Thursday's sunset

After our late picnic lunch we decided, due to the weather, that tonight would be best to go up Mauna Kea to see the sunset and star gaze.  So we went back to the hotel to get our cold weather stuff. The clouds/mist didn't drop like we had hoped for the sun set. But it was still neat. And it did clear out after the sunset so we could see an extrodinary about of stars!  We saw several shooting stars, the Milky Way, and through telescopes, Saturn and her moon, Titan. It was incredible!!

The clouds were moving fast ( can't tell in the picture) and left your clothes damp feeling. And we were chilly!!

We left the visitors station (9,200ft) around 7pm. We drove an hour back down for a late dinner. The kids all fell asleep on the way down!  Eric didn't eat dinner, he slept through it!!

It was another great day!

Big Island, Day (I lost track, I'm on vacation!)

Thursday morning we drove all the way around the north side of the island to the end of the road. 

Below is looking back towards Kona. 

Once at the end of the road we hiked down for about 15 minutes to the bottom of the valley. 

Eric asked me to take this picture!  

There were gorgeous views along the way. You can't see them in the picture but along the cliffs there lots of waterfalls. 

Family selfie!

In the valley someone had made a swing. 

Looking back into the valley with the ocean behind you. 

Caroline and Justin crossed the creek to go exploring. 

This is a vegetation covered sand dune. 

This is the black sand. Super fine. 

Then a hike back up and we found a spot to have our picnic lunch I had packed. 

This was the first half of the day!  

Big Island, day 3

We planned this day as a down day. Just a hangout by the pool day. So that made for a good morning to continue the couch to 5k running program for the kids. 

We followed a trail along the coast until I realized we'd never be able to run on it and cut through someone's yard to get back to a road. Justin was ahead of us and ended up running 7 miles because he got lost!!

The rest of the day was spent at the pool!

This morning we could see Haleakala ( on Maui) from our room!

The path was right along the grass on broken bits of lava. Justin is in the picture below. 

Not an easy trail!

Eric asked me to take his picture on this whale. 

We took the boat instead of the monorail this afternoon. 

Big island, day 2

Day 2 was busy, fun, and included more driving than we're use to!  After a late breakfast we headed to Puuhonua O Honaunau national historical park. It was a sanctuary for people, law breakers, running away from warriors so they wouldn't be killed.  But on the drive there we stopped about half way at a playground. The kids played for almost an hour!

The picture below shows just a small part of this cool playground. 

The Honaunau was right next to the water. It's also much warmer on this island compared to ours. 

Never mind my finger in the way. The kids always enjoy playing in little tide pools. This time tiny fish were swimming near their hands. 

After that we went to a painted church. Really beautiful church and gardens. 

It is a small church but still has services. 

The beautifully painted ceiling. 

Not sure what they were discussing. 

The view of the gardens and water. 

We also drove up a mountain into the clouds, it was neat. Then back down for an early dinner/late lunch. A quick trip to the grocery store for fruit and lunch supplies before heading back for a quick swim at sunset rounded out another great day!

Big Island, day 1

Sunday just before lunch time we arrived in Kona!  You can really tell this is a newer island. It is the dry side and pretty desolate as far as landscape. No big trees or grass. Just lots of lava fields. We are staying at one of the many mega-resorts ( thanks Marie and Dad!). It has 4 towers and a mono rail to get to each or you can take the water ferry!  There are multiple pools at each building, a lagoon area with a sand beach, a dolphin cove, and a 175 foot water slide ( we've all done that a few times already!)

Our building is the one on the far side of the water. 

There was even a swinging bridge across the pool. And one side of the pool had a sandy bottom. 

Walking around exploring a bit and we found flamingos. We realized the kids had never seen them in person before!

The sunset as we walk back to "our side" of the resort. 

Vacation!

Friday after dinner we headed to the west side of the island to stay at PARC. Pililaau army recreation center has cabins to rent. We were staying 2 nights there to celebrate a friends' 40th birthday. All told there were 7 families in our group!  We had a great time Friday night and all day Saturday. 

Saturday morning the spinner Dolphins were in the bay. So I convinced Justin we needed to go ( right now!) to see them. As soon as Eric woke up, a little before 7, we were headed to the water. We borrowed a friends SUP for Eric I and to use while Caroline and Will used boogie boards and swam. Justin had fins and swam. It was almost a half mile out to the area where the Dolphins were playing around. On our way out you could see the jumping up out if the water and playing around. It was pretty awesome!  Caroline even got within arms length of a baby when it swam right by her!  We also saw a spotted eagle ray. 

It was an incredible morning!  Even if I pulled a Mark Crissman move getting everyone out the door before Justin had a chance of getting coffee!

The kids had fun playing in the water, in the sand, and even organized a game of capture the flag ( beach towel)!

The view from where dinner was being grilled. It was a beautiful end to a great day. 

Sunday morning we packed up and headed to the airport to go to the big island!

Justin's turn!

Yesterday Justin celebrated turning 37!  As Caroline told me, "Now he's caught up to you mom!"  Why yes he has Caroline!!

Justin was able to get the day off and we enjoyed watching Eric at his swim lesson, going out for lunch, nap time (for Justin only), a family run, and dinner out with friends.  It was a pretty awesome day.  He even had several phone calls that involved singing!

 Justin's request for breakfast was homemade apple fritters.  They turned out pretty good!  Also requested was an oreo cake (no picture, yet).  Tonight we will have fried chicken, mac and cheese, and peas.

 Dinner with friends at Buca di Beppo was delicious.  His friend, Ken, celebrated his 40th birthday 3 days before Justin's.

Happy birthday, Justin!  This year will be full of wonderful, exciting adventures!!