2013 Hawaii Vacation- Around the Big Island 4

Heading north from Hilo, we stopped at Waipio Valley Lookout.

 I love her.

 I love them.

 ...you know.

 Several times on the drive north, we came upon eucalyptus forests. They grow straight up and so tall. Incredible.

 Our last morning, Meg took the lei's they made for some final pictures. She did pretty good. We love to visit Hawaii, but it's always good to get back home and to reality.

 



2013 Hawaii Vacation- Around the Big Island 3

This year we decided to go to Hilo by way of the Saddle Road. It cuts over the top of the island. You can see the Mauna Kea Space Observatory at 13,800 ft above sea level.

 

We had to stop to stretch our legs. There was a toilet, but it smelled so bad, the boys would have no part of it. Justice reminds me of the picture of the bigfoot/elf sighting. Rednecks, I love 'em.

 Once into Hilo, we stopped at a farmers market for some fruit. The peels of a rambutan make for great clown noses.



Or sun glasses.

This is Rainbow Falls in Hilo. It has an 80 ft drop to the pool below. It was considered for an international high dive competition, but it wasn't tall enough.

We found this tree when we were walking to get a different view of Rainbow Falls. I've put Banyon trees on our blog before, but this one seemed to out do them all.

 They moved, I didn't.

 After leaving Hilo, we moved further north up the coast. This is Akaka Falls. At 442 ft., it's over twice the height of Niagara Falls.



2013 Hawaii Vacation- Around the Big Island 2

This is at the Place of Refuge. I have a post on this place from our previous visit to Kona. This stone table is an ancient board game.  Colt lost.

 Note the resemblance.

 We could do this for hours. We did do this for hours.

 Yep.

We can't go to the beach without burying Justice.

 And sometimes Meg.

 This guy buried himself. Cuddly.

2013 Hawaii Vacation- Around the Big Island

Luau night sunset.

The boys with some of the Hula Dancers 

 Hawaiian Shaved Ice

This is on the north-east point of the island. We're at the Pololu Valley Lookout.

 

2013 Hawaii Vacation- The Royal Sea Cliff

We used our time share points and stayed in the Royal Sea Cliff in Kona. I was very impressed with every aspect of this place. Modern, clean, beautiful grounds and on the waterfront.

This is the view from our lanai.

 

I took several sunset pictures. This is one of the pools. I love the colors in this picture. 

 As nice as the condo was, it didn't have a beach. It was built on top of a lava flow that spilled right into the ocean. It formed a nice tide pool and cave that we couldn't resist. The palm trees are the ones in the pool picture.

 My beautiful bride and I in the tide pool by the cave.

 Meg stepping out.

 The condo offered several free activities during our stay. One night, a hula school was at pool side and provided a show and gave history on hula.

 

 

 

 

 



2013 Hawaii Vacation- Getting There

While in Afghanistan, Cathy and I decided to take the kids to Hawaii for my post-deployment leave. This is that trip.

 

Anyone who travels with kids knows you have to keep them busy during down time. We like to find a quiet place in the airport and play Uno. Works pretty good.

I ran several 5k charity races in Afghanistan. This is one of the shirts you got. I got seven for this trip. It makes it easier to keep up with your group.

 

One of these Kahuna's isn't quite as big as the other one. His shirt is almost a dress.



New Pup

This is Sky. We had to put Loxi down early this year. We took her food to the shelter to donate it and decided to look at what they had. She was the only one not barking. We kept the food and brought her home.