Ka'unala Loop hike

Well we are getting closer to leaving the island and we were talking about how spectacular these hikes have been and how much we love them.  If you ever get a chance to come to the islands, please make sure you get out of the tourism and explore the inner beauty.

We crossed a couple streams in the valleys.  

Dirt bikers were enjoying the beautiful weather as well.  The "boys", Charlie and Erik, both had a glint in their eye about getting some toys!

Hawaiian red dirt.  It is beautiful and reminds me of the clay in FL, but it stains everything.  They actually have a company that sells T-shirts and other items stained with Hawaiian red dirt.  They are pretty cool.  They sell a tote bag and printed on it is "The Oringinal Dirt Bag".  

The dark blue in the back ground is the ocean to the north.

The dirt bikers had stopped at this over look, so we asked them to take our picture.  We will never forget who took it because the proof is in the picture!  The view is the North Shore and the Waianae ranges.

GAR

I think the worse part of the race was getting up at 4:30am!

There were so many people running that it took us around 20 minutes from the time the race started until we crossed the starting line!  (they attach a tracker to your shoe so they know exactly when you start and stop so it is even for everyone)

Different bands played along the way!

I have to admit when Charlie pulled out the camera, I had to put on a smile! 

Charlie playing around!

We are almost there!  Not!  Still over 3 miles!

Reaching our goal!

GAR stand for Great Aloha Run a 8.15 mile race from the Aloha Towers, Honolulu to the Aloha Stadium.  A race I had heard about from a friend before ever set foot in Hawaii.  From the time I heard about it I wanted to run in it.  Call me crazy, but I did.  Charlie ran in it two years ago with his company and he agreed to run in it with me this year.  I can't tell you how much it meant to me that he wanted to run with me, but honestly part of me was nervous because I thought he would push me too hard!  Bring out his drill SGT hat!  He wanted me to run it at a 9 min 30 sec pace, which I thought impossible!  My goal was to finish the race without walking, but when we crossed the finished line I was shocked that I exceed his goals! Charlie ran by my side the whole race, just sprinting ahead to get me water and just his presence motivated me!  (the drill SGT did not come out of retirement!) He did however make sure that he crossed the finish line one second before me!  Charlie thanks for running with me and Nina thanks for the head cover it was much needed!   Final time 1:16:12, average minutes per mile 9:21.

Whale Count

Glad to have some friends along.

Group of volunteers.

Started the morning out with a rainbow!

Humpback whales come to Hawaii every winter to have their calves and then after a couple months they head north.  While they are here there is a volunteer whale count each month to help scientist gage how the population is faring.  Some friends joined us in the count last month.  We had a wonderful time and the weather was beautiful!  Even though we only saw 1 mom and baby it was spectacular!  We also saw sea turtles and dolphins!  Afterwards we went to a new restaurant.  It was Vietnamese food.  It was delicious if get a chance you should try it out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know it is late, but I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.     1 John 4:7

In this the  love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.      1 John 4:9-12

Pro Bowl

We joined some friends at the big game of the year!  We actually had the last seats in the stadium, but we had a great view from the sideline which all the action faced, shade and no one behind us!  I think the best part was we all passed around my new camera and enjoyed competing for the best shot.  I honestly don't know who took which shot, but they all turned out really great.  I am trying out this slideshow for the first time, so please let me know if it works!  PS.  We were all going for the NFC, who played quite a few Redskins!!!!! 

Oh My!!!!!

This hike was amazing with Cook Woods (a beautiful evergreen forest), bamboo forest, koa trees, views (Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, valley leading to the blue ocean to the north and the Navy Cruiser that got stuck on the reef yesterday) and WATER FALLS!  The water falls were amazing!  The best I have seen on the island so far.  Towards the end was a refreshing pool with water falls at both ends.  It was so much fun to watch the kids enjoy the water.  

We did however have "Oh My's" on this hike such as bumps, bruses, cuts, misquito bites and some loose dogs!  Even with our Oh My's on this hike we saw God's protection!  We did have a drizzle on our way up the mountain which was cool and refreshing.  But later we found out it turned into a thunder storm with a torrential downfall as it moved west of us.  

(The Hauptmann's blog has an up close picture of the cruiser and she will have some hiking pictures soon.)

Heartbreak

Oh my gosh, what a roller coaster of emotions!  My heart was beating so fast in the last 30 seconds, only to be heartbroken in the end.  I believe the last Cardinals play should have been reviewed and we would have a different outcome.  So I have to treat Charlie to his choice of dinner at a restaurant and he says he wants me to take him to an up class place with rotating views of Waikiki beaches and $75 plates.  :-( 

Super Bowl Sunday!!!!

Well we are heading to some friends house to watch the big game.  I wanted to see who you all are going for?  Charlie and I pick our playoff teams and as of right now we are tie, so this game will determine who gets to pick where we eat out next.  Charlie is going for the Stealers and I am rooting for the Cardinals who I have been picking from the beginning.  Go Cards!