Nothing Short of Amazing: January 2018

Hawaii Dec 26, 2017 - Jan 1, 2018

Tuesday:

My criteria for winter break trip this year was a nonstop flight to a warm destination. We decided on Honolulu. Our morning started out super early 2:30 a.m. after my run in the 20° below zero temperatures we boarded the 4:15 AM Van galder bus to O'Hare. Tackling O'hare was a bit challenging but between Greta, Grandma, and I we managed the two roller suitcases, kid booster seat, wheelchair and three carry-on backpacks. One good thing about having handicap along...we were the first on the plane! The flight to Honolulu was a nine hour trip. Unfortunately we were in coach. We had no video players on the backs of the seats. Two hours in both grandma Carol and Greta's video players died that they brought from home. I was able to pay the 10 bucks and rented one of the airlines. Another interesting thing is they didn't have a dinner served. We had ourselves plenty of snack packs and even volunteered to work in the airplane kitchen. Greta and I had ants in our pants for that long trip. Once to Honolulu it started to rain. Actually it turned out to work out in our favor. All we felt like doing was checking into our condo, unpacking our bags and hitting the condos convenience store for some simple easy cooking local Hawaiian foods. We all hit the sack early... The time change made it challenging to stay up very late.

Wednesday:

This morning I ran along the Waikiki beachfront. I was able to time it right and saw the shadows of the sunrise behind Diamond head mountain. Once back I cooked up some Macademia but pancakes with coconut syrup and strawberry guava jam...😋. Our first adventure of the day was Pearl Harbor. We toured the Battleship, Aviation area, and the main grounds. The other areas were booked and not handicap accessible. Grandma Carol was thrilled to see it all. She enjoyed sharing with the tour group where she was when it happened. Greta was a bit perplexed...she needed our explanation, especially during the gruesome introductory war video. The experience stood out to her because later that evening she was doing imaginary play and was talking about when the Stoughtons fought the Hawaiians in Japan and won...😂. After our tours we were off to Ala Monna Park and beach for our first lunch picnic. We bought our lunchables, fresh blueberries and bell peppers and lunchmeat at the local Walmart. The park has 3 wedding photos shoots in it. After getting our Vitamin D we noticed the dark clouds were rolling in so we ventured back to Walmart for the weeks groceries. We then made our way back to the condo for a quick dip in the condo pool and dinner on the patio. We all had some energy yet after dinner so we walked to the Royal Hawaiian center for a show with Hula dancing. Greta learned how to Hula! We bought her a purple lae and walked along the shoreline / Waikee beach back to our condo.

Thursday:

This morning I changed it up some and waited to go on my morning run. Instead Greta and I put on our workout clothes and headed for Diamond head mountain to watch the sunrise. Our timing was a little off...we saw it rise before reaching the top. Oh well...can't expect miracles when attempting such an endeavor with a 5 year old. We did make it to the top. I did have to bribe her with shaved ice when we got back to the bottom. Oh...and countless make believe questions for her to create her own story. The hike took us roughly an hour. She certainly was a trooper! We even had a steep staircase and a tunnel to go through. Once back to our condo I then did my 5 mile shoreline run. We then packed up our gear and ventured to the north shore. We intended on going to Waimea Bay but the crowds deterred us. Instead we found an off the beaten path rocky beach that even grandma Carol ventured to with us. After our picnic lunch and some crab, turtle, and fish exploring we collected rocks and explored some more to find a secluded sandy beach. I had one goal on today's adventure...finding a fruit and coconut stand. Just a couple miles north of our beach we found one....With chickens walking all around it. Our fresh coconut water and dragonfruit hit the spot! Rather than waiting to watch the sunset on the north shore we voted to head back to our condo and watched it from our patio.

Friday:

Today I woke up at 4am and thought you only live once...make it happen. I quietly packed up all our day gear and lunches and got us all on the road by 5:30AM. We had a 30 minute drive to Lanikii Beach on the southeast shoreline of O'ahu. We parked in a nearby neighborhood and Greta and I used my phone as a flashlight to find the best spot that we could push Grandma in a wheelchair to. After finding one only 1/4 mike down to the road we went back to get Grandma and made our way to the beach. In the 30 minutes we waited for the sun to come up we saw several stand up paddle boards go out and a group of rowers. Groups of people started appearing to watch the islands best viewed sunrise over two islands in the horizon. Greta played in the water and watched the dogs walking by while I watched the semi-professional photographers / retired teachers talk their strategy on how to capture the perfect sunrise. I pulled out my selfie stick and just hit the button...okay maybe I hit it about 100 times. The sunrise was beautiful. I'm so glad I was able to have my 78 year old mother and 5 year old daughter experience the it with me. After watching these ladies were ready for some breakfast so we hit Kalapawai Cafe & Deli in Kailua. Greta and grandma enjoyed there egg sandwich sandwiches with warm coffee and OJ while I did my 5 mike run on Kailua Beach. Next we headed to Makapuu Lighthouse Trail for some whale watching. Our hike up was roughly a mile. She made it up and back down...my method today was telling her that God gave us powerful legs and lungs to use...he also created beautiful nature to explore...we have to use our strong legs and lungs to see His beauty. Once back we drove the southeast shoreline to view the Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, beautiful rocky coastline. Had I been with my teenagers and Matt maybe we'd have jumped into the bay. Not brave enough this time being the responsible adult on this trip. We stopped at a Walgreens on our way back to the condo to by a snorkeling set and made our way to the condo's lagoon. Greta couldn't quite get the hang of her snorkel set...requires some practice. After dinner we settled in until our 8pm fireworks display over Waikiki Beach.

Saturday:

This morning I reverted to my Waikiki shoreline 5 mile run...just finishing again as the sun rose. After our blueberry bagel and scrambled egg breakfast with blueberry smoothies at the condo we ventured out. Our first stop was relatively local...the Manoa Trail...jungle hike to a 150 foot waterfall in Honolulu. Grandma carol was able to explore the arboretum with all the tropical plants and flowers while we did our 1.6 mile round trip hike. Today's bribe was skittles and dogs. We quickly found a nice couple with 3 dogs to follow and Greta knew all their names and even fed them their treats once we made it to the waterfall. We didn't see an wild pigs like advertised but we did spot a geeko and wild chickens! After our hike we headed to Kuala ranch...scene to many famous movies including Jurassic Park, 50 first dates, Lost. Unfortunately and fortunately the tours were booked. It was a little too commercial for my taste so instead we played in Kuala park across the way. If you didn't have a camera in hand you were an outsider. Such beautiful scenery...I was snap happy. Next we stopped at Byodo-In temple. The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In Temple in O'ahu is a smaller-scale replica of the over 950-year-old Byodo-in Temple, a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan. We then stopped at a local farmers market so I could get some fresh veggies and coconut macadamia nut tea 😋. Once back to our condo Greta tested out her snorkel set some more and I got my Vit D fix. We had our final porch dinner and hit the sack.

Sunday:

Today was my final shoreline run. We packed up our suitcases and went to St. Augustine church by the Sea. Carol really wanted to experience a service in Honolulu so we put on our sundresses (over our bathing suits). and made it happen. The service was packed. What stood out most to me was how Father asked everyone to nod "peace be with you" rather than shake hands due to the recent outbreaks of Mumps in Honolulu. Yikes! Next we made our way to the beach and had our final picnic lunch. We had intended on going to Barefoot Beach Bar and Cafe but it was reserved for a private function. Thank goodness Jill-Jill always has food on hand! After my Apple, egg white, avocado, almond milk lunch I was ready to explore the shoreline with Greta. We tested out the snorkeling mask one final time until fed up with the darn thing and instead jumped waves and FaceTimed daddy to show time. We said Happy New Years to him and made our way back to the airport. Our flight back is a red eye. Unfortunately and fortunately Greta has the sniffles...good thing Honolulu airport has children's Benadryl. However I have it to her too early. I could barely get her on the plane she way already sleepy. I bought myself some melatonin & and a neck pillow and ate my final power bar of the day. Good bye Honolulu!!!! I think an outsider might question my sanity in trying this trip...you only live once...Why not?

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