Hawaii Adventure
Saturday August 12, 2023 – I am up early, thanks to HeyHay, the family cat, who slept on the cot with me. Daughter Becka and I finish packing for the flight to Hawaii, go to Montana Club for a good lunch, stop at Walmart for healthy snacks, and then on to the Great Falls airport. It doesn’t take long to check in and go through security. The flight to Seattle is smooth, with a short layover before boarding a bigger plane to Kona, Hawaii. Another smooth flight, taking photos out the window. I don’t fly often and have never been to Hawaii, so this is all very exciting to me.
When we get off the plane in Kona, I am struck by the warm humidity, like walking into a tropical greenhouse in this open-air airport. The smells and the warm moist air on my face feel very exotic to me, very unlike any airport I have ever experienced. We spend the night with Becka’s friend, Dominique, who lives in Kona. Although it is too dark to see the ocean, I can hear and feel its presence so near. What an exciting start to the Hawaii adventure!
Sunday August 13 – Kona, Hawaii
I tried to say in bed as long as possible, due to going to bed so late after our flight to Kona, but adjusting to the 4-hour time zone switch is tricky. When Dominique comes home after her night-time job, she makes a delicious breakfast for us before we walk down to the beach not far from her home.
There are many exotic flowers and blossoming trees along the pathway to the lava beach, and palm trees rise gracefully above us.
Becka helps me walk barefoot across the lava, safe than sandals or shoes on the wet lava rocks.
I love the vast view of the ocean and the waves coming in and out, like breathing.
My son Fin and his wife Mandy meet us there, bringing beautiful leis as they greet us at the beach. We hang out at the lava rock beach, enjoying time together in this beautiful spot before we head across Big Island on Saddle Mountain Road to Becka’s place in Hilo.
As we cross Big Island we can see Maui in the distance, mostly hidden by low-lying clouds.
Becka’s guest bedroom is perfect for me. Aurora, my granddaughter is here, as she has been taking care of Becka’s place while Becka was on the mainland. She helps get my bed made up and my bags unloaded from the car before Becka and I leave for a pool party where Becka reconnects with friends from work, since she has been gone for several weeks.
