Here we are - just landing in Kona, Hawaii. Looked out the window and thought to ourselves that it looked a lot like Craters of the Moon in Idaho, but with a few palm trees here and there. Didn't take us long to discard our winter coats . . . looking forward to that Hawaiin sun and fun! Left bright and early on October 31, 2009 from Boise with Ray and Lori and met Shelli and Carl in San Francisco . . . then onto Hawaii! 
The flowers were so beautiful! I think the hibiscus were my favorites . . . they were everywhere and in every color imaginable (well almost). Halloween night we went to downtown Kona for their local festivities but by 8:00 we were exhausted . . . the time change had finally overtaken the adrenalin and 4 hours was a lot. So we went to our abode and hung out, but not for very long . . . soon it was just z-z-z-z's!
We were amazed to see the volcano . . . a local guide took us pretty close and we were impressed. The lava falls seemed to go on forever. I'm sure that must have been a bit scary when it started coming down from the volcano! Now all that's left out there are the lava flows and the homes of some
of the diehard natives who rebuilt their homes . . . but without any electricity or water . . . Ray and Lori's friend's brother told us a neat story about their High Priest group helping a Catholic group move their church just before the lava came down. We got to see the church . . . bet that impressed some of those Catholics!
Enjoying the sands of one of the beaches on the big island . . . still lots of lava, but the sand and ocean more than make up for it. We loved the "island graffiti" . . . along the lava were names, pics etc. out of what looked like white rock to us (we thought they spray painted it . . .) but found out that the graffiti was actually white coral. I wanted to put "Deej + The Vic".
This is us on a hike we took to Akaka Falls . . . it was beautiful! 
We were excited that we got to go to the Kona temple. We also attended church there and loved how everyone begins with "Aloha, brothers and sisters. . ." The temple was beautiful and we met a fun newlywed couple from Wyoming . . . who just happened to be from where Ray and Lori lived when they were in Wyoming. What a small world . . . and they hung out with us which made us feel young(er). . .
I loved that flip flops were appropriate attire for anywhere you went on the island!! Another reason Hawaii became one of my favorites!
Vic and Deej under the Banyan tree in Kona. Makes one feel rather small.
All set for our adventure on the zip line! Helmets on . .. raincoats for some of us (the girls and Carl . . . and Ray and Vic wished that they had them by the end of the adventure!) Headed up to the opposite end of the island (I never did figure out north, south, east or west . . .) for the zipline. The scenery changed from the dryer side of the island to the very green, wet almost rainforest like side. BEAUTIFUL!!
Vic and I stopping for a pic moment along the path in the bamboo forest where we were zipping. We went on 8 different zips and the view from on top was amazing. Other than Vic's little mishap with Beth, who was supposed to stop him . . . it was a good time had by all. Lots of rain, mud and smiles!! Oh yeah . . . and scenery beyond compare!
We made it back safe and sound . . . with lots of memories we shall not forget for a long, long time!Before heading to Maui, we went on a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook's Monument. Our fearless leader was a boy from Lewiston, Idaho, Chad . . . who decided about 5 years ago to not catch his plane back to Idaho and has been there ever since. We got to see fish that I had only seen in books or on the Discovery Channel up close and personal!
Captain Chad, another misplaced Idahoan now residing in Hawaii!
Our first sunset in Maui. We flew to Maui after spending one week on the big island. 
On our first Sunday, we went to church in Maui and were pleasantly surprised to find Mike and Kay Kelsey's grandson was the youth speaker. They are old friends from back in Sun Valley days and their daughter, Michelle had moved to Maui. We were excited to find them right there! They invited us over to their home for dinner on Monday evening. Had a yummy meal and was fun to see their family! After church on Sunday, we drove up to Ioa Park . . . the Needle. I couldn't take enough pictures!! 
We went on a sailboat cruise out to the island of Lanai. It was a fun time . . . everyone snorkeled and got to see turtles and lots of other fun fish . . . I passed since I was having water in my ear issues and couldn't hear unless you were on my good side and speaking rather loudly. But the scenery was nevertheless wonderful - 
Our next adventure was renting Harleys and heading up the road to Hana. Well, when they say 10 mph around hairpin curves, they mean it! We found out the hard way when Vic went to shift down and missed a gear . . . and the bike went into neutral . . . and then started backwards . . . I bailed just before Vic laid it down softly . . . but I didn't land so softly - lit right on my fanny - and sprained my wrist . . . and had a huge bruise on my whole calf . . . we finally got the bike back up together and then got back on and were on our way. What a beautiful ride!! Spent all day on the road and at the 7 Sacred Pools . . . didn't get back until after dark. 
A little view over the edge on the Road to Hana . . . too beautiful. We couldn't believe all the beautiful ranches along there . . . Vic commented that those were the luckiest cows in the whole world and they didn't even know it!
Here I am on the beast after the wreck, the rain and lots of beautiful scenery! Stopped in the town of Hana and had lunch under cover as it was pouring. Then we got in the van and drove on up to the 7 Sacred pools, leaving the bikes there until we returned. (Carl drove the van, Ray and Vic had bikes . . .)
Another shot of us in the bamboo forest!
One little view of the falls leading to the 7 Sacred Pools. We enjoyed hiking around there . . . and Ray went swimming. . . the rest of us passed as it was kind of a stormy day and we had heard "death" stories of flash floods coming down . . . no way was that going to happen to me!
On one of the beaches on Maui . . . 
Vic found these "hair hats" in one shop and the boys loved them! But all of us girls said NO! Funny though, Ray and Vic both got one for Christmas! The other 2 pictures are of the blowhole. It was amazing - I could have stayed there all day and watched and listened to it blow! Viewing it from on top was good for me - Ray, Vic and Shelli ventured on down for a little closer view . . . but it was still pretty stormy - their first storm of the "winter".
A moment for reflection . . . and then onto more important things like body surfing!
Waiting for the big one . . . but not too big please!
A "foot pic" would only be appropriate . . . got to love those flip flops and sandals!! One last picture before we have to get on board and head back to the real winters of Idaho . . . snow lay on the ground as we landed and now Vic spends much of his creative thinking time, trying to figure out how we can spend a couple of months a year in Hawaii. It truly was a heavenly experience!
