Sad, Sad Weekend

We're very sad this weekend. We knew it was coming - the sign has been up for several weeks now, but the time has come....

Our neighbor dog, Maggie, is leaving us. They sold their house and are moving away. The moving truck was here last night. We will no longer have her greeting us as we pull into our driveway. Del talked to our neighbors last night and told them that we would be willing to take her off their hands, if they wanted to give her up. They didn't concede, so our friendly, cute, sweet greeter is really leaving us. A very sad, sad weekend indeed...

Can it really be over already?

Day 8
Our last full day in Hawaii was pretty uneventful. We spend some time just walking around the resort.

The beautiful coast line…

The dolphins…

We then took a drive and were blessed with this incredible rainbow…


…followed by a beautiful sunset…



We finished the day with the most unbelievable Thanksgiving Day buffet.

Day 9
We slept in on our last day, dreading the inevitable task of packing to go home. After that was finally done, we checked out and then had a leisurely breakfast before heading to the airport.

The flight home, which started at 1:00 p.m. Hawaii time, was a very long flight with a stop in San Fransisco again. It doesn’t help when both legs of the flight are booked solid and you’re stuck in your seat for 5 hours each leg, not forgetting that we are both still pretty sick. I’m sure the people around us were loving that they were stuck in these cramped quarters with two sick people.

We arrived back in Charlotte around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. Since Del couldn’t go another day without having Brueggers for breakfast, we stopped on the way home before crashing for 7 hours.

Now with laundry almost done and bills all paid, we are gearing ourselves up for having to get back to the scheduled, routine work day tomorrow. But before then, we can say we had another successful vacation.

Until next time…

More Volcano Park...

Day 7
My cough has gotten worse, but Del seems to be on the rebound. I do have a voice, but it is very scratchy. We got a later start than we wanted to, but headed out to the Volcano Park once again just the same.

After our normal stop for breakfast in Waimea (we’ve become regulars at the McDonald’s there), we moved on. We got to the park around 11:30 and started our hike on the Kiluaea Iki trail (which is a hike across this crater).

Moving on to the Volcano House (on foot, of course) we had a quick bite to eat and then headed across the big crater on the Halema’uma’u Trail.

This next picture is a huge crater that is along this walk, but you can’t go in for fear of it erupting.

How awesome is that??

Because we were afraid of running out of daylight, we decided to take the Crater Rim Road back to the car instead of the trail. This probably saved us a couple miles. Since most of you have not been here, this may seem like a leisurely walk. Although the terrain wasn’t too difficult to navigate, this walk was anything but leisurely. When we got back to the car, Del calculated that we did close to 15 miles today. My feet were screaming at me right by the end of the day – but, surprisingly enough, no blisters!! (Jen – I’ll bring the maps of the park to show you what we did and so you can plan your day there!)

On our way back to the hotel we stopped in Waimea (again!) and had Chinese for dinner.

We both were extremely glad to be back in the hotel room to take our shoes off and shower the grub off from our 15 mile hike.

Today – lounging by the pool (at least that is my plan!!)

More Hiking and a movie

Day 6
Although neither of us were feeling very well, we were not going to sit around in the hotel room another day while we were in Hawaii. We headed back out to Polulu Valley to hike.

We were afraid we might not be able to hike since it seems to have rained in the morning. The trail down to the beach is extremely slippery when wet. Although it looked a little slick, we decided to take our chances.

This was a shot from half way down the path to your left …

And this is a shot to your right…

After about 15 minutes you are on the black sand beach with these views…

So awesome!!

On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a state park and got these pictures…


How can someone not fall in love with this place??

Because this trip was due in part due to a potential time share purchase, we were obligated to sit through another 90 minute presentation, which really only lasted 60 minutes after they realized we weren’t buying.

After a quick bite at the golf course grill, we headed to Kialua-Kona to see the Bee Movie. It was a little disappointing, but cute to watch. I’m not sure, had I known, I would have paid to see it – I would have waited for the DVD.

More golfing...

Day 5
Well, it is officially – Del and I are both sick in Hawaii – it seems to have hit me more than Del. Since be both woke up sick again, we decided it would not be a good idea to hike the Volcano Park again as originally planned. So instead, we ate a leisurely breakfast, lounged around in a hammock on the resort grounds…


and then decided to go ahead and play another 18 holes of golf. We played the King’s Course today. They are doing a lot of construction around the first few holes, so it wasn’t very peaceful. This course was definitely not as nice or pretty as the course we played on Friday, but it still had its beauty.


We even had some spectators on the sixth hole…where else would you play golf with goats next to your hole?



After golf we came back to the room to clean up and head to dinner. Nothing special tonight – just ate at one of the hotel restaurants and planned to call it a night. As the day has gone on, I have managed to go from a low sultry voice to losing it completely.

We are planning the hike at Polulu Valley tomorrow, so I’m really hoping I feel a little better. I bought some Niquil at the hotel store (for a mere $12.99 for a small bottle) to knock me out to get a good night’s sleep. Sure hope it works.

Anniversary #6

Day 4
Happy sixth year anniversary to us! This morning we were a little nostalgic, so we went to the hotel we stayed at the year we got married and had breakfast there. After that we went to the cove by the bay where our ceremony was and although the sprinklers were on, Del insisted we could dodge them to get a smooch in our cove. It was like a scene from a movie – we didn’t dodge them very well and ended up getting quite wet. It was pretty funny.

We both woke up with a sore throat this morning so we decided to start knocking back the Airborne and Vitamin C tablets and take it easy today. It was also extremely windy so instead of golfing, we decided to drive to a couple of our favorite spots here on the Big Island. The first stop was Upolu Airport. This was down a long single lane road bordered by a field of large windmills.


The next stop was Polulu Valley.

This has to be one of the prettiest spots, if not THE prettiest spots on the Island. There is a trail you can hike here, which was closed last year when we were here due to earthquake damage. We were pleased to see they opened the trail back up, so we plan to come back to this spot later in the week to hike it.

We then ate lunch in Waimea before heading to Waipio Valley – the next prettiest spot on the Big Island. You can also hike down in this valley, but since we did that last year, we’ve decided we weren’t going to do it again this year.




(A self portrait shot at Waipio.)



After our day driving, we came back to the room to clean up for our anniversary dinner at the most romantic restaurant anywhere! It is called Pahu i'a. It is the place we ate our wedding dinner with Tina and Kim and returned last year on our anniversary. It has now turned into somewhat of a tradition for us. Whenever we are in Hawaii on our anniversary, we will be going to this restaurant. It is an open air restaurant right on the ocean at the Four Seasons hotel down the street. It is pretty expensive, but so worth it.

It is hard to believe that six years ago we said our vows in this beautiful place. I am so thankful we are able to come back here as much as we can.

Happy Anniversary, Honey. I'd marry you all over again in a heartbeat!

Hiking

Day 3 (Nov 17)

The intent was to get up early to make it to the National Volcano Park early - we got up around 7:00, which is early, but not as early as we wanted. We stopped in Waimea again for breakfast and then drove the rest of the 2-1/2 hours to the park. We got to the visitors center to get our map and then headed to "the hole."

The Ka'aha hike starts at the Hilina Pali Overlook. The above picture is taken at the very top/beginning of the hike. I highly recommend going to the overlook - it is amazing - and again, the picture does not do it justice. However, I strongly do NOT recommend the hike (although Del strongly disagrees with me!) This has to be the hardest hike I've ever done in my entire life. Del says it is in his top two hikes, ever.

It starts out with a 2.2 mile steep descent - quite a few switchbacks. Here is a picture about 1/2 way down the descent.

And here is a picture at the bottom of the descent looking up.

Then you start a 1.4 mile hike over rough, but fairly easy-to-negotiate terrain. The only thing marking the trails are these piles of rocks (I think they are called karns??) along the way. These are some of the shots we got from this point.

Then the work begins - another 1.4 miles over the same type of terrain, but on a slight continuous incline. Once you finish that 1.4 miles, you are half way done. Another 1.2 miles gets you back to the bottom of the steep descent you came down and now you have to ascend the 2.2 miles you originally came down. The footing is very treacherous in spots because it is all broken lava. The total trip took us a little over 5 hours to complete. I'm sure Del could have completed it quicker had I not slowed him down. We definitely did not have enough water with us, so I think I became extremely dehydrated and was close to getting sick on the way back up. But we both made it and can say that we hiked "the hole."

Golfing

Day 2
We started our day around 8:00 a.m. with a drive to Waimea for breakfast and then took the scenic route back to the hotel through Hawi. Del claims this to be his favorite drive in the whole world. That is where the picture I posted with yesterday's update was taken.

We then spent the afternoon golfing the Ocean's course in Waikoloa Villlage. This picture is a Par 3. Del would only let me take a picture of his practice shot, not his real shot. Yes, the hole is over that water in front of him.

This shot is the same hole, just from the other side.




On the back nine, there is this incredible hole that overlooks the ocean (ergo...ocean course!!). It was so beautiful - this picture really does not do it justice.

Along side that same whole was this...

I didn't do so well, but Del shot a 40 on the back nine, so he was pretty happy. I did have an awesome drive (220 yards!) during the day on the back nine, so the rest of the day really didn't matter :o).

Later that night, we dined at a Japanese restaraunt called Imari and then retired early - still not used to the time change.

Aloha!!

Almost four whole months since my last post. Wow - I can't say that not much has happened since then - just lazy! I will fill in the blanks a little later. But for now....we are back in Hawaii!!!!! (Can you tell we love this place?!?)







Day 1 (November 15)

I always forget how long the flight is to here - I guess because it is so worth coming here, that part never seems to matter much once you're here. Although I can say the expereince connecting in San Francisco was NO fun!!! Really do not like that airport!! - (Jennifer - beware for when you come in February!)


We arrived in Kona around 4:00 p.m. Hawaiian time and went straight to the hotel (Hilton Waikoloa) to change clothes. Walked to the new Queens Market place only to find most things were not open yet (Tina - this was right next to the hotel we stayed at. Jen - This is next to the hotel you will be staying at). We walked back to the King's Shops and had dinner at Big Island Steak House. Two Mai Tai's later (for Del, anyway - I stuck to the Diet Coke) and we were back in the room ready to crash at 2:00 a.m. NC time.

More updates later!!

Another successful scrapbooking convention

It was so great having Karie come with me this year to the CKC - Charlotte. Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

Friends forever...

Karie working on one of our classroom projects...

One of our classes...

Karie's treasures from day one...

My treasures from day one...(some serious damage)

Karie's treasures from day two...

My treasures from day two...

Karie is hoping to make this an annual event, which is OK by me. I plan to attend every year and I couldn't ask for anything better than having one of my best friends join me every year.

Thanks, Karie, for a great weekend!!! I look forward to next year's event! (Anyone care to join us?)

The countdown is on....

Three days until Karie is here!!!! Four days until we will start our scrapbooking weekend frenzy!!!!!!!!!

A girl's only weekend (Del is going home to Ohio this weekend to golf with his dad while I'm busy cutting and pasting and catching up with Karie) with all the scrapbooking one could possible want. And to do it with one of my best friends ever.....what else could a girl ask for?!?!?

Great trip...

The fruits of our ten mile hike....painful by the end, but oh so worth it!!

He just stood there, posing for us. I'm disappointed it didn't come out clearer, but I was rushing to get the shot before he ran off. No more than 5 feet from us!!

Our cute little lodge room, equipped with a full kitchen. Loved it!

Of course we had to stop....at least 10,000 square feet of heaven WITH a clearance store right next door. By far the biggest scrapbook store I've ever been in.

Life doesn't get any better than this!!

30 more minutes

I'm sitting here watching the last 1/2 hour of the 2 hour scrapbooking slot on QVC - Creating Keepsakes hour (or two hours). I bought two things so far...some rub ons (I LOVE rub ons!!) and a cute shelf of paper flowers. There are two more hours tomorrow night from 10 to 12, and Saturday from 1 to 3 a.m. (yes! that is A.M.) I won't be able to watch tomorrow and Saturday's programs because tomorrow we are heading to the Great Smokey Mountains for the weekend. We took Friday and Monday off for a long weekend. We are staying at Buckberry Creek Lodge and planning on doing some golfing and some hiking at the Great Smokey Mountain National Park - over 800 miles of hiking - don't think we'll get to all 800 this weekend, but maybe at least 5 - 10! :o) Del is also planning on going to see Transformers - something he's been waiting to do since it came out last week.

I'll post pictures of our trip when we get back on Monday.

Have a great weekend!!

It's hard to believe it has been a month already since my last post. Time flies...Let's see what have we done since my last post...I won't bore you with all the details, but here are some of the highlights...

• Work has been busy as ever. Last month I had to do the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a boss...I had to tell six people that as of the end of the month of July, they will no longer have a job. They all took it very well...better than I did, I think.
• Del sold his black Porsche, only to buy another one - a dark grey one with more options. He says he is much happier with this one and will not be looking for a new car for at least another five years. :o)
• We went to a concert with Salvador, Todd Agnew, and Mercy Me. It was just last weekend so there were fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July after the concert. The rain held off during the concert, although threatened the entire time, but started raining as soon as the fireworks started. I was so disappointed. You see, I love fireworks and I was so looking forward to seeing them, particularly since I haven't seen any in probably three years - I think I wanted to see them even more than the concert. We got to see some of them from under the shelter, so it wasn't completely lost.
• Oh...probably the most excited thing...we bought a different cabin lot. This one has both long range and short range views (our other one only had short range views) and we absolutely fell in LOVE with it. Del and I are starting to look at plans now and are even more excited about it than before. Another step closer to our dream realized. Here are some pictures of the new lot.

Del's Dad came to visit this week. He and Del golfed everyday. We took him to see the lot yesterday and I actually golfed with them at Mt. Mitchell Golf club. It's really a beautiful course.

They were going to golf again today, but got rained out, so he decided to go home a day earlier than planned.

I've been able to do some things I haven't done in a while. I finished another really great book - Jodi Picoult's, My Sister's Keeper. I highly recommend it. A great story with a surprise ending.

I've also done some scrapbooking. I finished a whole album for a friend at work. She recently had a baby girl, Lily, after having two boys. The scrapbook turned out really cute. I bought a teddy bear with the idea that she is to take a picture of Lily with the bear each month to show how she grows. I, of course, cannot take credit for the idea - I saw it in Creating Keepsakes, which is where I get a lot of my ideas. For some reason I'm unable to upload the scans I took of it, which I guess is just as well since I plan on making a boy one for my great nephew who is due some time in September.

I also made some cards with the scrap paper I had left from the baby book. You can see those by clicking here. Maybe you shouldn't look after all, because some of you may get one of these cards in the future.

I think that catches you all up. I hope all is going well with everyone. Hopefully, it won't be another month before I post again.

Until next time...