Honokowai coast

This is the deck and BBQ area at Polynesian Shores. This morning we saw a huge turtle right in the rocky area up close and several swiming along a bit further out.

Polynesian Shores 101/102

The unit on the left (lower) is a 2 bedroom with a sliding door on the side as well as on the front, next to it (on the right) is our unit, #102, which is a 1 bedroom. The ocean is about 60 feet from the left side of the building, pool is over to the right toward the camera.

Portland in May

I'm going to post some links to places to stay, eat, tour and relax in Portland for those of you considering a trip to our area this spring. We have everything nearby, from picturesque beaches (Cannon Beach is just one idea, and Astoria is quaint and unique, too!) to wineries (Willamette Wineries, Portland Winery Driving Tour, to waterfalls and river vistas...food and shopping from funky to high end boutiques and foodie havens....art (Portland Museum of Art), (Museum of Contemporary Craft), gardens and parks (Washington Park-Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, etc), a great zoo (Oregon Zoo) a spectacular hands-on children's museum (Portland Children's museum) and science museum (OMSI). Come explore with us - Travel Portland!

Our airport received Conde' Nast's top rating for 4 of the past 5 years, with fixed pricing at the stores and restaurants so you can afford to shop and dine there!

I'll post hotel and dining ideas in a separate post.

Faye Opal

Introducing our first granddaughter, Faye Opal, born January 5th. A very pretty name for a very pretty girl. Congratulations to Kris and Sarah! It's amazing to watch her grow and change before our eyes!

a video for mom/grandma of itchy and Haile

Tarps from Trash

I haven't taken time to post anything for quite a while - but a news article caught my attention this morning and I'm motivated to share about it. A college student here in Oregon has devised a way to use plastic grocery bags to make tarps for the disaster victims in Haiti. What a great use of a messy product that most of us find a real hassle to deal with. Her solution is simple and cost-effective.

If you live in Oregon and would like to partner in this please contact me.

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/04/university_of_oregon_senior_ma.html

Day Three - Volcanos to Hilo to Waikoloa

We returned to VNP as the air quality was much improved and we were able to get a better view of the plume from the active vent. Then on to Hilo where I scored a huge bag of papayas for $2, wonder carrots and a few other treats. We really wished we had a place to cook with the plentiful fresh veggies which were so inexpensive. On along meandering side roads with more amazing flora....mongoose count is up to 5 live ones, one of which we encountered on a walk on the grounds of the Marriott tonight. We traveled to the overlook at the Waipo Valley - the road descending to the valley floor is a 25% grade which requires (obviously!) 4 WD. We stopped for a late lunch in the cow-town of Waimea which was very peaceful and pretty.

The area where our hotel is located is nothing but a huge lava field. It's remarkable to think that they were able to build here. I'll take photos of the grounds tomorrow - we were very tired so we wandered the grounds, watched an amazing sunset and relaxed.

Big Island Day 1 and 2 in brief

We flew from Portland to Kona on Thursday, and then drove 2.5 hours to the tiny village of Volcano, HI, which is perched at the edge of Volcano National Park. We spent the night at a cozy Bed and Breakfast and had a great time meeting the other guests at breakfast. We spent the day exploring VNP and the surrounding area. The fumes were very noxious at the park and just about as we arrived at the Jaegger Scientific museum they stopped allowing people to be outside due to the fumes. So we traveled back to the Kiluea Iki trail which was upwind and took about a 4 mile hike through lush rainforest, down a lava cliff 400 ft and across the base of the caldera past old and active vents, and then back up into the rainforest. Just a few photos show the lava, orchids and the distant plume from the volcano.

After lunch we drove to a gorgeous area with huge trees, pools heated with volcanic heat,and scenic seascapes. On the way back we stopped at a home where a guy was cooking huli huli chicken on a wood fire in his yard - a pretty ingenious spit using a motorcycle chain...he had an abandoned truck set up as a dog house and a couple goat tethered nearby.

We are ready for sleep and have another day of exploring from Hilo up the coast and across to our next stay in Waikoloa. Just a few sample photos for tonight!

I made it through another year....part two.

It's my birthday...what have I gained this year? Weight where I don't want it, more life experience which I hope makes me more sensitive to others, more passwords and log-ins which keep my tired brain fit.

I'm amazed at the blessings in my life - wonderful family and friends and a caring faith community which encourages and challenges me to grow in my faith and my walk with God.

Oh, and pie.....
Tomorrow I shall post pix of the goodies!

I made it through another year....

Time to check in with last year's resolutions and set some for next year:

I resolve to replace complaints with compliments, find joy where there has been frustration, and to seek to serve rather than be served.
I think I made some progress in this area...

~ I resolve to worry less and pray more, eat less and exercise more, talk less and listen more, to give more and keep less, and to count my blessings daily.
...worried less, prayed more, ate more and exercised less...and I think I still talked too much despite my best attempts to be quiet.

~ I resolve to try new things and go new places in 2009. On my list are the Highland Games in July, the Greek Festival in October, the Japanese Gardens, and Costa Rica.
I only managed two out of four - the Greek Festival and the Japanese Gardens. Costa Rica came to me!

~ I resolve to cook a new recipe monthly, try a new restaurant quarterly, read 6 books that are not for work, and talk to my mom on the phone each week.
...wow, this seemed so simple when I typed it.I got the reading and the eating part done! (Sorry mom, better luck this year)

~ I resolve to discontinue my habit of painting Bob's toenails when he falls asleep watching television, and to stop calling Haley "Bo Peep".
I DID IT! FOR A WHOLE YEAR!

OK the list for this year looks strangely familiar:

Spend more time with God every day
Focus on eating well and exercising every day
Call my mom weekly
Read at least one book per month
Try a new recipe each month
Learn a new knitting pattern this year
Practice Spanish and improve it
Find a new passion or hobby and pursue it!