to watch the brilliance of God's creation and the sun disappearing into the ocean.

We stopped at a Hawaiian BBQ for supper.

Then back to base to organize, pack and prepare to leave early the next morning.

Hawaii Day 10--Monday

G came to pick us up at 5 and take us to the airport for our flight back to CO.All our luggage on the sidewalk. M&D each had one bag, one carseat, one carry-on and one girl.

Our airplane that would take us to the mainland.

Last look at the palm trees of Hawaii....

and the city of Honolulu.

C and I posing for a picture also.

Again we did pretty well on the flight back. It wasn't quite as long because we landed in San Francisco just long enough to find pizza, use the restroom and board the flight to Denver. The second flight both C and I fell asleep so M even got an hour nap, which was good because it ended up being a late night. We landed at 7:15, but by the time we got the luggage and D went to get the car for us without heavy coats, it was almost 8:45 before we left the airport. We still had an hour drive home and supper to eat. We got home at 10 and in bed by 10:30. Which was good, since M&D had to work the next day. Nothing like diving right back into real life!

Sidenote

So for those interested the reason we were stopped on Saturday heading over to G&G's cottage is because Pres. O was on base and on the move. We think he was using Pyramid Rock beach for his family--after all it was New Year's Day and he was on vacation. Since the lodge was right next to the main entrance of base we knew he would probably exit that way (the military police also gave it away!). Since C had fallen asleep in the car, we hung out in the parking lot and waited for his convoy to pass.

This was not the first time we had been stopped by him. Sunday night, heading off base through the other entrance we were stopped at the red light and had to wait for him to pass. At least 3 or 4 mornings he was also at the Fitness Center 2 blocks for our lodge. I guess he figured that MCBH was away from the prying eyes of the public since it is on the opposite side of the island from Honolulu and easily guarded since it is mostly a peninsula--just the entrances connecting it to the rest of the island.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we headed to G&P's house for the family Christmas.The GRINCH family!!

Beautiful Christmas girls.

Cousin L all decked out with his Michael Jackson attire.

Getting ready for the game to begin--white elephant game that is.

J was the first to go and got the gag gift of the night. A six-pack and hat to drink it with!

Uncle S picked his own gift, which was a blanket with a picture of the leg lamp for A Christmas Story on it.

The videos are from the game G had for us kids. A Christmas egg hunt?! Also C finally getting into the present opening. Since I had my own gifts I wasn't helping her like I had for her birthday, so she finally figured it out.

When we got home late, ready to fall into bed for the short Christmas night and our adventures the next day, M realized that she had left the stove on when boiling eggs. SO, instead of a nice warm, clean house we came home to a smelly, exploded eggs all over kitchen house. So M put down us sleeping girls and cleaned up the kitchen while D opened every window in the house until it dropped to 60 degrees and too cold. After that M&D still had to upload software to our new computers we had just gotten so they would be ready for the trip the next day and long plane ride. So needless to say, M&D got on Hawaii time right away by not getting to bed until 1 am.

Forgotten Thanksgiving post

M realized there were a few pictures from Thanksgiving not yet updated. Cousin L came with his family for the week. We hung out at G's with the rest of the cousins early in the week. But Thanksgiving day we headed to Uncle L and Aunt J's and their brand new addition. We ate lots of good food and had lots of good fellowship. Hanging out with the girls...

while the boys hung out on the couch playing games.

Bennett Preschool had a Thanksgiving potluck the last day of school.

M came over to eat with me and all my friends.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I hope God truly blesses you and yours this year!