Our 45th Wedding Anniversary Trip

June 5, 1965 – June 5, 2010

Hawaii (The Big Island)

May 30, 2010 – June 7, 2010

This was a trip for our lifetime. We went alone and in love and with great anticipation and joy! The trip was made possible through the generosity of our family and with their help. They too called us frequently as we called them and we think they enjoyed the pleasure this trip was bringing us.  This also was the 50th state Linda and I have visited which is an accomplishment in itself!

05/30/2010

Wow we are here and it is late and we are tired

We are in Hawaii

We had a very good day and all went well

Our lodging is amazing and we feel that we are really in the tropics

The plane rides, the calls from and to children and grandchildren were wonderful

I will add a picture later and also write more

Thank You God!!!

Let this just be the beginning!

John

I had a really nice day for a travel day, especially as it was so long and I had for got some papers at home and Jamie and Shane had to go back to the house and get them.  When we got to Memphis we ran into a young man by the name of Bennett that went to school with our grandchildren and had a nice time talking with him until it was time to catch the flight to Los Angeles.

 The airports are so large and there are so many people going to so many different places that it is fun just to watch them.  We got to Hawaii and the first thing we realized was that the airport was all open, not closed in like most.  The second thing was a lady had a sign that had my name on it and she gave me a beautiful purple and white flower lei with a special message from John.  What a wonderful way to start our stay. 

05/31/2010

What an incredible day! Our trip could not have started better. We got up made love, took pictures of turkey's outside the door and left. We stopped to take pictures of wild donkeys and then on through WaiMea and then toward Hilo.

The terrain changed dramatically from black rock filled with cactus and very dry to lush green forest dripping in humidity.  The change was not only dramatic but wonderfully quick. We went to Akaka Falls and walked down very steep stairs to the falls and then slowly back up. taking pictures all along the way. We then went out on an ocean point where we had more pictures followed by even more. The scenery was exactly what we expected and hoped for. We headed down the scenic turn and suddenly a sign appeared for 50 cent hot dogs.

 

Of course we stopped and bought 4 hot dogs and a bottle of water and a pop. Total was around $8 including the $2 we spent on the dogs! We then went to the most beautiful botanical gardens we have ever been to . We gingerly made our way down a most steep hill of at least half mile. At the bottom we visited a waterfalls and every path that was available. We took many many pictures mostly of the most incredible orchids in he world.  At least in the world we live in!!! we walked over another half mile on the main level of the garden. We paid the five dollars to be driven in the golf cart up the very steep hill. We stopped at other scenic spots to Hilo and then made our way back to Lookout point near Kono where we witnessed our first Hawaiian sunset which was beautiful . We then returned to our condo for a condo cooked steak dinner that was so much better than anything we could have purchased. Yes it was a gift this first of our anniversary days! Thank You Lord God! and Thanks to all who made this trip possible!

John

Today was the first day (not counting our travel day) of our 45th anniversary.  Got up took a shower, made love and headed out for the day.  What a wonderful day.  Hawaii is everything that I had hoped that it would be.  The wonderful falls, ocean views, and most of all the flowers, not just the ones at the botanical gardens that we went too, but the ones that people grow at their homes and the ones that grow all over the island wild.  We drove across Saddle Road which was much like some of the mountain road we have traveled before on other trips.  The change in the scenery was really amazing because it changed so fast.  We drove out to a outlook on the road back to Kona to see the sun set.  It was extremely beautiful when the red and golden colors started to show up.  Well worth seeing.  We picked up some steak and potatoes and finished our evening with a éclair and cream puff.  Looking forward to getting up tomorrow and having a new adventure.  Linda

06/01/2010

Wow! What a second day!!!! We began by sleeping a little later than we thought we would and then leaving on a quiet day. We talked with the maintenance supervisor that had given us such good information the first day. he recommended and we made reservations for a special luau in Kono for the evening and off we went on a day of leisure. We drove through Kono and out to the point where we almost rented a kayak and tried to paddle to the Captain Cook monument. Linda had a nervous moment so we chose instead to take a picture from afar. We then drove out and as we were driving out we saw an ice chest with a sign, lei's for sale! $3 so of course we stopped and sure enough although no one was there but the ice chest and a place to put your money, the lei's were beautiful. We bought 2 at $3 each and took pictures of them. they are exquisite.  We then found a place where we went wading with turtles. we went to the luau and it was exactly what we thought it would be, very nice! We visited with and met two newly wed couples who were so nice and we sat with a nice family. We also sat with a couple that had been married 61 years, kind of made us think! took tons of pictures and had a great day! Found a pretty black cat in the condo, think she came in with us as we got back! John

Another wonderful day.  We just keep seeing more and more that makes us want to live here.  The terrain even changes on this side of the island.  It goes from all lava rocks to the wonderful lush green of trees and flowers.  Swimming with the turtle was really special especially after feeling a little unsure of the kayaking.  We came back to ready for the Lula and off we went for another special event.  I got a volcano tattoo that says Love John above it.  It will probably wash off the first time I take a bath but for the moment it is really neat and we got pictures so it will last for a long time.  I now have 3 beautiful leis to try a bring so I can show them off.

 

It is getting late and I am beginning to get a little tired but oh what another great day.   Met lots of nice people today and even the maintenance man from the Paniola Greens saw us and came to say hi.  He comes to that part of Kona to practice rowing with his team in the old fashion Hawaiian canoes.  That was neat to watch also.  Well, off to bed and looking forward to another. day Linda

06022010

 

We got up very early, even earlier than we had planned as a certain daughter called us at 4AM to remind us to get up at 5AM. We got up bought some very good pastries, got some gas and $60 and off we went. We stopped to take pictures of some wild goats early on the way to Saddle  road. We drove into Hilo where we went to visit Rainbow Falls and like everything else here in Hawaii , they were beautiful. We then went to the Farmers Market and just got the lay of the land. we then headed to Volcano NP and stopped at the Orchid growing place. A Native Woman was taken with our love for the flowers and our enthusiasm and by the fact we were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary trip, and as we left she held us up while she put an incredible floral arrangement including orchids together for us. An incredibly kind and wonderful thing to do.

We drove on toward the NP and the Ranger said that it would be difficult to see any lava flowing from the ground or the sea! We were disappointed but thought well we will call a helicopter service and so we did only to find it would cost us over $225 per person. I was about to give up when I called Sunshine Copters and David asked if we could make it to the Hilo AP by noon. It was 11 AM but he said we could do it! He gave us an incredible price of $200 for both of us. We said yes without even hesitating. It was the right decision. We saw Red Hot Lava flowing from the crater. We took pictures and had a once in a lifetime experience. We drove around the Crater at the NP and then to a Black Beach which was another breathtaking experience. Driving back to the Condo we saw a wonderful Red Sunset and of course took more pictures. We are tired but having an incredible day. What can we do that will compare to what we have done so far? I don't know but have this feeling more really good is to come! Thank You God and those of you who have made this possible! John

I wondered what could top yesterday, well, we found out.  I don't know what I expected to see at Volcano NP but it wasn't anything like seeing real maga flowing along a lava flow area.  The helicopter flight would have been really nice but to see real lava was just amazing.  The Farmers market was really neat with all the stuff that the locals make and bring.  There were some really beautiful wood and glass art. A lady was sitting in front of an old singer sewing machine making men's shirts and they were pretty and reasonable.  Stopping at the orchid farm was just wonderful. The great smells that came from some of the flowers was so overwhelming that I could have stayed in there all day.  We found lots of kindness from a couple of the ladies that worked there.  On the way back we stopped at the southern most point of the United States.  It was a very pretty spot but the road to get there did not do much for me.  It was mostly a one lane road that two way traffic used. but worth going out there to see.  We drove back and stopped to see black sand beaches and the view from up on some of the cliffs as we drove back were really pretty especially as the sun was just beginning to set.  What more can there be to see or do.  Thank You God so much for the great day. Linda

06032010

On this a day of rest(?), we slept until around 9 when we got a text from Jamie.  We made love ( I know, not supposed to include that-so will not include it all the time), slowly made our way to Kona where we walked through a Farmers Market and down the tourist area. We had lunch and made reservations for a kayak sea cave snorkeling trip tomorrow morning. We then drove out to a point that offered an incredible view.  We took many pictures and headed back to the Condo and was stopped in our tracks by the most gorgeous sunset yet. Another very great day! I want to add a note about the way we have been received at the local supermarket - it is almost like we have our own private rooting section! they seem to delight in our coming in each night! Hiram, the maintenance supervisor continues to give us great help in choosing where to go and what to see! John

 We got up to the tinkling of a text message from Jamie, she was excited about the things she found at a garage sale. We saw lots of nice things at the farmers market but the thing I liked the best was watching the lady stringing a lei of fresh flowers.  This market was more commercial than the one in Hilo but still fun to walk around.  We went for a drive that took us through lots of different terrain, from lava flows to dry desert looking to green lush forest to mountain green to mountain dry and back to the lava and beach area. When we were driving over the mountain road we got a little sprinkle of rain and got to see some of the most brilliant colored rainbows that we have seen in a long time. It was really neat on one of them because it looked as if we were at the end of the rainbow and could almost go pick up that pot of gold that is supposed to be at the end of it.  We got back in  time to see one of the prettiest sunsets that we have seen yet.  We decided that we didn't feel like eating a big meal so we got hot dogs and chili for dinner.  The people at the grocery store like to talk to us and are surprise that we cook our meals at night.  We explained that spending $$20-40 per person per meal was not in our budget and I think that makes them think of us normal people and not rich like some of the people who come here.  Going to bed early so we can get up early and go on a kayaking tour.  Linda

 

06042010

Sea Kayaking Adventure - Never to be forgotten!

Wow what a day!!!!! We left for our kayak trip and wow!!!!! It was a 6 mile trip across open ocean to visit a cave and to perhaps snorkel. We thought that meant we would paddle 3 miles and then get out on a beach and then snorkel and visit a cave. Not quite.....First of all the young couple who was with us and our great guide, Cassie, well they flipped over in an eddy and the young lady got barnacles from a sea urchin in her foot and he got knee scrapes. We continued to the cave where we had our picture taken inside it and saw a lava tube. The young man climbed up a cliff and jumped into the ocean and they went snorkeling. Linda and I stayed in the kayak as we were keenly aware we would not be able to get back into the kayak if we got out. It was hot and we were very dry. We make it back to the Sheraton Hotel Cliffs and we were flipped by a wave. Linda could not breathe but Cassie had her inhaler and she was ok. I got my leg  tangled with a rope and had a hard time staying above water. A beautiful young man came in the water from  the Sheraton and got on our kayak and paddled  us away from a very dangerous sea cliff filled with Sea Urchins. Finally after about thirty five minutes which seemed like 35 hours, a boat came and took us safely to shore. I of course lost my swim suit and was absolutely naked . Thank goodness someone out there managed to find it and throw it on board so I could put it back on. We went to the condo , drank a bottle of pink champagne and stayed in bed. Wow- what a day!!!John

This is one of those days when there is not much that I can add except that in everyway we where really bless when all is said and done as it could have been a whole lots worse. Thank you God for sending those people to take us back and make sure that we were ok.   One very scary experience. Linda

 

06052010

Our 45th Wedding Anniversary !

Today we celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. Seems like yesterday we were on our way to Dallas for our honeymoon. It was short but great and very much remembered. I wish I had been a nicer man! I hope Linda knows how much I  love and cherish each and every moment of our time together. Today we had a very good day. We went to the City of Refuge and enjoyed the ambiance of this Holy place. We went swimming - wading with turtles and then we ended the day by eating at Bubba Gumps and sitting on the waterfront deck at sunset. The food was great and the ambiance even better.  We developed our underwater pictures and some came out including one or two of us in the ocean kayak and in front of the cave. We are back at the Condo. We check out in the morning and leave tomorrow night. Thank You God for my marriage to Linda, and for this trip! What a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary! John

It has been 45 years today that we got married and the years have passed so quickly.  Each and every day love has grown and blossomed for two young people who had no concept of what marriage was or would become in the future.  I think we have done a pretty good job.  We have tried to live life as fully as we can, sometimes good and sometimes not as good but always trying.,  It as a really nice day today.  We ate at two places today, first L&L which is a local Hawaiian fast food place that really have good food but also gave you lots to eat, then we went for our anniversary dinner and choose Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co.  It was very romantic with the ocean waves crashing on the lava, the sun setting, tiki torches and people singing 'You are My Sunshine' to us.  We leave tomorrow and we have promised Gigi that we will be good again and not do anything that we shouldn't do. Linda

06062010

As we prepare for our trip home sitting here at the Kona Air Port there is much to think about and ponder. It was an incredible experience and something to talk about for years to come. We had a great time. Today we did nothing but shop and go to a movie. We are tired but I think more than OK. I got Linda a very unique piece of jewelry and it looks great on her. We thank God and all the people who made this such a trip and we  hope the long airplane rides we face will go swiftly and well! John

 We had another nice day of looking, shopping and just relaxing even though we knew time to leave would come very quickly.  It has been a wonderful week full of love and suprises.  Things we will talk about for a very long time.  I have loved this trip and will always remember the beautiful gift that John bought for me.  Thank you God Linda