Friday, November 30, 2007
Just another day in paradise
Day 5, Kona, Big Island
In Kona, we enjoyed a very leisurely day. We took a shuttle through the small town to a beach that was supposed to be good for snorkeling. Before hitting the beach, we lounged in a hammock beneath the palm trees.
At the beach, we saw sea turtles in ankle-deep water!
After snorkeling, Derek napped while I read.
In Kona, we enjoyed a very leisurely day. We took a shuttle through the small town to a beach that was supposed to be good for snorkeling. Before hitting the beach, we lounged in a hammock beneath the palm trees.
At the beach, we saw sea turtles in ankle-deep water!
After snorkeling, Derek napped while I read.
We took the shuttle back to the center of town and meandered through the market. This is the bay where the swim for THE Ironman begins.
A view of our ship from the shore
A view of our ship from the shore
Our only regret in Kona was that we completely spaced out going to see the temple-- I didn't even remember it until we were sailing again that night. We had found out previously that the temple was closed on Wednesdays, so we wouldn't be able to go inside, but we had at least planned on going to see the grounds. :(
Here Comes the Sun
Bored yet? Sorry, but I'm having fun reliving our trip. At least you're not stuck in my living room watching slides of my vacation... you can stop reading this whenever you want. :)
Day 4, Maui
A view inside the Haleakala Crater after the sun came up. It looks like the surface of the moon!
After coming back down from the volcano, we ate breakfast at a small cafe in the country (thanks again to Frommer's) next to a surf board manufacturing shop. We decided to attempt at least part of the drive on the road to Hana-- acclaimed for its beauty and narrow, one-lane bridges. We decided to turn back after 12 miles because we were feeling a little carsick and we had limited time before we had to be back to the ship-- but what we did see was beautiful!
Gettin' a little mud on the tires.... Derek off-roaded every chance he got (even if it was just on the shoulder of the road.)
A view from the road to Hana.
We spent the rest of our time on Maui basking on a beach watching surfers and getting in one more snorkel swim!
Day 4, Maui
We woke up at 4 am Tuesday morning so that we'd have time to make the 2-hour, 37 mile drive up to the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala, a volcano that is still considered active, although it hasn't erupted in years. Haleakala means, "house of the sun", which is why dozens of tourists make the drive every morning to witness the incredible sunrise. Fortunately, I had done my homework, so we packed our winter coats, hats, and gloves, although we still used our hotel towels for additional warmth. (It was funny to see so many people with different hotel towels as their only warm layers.) Once we arrived, we sat shivering at the summit for about 30-45 minutes-- we would have stayed in our car, but so many people were arriving that we wouldn't get a good view if we didn't stake out our spot early.
Where else on earth can you drive from sea-level to 10,023 feet in 37 miles? Not to mention shivering in a winter coat in the morning and basking in the sun on the beach in the afternoon!
A view inside the Haleakala Crater after the sun came up. It looks like the surface of the moon!
After coming back down from the volcano, we ate breakfast at a small cafe in the country (thanks again to Frommer's) next to a surf board manufacturing shop. We decided to attempt at least part of the drive on the road to Hana-- acclaimed for its beauty and narrow, one-lane bridges. We decided to turn back after 12 miles because we were feeling a little carsick and we had limited time before we had to be back to the ship-- but what we did see was beautiful!
Gettin' a little mud on the tires.... Derek off-roaded every chance he got (even if it was just on the shoulder of the road.)
A view from the road to Hana.
We spent the rest of our time on Maui basking on a beach watching surfers and getting in one more snorkel swim!The Jeep, snorkeling, and a magnificent sunset
Day 3, Maui
The only time I saw Derek get stressed out on the trip was Monday morning, on our way to the Thrifty rental location, because he was concerned that the Jeep we had reserved wouldn't be available. After driving a Lincoln Towncar on Sunday, he was paranoid that we would have to cruise the streets of Maui in another reitree-style car. I think if we had done nothing but drive around the islands in a Jeep the entire week, Derek would have been satisfied. (By the way, he did apologize to you, Danny-- he knows how you feel about Jeeps.)
We began the morning snorkeling at an off-the-beaten-path snorkeling spot, Makena Point. (Our Frommer's Travel Book proved invaluable during the trip!) Once I remembered how to breathe, I discovered how much I LOVE snorkeling. I don't know that SCUBA is for me-- I like being able to surface when a ray is threateningly approaching me, as it did one time-- don't worry, I had Derek there to shove in front of me-- but I love the feeling of floating over and observing the fascinating world that lies beneath the water. From the shore, it's hard to imagine how much is going on under the water's surface. I was so ecstatic when I spotted a giant sea turtle-- we promised Ethan and Reid we would find one and take pictures with the underwater camera-- that I tried to point it out to Derek, but when he looked at me confused, I came to the surface to tell him what I saw, and began sputtering and choking on the salt water in my excitement. We snorkeled 3 times in Maui and once on Kona and saw dozens of amazing fish, urchins, and creatures.
A black sand beach south of Wailea
Check out this dope ride on the main street in Lahaina 
The only time I saw Derek get stressed out on the trip was Monday morning, on our way to the Thrifty rental location, because he was concerned that the Jeep we had reserved wouldn't be available. After driving a Lincoln Towncar on Sunday, he was paranoid that we would have to cruise the streets of Maui in another reitree-style car. I think if we had done nothing but drive around the islands in a Jeep the entire week, Derek would have been satisfied. (By the way, he did apologize to you, Danny-- he knows how you feel about Jeeps.)
We began the morning snorkeling at an off-the-beaten-path snorkeling spot, Makena Point. (Our Frommer's Travel Book proved invaluable during the trip!) Once I remembered how to breathe, I discovered how much I LOVE snorkeling. I don't know that SCUBA is for me-- I like being able to surface when a ray is threateningly approaching me, as it did one time-- don't worry, I had Derek there to shove in front of me-- but I love the feeling of floating over and observing the fascinating world that lies beneath the water. From the shore, it's hard to imagine how much is going on under the water's surface. I was so ecstatic when I spotted a giant sea turtle-- we promised Ethan and Reid we would find one and take pictures with the underwater camera-- that I tried to point it out to Derek, but when he looked at me confused, I came to the surface to tell him what I saw, and began sputtering and choking on the salt water in my excitement. We snorkeled 3 times in Maui and once on Kona and saw dozens of amazing fish, urchins, and creatures.
A black sand beach south of Wailea
Check out this dope ride on the main street in Lahaina 
Derek cliff-jumping in Kaanapali
Maui Sunset
After the sun set, we ate dinner at the Hula Grill, which was on the shore in Kaanapali. It was a perfect setting, under grass huts with tiki-torches, with a Hawaiian style band that was really good.
Maui Sunset
After the sun set, we ate dinner at the Hula Grill, which was on the shore in Kaanapali. It was a perfect setting, under grass huts with tiki-torches, with a Hawaiian style band that was really good.Volcanoes and Rainforests
Day 2, Hilo, Big Island
At the end of our fun Saturday spent with the Tai-Hooks, we got on the ship, and so when we awoke Sunday morning, we were Hilo. We were thrilled to have been upgraded to a stateroom with a window, which was even better than I imagined! Waking up to a Hawaiian sunrise right on the water was fantastic.
After enjoying a room service breakfast, we dressed and left the ship to catch a shuttle that would take us to the car rental shop. While waiting for our shuttle, a shuttle driver from a different company and asked us if we were going to sacrament meeting. Derek didn't hear him at first and said, "No, we're waiting for Thrifty." When we realized what he had said, we laughed (and figured Derek's white shirt and tie gave us away) and found out that he was also a member of the the church--he gave us directions to church.
Church in other parts of the world is always fun, because of course we share the most important parts in common, but little local differences, like the Bishop beginning the meeting with "Brothers and Sisters, Aloha", (to which everyone responds, "Aloha!") or the beautiful white leis that the bishopric wore, make it interesting.
After church we drove to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The most interesting thing about it was the variety of landscapes that we passed through in such a small area-- from black charred earth to lush rain forests.
Looking in the crater of a volcano
Steam vents
In the Thurston Lava Tube
Looking out of the Thurston Lava Tube at the surrounding rain forest
Rain forest
At the end of our fun Saturday spent with the Tai-Hooks, we got on the ship, and so when we awoke Sunday morning, we were Hilo. We were thrilled to have been upgraded to a stateroom with a window, which was even better than I imagined! Waking up to a Hawaiian sunrise right on the water was fantastic.
After enjoying a room service breakfast, we dressed and left the ship to catch a shuttle that would take us to the car rental shop. While waiting for our shuttle, a shuttle driver from a different company and asked us if we were going to sacrament meeting. Derek didn't hear him at first and said, "No, we're waiting for Thrifty." When we realized what he had said, we laughed (and figured Derek's white shirt and tie gave us away) and found out that he was also a member of the the church--he gave us directions to church.
Church in other parts of the world is always fun, because of course we share the most important parts in common, but little local differences, like the Bishop beginning the meeting with "Brothers and Sisters, Aloha", (to which everyone responds, "Aloha!") or the beautiful white leis that the bishopric wore, make it interesting.
After church we drove to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The most interesting thing about it was the variety of landscapes that we passed through in such a small area-- from black charred earth to lush rain forests.
Looking in the crater of a volcano
Steam vents
In the Thurston Lava Tube
Looking out of the Thurston Lava Tube at the surrounding rain forest
Rain forest
Hawaii!!!
It's already been two weeks since we returned from our perfect vacation in Hawaii, but between Thanksgiving and being thrust back into daily life, I am just now getting around to sharing pics.Day 1, Honolulu
We began our trip in Honolulu, staying with our friends, the Tai-Hooks, whome we came to know and love in Lansing. Russell and Amber have four kids, Sheyla, Naina (who is 1 week older than Ethan), Jamerus, and their new baby girl, Kira. It was so much fun to see them again! And to get a taste of the real aloha spirit from good friends.Their home is located at the top of one of the steep hills just north of the airport-- it was an adventure just getting there! The tiny streets wind up the hills endlessly amidst thousands of houses. It's amazing to think that so many people live in such a small space! Once we reached their house at the top, we had a beautiful view of the harbor and fell asleep with the tropical breeze blowing through the windows.
Amber made us a yummy breakfast of guava jam and sweet rolls, papaya and banana salad, and quiche to fill our stomachs before a hike along Makapuu Point. The kids were great sports, and made us wish we lived closer again so our boys could play with them.
Kira is such a little beauty and so huggable! 
After our hike and a "plate lunch" at Loco Moco, Amber and Russ treated us to Waiola Shave Ice, a true local treat. (It really was the best shave ice we had all week!)
What a perfect way to start off our vacation!
Monday, November 19, 2007
We've been out of touch with reality until this morning and we neglected to wish Tyson a Happy Birthday yesterday. (Sorry, Tys!-- Isn't that why I created the family calendar?!) I think Tyson would be pleased to know that his name is spoken daily by his namesake, who will tell you proudly that his name is "Wuke Tyson Weaver."
Tyson's 8th birthday
Tyson age 7
Tyson age 6 1/2
Tyson's 8th birthdayTyson age 7 Tyson age 6 1/2Sunday, November 18, 2007
Frostbites and Peanut Buster's
After getting nostalgic in talking with Mom and Dad, I had to get everyone a Frostbite and Peanut Buster Parfait. Connor wanted to play some Prince music to go with it, but we sang some instead. Good ole Tyson!
Tyson's Birthday!
Today would have been Tyson's 33rd birthday. Hard to believe. I don't have any pictures of just Tyson on this computer. Someone needs to post some.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
World Championship
I'm posting me for this blog. I had a great race down in Clearwater, Florida. The best part about a race like that is that I don't think about anything but just competing. I think that I had so much built up frustration with all that is going on lately that it culminated in my best race that I've ever competed in.
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