The Big Island

Hawaii, also known as "The Big Island" (since the island's name bears the same name as the state) was the last major Hawaiian island that I hadn't visited. And since Chris still remains at Sky West (yes he still has his job!) I think we should take advantage of the flight benefits as long as we can. Although standby flying is no picnic, if you have the opportunity to fly to destination you could otherwise afford, you should take it!

This trip was loosely planned on the hope that we would be able to go. I apologize for all the people I did not mention this trip too. It's just that, when Chris and I were going to fly to Oahu for our 1st anniversary I told everyone we were going. Then flights filled up 2 days before we were supposed to leave! So we went to California instead (which isn't the same when you thought you were going to be in Hawaii). When we got back everyone was asking about Hawaii and it was like salt in the wound telling them we didn't get to go. So I kept the trip on the down low just in case.

But everything worked out. I was able to get time off of work, Chris was able to get time off work, he was able to arrange his school work, we were able to get on all our flights. My cousin and her husband (who also works for Sky West) were able to go and even my other cousin was able to go on a buddy pass. Big sigh of relief.

This is an ancient Hawaiian park called Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. It was right near where we did our first snorkeling. It has a rock wall that has been there since the 1500's!

Here is where we did our first snorkeling. It was a little rough and rocky getting in and out! But once you were in the water the coral and sea life as AMAZING! in the middle there is a big white sand area of the water where someone has spelled ALOHA with cement bricks and now there is coral growing on it. It was really cool.

This is "Painted Church". It has amazing grounds.

Since we stayed on the "Sunny Side" of the island (in Kona) we got to see some of the most spectacular sunsets!

This is Black Sand Beach. The lava rocks reduced to sand. While it looks super cool, it is not very much fun to walk on in bare feet. The sand is really course and when it is sunny it is scorching hot!

The steam vents in Volcano's National Park. Reminded me slightly of Yellowstone National Park. It was extremely rainy that day, but I guess it rains a lot there. It is located on the "Rainy Side" of the island (near Hilo).

This is the large steam vent or caldera. It was emitting soooo much toxic steam that half the roads were closed!

The Thurston Lava Tubes. Lava tubes form when magma travels from the ground upward. The tube allows it to stay hot (only cools magma about 20 degrees) so it can reach the surface.

Lava fields cover most of the island. Some are ancient, some are from the 1800's, some are from the 1960's, 70's, and 80's, and some are from within the last ten years. Never again will I probably walk upon ground that is younger than I am!

This is as close as we got to the "active" lava flows. You could see steam and splashes of orange magma that was seen better at night. Kalapana was a fishing town that was recently destroyed between 1983 and 1990 by lava flows. There are still a few residents who's homes sit atop the lava. They have no water or electricity, but refuse to leave even though the entire town was destroyed.

Here is my little video of the lava. It is not very good because my camera is lacking, but it was really cool to see.

We went shopping in Kona and stayed close to our hotel for a few days to relax and so Chris could get some of his homework done.

Again, spectacular sunsets!

This is at 9,000 feet on Mauna Kea (it is 13,700ish feet total) we were going to go to the top where there is snow, but we had our rental car packed with all our luggage and we feared for it on the unpaved bumpy road. So we turned back. It was cool to be above the rainy clouds we were about to descend into.

Near Hilo (the "rainy side") are a bunch of fabulous waterfalls. This side of the island is very green. The town is a little run down, but it was fun.

We saw lots of waterfalls. The Boiling Pots below weren't as much boiling, but still cool.

Akaka Falls was by far all of our favorites. It is crazy tall!

On our way back to the airport we decided to head up near the north side of the island and went on one of the most spectacular drives. I would compare it to the Road to Hana in Maui. It was amazingly beautiful! I am so glad we decided to take that detour.

We passed through a town called Waimea (you will find a town with this name on every island by the way) and we all decided if we ever moved to the Big Island, that is the town we would live. It has rolling green hills and overlooks the ocean.

One the way to the airport, we saw another spectacular sunset amongst a huge lava field. It was the cherry on top of our trip!

Hmmm... maybe I should have done a slide show.

Ummmm Where's My License?

So the stand by flying was a success (more on the trip later). However, not without a glitch or hiccup.

I know that the airport wants to put safety first, however, are all the rules really necessary. Do I really need to show my license to like 3 different people? When going through security do I really have to half undress by taking my jacket, belt, and shoes off? Do I really have to half unpack my bag by taking my make up bag, my Ziploc bagging of 3 ounce lotions and potions, and my portable DVD player out of my carry ons? And not to mention my wallet, phone, and camera out of my purse?!?! I take up like 4 of the gray bins and my carry on luggage isn't even in one of them! No wonder security always takes so long.

Anyway, I decided to have a carry on bag that had clothes in it (I usually don't take one) #1. to cut on the cost of additional bags (I think it's like 15$ per checked bag). And #2. since we were stand by flying there is a good possibility your bag will make it to your destination before you do. So I wanted to have my clothes (and underwear!) with me just in case.

So needless to say, in the Salt Lake airport I did my routine of partially undressing and re-dressing, unpacking and re-packing, and I was trying to hurry since all Chris has to do is take the laptop out and re-pack it and take his shoes off and on.

We were off to the gate. And we made it on the flight (sigh of relief). Since there is no direct flight to Kona from Salt Lake we had to fly into Honolulu and then take a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Kona. We had to pick up our luggage, then walk clear over to the Hawaiian Air terminal only to go through security yet again.

When the lady at the counter checked in our checked bags and was going to give us our tickets she of course asked for my license. I looked in my wallet... not there. I thought oh I'm OK it's probably just in my purse. Looked through my purse, nope not there. I looked through my bag, not there. My pockets not there.

The panic set in.

The lady was like, "Oh it's OK, you just have to go through extra security." But I was like... Lady, my LICENSE IS GONE!! I am going to have to try to fly home stand by WITHOUT my license!

My mind started racing. Where did I see it last? I know I showed the security guy my license and my seat request at the Salt Lake City airport. Did I lose it during my mad dash to undress and redress and unpack and repack? Did I put it in my pocket and it somehow fell out? Did I leave it on the plane? Does somebody have my license now and is going to use my identification inappropriately? Are they going to look at the address and know we are on vacation and rob our home? (Panic seems to turn me into a crazy person) All while Chris is getting quite irritated at me for losing it. I tend to have a knack for losing things...

So we walked all the way back to the Delta counter to have someone look on the plane we just came off of to see if it was there. Nope. I wanted to cry. Our plane to Kona was about to leave in 45 minutes. So I just accepted the fact that I would have to go through "extra security" to at least get to Kona.

I waited in line to show the man my seat request minus my license. I tried using my Costco card (but the picture is so grainy it really could be anybody) and my credit card that has one of Chris and I's engagement pictures on it. But I still had to go through "extra security". You know because I am such a threat to the national security since I was trying to sneak between the islands of Oahu and the Big Island.

And as I go to take off my SHOES... I notice a pink thing flip at the bottom.... yep, you guessed it.... my license!!! During my undressing and redressing at the Salt Lake airport I must have slipped it into my shoe. And I promise I did not feel it in there the whole 6.5 hour flight!

At that point I was so grateful to find it I wanted to cry. I showed the guy my seat request and my license but he said I would have to go all the way back to the counter to show the ticket lady my license as well. The time was approaching that our flight was about to leave! So I just said I would go through extra security.

The little Asian lady, who was about half my size, searched me as the rest of security went through all my bags... but we made it to Kona.

The joke the rest of the trip was that if something was lost we should check to see if it was in my shoe!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Chris and I are going to attempt to fly standby tomorrow to the Big Island. Everyone cross your fingers that we make it!

Another Unrealistic "Reality" Show Ends.

Dear Jason -

Were you completely honest? Did you really follow your heart and your head?

Because I don't think you said it enough on "After the Final Rose" last night.

The 80's Called...

... they want their clothes back!

Yesterday my little sister and I went to Gateway to see if we could find her a little cover jacket for a cocktail dress she has. We started off in Forever 21 which has really interesting clothes for starters anyway. Don't get me wrong, I have found some great stuff there, but most of the clothing is ridiculous. Anyway, this is when I started noticing a trend. Fluorescent colors. Tight pants. (I find it interesting that tapered pants are now called "Skinny Jeans" instead of "Mom Jeans".)

Then in Old Navy I started noticing more Fluorescent colors. Hot Pink, Spearmint Green, Electric Blue.

We finally ended up in a little store called Wet Seal and we found this:

I was busting up laughing in the store. Acid washed tapered jeans in Electric Blue, Spearmint Green and Hot Pink leg warmers (look on back wall), tank tops that looked stretched out, paint splattered shirts and jewelry, stretch pants, and high top sneakers. ARE THEY SERIOUS!!!

I was looking frantically around wondering were the bejeweled Tee-Shirt Slide was for the V-neck, paint-streaked, off one shoulder shirt (with sports bra underneath of course).

I am just waiting for the 80's hair to come back so the look can be complete:

You know, I may be a little "Out of Style", or "not trendy", but this is one "Far Out" "Rad" style that I will not be participating in.