Filling the Bucket List!

Hiking is a great thing to do in Hawaii. There are so many beautiful sights to see. The scenery is spectacular wherever you may be. The last two Saturday's we have tried to take advantage of a couple of scenic places. They have not been strenuous but have been long walks and well worth the time we have taken to enjoy them. We have seen lots of birds, whales, and seals, a lighthouse and a blowhole. Both hikes or walks were enjoyable but I really do need to get into better shape.

Views from Kaena Point. Northwest part of the island of Oahu. Saturday Feb 3, 2018Surprise! Made it to the gate!
















The waves were incredibly huge on this particular day.

       Me, Karen Rhodes, Cathy Hanrahan,  and Linda Sherwood. THIS IS THE POINT!

  
The monk seal may look blotted and dead but she really is sleeping. The albatross has a few eggs that she is taking care of.

THIS IS THE PLACE! at least one of them.

What a sight. Just a testimony that we did all make it back.

I made it on one hike so I decided it was time for another. This time it was to the Makapu'u Lighthouse. The trail was paved all the way to the lighthouse but it was an elevated hike and the first part was strenuous but it was so much fun on the way down.

 Proof that there was volcanoes on the island of Hawaii. 

Lighthouses are always an attraction. This one is very beautiful.

The two Karen's.

 

and add a Polly and a Carol. After the lighthouse we visited the famous blowhole, saw quite a few whales, and ended up at the botanical gardens in Kaneohe. It really was a delightful and fun day. 

two more flowers that I haven't seen before on the island.

 















African Gardenia

Second year and second round of events but still enjoyable and worthwhile.

Again, I can't say how fast the time passes here. I am afraid to blink or this incredible experience will be over. I love the warm winters. It is so nice not to freeze and be able to be outside in the winter months other than shoveling snow. My heart is overjoyed by the beauty of this place. Yes, there are times I miss the beautiful mornings after a snowstorm and look out at all that beautiful, pure whiteness all around but then I think of the snowplows passing and it isn't white anymore or a below zero morning and the trees are frosted in white sparkles. What could be more beautiful than that? All I can do is thank my Father in Heaven for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere on this earth and the people and their kindness that comes with it.
As second rounds go, I had another birthday with lots of birthday wishes from family and friends. Thank you so much for thinking of me on my day. My good friends at work had a surprise party for me at Lei Lei's restaurant and it was a real surprise. Pua had been sick for more than a few weeks and I thought we were going to celebrate her coming back to work. I was so excited that she was back I didn't think it was a bit odd to do that. Instead it was a surprise lunch for me. Elder Griffeth stood up and announced it was my birthday. Elijah, a student worker, that set next to me was getting married the next day so we also called it a bachelor party for him. (Ha! Ha!) Some bachelor party. Anyway, we all enjoyed ourselves and the food was yummy.


Then on Saturday it was the Hawaiian devotional. See, even the islanders had a party for my birthday. Two years in a row.  It was a very beautiful tribute to our Savior and all he has done for us.

Flag ceremony.

This young man is Ammon. He is a student that is in my YSA 8th Ward. He talked of the lover our Savior has for each of us.

The beautiful girl's of Hawaii performing the Hula and telling a story of their ancestors.

After the devotional Polly and I decided to ride up to Halewa and spend some time before we had to take tickets in the evening. We had heard a lot about Halewa Joe's so we decide to lunch there. This is the historic bridge as we go into the little town of Halewa.

                                      My limo in the background passed me right by. 

Sunday was my actual birthday and a very quite day so I decided that the best place to be after sacrament meeting was the Laie Temple. I love to go up there on Sunday and meditate. It is such a beautiful, quiet, serene place to spend time.

Of course I have to find a flower and place somewhere. The plumeria are starting to show their blooms even in the depths of a Hawaiian winter.  Smell's like spring is coming.

Monday brought more parties. On this Monday it was a party for two young men who had graduated from a GED high school program. They also celebrated the January birthdays. Here we go!!! Notice how they honored these young men with the lei's.

Last picture for this week is 3 out of the 5 hale sisters have the same muumuu and it was not planned. Karen B sent me mine, Raeola had hers when she came and Linda go hers a few days after she arrived. We all happened to have them on for tickets this evening.