Vacation [vey-key-shuhn]: a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday.
Hawaii
I love being home but I also love traveling. Seeing new places, cultures, experiences.
So, you have to understand, when I say “These are the days we live for” my family and friends know we are going to live life to the fullest experiences on these days. We’ve waited, planned, and saved… everyone deserves a vacation… Selah
Kauai
Aug. 23 - Aug. 28
Kauai is an island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian archipelago. It's nicknamed "the Garden Isle" thanks to the tropical rainforest covering much of its surface. The dramatic cliffs and pinnacles of its Na Pali Coast have served as a backdrop for major Hollywood films, while 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge are hiking destinations.
Morning walk on the beach.
Wailua Falls A double-tiered waterfall that is considered one of the prettiest in Hawaii, Wailua Falls drops 85 feet (26 meters) before flowing into the Wailua River. The mist of the falls often creates the rainbows for which Kauai is famous, and if Wailua Falls looks familiar, it may be because it was featured in the opening credits of Fantasy Island.
Wailua Falls - I told him I was SO GLAD I looked like I was hiking and he was ready to teach Wednesday Bible Study. (Rolling my eyes!) Yep. This is the same man that mows the yard in Johnston Murphy shoes and a belt in his blue jeans! (LOL)
Opaekaa Falls At more than 150 feet (46 meters) in height, Opaekaa is one of the most famous Kauai waterfalls.
One of our favorite things to do is: eat local! My friend, you don't get any more local than Konohiki's! Delicious! Sorry, forgot to take pics of food - lol. too hungry!
Adventure Helicopter Tour - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
So many beautiful waterfalls - we would have never seen without the helicopter tour.
Such beautiful views of the coast.
No picture can capture the grandeur of this amazing island and the waterfalls.
Look closely at all the waterfalls.
He ordered this luscious dessert and then blamed it on me!!! Don't worry, I took one for the team!
Day #2 in Kona started with a beautiful drive along the Northern area of Kauai. This is a mountain range the locals call it Kong, since it resembles the profile of King Kong.
Hanalei Valley Lookout - the picture can never capture its beauty!
Beautiful Kilauea Lighthouse
View of Beautiful Kilauea Lighthouse
Traffic up to Hanali changed our plans for the day.
Lunch, a store-bought, cold sandwich in the car waiting for traffic to open was making the best of the situation. It's all part of the adventure.
Lunch, a store-bought, cold sandwich in the car waiting for traffic to open was making the best of the situation. It's all part of the adventure.
After a day like this.... One deserves chocolate.
Beautiful oceanside dinner.
Fish, roasted veggies & Hawaiian sweet potatoes. Delicious!
Coffee Beans! Great tour.
Coffee beans before harvest
Coffee farm tour
The beauty of Kauai never ends!
Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens
Dodging the rain at the Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens
I wished I knew the name of this beautiful, unique flower. We called it the birthday flower because it has little candles coming out of the center.
Botanical Gardens
Snow cones from "Fresh Shave" very delicious and unique.
Loving the beauty.
This is for real! I love the rainbows in Hawaii . I think this is the first time I've seen a rainbow end to end! My favorite picture of the day.
I wished I could have taken a better picture of the Napali coast. Center of the picture you can see the blue ocean. The clouds almost always pass through this area.
In his happy place.
Reel it in!
Bringing in a tuna.
It's TRUE! I caught the big Mahi-Mahi. Probably because I chummed the water first. (rolling my eyes! -lol)
Fresh tuna for dinner!
Delicious dinner!
Hawaii - Big Island
Painted church. Built in 1899 - the Priest painted pictures on the walls because many of the parishioners could not read. This would tell the stories of the Bible.
The most southern part of the United States. It's appropriate that it's a sweet place.
Gweenwell Farm Owner, jumping in for a fun picture.
Black Sand Beach
More black sand!
Looking down into the earth. This is called a tree mold because the tree's form was preserved after being hit by the lava.
Volcano National Park - Steam Vents
Steam vents
HUGE Volcanic Hole!
The trail across is a LONG way down there! There are little hikers to the left, but you can hardly see them!
Walking across a once molten lake of lava in the Kilauealki Crater. Notice the trail in the distance behind us. A GOOD 4 Mile Hike!
WOW! LONG day - I had to remind David, we didn't have to do it all in one day! (wink. wink)
Lava Tube
Rainbow Falls - but we saw no rainbow (at least here).
Boiling pots - at the bottom of these falls it swirls around like a boiling pot. Pretty cool.
The real us.
The real us take #2.
A lot goes into a picture of the two of us! LOL.
So many beautiful flowers.
Onomea Trails - which leads to a very beautiful spot!
Needed something cool after that hike!
Name this flower!
Akaka Falls - 442' waterfalls.
After that hike, you get very thirsty! LOL!
It was a little embarrassing for others that watched this picture taking experience. LOLOLOL!!!