BANYON ARCHES - I'LL REMEMBER YOU FOREVER!!!

perhaps the title will be clearer as you view the pics ... or I may mention them in the blog as well.

We're NOT Hilton people!  Conrad, I'm glad you had an eye for people who like to vacation at resorts, but it's too much for us.  We do have a lovely setting in the Lagoon Tower, to be sure, but the more time we spend away from the 'digs' the happier we are.  So today we're off for Hilo - the city on the Big Island.  With 41,000 people it's quite different from the rest of the island.  Was about a 2 hour drive -  went through the Parker Ranch (at 185,000 acres, pretty good sized).

as we traveled we got near the north shore (coast?) sometimes over 3000 feet, sometimes at sea level.  The north side is the Mauna Kea side - heard that what I thought was haze and clouds was what the natives call VOG - volcanic smog.  Not hacking today, so must be pretty healthy, heh, heh, heh.

as you see in the pictures we came upon tropical areas, farm areas, and paradi-areas!  How cool.  Had heard about Norfolk pines out here, but not sure if the pics I got are them - I'm saying yes - but will leave it debatable.

when we arrived at Hilo - what a layed back multi-cultural city, by the way ... they were celebrating - the Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit.  I think the celebration was at least a week ago, but I think it took that long to make it to Hilo.  we had toured t he island before arriving at the celebration, so actually missed most of the celebration but caught the last act - the dragon dances.

we looked ahead at the map and decided to see the three Falls - Rainbow, Peepee, and the third (can't remember the name) first.  Rainbow was just delightful - except for the banyon tree arches!  as you will see it the pics, if you duck for a branch, you probably need to stay down for the next branch as well - or it will get you!  close your eyes if you don't want to see blood and gore - otherwise laugh along with me - what a stupid thing to do.  Anyway, my favorite nurse cleansed and took care of the wound, and left money with the innkeeper in case there were more costs alone the way (no, that's another story).  Had me healed and ready to go to the rest of the Falls in no time ... not counting the half hour it took to get me going again.  There was no more pain than just "ow.  that really hurt."  I put three pennies on my pillow last night, and they were gone this morning, so I figured it must have knocked some sense into me.

we looked for a hike at the third falls, but failed to find a "simple" trail, so gave up after about 15 minutes.

coming down from the Falls, we stopped and walked around downtown - found a great place for lunch - I had the teriyaki chicken with grilled pineapples - I don't even luike pineapple, but felt I needed to eat something Hawai'ian.  Karina, on the other hand, had the plate of raw ahi ahi - (it's still fish - even with a "catchi" name). she reminded me it was called sashimi.

then driving around the city came upon Banyon Drive.  What a place.  The forefathers of the city (back in the 30's) had the wisdom to have celebrities plant a banyon.  what a great idea - the pics recall some of the celebs that were here.

throroughly enjoyed our day - got back to the Hilton around 9-10;  slept well and got to church this morning at the Waioloa Lutheran Church - the pastor was a classmate of mine back at the Senior College (1969-71), but had his first vacation in 2-3 years TODAY!  Anyway, services were led by a military chaplain - a little more law than I like to hear ... no a whole lot more law than I like to hear.  if the bulletin hadn't mentioned that Christ did die for our sins, I don't remember 'hearing' the Gospel.

that's about it from here (at Starbucks, again) so once again, Aloha!

Luau tonight.  Massage tomorrow.  Whale watching tomorrow.  Valentine's Day dinner tomorrow.  then home again, home again, home again rose!



love ya.

K & D