More fun from Hawaii

Mike and I have had an eventful couple of days. After our hiking experience, we thought we had had our fill of 911 calls. However, Thursday night, we found ourselves calling 911, yet again. I'm am not going to tell you about that one. I am going to let Mike write a post that tells all about it.

Backing up to Thursday morning, Mike and I drove over to Hanauma Bay to go snorkeling. The weather was picture perfect, as were the fish swimming around the coral reef. After snorkeling, we had a relaxing dinner and a long walk on the beach.

Today (Friday), we played around the resort. After lunch, we met some friends from North Pole down at the beach and chatted for a while. We then went to the pool and played in the water. This evening, we had a nice dinner overlooking the beach and the ocean. Afterwards, we went for a stroll along the beach and watched fireworks that were put on by our hotel. Feeling content, we came up to our room and suddenly noticed the beautiful moon that was shining brightly in the Hawaiian sky.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Hawaii. We fly home to Alaska on Sunday. It is sad for me. I am enjoying the warm weather and the sun. We still have 3 feet of snow on the ground and below zero temperatures at night. However, it won't be long until we have 24 hours of daylight and 70 degree days in the Interior of Alaska!

The moon was so big tonight!

This feathered friend finds refuge from the 40 MPH winds.

Hanauma Bay is one of the most
beautiful beaches in Hawaii.

Hanauma Bay is an old volcanic crater that flooded

hundreds of years ago and formed a bay.

Waves crash on the volcanic rocks

and create a spectacular sight.

The coral reef is home to dozens of species of fish.

Sea turtles are often found

in the bay in the early morning.

After a day of snorkeling, Mike is

so hungry he could eat a tourist.

Urgent Report: Alaskan Couple Has Trouble in Hawaiian Wilderness

Mike and I had an interesting day. First, we drove to the North Shore to watch 20 foot waves, but found that they had shrunk dramatically.

After taking a few pics, we decided to dine at Sharks Cove Grill, a tiny road-side stand with outdoor seating. While dining, we had at least six chickens and an cat wander through. The cat decided he would dine at our table and proceeded to jump in the chair next to me.

To add to our North Shore experience, Mike had planned a 3 mile hike through a beautiful rain forest area. The hike started rather uneventful. We saw beautiful ferns, trees and views of the ocean. It wasn't until about an hour and a half that things got interesting. While walking along the trail, I slipped on a rock and bruised my hip. It hurt badly, but I was determined to press on and finish the hike. After all, it was ONLY 3 miles. I could do that, couldn't I?

After we finished the main part of the trail, we came to a cross road. We could go straight or we could turn right or left. Mike looked at the map and said we should turn left. So, we did just that. We turned left. At this point, it was almost three miles. We were guessing we should be pretty close to our car. My hip throbbing, we trudged forward. After about 30 minutes, Mike looked at the pedometer. We had been another mile and a half. Personally, I started getting very concerned. Mike assured me that we were on the right trail and just needed to give it some time and we would find the car.

Let me go on the record to say, at this point, I was very skeptical! I suggested we call someone and ask for directions. We had parked next to a Boy Scout building. Surely, they would know the area. Mike continued to assure me that we were just fine and we just needed to keep going.

As we were walking, we were watching for trail markers or other signs that we were on the right track. While we did not find anything of that nature, we did find another kind of nature. First, let me say that I have always wondered what wild-life we could see in Hawaii. You know, we have bears, moose, caribou, wolves and all other types of wild animals in Alaska. So, I was not expecting much in terms of animals in our 50th state. Well, was I surprised! As we were walking, we came upon a stray calf. Yes, a young bull. It was lying in the shade. Apparently, we startled it. The calf jumped up and started running. We thought perhaps he would lead the way out to the car. This was an extremely bad thought. Cows are not smart. They don't know where we parked. Searching for any glimmer of hope, we followed the calf. The calf led us no where, but deeper into the woods.

I begged Mike to make a call to someone. He said, let's just go a little farther. We had already hiked 3 miles from the area where we had turned left. I was definitely nervous and in pain. With that said, I pressed Mike to call the Boy Scout office. Finally, he relented and called 411 to get the number. The phone to the office rang and rang. After, oh let's say, 15 rings, Mike hung up and we devised a new plan.

Our new plan was a little more daring. I had him call 411, again, and this time ask for the number to the police department. Of course, this was not an emergency (no need to dial 911). We called the main number and talked to some nice gentleman who had no idea where we were. He kindly transferred us to the 911 dispatcher who would sweetly send us over to the fire department.

John at the fire department was great. He kept us on the phone until he could get our coordinates from our cell phone. Ping! He found us. He then said he was going to order a helicopter to come rescue us. Oh, hold on there! We certainly did not need a helicopter to rescue us. We just needed someone to help us find out how to get to our car.

John could see where we were in terms of Google Earth and helped point us in the right direction. His advice was simple. Go back the way we came and take the trail back, instead of trying to do the loop.

Okay, now we had already gone over 3 miles out of way. This was definitely more than I had expected. We were now going to have to go back the three miles and find the trail from which we had turned. John instructed us to call him every 30 minutes to give him a status update.

Just after we got off the phone with John, a helicopter started circling overhead. It looked very much like a search and rescue helicopter. What? A helicopter? We specifically said that we did not want to be rescued. We could do this ourselves! It made two passes over us and flew off away from us. Whew! How embarrassing would that be?

After the chopper disappeared, Mike and I started the LONG climb back up the mountain desperately looking for the trail. Finally, after what seemed like eons, we found it. We turned down the trail and began our slow hike back to the car. Since we were running out of daylight, John had asked us continue calling every 30 minutes until we got back to the car. At one point, we did not have a signal to call. When we got an area with a signal, we had a message from him asking us to call him. Wow! What service!

Finally after 11.73 miles, we found our car just before the sun set. We called John to inform him of our safe return. As I sat in the car, I began to ponder our day. Just how is it that we get ourselves into these predicaments? I could name a dozen or more, but won't bring up old history. However, we do it. It sure makes the Calvin's lives interesting (at least to us)!

North Shore Waves

Hawaii Wildlife

We saw this cow on the trail.

(This picture is out of order)

Cat at Shark's Cove Grill

Chicken and Chicks at Shark's Cove Grill

Lunch at Shark's Cove Grill

Seriously, chickens???

Kristie dines with a local cat.

(Notice the ears in the chair)

The cat gives Mike the same courtesy as Kristie.


The Hike and the Trail

Kristie takes a fall....

.... And gets all dirty.

Hawaii: Day One

Mike and I enjoyed our first day in Hawaii. We decided to start our trip with two fun activities. First, we decided to hike Diamond Head and then we would drive around to Kailua (on the East Coast of the island) to rent a kayak and paddle out to one of the off-shore islands.

Diamond Head was a great hike! After a 760 vertical climb, Mike and I were a bit hot, sweaty and tired. With a nice breeze blowing, we cooled off and enjoyed the view from the top. After a much quicker hike down the volcanic crater, we headed off to Kailua.

The drive to Kailua is beautiful. The curvy road hugs the coast as it gives views of lava rocks, blue water and coral reefs.

We arrived to Kailua in a very happy and relaxed mood. We found the kayak rental shop, signed the form stating that if we died using their kayak we would not sue them (I've always wondered if that would really hold up in a court of law), and merrily put on our life jackets and pushed the tiny unstable boat into the crystal blue water. Little did I know that this would be the easiest part of the whole trip.

Mike and I began paddling and heading out into the open surf while waves crashed onto the beach. Since I was in front, I could see each swell headed our way. Somehow, by the grace of God (I'm sure there was someone praying for us at that very moment), we got past the heavy surf without capsizing and headed toward the Moku Lua islands off the coast of the main island.

The gentleman at the rental shop assured us that the trip to the Moku Lua islands was safe, enjoyable and would only take 45 minutes. He lied. We had to constantly dodge coral reefs jutting up out of the water. The constant motion of the waves and chop made me sea sick. The trip took well over an hour. So, as you can see, he was wrong on two of the three. At least to this point. The safety issue came later.

After well over an hour of paddling, arms aching, and stomach churning, Mike and I arrived at Moku Lua Island. This friendly little island also happens to be a bird sanctuary. Apparently the birds that inhabit this island are very rare and need protecting. The signs on the beach informed us that we were in no way to feed, disturb or harass the birds. I'm not even sure we were allowed to look at them either! That was fine with me. After the ride to their "sacred" island, I was in no mood to mess with them. Instead, I was trying to figure out just how we were going to get off the island.

You see, the island is somehow a meeting ground for waves. Waves come from the right side and waves come from the left side. These angry waves collide right in the middle and create one ginormous wave. This just happens to be the way we came and and the way we would have to go out. I was horrified! I watched as other kayakers tried it. I watched as they would capsize and be thrown against the rocks. I watched as they retreated to the safe haven of the beach. Suddenly I realized why this island was a sacred refuge. After about 10 seconds, I was ready to live with the feathered creatures that called this place home.

Mike assured me that if we waited until JUST after the two waves collided, we could push the kayak in and beat the next wave. Looking skeptically, I agreed to give it a try. Here was our chance! The two waves had just met and for a short moment the water was calm. With all of our might (or at least Mike's), we pushed the kayak into the water. I hopped in and grabbed my paddle and Mike jumped in the back. We were just starting to paddle when the next two waves clashed together at our very spot. That's all it took to capsize us and thrash us about. We gathered our pride and our stupid kayak and headed back to the beach. Apparently, nobody was praying for us at this very moment.

At this point, I was too scared and filled with anxiety to try it again. Oh, I tried to muster courage, but it wasn't there. Mike would say, "Okay, here's our chance. One, two, three. Let's go!" I would start to follow him out into the surf, but then would run back to the beach. I began thinking, "You know. This island really isn't that bad. There's not a Starbucks. But, hey! I need to cut back on coffee."

Finally, to interrupt my self-talk, a young man walked over to us and asked if we needed help. He must have been watching us as we struggled and realized that we were just inexperienced tourist who needed a hand. So, we took him up on his offer. We waited for a break in the waves and pushed the kayak into the watch. I jumped in the front. Then, just as I thought everything was going just fine, it happened. The nasty waves were back. With Mike and the young man holding the back of the boat, it hit. It tossed the kayak into the air about 20 feet (okay, Mike said it was about 8 feet, but to me it was 20)! They somehow managed to keep me from capsizing. Mike jumped in and the young man pushed us out beyond the heavy surf.

Thank the Lord, we were home free, at this point! We paddled back to the main island without incident. Other than some tired arms, we made it just fine. When we returned the kayak, the guy asked if we had fun. I smiled and said we had the time of our lives. Not completely true, but it was better than what I really wanted to tell him.

Sitting in the car, I took in a deep breath and thanked God for keeping us safe and for helping me to eventually laugh about the whole thing.

So, what does tomorrow bring? Who knows, only time will tell!

760 foot vertical climb to get to the top.

Mike and Kristie enjoy the breeze!

A view from the top.

Do you see the lighthouse?

The coral reefs are beautiful!

Ahhhh, this island is awesome!

Waikiki

Green grass! I haven't seen grass, much less

green grass, since last August!

Kristie stretches those muscles

(since they haven't been used in a very long time).

The scenic road winds around beautiful coastline.

The sun sets at our resort.

Sushi!!!! Need I say more????

Aurora Borealis March 2011

On Thursday night, Mike woke up around 1:00 a.m. He took a peek out the window to find the Aurora dancing through the night sky. The noise woke me, so I suggested he get the camera and take some pictures. With that suggestion, I pulled the covers over my head and went back to sleep. Here is what he captured!