Come on over, Mai Tai's are on me!

Aloha from Kaua'i!
We flew from the Big Island to Kaua'i late Monday afternoon. We'll be here for a total of nine nights before leaving on the cruise. We're staying at the Courtyard on Coconut Beach in the town of Kapaa. When we checked in we were given coupons for two complimentary Mai Tai's per day for a grand total of eighteen coupons!
Yesterday we did the Wiamea Canyon Trail which was a pretty tough 5 mile hike through what is known as the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii".  Although it's on a smaller scale than the Grand Canyon you most commonly think of it's quite spectacular with some great waterfalls. The hike started at about 3500 feet which isn't all that much unless you're acclimated to Florida and Texas elevations. Lots of up's and down's along the way but we were rewarded with some incredible views of the canyon with the Pacific Ocean in the background. There was a fair amount of puffing and sweating along the way but the views and the hotel hot tub made it well worth the effort.
Today (Wednesday) we started the day with the hotels "sunrise experience" which was a Hawaiian family leading a group of hearty early risers in a couple of "chants" to welcome the new day which was a neat experience. After that our morning walk today was a six miler along a flat and paved trail right along the shoreline. My feet are now propped up in a lounge chair where they will remain most of the rest of the day until I get up the energy to walk over to the hot tub!

Waterfall on the Wiamea Canyon Trail

Waimea Canyon

Somewhere Along the road to Wiamea Canyon

Sunrise Experience

Oh What A Night!

Last night was our last one here on the big island and boy was it a doozy!  Now if your mind is in the gutter get it out, this isn't that kind of blog!
We drove over and up to the Maunea Kea Observatory and Visitors Center. The Visitors Center is located at 9,200 feet above sea level and the research telescopes are another 4,000 or so feet up.  Unless you just want to say you've been to the summit or you're a Nobel Prize winning astronomer or physicist with access to the telescopes the viewing at the visitors center is supposed to be better. This has something to do with the less oxygen at the top and a few other factors that they rattled off but were over my head.  There are 13 of the worlds largest and most powerful telescopes located at the summit.  The concentration is so high because given the height and lack of light pollution it is the best star gazing location on earth for both amateurs and professionals.
Speaking of what was overhead, just by luck it happened to be a moonless night which made for excellent viewing conditions.  With the unaided eye we had a great look at Venus and Mars and with their telescopes we saw Saturn and it's rings.  The Milky Way was easily visible as well as a number of unmanned satellites.  The coolest two things to me was catching a glimpse of the space station which passes overhead about every hour and a half as well as using a telescope to see the Andromeda Galaxy.  This galaxy is the next closest to the Milky Way and is only a mere 2.5 million light years from earth. Now I'm not going to do the math but according to Wikipedia light travels at 299,792,458 meters per second.  That little fuzzy blob I was seeing in the telescope was a long way away and it's mind boggling to try to comprehend.
The staff at the visitors center were amazing and were spewing off facts (well, I wasn't going to dispute them) at about the speed of light.  The nearest star is 35 light years away, there are over 100  billion planets in our galaxy and another 200 to 400 billion stars.  After a while I found it was better just to take a deep breath and look up into an amazing night sky on an amazing night.  There is intelligent life out there somewhere.............hopefully there is still a little left around here.
Oh what a night!  Today it's on to Kauai.
I'll get this picture thing figured out one of these days.

Telescopes at the top of Maunea Kea-photo from web

Above the Clouds-Maunea Kea Observatory

Big Island Stuff

Green Sand Beach-Taken by a professional!

We've really enjoyed our time on the big island this week. Other than yesterday we've settled into a nice routine.  Up well before sunrise, coffee and tea on the balcony while star gazing, followed by a morning hike on the Ala Kahaki trail and morning ocean swim.   Afternoons we venutre out a bit usually tracking down some food and shave ice.
A couple of recommendations:
Pine Tree Cafe for a Hawaiian Plate Lunch, Kohala Burger and Taco, Big Island Shave Ice.  If Kona Coffee is your thing either Hula Daddy's or Greenwell Farms offer great tours and tastings.  Also, if you happen to be staying in this area the beach here at Maunea Kea Beach Hotel is great and they provide parking and access so you don't have to be staying at this particular hotel.  Hapuna Beach State Park is also a really nice beach just around the corner from here.
Yesterday was a little less "chilling out" and more of an adventure.  We  left the hotel at 4:15 AM and made a two hour drive to the southern tip of the island in search of the "Green Sand Beach", one of only four in the world.  You don't just drive right up to it. Once you park it's about a three and a half mile hike to the beach itself.  The hike was great, thankfully it was cloudy and breezy so it wasn't too hot.  Unfortunately the clouds make the green sand a little less dramatic than we were hoping to see although it really is green which is due to some mineral deposits in that area.  There were only a few people along the trail at that early hour but in true dramatic fashion I waited until a couple of them were only about twenty yards away from me before I slipped on a muddy spot and ended up on my back. Beth said I hopped up in record time and proclaimed the obvious "that's a slippery spot".  Thankfully the only thing bruised was my pride and ego!
We then continued our quest for colorful beaches with a stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.  We've been to several black sand beaches but this was the best in my opinion.  There's a small park with picnic tables making it a great place to stop for a break if you're out touring or still recovering from slipping in a mud hole.
From there it was on to Volcano National Park.  The big island was formed entirely by volcanic activity over the past million or so years and makes up 62% of the total land mass of the Hawaiian Islands, hence the name "the big island".  There were a total of five different volcanos at one time.  One is "extinct", one is "dormant" (kinda like the Gators in the second half yesterday against Tennessee) and three are active.  The park is located near the Kilauea Volcano and you can actually walk along the rim of the crater.  Lava is flowing but to see it it's about a ten mile round trip hike. We heard some folks talking that were just getting back and they said there was minimal viewing. After already hiking to the green sand beach we opted out, besides slipping in mud is one thing, slipping into hot lava takes it to a whole new level!
We did learn while we were in the park that the next Hawaiian Island is rising up from below the sea.   It's name is Lo'ihi and right now it's an active underwater volcano that is expected to break the surface in 10,000-100,000 years.  Seriously, you think that if those scientist are so smart they could narrow it down a little closer than 90,000 years. I'm setting the over/under at 61,264 years if anyone wants to place a bet.  Not sure if they're selling timeshares yet but it probably won't be long!  I didn't bring my laptop so I am posting these from my i-phone which is a bit of a challenge.  It's a work in progress that I'm semi-confident I will figure out......I've got time on my side!

Green Sand Beach-It was pretty cloudy so you can't really tell from our pictures how grean the sand actually is which is why I threw in a couple of professional pictures I pulled off the internet.



Green Sand Beach-Taken by Us



Another "Professional Picture of the Green Sand Beach



Black Sand Beach, but you probably figured that out on your own!

Aloha!

Monday we hopped, skipped and jumped from Dallas to Phoenix, Phoenix to LA and LA to Kona.  It was a fairly long travel day but with the time changes we were still here by 2:00 PM.
We are spending the first week of this adventure on the big island near Kona.  We've been here several times and although in many places it's not as lush or tropical as the other islands it's our favorite.  We like it because there are great uncrowded beaches and it's far less touristy than Maui or O'ahu.  After a week here we will be going to Kauai for nine days. We then leave on the cruise out of Honolulu.  We've spent time in Honolulu before. It's mostly a big city with lots of traffic, although Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and the North Shore are definite must sees if you're in the neighborhood.
We're about 30 miles outside of Kona which hosts the annual torture fest know as the Ironman Triatholon World Championships which is going to be held this year on October 8.  Had I only known maybe I could have been a late entry.  After all it's just a 2.4 mile ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride through lava fields usually with strong headwinds and wrapping up with a 26.2 mile run (again through the lava fields).  Oh yeah, and it's still pretty warm over here in October with highs in the mid-eighties.  What could have possibly gone wrong?
We're staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel which is the oldest hotel on the big island and was built by the Rockefeller family.  It has a great beach and is very close to Hapuna Beach State Park which also has a great beach.  This morning we did a nice hike along the Ala Kahakai Shoreline Trail from our hotel to the far end of the state park.
Speaking of "morning", it's still starting early for us as we adjust to the six hour time difference.  Both mornings we've been up by four which is actually pretty nice because we get a wonderful view of the night sky.  This morning we enjoyed sitting out for a while before going down on the beach and kicking back in a couple of lounge chairs.  We were treated not only to tons of stars but several shooting stars as well as watching a number of satellites buzzing across the sky.  I'm quite fascinated by space although my knowledge is very limited. I'm going to see if there is an "Astronomy for Idiots" book on the market.  I think that would be a good place to start.  Two recurring things that I have when I start to ponder the whole universe/galaxy thing is (1) I'm reminded of the fact that like it or not we're pretty darn insignificant and (2) thinking about the vastness and complexity of it all gives me a headache.
Coming in the next blog......useless information about the big island to dazzle your friends with....aloha!

Welcoming Committee

From our balcony!



It might be hard to tell but this is a huge manta ray. Probably has around an eight foot wing span. They come up behind the hotel at night. Usually there would be 4-5 of them but the last night there were about 10 of them.  There was a "Manta Ray Expert" who was out there a couple of night, she shared some interesting information about them and had even named the regulars.  Our favorite was Lousia Mae who would frequently turn over and swim on her back.  Pretty cool!



Some of the folks at Huguley are used to seeing picture like this one. It's fun to taunt them!

Here we go..............again!

Well it's about time for the idiots to be on the move again!
We will be leaving Sunday for our "big trip".  We'll be in Hawaii for a little over two weeks, first up will be the "Big Island" for a week and then nine days on Kauai before flying to Honolulu to leave on our cruise.  The cruise is 33 days long, leaving on October 5 and ending on November 8 in Auckland, New Zealand!  We've done a 21 day cruise before, loved it and we're really excited about this one as well as the time in Hawaii before and New Zealand afterwards.
There will be posts and photos along the way as internet access permits.
Bon Voyage!

The Gator Brotherhood

This past Saturday the Gators beat Kentucky 45-7.  Nothing really news worthy about the outcome since we've whipped them for 30 years in a row now.  It's the longest active winning streak in Division 1 College Football.  The great Ronald Reagan was the President and Ben (who joins us every year) hadn't even been conceived the last time the Wildcats got us. The significant thing about this game for me was that this has become the annual gathering of a group of the greatest friends I could ever imagine. 
There are a total of eight of us, five from the dusty little town of Mulberry. We've all known and tolerated each other pretty much since birth.  The other three hailed from far more exotic places such as New York (Steve), North Carolina (John) and South Florida (Jay).   As I mentioned previously, my son Ben usually joins us for these annual events and this year we were happy to have Jay with us for the first time along with his son Josh.
We all met while living in the same apartment complex, Landmark Apartments which I believe has since and deservedly so been condemned.  Jay reminded us that our rent for a two bedroom apartment at that time and location was a grand total of $210 a month. We way over paid for the quality of the apartment.  The five Mulberry boys lived in one apartment (Club 138) while the other guys were scattered around the complex.  
I'm pretty sure that initially the Mulberry boys with our bizarre stories of growing up where we did were intriguing to these guys, kinda like a bad car wreck, where you don't want to look but you really can't help yourself.  We shared some great times together and in spite of ourselves we all managed to graduate and become semi-productive members of society.
After graduation we all went our separate ways but stayed in touch occasionally.  Every few years some of us would get together and go to a football game.  It was always a blast as we would relive stories from the past which would become more exaggerated every time they were told.  About 10 years ago I think we looked around and realized that this was really fun and that we weren't getting any younger so we decided to make it an annual event.  It's morphed into quite an extravaganza where we go to an away game one year and a game in Gainesville the next year.
The stories get retold year after year and only get more exaggerated.  One thing I have noticed is that we are getting much more efficient at telling them.  In the past we would sometimes be up until around 2-3 in the morning sitting around talking.  These days we're lucky if we make it until 11:00.  Surely this isn't a sign that we're aging?
At some point during the conversation we will pause to give thanks that (1) the academic requirements to get into the University of Florida were not as high back in our day as they are now.  I'm not sure how many of us would have been admitted, but I can flat out guarantee that the admissions office would have been quite amused by my high school and junior college transcript.  Kim pointed out pretty accurately that back in our day pretty much the only thing you needed to be admitted was a high school diploma and a check. and (2) that cell phones with recording devices and social media did not exist.  We can deny everything!
At the end of the 3rd quarter of all football games there is a great tradition of everyone standing, locking arms together while swaying and singing "We are the Boys from old Florida".  It's one of the great traditions of a great university and it has extra special meaning when I'm standing, singing and swaying with these guys!
In all kinds of weather...................

The Gator Brotherhood!   Left to Right:  Drew Eason (Mulberry), Steve Liverani (NY), Jay Schuppener (South FL), Kim Duke (Mulberry), Scott Stewart (Mulberry), Steve Moody (Mulberry), Me, John Leighton (NC)

Family Matters Most!

This past week has been a wonderful week because it was a week that we were all together.
Sarah, Joey and Sweet Baby James flew in on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday Ben flew in and for the next five days we were all together here on AMI!  It was fantastic and of course there is a new "Star of the Show", Sweet Baby James!
Sarah and Joey were understandably nervous about how James, who was eight weeks old on the day of his first flight would do on the plane.  They made some really cute little goodie bags with candy and gum to pass out to fellow passengers in hopes that they would be understanding if he got a little fussy.  The bags said:

"Hello! My name is James and I am almost 2 months old.  I'm on my way to Florida to meet my great-grandma and I am so excited!  This is my first time on a plane so I may get a little scared, my mommy and daddy wanted to give you some sweet treats just in case.

We hope that you have a safe trip and a fun time wherever you end up, I know I will!

Baby James

I thought the bags were a really neat and cute idea but I am happy to report that just like everything else about James he was a perfect angel on the flight down and the flight home!  James is now 2 months old and has already traveled over three thousand miles (two round trip drives to Burleson and a flight to Florida and back).  Not sure if it's politically correct to call your grandchild a "traveling idiot" or not but it seems as if he's on the way.
It was so fun to see NaNa's reaction when Sarah and Joey brought James into the house and she got to see and hold her great grandchild for the first time.  The bond was instant and you could see and feel the mutual love. 
On Sunday afternoon we had a "Meet James" party at Beth's sister and brother in laws (thanks Cindy and Drew) house on the island.  There were about 50 family members from both sides of our family that came to the party and the parents, grandparents and great grandmother were so proud to show him off to everyone.  I'll be posting some pictures from the party later, the "official photographer" of the event is currently out of town.
The week was filled with so much fun and laughter as we enjoyed the beach, pool, picnics, Rays baseball, paddle boarding,  eating at some of our favorite restaurants and babysitting while Sarah and Joey got a little "date time".
Sarah, Joey and James flew back on Friday.  Ben and I took them to them to the airport way before the sun came up and then headed to Gainesville for our annual weekend with some of the best lifelong friends that you could ever imagine, but that blog is for another day.
Words are so inadequate to describe how blessed I feel to be surrounded by amazing immediate and extended family.  I love them all so much!

NaNa and Sweet Baby James getting acquainted! 

Sarah, James and Ben.........priceless

Uncle Ben and his buddy!

My brother Gerald was not able to make it to the party so he made a special trip over to meet James..............thanks bro!

James modeling one of the outfits his cool Uncle Ben bought him.  It's says "cutest nephew ever"

Sarah was a natural on the paddleboard!

Joey, Joey's friend Anthony and Ben at the Rays game................don't ask how many foul balls they missed!

Wonderful family on the city pier!

Great Grandma and Sweet Baby James!

Mimi, Poppy and Sweet Baby James!

Four generations represented here!

Check out that cute baby on the lower right side of the Jumbotron at Cowboys stadium!  A lady from Sarah and Joey's church made the Cowboy's blanket, Sarah and Joey decked him out, took a picture and tweeted it to the Cowboys.  A friend of theirs was at the game to take the picture of him on the big screen!  Quite the celebrity!

Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season (Part 2)

Back on June 6 I posted a little bit on the tropical storm that was just off the coast of AMI that day.  At that time we were only six days into "Hurricane Season".  We ended up with a good bit of rain, wind and high tides.  We're now in the heart of what is typically the time of hurricane season when the frequency and intensity picks up.
Hurricane Season is holding true to form and once again today one of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs which coincidently is titled the same as this blog is playing in my head.   Right now
we're dealing with what has now been upgraded to Hurricane Hermine. 
We got a ton of rain yesterday (probably around 7 inches), more rain today as well as some pretty strong winds which are currently gusting to around 40-45 mph.  The high tide was exceptionally high today and very little water left the canal at low tide which was about 30 minutes ago so I'm thinking the overnight high tide is going to be very high.
We're safe, sound and far away from where it's going to make landfall. We just came back from the beach and a couple of the pictures below were taken from the same place where we usually sit for sunset. Even though by hurricane standards it's a pretty wimpy storm  that is fairly far away from us it's pretty intense out there.  It's gonna be a bumpy night for a lot of folks in the Big Bend area of the state and is gonna leave behind a lot of destruction.  Mother Nature can be pretty dang powerful!


That blue dot is us

Marina Drive is out there somewhere

This is from the public beach earlier today

On a normal day that volleyball net would be about 75 yards from the water

This is where those great sunset pictures are usually taken.  On a normal night the sea oats would be about 100 yards from the waters edge..............tonight the water is well past them

Right before sunset.  Hard to believe it's a Category 1 hurricane several hundred miles offshore!

Surf's Up!