Monday in Paradise AKA Hawaii

 Went to the beach for awhile - the water colder than I remember, but still warmer than CA Pacific Ocean!

 Another cook hot tub!

 If I wasn't reading on the beach I was knitting - didn't get as much done on the socks as I hoped!

 Decided to drive to the North Shore

 Yup - gas in Hawaii is expensive! But they thank you for spending that money!

 Saw lots of horses up there

 Tsunami warning

 No clue - but still pretty

 Didn't know they had sheep here!

 So we decided to go into the Waimea Valley. Had no idea what it was. Kind of historic, kinda botanical gardens (yes, I took lots of flower photos but pared them down for here). Took the audio tour which was supposed to take up to all these interesting stops on the 3/4 mile walk to the waterfalls. Well, some of the historical markers we couldn't find - what turquoise flowers? Turn which way at the plant with yellow and white flowers??? No plant like that.....so I think we probably took at least a mile to get there as we wondered around - but still missed stops 34 - 40 which is sad cause I guess one of those was the lei flower garden....

 WHAT??????!!!!!!

 Hmm, same chickens as on Kauai

 A giant checkerboard game

 Doesn't it look like it is doing a shaka?

 Supposed to be able to swim in these waters. They are supposed to be very healing. But with the rains in the hills around us, the water was very rough from this very full waterfall so no swimming today

 Looks to me like this flower is sticking its tongue out at us!

For some reason the computer is acting up, so will have to complete Monday at a later time!

 

Sunday in Hawaii

Well, we were both up early as planned - one of us having gotten way more sleep than the other! Had breakfast and left to climb Diamondhead again! And we did the climb more quickly this time - just as strenuous - but maybe because there was no humidity?

Some sprinkles on the way there - and on the climb - but it was early enough (many people had already beaten us there tho!) that there was hardly any humidity - which made the climb so much more bearable!

After leaving Diamondhead we stopped by Hilo Hatties to get souvenir shopping out of the way - and when we came out it was pouring rain!

Got back to Aulani and of course we did the hot tub after the climb (altho didn't really need it - it felt good!) and then the adult only pool with the bar right there. All ready to try the Hibiscus Kiss that I have been looking forward to since reading about it on Facebook - oh yeah, they don't have them any more - they weren't very popular......sigh......ended up with a Mango Sangria that was okay.....not really that good, but just ok.

After a bit we went up to the room to snack on cheese and crackers and then to the Lazy River again!

 I think the sign says this is a 40XL or something else outrageous

 My honey always takes me out for great meals! $7 lunch - we each had a hotdog and split the chips and a Coke! We didn't realize there was a lunch place inside Hilo Hatties and we were starving after our walk!

 Before the walk

 Look at the rain coming down on the ocean

 Great rainbow

 Wonderful picture of how small and insignificant the Royal Hawaiian looks surrounded by all the huge hotels now

 Look way down into the parking lot - that red dot on the left hand side is our car - yes, we are way up there!

 Now you can see it better!

 These were the new steps they were starting to build when we climbed this originally 2 years ago. So we decided to take them. So nice not to have to climb out of the claustrophobic bunker at the top!

 These were the stairs that we did last time....been there, done that!

 Better lighting in the tunnel this time too....didn't even have to take my sunglasses off

 We survived!

This was on the street near the docks - couldn't quite figure it out until we drove under it and looked to the right - and there was a fire station

The Beginning of the Hawaii Saga

So got to the airport - so nice not to leave before dawn! - and realized I had forgotten the socks I put out for my carryon bag. But luckily snagged an extra pair hubby had brought so I had something I could put on my feet in the security line. I can go barefoot anyway - but for some reason, being barefoot on that airport floor grosses me out!

Hawaiian Airlines has always been one of my top 2 favorite airlines but something has changed. These flight attendants were more concerned with talking amongst themselves this trip....you ask a question and you get a polite answer - no chit chat - no extra friendly anything. They make a big point of telling you they are the ONLY domestic airline to offer complementary meals (after trying to sell upgrades in the airport before boarding) but then they nickel and dime you on the flight. Nice little entertainment center on the back of the seat in front of you - and you pay for anything you watch. And if you need earphones - those cost too. And altho they do tilt out for when the person in front pushes their seat back - that still means it is practically in your face.

Paid for movies that we could not even finish watching because of so many interruptions from announcement and commercials.....rip off!!!

Got to Avis to pick up the car and as we walked up to the counter - their computers went down! Oh dear, I hope this is not the way the trip is going to go...

Got to Aulani and thought we would just have to store luggage and go swimming but no, our room was ready (wonder if they prioritize DVC member rooms?). So we unloaded and went to the grocery store. Yes prices are higher, but not all prices. The milk is a bit higher but it was bread that was way higher!

Came back and did the lazy river - ok, now I truly believe I am in Hawaii!! Made dinner and watched some TV. Tom mentioned about going and getting a drink at the bar and the next thing I see is him sleeping on the couch!

Happy Birthday Week!

Well, it wouldn't cooperate so these are not in the right order....

 

 Happy 6th birthday to Kaia Sunflower!!! Oh my, little lady, you are growing up way too quickly!

 Happy 5th birthday to Luke - AKA Lukie Dukie - don't ever change Little Man....you are sweet and entertaining and energetic and, like your cousin, growing up way too fast!

And a happy birthday to my middle daughter - my China Doll - my Kater Taters - you put up thru some really rough years - but look what an amazing woman you turned into!!!

 

 And Happy Anniversary to daughter and her husband! A brave man to get involved with this family! He is an ideal son in law - a terrific dad - and just an all around good guy.

Labor Day Weekend AKA 40th Wedding Anniversary!

Such a nice surprise that hubby was able to make it home this weekend! I had first decided that if he couldn't make it home, I would be an adult about it (HA!) so it was lovely that there was no problem!

So we started off (after I took a very short 1.5 hour nap after work) babysitting the boys. That was lovely - especially since everyone allowed me to nap and doze on the couch there - what? they went swimming? when? for how long?

And then we went for our traditional celebration which included the Livermore Valley Harvest Wine Festival (http://www.lvwine.org) you pay one fee and spend 2 days tasting wine....nibbling foods....listening to music...buying things! The 32d one - and our 24th.....This year was quite the disappointment tho. In fact, I posted on their Facebook that I wanted a rebate! Monday is usually the quietest day - but this time it was beyond quiet...we were done in less than 2 hours....followed the map and decided on Sunday we would go to the one large venue that had a lot of smaller wineries pouring, and then we would do some individual wineries. And Monday we would go the other large venue, and do some smaller wineries. Well, should have really read thru all the 40+ blurbs because - that 2d large venue? Yeah, it was only large on Sunday too.....

 

 This humongous sunflower was outside of one of the wineries. I ducked down and shot up and still couldn't get all of it! It was so large it was bent wayyyyy over on its stem

 Beautiful grapes outside of Wood Family Winery (http://www.woodfamilyvineyards.com/)....I missed seeing all the woodies that we usually see there! Enjoyed some good music tho - I think they were called Patty & Abigain

 Love Fenestra Winery (http://www.fenestrawinery.com/) - love cattails too which you don't usually see in this area -

Oops, out of order. We traditionally eat at Wente Restaurant - historically fantastic food and great service - you feel pampered but not rushed. Well, it is has gone down hill over the past few years - and actually I am thinking since they opened the golf course. Prior to that the clientele would dress as tho for a 4 star restaurant...since the golf course, well, you see people wearing shorts, and jeans, and sandals....and I think they have dummied down their service and their menu.

Last year and this year - no valet parking (which is ok but still, quite the change). The menu? Meh......the service??? Well, we were in a little room off to the side that we haven't been in a long time. So I did not observe all the service, just in our room. And maybe the bus boys didn't like the waitress or something. First of all - AFTER hubby's steak was served, we still had to ask for a steak knife....use to be, as soon as you cleared your salad or appetizer, they came around and brushed all the crumbs off, and placed whatever utensils you needed....we did get water at the beginning of the meal, and it was refilled at the end....usually it was refilled as needed. And we eventually received an ice bucket for our wine. In the past, our wine glasses would go down a drink or two, and someone was there refilling the for you....not this time.

I always hope for their fantastic mashed potatoes, but nothing came with mashed potatoes this year. And the "sides" that came with the meal were so skimpy as to be almost non existent. I supposedly had some type of fresh made polenta with my 3 or 4 scallops (they were very good).....I have never had polenta like that before and there was made 2 spoonfuls. And that was the only "veggie" that came with the scallops.

When we first started going there every table would receive a lovely assortment of olives, and lovely breads. Well, they stopped the olives years ago (you could still order them as an appetizer until recently). And last night - no basket of bread.....just two skimpy foccacio rolls.....and never offered a refill of that.

We usually get one dessert to split - glad we didn't - the price was still full priced but the serving has gotten very mini

 Peach dumpling

 Almond poppy seed cake with 6 bites of berries....cause that is all that would fit on top!

http://www.wentevineyards.com/restaurant/
I think next year we will decide on somewhere new for our anniversary ....
(I have even noticed that for the first time - at least the first time I have seen - they are selling tickets for their concert series on the cutrate places (like groupon and such)....economy? Or maybe other people are less than thrilled with their decline).

Hubby is making eggplant parmesan for dinner tonight....and then to bed early cause have to get him to the airport before the crack of dawn tomorrow morning!!!