Wow...a two-day blog hiatus!  Let me get you caught up.

On Monday, the five of us went with Hawaii Forest and Trail to visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park near Hilo, Hawaii.  We had to be up and out the door by 6:20 a.m. (which explains why we again forgot to put out the trash).  We met our tour guide, Matt, at the HF&T office and were on our way to pick up two other adventurers by 7:00 a.m.

HF&T takes you over the saddle road.  We ate at a park near the top of the saddle road (yummy breakfast cakes, coffee, and fruit) while being eyed by some local wild pigs.  Then we were on our way to the park with Matt filling us in on how the islands were formed, how the islands got their vegetation and how the weather impacts the different micro-climates on the island.

During this portion of the trip, many people...I won't name names...napped.

When we arrived at the park, he gave us a choice of activities since there isn't any active lava flow into the ocean right now.  (Locals love this because the "vog"--volcanic smog--is gone and the island skies are clear for the first time in 25 years.)  We all voted to walk through a small crater, Kilauea Iki Crater.  We hiked a bit over 4 miles total at a moderate pace, enjoying the experience of seeing the huge mounds of lava that, from the overlook, looked pretty smooth.

We did the obligatory stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, then it was on to hunt down Pele's Tears and reticulite and Pele's Hair.  We found the tears and the reticulite, but not much hair.

After a quick stop at the Jaggar Museum, we were on our way back home via a scenic drive through Hilo and up the north side of the island.  We stopped part way for some delicious (and well-deserved) malasadas.  We learned during our return trip that the earthquake last fall took out one of the popular waterfall tours that HF&T had put together.  Dad and Sally will be pleased to know that they have expanded what we affectionately call "The Hike of Death" as a result.  Something to look forward to next visit.

It stormed all night Monday night, and Tuesday (yesterday) we just hung out here and enjoyed a sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy day.  I had dinner with our incredible builder (Jerry Akers) and his wonderful wife, (Karen Akers) at the ever delicious Kenichi restaurant.  Dean and Donna enjoyed take out Mexican food from Habaneros while the "kids" went to Hard Rock Cafe.

Jerry and Karen told me a hurricane is headed to the Big Island on my departure date (Friday) so I was a bit worried...but today it's been downgraded to a (weak) tropical storm that likely won't hit the island until Saturday.  That's a relief!  I don't want to take off in a tropical storm, that's for sure.

Today, we're hoping for a bright enough day to hit a sandy beach...then it's going to be hard to avoid thinking about chores like packing and laundry before we head back to the mainland.

No...can't think about that yet!

 

Yesterday was another in a long string of relaxing, fun days.  The kids and Dean & Donna went into town for a Costco Run while I went for a walk-run.  There was none of the usual cloud cover and it was quite hot...so it was more walk than run out of the 4 1/2 mile escapade, but it was good exercise and I saw some interesting things.

I saw a guy who looked so much like my Dad that I almost called out to him.  I saw a woman and her baby in a tidepool.  There were young women practicing hula at the Pahoehoe Park.  There were flowers about to burst into bloom (I'm hoping they get there before I go home...if I still had my Hawaiin Plants Book, I could name the flower but it's MIA).  And I saw a tiny clump of ferns taking root in the shallow dish of a lava hollow.

After I got back, I read and sunned in the courtyard.  It's very relaxing there with the fountain going and the breeze.  The rest of the group got back from Costco and we hung out and ate lunch (sandwiches prepared by Donna) and later we went in to the Kona Inn and had the obligatory Mai Tai and did a bit o' shopping.

Then it was home for pizza and the sunset.  It was gorgeous in terms of the pre-show.  Lots of peeping in and out of clouds and a tall ship to lend ambiance.  But no actual sunset because of a thick bank of clouds.

I would continue to be remiss if I did not mention that the Baldridge Clan welcomed a new little niece on the 11th.  Ainsely Madiera Baldridge was born to June and Brian Baldridge...and welcomed by big brother Avery.  Everyone is doing well and through the miracle of the internet, I've already seen photos of this adorable little girl along with various kin.  (Thanks for sending the photos, Brian and June!)

At last, an excuse to buy little girl outfits!

Dean and I were chauffered to the Kona Country Club by Donna this morning.  We golfed while the girls got Diana ready for her flight and to the airport.

I'd like to report that it was a record round for both of us and that pars and birdies abounded.  However.

We did have an excellent time and enjoyed the views, each other's company and the occasional spectacular golf shots immensely.  Dean had a really nice shot where he drew the ball just enough to land perfectly placed for an approach shot.  We both had a couple of pars.  My favorite shot was a 5 wood to the green from the fairway (thanks for the new clubs, Dan!).

I was also happy that I'm at a point in my golf game where I know my game, am comfortable with the fact that I'm an average golfer, and so I don't beat myself up (so badly) over poor shots.  It makes the round much more enjoyable (and not just for me, I bet).  Dean made the point that once he realized he was an average golfer (and that most folks are average golfers) it made him a lot more at ease on the course.

I also am enjoying a new technique taught to me by my friend, Renee' Dobyns.  She is a double-bogey golfer like me.  And before each round, she writes down the adjusted par for each hole...then when she gets a six on a par four, she isn't down on herself...it's what's expected.  When she gets a four, she really celebrates!  I find the technique really keeps me focused on playing my game and not worrying about anyone else's game or judgements.

Of course, it always makes a round more enjoyable when there are fabulous ocean views all around and when you are playing with a brother who is also a good friend.

The rest of the day has been chores and reading...heavy on the reading.  We're about to sit down to a dinner of shish-kabob.  Then Deanna's boyfriend, Tim, will be flying in tonight.  It will be great to have him here with us as we start our second week in Kona.

I'm hoping to get in another round of golf next week.  In the meantime, I am sure I'll get in my other obsession, snorkeling!

I went snorkeling at Kahalu'u with Dean, Deanna and Diana this morning.  I saw two fish I'd not seen before!  They were the
The Lantern Toby Pufferfish (aka Hawaiian Cowfish) and the Female Bird Wrasse.


We also saw a turtle right as we were going out and I spotted a few favorites like Rockmover Wrasse and Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse.  Apparently the Cleaner Wrasse had the day off from the fish spa because they were just hanging out.

This was Diana's first snorkel and she did great.  I stayed out for a bit after first Diana and Dean went in, then Deanna followed.  Such a gentle ocean these days that it's really a breeze to snorkel without worries.

Nice to spot new fishies, too!

Not as easy as it sounds!  Actually, we had a lot of fun going to Costco, Home Depot and Loews for patio furniture to replace our four-year-old, totally rusted out patio set.

We found a set at Costco that everyone loved...but no delivery...and it wouldn't fit in our rental car with all of us in it.  So we dropped the girls off at the beach and went back.  No joy.  Still wouldn't fit.

So we tried to rent a truck at Home Depot.  Dean had (of course) the measuring tape so we made sure before we went in that the furniture would fit.  All good.  Except the truck had been broken down for a week and a half.

"How broken is it?" I asked.  The man at the service desk was not amused.  We took a peek at their patio furniture and didn't find anything suitable... so, we called Loews and they had a working truck.  But it had just been checked out and they had no idea when it might be back in.  I asked if I could reserve it.  Nope.

We drove over to Loews, just in case it had been turned in.  No joy there either but we did find a cheaper, better fitting patio set there and Dean finagled it so it all fit in the Expedition.  We took it home, met the girls at Kahalu'u for a drink, then came home to enjoy the new furniture and the wading pool.  Dean put together the tables while the girls practiced their synchronized swimming in the hot tub.

Then it was salmon burgers, salad and another almost perfect sunset.  (No green flash, so it can't be perfect.)  The girls are off to karaoke tonight but it's starting in 3 hours and I think I'm for bed in about 30 minutes.

All in all, quite a fun day in Kona.

Went snorkeling yesterday morning with Dean while Donna, Deanna and Diana hung out on the beach at Kahalu'u.  We saw amazing numbers of fish including Cornetfish, Moorish Idols, Yellow Tang, Trunkfish and the legendary Humuhumu-Nukunuku-Apua'a.

The Humuhumu is legendary as Hawaii's state fish, but also this particular Humuhumu is legendary for attacking and biting my friend, Lynne last year.  She will be pleased to know that "her" Humu chased me and nipped my leg.  Dean was witness.  It was pretty funny.

After that, we had lunch, bought a new blender (the old one was broken) and relaxed.  We had a dinner on the lanai and then watched a glorious sunset.  Still no green flash, tho.  Then the girls got ready for a night out while the old folks stayed in and slept.

Oh...and the reason Turtles are in the title is that Dean and I saw 3 while snorkeling and we saw a bunch of other ones while walking back from Kahalu'u.  And the dolphins were spinning off the lanai again this morning.  How cool is that?

I should say it's been a lazy morning for ME.  Donna, on the other hand, made breakfast for all of us.  (Thanks, Donna!)  I love waking up to the sound of the ocean.  Even when I wake up several times during the night to the sound...it never gets annoying.

Today it looks like we are walking down to Kahalu'u for snorkeling, reading and general hanging out.  I'll update the blog with fish sightings as we go.

As of this morning, we haven't even gotten wet and we saw dolphins hunting and spinning off the lanai.  Should be a great day.  Funny how that takes away all thoughts of politics, miniature disasters and minor catastrophes (to quote KT Tunstall).  S'all good.