Jeanne & Nathan Visit

I looked forward to their arrival with great anticipation. It was like Christmas in April ... we waited and waited and then they came and suddenly ... they were gone too quick! I guess that is the way it is when I am looking forward from event to event and I live my life looking forward to the next big event.

Jeanne and Nathan arrived on Monday afternoon and were picked up by Tucker. Tired from the long flight (oops, did I say that?) ... wait ... wait ... the flight was easy and simple and was over in no time!! Anybody convinced? I didn't think so ... oh well, cat's out of the bag that the flights here are tough, especially from the east coast. They stayed up as late as they could and then crashed in the spare bedroom.

Kathy took them shopping, they went to spitting cave, and toured the large and dangerous waves of Sandy's Beach. Jeanne worried about Nathan getting swept out to sea but Tucker was there to jump in at a moment's notice.

We watched the moon rise over the Pacific and looked at the craters through the telescope.

While the normal tourists were looking in another direction, we explored a lava tube. It took us under a small highway and led us to a cove where the waves crashed on centuries old lava rock. We carefully climbed the rock and enjoyed the roar of the waves while watching the native fishermen cast their lines.

Nathan is a fish. He could or maybe should live in the water! He swam everywhere and anywhere and especially enjoyed the waves. I could see him from the beach and watch a wave crash over his head, his body tumble through the surf, Jeanne would look concerned and then Nathan would get up and do it again with a laugh!

We had shave ice ... and more shave ice ... it was very good!

Tucker and I took Jeanne on the Pu'u Ohia hike high above Honolulu and Waikiki. The view from there is spectacular while setting the hiker far enough off the beaten path to be into the deep woods and mountain tops of Oahu. The bamboo forest was incredible and I think Jeanne really enjoyed the call of the wild birds as they followed us through the woods.

The turtles seemed to be favorites for Nathan. We saw them at Sea Life Park. We saw them on the North Shore beaches and it was especially exciting when one or two actually swam by us while at Kailua beach!

Sea Life Park was excellent. We went there for a Luau but got treated to seals, dolphins, penguins, dancers and singers ...

Sea Life Park also included demonstration dancing from many different cultures including these warriers painted up like New Zealand natives.

It certainly was a busy week and unfortunately it was over before we knew it. As I look back on it today, I remember most the laughter and the fun as the whole family sat around the dining room tables and played Pounce or I Doubt It (the other name shall no longer be spoken!)

Peace!