Today I go to Hilo with Becka. While she goes to her massage clinic, I go to the Booch Bar for kombucha, eggs and sweet potato breakfast, sitting outside, admiring the mural on the wall across the street.
Wall Mural – Hilo, Hawaii
My granddaughter Aurora joins me and we chat for a while, then she walks with me to various clothing shops, as I am still looking for a Hawaiian skirt.
When Becka gets off work, she and I go to Rainbow Falls on the outskirts of Hilo. According to Hawaiian legend, this magnificent 80-foot falls on the Wailuku River is said to be the home of the moon goddess Hina.
Rainbow Falls – Hilo, HawaiiComing Closer to Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is surrounded by jungle vegetation and great trees, including African tulip trees which are an invasive species from Africa that is thriving on Big Island to the detriment of native species.
Jungle Vegetation at Wailuku River State ParkJungle Vegetation Including African Tulip Trees at Wailuku River State Park – HIlo, HawaiiBlossoms on African Tulip Trees
We walk downstream from Rainbow Falls and look down at lively rapids.
Downstream View of Rainbow FallsRapids on the Wailuku River Below Rainbow Falls
Nearby is a banyan forest, so once again I gaze in admiration at trees that are beyond the scope of a cell phone photo to capture their awesome size.
Admiring the Banyan TreesBecka at the BanyansCarol in a Banyan
At the edge of the banyan forest, there is a stand where a Hawaiian dude with bleached hair whacks open a fresh coconut, sticks in a big straw, and voila, fresh coconut milk. I couldn’t resist!
Fresh Coconut Milk
Back at Becka’s place, we both take naps, I, because I wake up too early here, she, because she works so hard.
Wednesday August 23
Becka works all day at her massage clinic. I stay home and do odds and ends for her: laundry, clean vases, and water plants on the lanai, as well as my own projects. I think this was the only day that we didn’t go somewhere or have someone come over.
The weather continues to be in the 80-85 range in the day time, with light trade winds and rain showers every day. During the morning rain, I go for a walk to catch a rainbow just down the street.
I wake up way too early again, but on the plus side, I see beautiful sunrise color.
Early to Rise
This morning is taken up with getting Becka’s friend Meg’s car to the airport. Once that is taken care of, we go to a place called Vibe Cafe with the intention of getting drinks and writing in our journals. I get a hot chocolate latte, but it is way too noisy here (I guess usually it is quiet, but with today being Saturday, it is different.) The noise is very troublesome for Becka’s brain, so we leave and run the errands on her list.
While chicken marinates for dinner we go to Banyan Drive for the calming peaceful beauty of it and to nearby Coconut Island.
Park at Banyan DriveColor Along Banyan DriveA Visit to Coconut IslandView of the Ocean from Coconut Island
After a very tasty dinner and cleanup, we visit a bit, but my Montana body wants to go to bed.
Hurricane Dora is on the news, adding to the devastation in Hawaii, as winds increase the wildfire damage.
Sunday August 20
Sunrise Color in the Clouds
Becka is working all day today with massage clients, so my son Fin and his wife Mandy pick me up for a trip to the Volcanic National Park, along with my granddaughter Molly and a friend from school. After buying some roast chicken from a roadside food stand, we go to the Visitor’s Center where there are picnic tables for a picnic. I was the one who suggested a picnic, which, to me, means food, drinks, paper plates, table cloth, napkins, and so on. What I didn’t realize is that Mandy, from a different culture (Chinese), didn’t really know what I meant by a picnic, and she and Fin just bring chips and candy. I have enough food for all (thanks to Becka – she knows what a picnic is!), but no extra plates or cutlery. We share the best we can, grateful for fruit and cold cuts that can be eaten without spoons and forks.
Then we hike the scenic trail where steam vents hint at the heat beneath our feet and we can see into the Kilauea Caldera where more steam rises.
Steam Vents Along the Trail at Volcano National Park
Fin and I walk quite a ways, while Mandy and the girls take a slower pace.
Black Lava Marks the Kilauea CalderaSteam Rising from the Center of Kilauea Caldera
In retrospect, which is good for future planning, we could have driven to the volcanic overlook for better views. The drive back to Hilo is very misty from the rain and the elevation changes.
Back at Becka’s place, she and I have tea and visit a bit before I text good-night to Clifford and head to bed.
Monday August 21
I am up about 6:00, but no sunrise, just a solid wall of rain, with rain off and on all day.
A Very Rainy Day
Becka is doing massage all day, so I have the day to myself with tai chi, taking care of emails, and sharing photos from yesterday’s outing with Fin and Mandy. In the evening, Becka and I have a delicious steak dinner and play cribbage.
Becka Wins the Cribbage Game
Our outings are great, but quiet days on the lanai are also very good, as I am always surrounded by beauty of nature.
My Hawaii Adventure is off to a great start. The only downside is that my body has not adjusted to the four-hour time zone change and I am waking up way too early most mornings. At least I get to see sunrise!
Sunrise over the Ocean
Becka goes to work after her early morning walk to Honolli Beach. I have a quiet morning to myself for journal, tai chi, and enjoying the view of the ocean from the lanai. Her yard is a lovely lawn surrounded by jungle vegetation and trees.
Becka’s Yard Surrounded by Jungle
The trade winds blow gently, while rain showers come and go. In the evening, on our way to the Women’s New Moon Circle, we stop at Maku’u Cliffs, a lava rock shore. We walk along the lava to where I can take photos of the waves coming in with a big splash.
Wave Crash In at Maku’u CliffsMaku’u CliffsMaku’u Cliffs (Photo by Becka)
Becka describes the Women’s Circle as kind of “hippy-dippy,” but the women are friendly, the hang drum music is really beautiful and the ceremony for breaking unhealthy patterns is quite meaningful. The patterns I choose to release are lack of clarity and trying to be accommodating to everyone. This releasing is done outside at a burning ceremony, which finishes just as another rain shower passes through. The coqui frogs are amazingly loud and their song is just like their name. During the soft rain, they are so loud we can not even hear each other speak.
Wednesday August 16
Delicious Breakfast on the Lanai
Becka fixes us a delicious breakfast before she leaves for her massage clinic.
My daughter-in-law Mandy comes for coffee and we share leftovers for brunch, and then I have a quiet early afternoon to myself. When Becka arrives home from work, we go to New Chang Mai’s for a really tasty Thai dinner. Becka buys a mango sticky rice dessert, which is new to me, to take home.
Dinner at New Chang Mai
Back at her place, we visit, write in our journals, and eat part of the dessert, which is absolutely delicious! Yummmmm!
Thursday August 17
I wake up too early again. My body thinks I am still in Montana!
Today I go to town with Becka so she can show me the clinic where she works as a massage therapist. While she is working with clients, I walk about exploring this part of Hilo with its interesting variety of little shops and eateries. Mandy and I meet at Nectar Cafe for coffee and a bagel before we visit clothing shops, as I’d like to buy a Hawaiian skirt. It is nice spending some time with her, even though I don’t find a skirt.
When Becka gets off work, we go to Wild HeArtist, a gift boutiquewhere she orders a very special candle for me. These candles are uniquely made with every part of them chosen by the recipient, including the holder, the scent, and the intention. It is indeed a very special gift.
The Candle I Chose
From this shop, we walk to the Farmer’s Market to buy orchids. Becka’s kitchen is light, airy, uncluttered, and orchids add beauty and grace.
Friday August 18
This morning I wake up at 6:00, just in time for a beautiful sunrise. Becka takes me to WSW, a fancy place across the bay, for an amazing steak and egg breakfast. Very fun when eating out is such a satisfying happy adventure.
Fancy Steak Breakfast at WSWBreakfast at WSW with Becka
After the delightful breakfast, our next stop is a pedicure. What a luxury a pedicure is and I leave with pinkish sparkles on my toes.
Luxury is a Pedicure
After our pedicure, we go for a drive on Banyan Park Drive. On the ocean side is a family-oriented beach where it is easy to walk in the ocean, with gravel under our feet and no huge waves crashing in. This area is known as Baby Beach because people can safely take their kids there.
Baby Beach at Hilo BayWalking in the OceanThe View of the Bay at Baby Beach
On the jungle side of Banyan Park Drive are the great banyan trees. The trees are so humongous, it is not possible to catch their essence in a photo. I am in awe of them as we walk through the park, admiring the vegetation – so many colors and textures – and gaze upward scarcely able to see the sky due to the dense canopy of the trees.
Becka in the BanyansColors and Textures in the JungleLooking Up in the Banyan Grove
Such a great fun morning and there is still more to come!
My Hawaii Adventure continued this morning with a great breakfast at WSW across the Hilo Bay from Becka’s neighborhood, followed by a walk along Banyan Drive where we admired the great banyan trees and colorful flowers.
Red Ginger
After walking along Banyan Drive and visiting Baby Beach, we stop for a beverage break at a fancy place called Hula Hula’s, where we sit in the shade to watch the sailboats in the bay as we sip our tasty cold drinks.
Hilo BaySipping a Tasty Beverage at Hula Hula’sSailboat on Hilo Bay
Volcano Garden Arts by artist Ira Ono is also known as Ira’s Garden. This unique gift shop, about 30 miles south of Hilo, is our next stop.
Once a Water Cistern, Now a Work of ArtCharm of Ira’s GardenThe Largest Flamingo Lily I’ve Ever Seen
This place features beautiful grounds and a great gift shop. We spend a while browsing through a unique assortment of crafts, jewelry, and art work. There are so many lovely items to look at, and eventually I settle on a pair of earrings and a wooden spoon for honey. It is a special treat that Ira is there and we are able to thank him in person for creating this beautiful place for the public.
Becka and Carol at Ira’s Garden
We take our time walking the trails through the grounds. It is fun and relaxing to just walk about looking at so much beauty both inside and outside the shop.
Path Through the Woods at Ira’s GardenKahili Ginger Along the PathNiche for a Statue of the BuddhaKahili Ginger
We are hearing of wildfires, mostly on Maui, over 17,000 acres and many deaths, blamed on dry condition and gusty winds. Who knows! Anyway, I thought it odd that we on Big Island can not see the smoke. Maui is only 30 miles away across open ocean, but the trade winds are blowing the smoke away from Big Island. Although I am grateful for our clear skies, I feel great compassion for those on Maui who have lost so much these past 10 days.
My Hawaii adventure is underway today with outings to two beaches near Hilo.
Becka is up early to walk to the popular Honolli Beach for her morning quiet time before others arrive. I take photos from the lanai, and when Aurora gets up, she makes us breakfast while Becka goes to her massage clinic.
Hawaiian Sunrise
Aurora offers to show me the way to Honolli Beach. Today is a hotter day and I am not used to the humidity, so we stop often in the shade, but I enjoy taking photos of the amazing flowers and the ocean with its ceaseless motion.
Going to Honolli Beach with AuroraHonolli Beach and the Ceaseless OceanRed GingerFalse Bird of ParadiseAurora Walking the Honolli BeachHonolua Stream Enters Honolli Bay
We walk to the point where Honolua Stream enters Honolli Bay, and it is all jungle beyond.
On the way back we stop at the Alae Cemetery that is notable for the great monkeypod tree that resides there. It is well over 100 years old and at least 150 feet in the diameter of its canopy. Many Japanese are interred here. Although I could not find out much history about that, I would surmise the Japanese presence was in relationship to WWII.
Alae Cemetery and Monkeypod Tree
Hilo weather is daytime temps in the low 80’s with light trade winds and rain every day. The rain showers can he seen moving in, sometimes several times a day, but after a few minutes, they move on.
After Becka gets home from work, she packs up a picnic and we head to Carl Smith Beach near Hilo where she barbecues pork steak and potatoes for a picnic with son Fin, his wife Mandy, and my young granddaughter Molly.
Granddaughter Molly
We have a delicious meal (Thanks Becka!) and play in the shallow calm water at the beach.
Beach at Carl Smith ParkMandy and Molly Play in the OceanTortoise on the BeachCarl Smith Park Near Hilo at Sunset
Due to the time zone change, dinner is late for me, and I am more than ready to go to bed when we get back to Becka’s place.
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.
Flight from Great Falls to Seattle over the Rocky MountainsSetting Sun on Flight Over the Ocean
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.
Chinese HibiscusVivid Colors of the TiplantPalm Trees Rise Gracefully to the Sky
Becka helps me walk barefoot across the lava, safe than sandals or shoes on the wet lava rocks.
Walking Barefoot on the Lava Rocks
I love the vast view of the ocean and the waves coming in and out, like breathing.
Loving the Vastness of the OceanShoreline at KonaWaves Crash Against the RocksHang Glider Near the Coast at Kona
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.
Carol and Son Fin at Kona
As we cross Big Island we can see Maui in the distance, mostly hidden by low-lying clouds.
Maui in the Distance
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.
Carol and Becka at the Pool PartyOcean View from the Pool Party near Sunset
