Sometimes...

One just needs to stop and smell the hibiscus to balance out the craziness that this world offers up everyday.

Peace my friends!

Diamond Head Walkabout

We took a stroll up to the top of Diamond Head early in the morning (we entered the park just after 6 am) to avoid the hordes of tourists and heat. The climb was a mere 750 feet, but it was mostly up at a steep incline. Not for the out-of-shape or folks with disabilities. The sidewalk turns into a bumpy trail shortly into the trail, along with a very narrow tunnel or two, and steep stairs barely wide enough for two people.

The caldera is entered through a tunnel bored through the volcano rim. One can drive or walk, but hey, the name of this blog should tell you what we did.

 Inside the caldera. We are heading almost straight ahead (eventually), to the top.

Start of the trail up to the structures in the distance.

A lighthouse seen on the way up.

Observation post and anti-aircraft gun structure.

 These observation posts were just off the trail.

 At the top, looking east. The whitish dot you see mid-picture, about a quarter of the way down is the tunnel into the caldera.

View to the west and Honolulu. Seems a long way from the old swamp land.

Peace my friends.

Bits and Bobs in Waikiki

It is hard to get focused and do a lot of photography. Too busy enjoying the view and leaving the mainland behind. Here are a few pictures of the koi pond at the Sheraton:

Here are two beautiful flowers:

This is the Hawaiian Pink Ginger.

And this is the Ginger Island Girl!

Aloha my friends.

This Ain't the Mainland!

Yes, that isn't Bellingham in the background. It is Waikiki Beach. We have returned to Hawaii and are killing a few days on Oahu before we fly to the Big Island to stay with our dear friend, Manono. 

Diamond Head is in the background. We are going to hike that in a day or two. Many pictures soon!

We are enjoying a cup of coffee in the early morning hours on Waikiki Beach, watching the early morning swimmers. And by early morning, I mean before 6.

We are walking again my friends!

Peace.

Two Lips

We went down to Mt. Vernon to look at the tulip fields in bloom. Read somewhere that there were more tulips grown here than in Holland.  But who's counting? Enjoy the color my friends!

 The Olympics in the background.

 Amazing!

 How did this one get in here?

 Not a tulip, but an amazing daffodil.

 Reminds me of walking the canal in France.

Such beauty!

Peace my friends!

Ryan Stops By

Jamie and Ryan stopped by for a chat today. She showed us her standing ability and gave us another look at those beautiful blue eyes!

Not long now until she is running around the house!

So blue!

Here's a preview of her orange hair she said she's going to have when she turns 13 (she whispered it to me when her dad wasn't looking).

The walkingman will again be walking, as we are heading off for another adventure soon!

Peace my friends!

Jamie and His Girls

It was cold, snowing and slushy in Bellingham when we headed down to Bothell. At the county border the snow magically disappeared, but the rain continued. No worries though as we got to see Jamie and Ryan.

Jamie and his girls!

Ryan is growing so much. Here she is doing pushups. Quite the change from last month!

After getting instructions from Jamie on how to feed a baby, Kirsty and I proceeded to do the best we could. Ryan mostly gummed the spoon, but we received no complaints.

Peace my friends!