Monthly Archives: November 2014

November 30, 2014 Big Island, Hawaii Part 3

Hawai’i, the Big Island, has ten different climate zones and we experienced them while in Kona and Hilo.  We left the warm 85+ sunny weather in Kona and headed to Hilo where the weather was cool, overcast and it often drizzled rain.  Quite a contrast for us and I really didn’t have enough warm clothes for that side of the island to be comfortable.

We drove north from Kona taking the slow route to Hilo, stopping at points of interest along the way.  One particularly beautiful spot was this overlook of the Waipi’o Valley with a waterfall nestled near the ocean cliffs.  It is a difficult trip down the road into the valley and since we did not have a four wheel drive vehicle, we didn’t even consider attempting it.  We were told the people in the valley do not have electricity or any modern conveniences and are very content with their isolated lifestyle.  Even with the heavy mist, it was a beautiful sight.

The Waipio valley is to the left

The Waipio valley is to the left

The Waipio valley is to the left

The Waipio valley is to the left

The Waipio valley requires some serious vehicle and driving experience

The Waipio valley requires some serious vehicle and driving experience

North Shore

North Shore

Later we stopped at Akaka Falls State Park where we took a beautiful circular walk amid a lush tropical setting to see the falls.  The falls plummet 442 feet into a stream eroded gorge.  It is said that this is the Big Island’s most famous waterfall.

Looking up where we came from in  Akaka Falls State Park

Looking up where we came from in Akaka Falls State Park

Widescreen view of Akaka Falls, 422 feet tall

Widescreen view of Akaka Falls, 422 feet tall

We arrived at Volcano Village next to the entrance to Volcanoes National Park. Here we stayed in a sweet little cottage in a rainforest setting. This park was our main reason for coming to this side of the Big Island.  We will tell you all about the park in our next blog entry.  For now I will tell you more about other adventures on this side of the Big Island.

We drove thirty minutes back into Hilo, known as Hawaii’s Little Big City, to explore more of that area.  We had hoped to get a view of the current lava flow, but streets were blocked off for blocks near the flow with guards stopping anyone but residents.  We did see where they have taken precautions around electrical poles in the little town of Pahoa which is the town being

The electric company has wrapped 20 foot of the power poles with lava rock

The electric company has wrapped 20 foot of the power poles with lava rock

threatened by the approaching lava.  We saw on TV that a new shopping center in Pahoa is expected to be destroyed by lava if the current rate and direction of flow continues.  The island continues to grow due to volcanic activity, but sometimes at a great expense to its citizens.

Like Kona, Hilo is a port city and we saw a cruise ship docked.  Hilo is nestled on the slopes of three volcanoes and has a population of around 41,000.  It is one of the wettest towns in the United States.  The University of Hawaii has a campus there as well as on other islands.  Hilo was hit by tsunamis in 1946 and 1960.  A couple months ago a hurricane hit Hilo and we saw evidence of the damage, especially to trees.

Bill was especially fond of some huge, lovely trees called Monkeypod we noticed around the town of Hilo.

The Monkeypod trees look like large umbrellas

The Monkeypod trees look like large umbrellas

We drove to Rainbow Falls, an 80 foot tall falls located in Hilo, where it is said you can often see a rainbow when the morning sun shines through the mist.  Since it was late afternoon we didn’t see a rainbow but it was still beautiful!

Rainbow Falls usually make rainbows in the morning hours

Rainbow Falls usually make rainbows in the morning hours

Also we drove to a lighthouse on the easternmost point of the state of Hawaii called Cape Kumukahi.  Since this is where the sun first shines in Hawaii every day of every year, it is of spiritual importance to native Hawaiians.  In 1960 Kilauea erupted, destroying a town near the lighthouse and crops nearby.  Just as it appeared the lighthouse would be engulfed by the lava, it split into two streams and flowed into the sea on either side, sparing the structure.  People were amazed by this phenomenon and felt it was a message from the god Pele telling them of the lighthouse’s importance to the people.

This Cape Kumukahi lighhouse was saved in 1960 when the lava flow split and went around the lighhouse fence

This Cape Kumukahi lighhouse was saved on 1960 when the lava flow split and went around the lighhouse fence

This is the East tip of Hawaii Island, Cape Kumukahi

This is the East tip of Hawaii Island, Cape Kumukahi

Here is the height of the 1960 lava flow next to the Cape Kumukahi lighthouse

Here is the height of the 1960 lava flow next to the Cape Kumukahi lighthouse

 

 

 

 

November 26, 2014 The Big Island, Hawaii Part 2

We continued to enjoy our time in Kona on the Big Island.  One of our favorite things was snorkeling and on the Big Island living coral can be found in 57% of the waters surrounding this island.  We found a great place to snorkel not far from our condo called Kahalu’u Bay.   Bill said it was like snorkeling in an aquarium because of all the brightly colored fish we saw.   We also saw very large green sea turtles swimming by us, ignoring us as if they didn’t even know we were there.

Kahalu'u Bay

Kahalu’u Bay

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Another day we drove to South Point, the southernmost point in the United States.  (Sorry Key West).  This South Point has a latitude 500 miles farther south than Miami.  It is believed in 150 A.D. the first Polynesian explorers set foot on the island near this point.  This area is a favorite IMG_3047 IMG_3053IMG_20141128_124745 IMG_3055spot for cliff jumpers to dive into the ocean, though signs warn of strong current and dangerous conditions. On this day some young people were diving into the water and found a large hole full of sea water to jump into and climb back up the steep sides.  We enjoyed finding a geocache at this beautiful location.

On our drive to South Point we unexpectedly came across a zebra, donkey, and bison along the side of the road. IMG_20141128_111438 IMG_20141128_111337

We then drove to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Park, one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.  The black sand is made from basalt created by lava flowing into the ocean which exploded as it reached the ocean and cooled. IMG_3074 IMG_3068 IMG_3069

On the island you can find sandy beaches or lava rock beaches. IMG_3076 IMG_3077

We celebrated Thanksgiving with dinner at a local restaurant where we sat at a table in the sand with great views of the ocean and live entertainment. IMG_20141127_181503

November 24, 2014 Big Island, Hawaii Part 1

We took another short 32 minute flight on Hawaiian Airlines to the Big Island, also known asIMG_20141124_121654-1 IMG_3160Hawaii.  We landed at the Kona airport which felt like a true Hawaiian airport with its no windows or walls design. The Big Island is really an island of contrasts with Kona on one side and Hilo on the other.  Kona is a major beach resort area with less than ten inches of rain a year.  Hilo is the largest city on the island and tropical with more than 150 inches of rain annually.  The total population of the island is around 185,000.

The Big Island is the biggest island with 4,028 miles, twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined, and most importantly, it is still growing!!  It is the youngest of all the islands, estimated to be about 800,000 years old.  This is the most volcanic of all the islands, with Kilauea near Hilo being the world’s most active volcano.  kilauea has been sending rivers of lava since January 1983, adding more real estate to the island every day.  It is also an island seeped in history.  It is the birthplace and deathplace of King Kamehameha, a great king who united all the Hawaiian Islands under his rule.  He died in 1819.

British Captain James Cook, after exploring in 1778 the islands of Kauai and Oahu, arrived on the Big Island in 1779.  At first, thinking Cook was perhaps a god, the natives welcomed him with great feasts.  After discovering he was in fact not a god, they became hostile.  Cook and four of his men died on the Big Island during a battle.  A small bronze plaque at the north end of Kealakekua Bay marks the spot of his death.  Cook’s countrymen erected a 27-foot memorial near the plaque to honor him.

This time we rented a Mustang convertible to use during our nine days on the island.   It was about a 30 minute drive to our condo in Kona. Once again the condo was very nice and we could see a cruise ship parked in the distance with tender boats taking passengers to shore as well as hang gliders soaring over the water.

One day we drove to Mauna Kea which is the tallest of Hawaii’s volcanoes and in fact the tallest island mountain in the world, measuring 33,476 feet from its base on the ocean floor.   Mauna Kea at 13,796 feet is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.  Mauna Kea means “white mountain” in Hawaiian and is named that because of the white snow that covers its slopes.  We drove to the Visitors Center there at 9,000 feet but did not drive to the summit because a four wheel drive is needed to get there.  At the top of the summit is world’s largest observatory for optical, infrared, and submillimeter astronomy. Thirteen working telescopes, capable of tracking stars and galaxies 13 billion light years away.

Okay this is where it can get confusing.  The Big Island also has the world’s largest most massive mountain called Mauna Loa which also is a volcano.  So Mauna Kea is the world’s tallest sea mountain and Mauna Loa is the world’s most massive.

Mauna Loa, which means “Long Mountain”, was built by innumerable lava flows.  It is the world’s largest active volcano and spreads over half of the island.  From sea level it is 13,680 feet in height but has a base of 30,080 feet!  One of the more voluminous flows in recent history began in 1950.  This massive eruption amounted to about 600 million cubic yards of lava, enough to pave a four lane highway 4.5 times around the world.  How neat is that!!!

On the way back we stopped and looked for a geocache hidden among the lava fields.  It was amazing to walk on the lava and finding this geocache turned out to be quite a challenge.  Everywhere we looked on the Big Island there were amazing fields of lava.IMG_2980IMG_20141125_134755

While on Kona we continued celebrating Bill’s birthday by attending a luau.  We watched as theyIMG_3006 IMG_2982 uncovered the pig which had been roasting all day underground.  We sat next to a very nice IMG_2987 IMG_2997 IMG_2996 couple from Utah and enjoyed talking with them during dinner.  The after dinner show was quite entertaining with Hawaiian native dancers and a fire dancer.

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November 21, 2014 Maui, Hawaii Part 2

Our adventures in Maui continued with a drive on the “Road to Hana”.   This drive was definitely more about the journey than the destination.   When we first arrived in Maui, Bill purchased and downloaded to his phone an audio tour of Maui which came in very handy,  especially on the drive to Haleakala National Park which I described in the previous blog,  as well as during the Road to Hana.   This 64 mile drive takes almost three hours if you don’t make any stops.   Why so long?  In those 64 miles there are 59 one way bridges and approximately 620 hairpin turns.   Most of the bridges date back to 1910.  The road was originally built for sugar plantation

The road to Hana

The road to Hana

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Maliko Bay

Maliko Bay

workers traveling to and from work. And keep in mind,  once you drive those 64 miles of one lane bridges and hairpin turns,  you have to turn around and do it again on the way back since rental car agreements forbid you to continue any further than 15 miles past Hana due to unpaved and hazardous road conditions.   So why do it you must be asking. Because the scenery of unspoiled beaches, waterfalls, caves, and lush tropical scenery is breathtaking.

Wailua falls

Wailua falls

Wailua falls

Wailua falls

At one point our audio tour guide suggested we take a small,  safe detour which took us down to one of the beautiful beaches in Keanae.  The water here was too rough for swimming and

Coconut tree

Coconut tree

In 1946 the Keanae area was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami. The only building said to have been left standing was the ‘Ihi’ihi o Iehowa Ona Kaua Church

In 1946 the Keanae area was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami. The only building said to have been left standing was the ‘Ihi’ihi o Iehowa Ona Kaua Church

Keanae area

Keanae area

Keanae area

Keanae area

there was no easy access to  the water,  but we enjoyed watching the waves crash against the shore.  We stopped at a small vegetable stand near the beach and bought a loaf of delicious banana bread, still warm.

We visited Waianapanap State Park where we saw a black sand beach, caves, blowholes and a natural arch.   We also stopped by Haleakala National Park to see Ohe’o Gulch also known as Seven Sacred Pools which stretches down from the same volcano summit we mentioned in our

The Kipahulu visitor center has pools that were off limits to swimming because of the high water levels

The Kipahulu visitor center has pools that were off limits to swimming because of the high water levels

Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree

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last post. If the water is high there are as many as 7 pools formed from falling water which can be a delightful place to swim.   When we were there the weather  was very overcast and water rough so the swimming areas were closed.

At the end of the road before we turned around,  we visited the grave of Charles Lindbergh. Located on a remote section of Hana Road behind a small church,  the graveside is relatively

Palapala Hoʻomau Congregational Church located in Kipahulu

Palapala Hoʻomau Congregational Church located in Kipahulu

Following his death in 1974, Lindbergh was buried in the graveyard of Palapala Hoʻomau Congregational Church

Following his death in 1974, Lindbergh was buried in the graveyard of Palapala Hoʻomau Congregational Church

IMG_2954simple with no signs leading to his grave.   Lindbergh was introduced to Maui by a friend and thought it was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. He and his wife built a home on Maui. In 1974, suffering from incurable cancer Lindbergh flew from New York to Maui to live out his remaining days saying he would rather live for 2 days in Maui than prolong his life in New York. His simple coffin was made of eucalyptus and was taken to the church in the back of a pickup truck.

Jagged Kipahulu coast

Jagged Kipahulu coast

On one of our last days in Maui we celebrated Bill’s birthday.   We decided to go to a recommended Italian restaurant since Bill had already had several seafood meals.  Upon learning it was his birthday, the owner brought out a huge slice of tiramisu on the house with a candle burning and sang Happy Birthday.IMG_20141122_191241

Sadly our time on Maui came to an end and it was time for the next adventure.

November 20, 2014 Maui, Hawaii Part 1

We left Kauai and made the short flight to Maui where we picked up our rental car and drove to our next condo rented through Vacation Rentals By Owner.   Another beautiful condo awaited us with all the conveniences of home including beach towels and a cooler for the beach.

We could tell right away that Maui is more popular with tourists since the traffic was heavier and there were many more restaurants and stores to choose from.

We spent some time snorkeling on the island,  enjoying the much warmer water than we found

Honolua Bay looking south

Honolua Bay looking south

Honolua Bay is where we snorkeled after this boat left

Honolua Bay is where we snorkeled after this boat left

in California.   One day we stopped along the road and walked down towards the shore to find a geocache. After finding the cache we walked down to the secluded beach where we met a local who showed us large turtles swimming right offshore.

This green sea turtle was with others; feeding near the shore

This green sea turtle was with others; feeding near the shore

This green sea turtle was too shy for me to take a picture of his head

This green sea turtle was too shy for me to take a picture of his head

One highlight of our time in Maui was a visit to Haleakala National Park. The name Haleakala is

The roadside sign

The roadside sign

Hawaiian for “house of the rising sun”  and according to local legend  it is where the demigod Maui imprisoned the sun in order to slow him down and lengthen the day. The main feature of this park is the dormant Haleakala Volcano which last erupted between 1480 and 1600 AD.  This volcano was responsible for forming over 75% of Maui. One amazing thing is the volcano is 10,023 feet high above sea level plus an additional 19,680 feet under water. 

We drove the long and winding road to the summit rising from near sea level to 10,023 feet in

We are above the clouds at the 8,840 ft Leleiwi overlook

We are above the clouds at the 8,840 ft Leleiwi overlook

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38 miles which some say is possibly the steepest such gradient for cars in the world.   As we drove we passed through several climate and vegetation zones from humid subtropical lowlands to subalpine Desert.  We made the journey here to see what is called the Haleakala Crater,  though it isn’t really a crater at all but a massive depression caused by erosion.   The depression is 7 miles across, 2 miles wide, and nearly 2,600 feet deep. It was fascinating to walk

Just above the visitor center is an observation area on top of the Haleakala Volcano

Just above the visitor center is an observation area on top of the Haleakala Volcano

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The eroded crater of Haleakala

The eroded crater of Haleakala

The eroded crater of Haleakala

The eroded crater of Haleakala

on the summit of the volcano amidst all the lava.  It was like walking on another planet.  The temperature at the summit ranges from between 40 and 60 degrees and with a steady wind blowing we were very glad we brought jackets.   High above the clouds the air is very thin at this altitude and there were signs warning about activity, dehydration and sun exposure. 

The final stairs have this caution sign

The final stairs have this caution sign

We saw a rare a rare species of plant called Silversword which is fragile and only lives upon the IMG_2903

Haleakala Silversword

Haleakala Silversword

slopes of Haleakala.  At one time it was almost extinct because of tourists who dug them up to take home.  We kept our eye out for the state bird called the Nene,  which is a native Hawaiian Goose and can be seen in the park, but never saw one.

We are loving our time in Maui!

This is Kaanapali Beach a well developed area surrounded by resorts and golf course

This is Kaanapali Beach a well developed area surrounded by resorts and golf course

Rainbows are quite common in Hawaii

Rainbows are quite common in Hawaii

Kihei Maui sunset viewed everyday by fellow vacationers

Kihei Maui sunset viewed everyday by fellow vacationers

November 15, 2014 Kauai, Hawaii Part 2

Wow, Kauai is a beautiful place!  One of the highlights of our time there was driving to Waimea Canyon State Park.  The Waimea Canyon, located on the west side of Kauai, is also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.  While it is not as big or as old as the Arizona one, we were awestruck by its beauty.  It is 14 miles long, one mile wide and 3,600 feet deep.  The canyon was

The canyon was full of mist

The canyon was full of mist

Waipoo Falls

Waipoo Falls

Closer view of Waipoo Falls

Closer view of Waipoo Falls

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon with helicopter

Waimea Canyon with helicopter

Waimea Canyon with Waipoo Falls on the right

Waimea Canyon with Waipoo Falls on the right

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon

formed by the collapse of the volcano that created Kauai, as well as erosion caused by the Waimea River arising from extreme rainfall from Mount Wai’ale’ale, one of the wettest places on earth.

This sign point to a nearby peak

This sign point to a nearby peak

Kalalau lookout

Kalalau lookout

Kalepa Ridge from Kalalau Lookout

Kalepa Ridge from Kalalau Lookout

While viewing the canyon we heard the faint bleating of a mountain goat.  We had to wait awhile but eventually caught a brief glimpse of him before he disappeared.  Amazing how they can keep their footing on the canyon walls!

Another day we drove to Wailua Falls a popular tourist attraction, the falls drop 80 feet into a pool of water.  The falls was used in the opening credits of “Fantasy Island”.

Wailua falls of Kauai

Wailua falls of Kauai

We loved going to restaurants with tropical settings.

Duke's Restaurant with a tropical interior

Duke’s Restaurant with a tropical interior

Captain Cook landed two ships in Kauai in 1778 and called the islands “Sandwich Islands”.

Replica of statue in Whitby, England of Captain James Cook 1728 - 1779

Replica of statue in Whitby, England of Captain James Cook 1728 – 1779

Our five nights in Kauai came to an end much too soon.  We packed our bags and headed to the airport, but we weren’t ready to fly back to San Diego just yet.  Stay tuned!IMG_20141113_172750-1-1

November 12, 2014 Kauai, Hawaii Part 1

Aloha from Hawaii!  Yes you read that right.  We are on the island of Kauai.  After a six hour flight from San Diego, and a short flight from Honolulu, we arrived on Kauai also known as the

Our first view from the aircraft of Oahu Island and Waikiki Beach

Our first view from the aircraft of Oahu Island and Waikiki Beach

Garden Isle.  Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor.  Kauai is the fourth largest island, the northernmost island, the oldest and the first to be free of volcanic activity.  It is 33 miles long and 25 miles wide with a population of around 63,000. It is believed that this island was the first inhabited.  While we were able to drive around most of the perimeter of the island, the interior is mostly inaccessible.  The temperature averages between 69 and 84 degrees year round.  One of the first things we noticed when stepping off the plane was the humidity the likes of which we hadn’t felt since leaving Florida eighteen months ago.  The Hawaiian trade winds help somewhat with making the humidity more tolerable.IMG_20141116_141136-1

With ocean temperatures of between 72 and 80 degrees year round we enjoyed snorkeling at two beaches while on the island.  Kauai is known for roosters and chickens roaming free, so it is common to see them everywhere you go on the island,  even sunbathing with Bill on the beach.

These roosters where everywhere

These roosters where everywhere

We were also awakened every morning by the sound of roosters crowing. While driving to one beach we came upon a blowhole.

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

We stayed at a beautiful condo we booked through Vacation Rentals By Owner.  We enjoyed watching cruise ships coming in from our balcony.  Electricity is very expensive on the island and it is very common to see solar panels on most of the roofs of buildings including our condo.

View from our balcony

View from our balcony

We rented a jeep and set off to explore the island during our five night stay.

One day we drove to the North Shore of the island on Highway 50 to the “End of the Road”.  This part of the island is known for its gorgeous scenery, amazing beaches, dry and wet caves, waterfalls and many one lane bridges where you had to stop and wait your turn to cross.  The  movie ” South Pacific ” was filmed here as well as Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii”.  We also

Left view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Left view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Right view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Right view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

stopped at an overlook with taro fields, which is widely grown in Hawaii.  This valley was used during the filming of the movie “Uncommon Valor” starring Gene Hackman.

Hanalei Wildlife Refuse

Hanalei Wildlife Refuse

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

November 9, 2014 San Diego, California

We have been staying at the Admiral Baker RV Park outside of San Diego for almost ten days now. In the past you had to be past or current military to stay here but now it is open to the general public.  We have enjoyed our stay here which included an unexpected fireworks display one night from the nearby San Diego Stadium.  We later learned it was one of the biggest fireworks shows west of the Mississippi and a San Diego tradition which includes a musical soundtrack synchronized to fireworks from all over the world.

We also went to see the USS Midway aircraft carrier located in San Diego.  The Midway was one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers with over sixty exhibits, 29 restored aircraft, and two flight simulators.  Over 225,000 sailors served aboard this vessel during her time in service.

USS Midway was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. Commissioned a week after the end of World War II, Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955,

USS Midway was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. Commissioned a week after the end of World War II, Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955,

She was commissioned in 1945 at the end of World War 2 and was decommissioned in 1992, serving during the Vietnam War and was the Persian Gulf flagship during Operation Desert Storm.

F-4 Phantom II fighter, this is the first aircraft that I built training simulators for

F-4 Phantom II fighter, this is the first aircraft that I built training simulators for

F-4 Phantom II

F-4 Phantom II

Midway could launch a massive aircraft about every 60 seconds

Midway could launch a massive aircraft about every 60 seconds

The control room for launching and landing planes

The control room for launching and landing planes

Officer quarters

Officer quarters

Enlisted rank quarters

Enlisted rank quarters

Just like in an RV when you need to save water: get wet, soap up then rinse off.

Just like in an RV when you need to save water: get wet, soap up then rinse off.

Unconditional Surrender is a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J Day.

Unconditional Surrender is a three-dimensional interpretation of a photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V-J Day.