We fell asleep last night to the sounds of frogs and they were the first thing I heard this morning as well. Shortly after waking, I hop in the shower and when I am finished our room is empty. I go into the common room and find Mister sitting on the window bench while sipping his coffee. He looks so peaceful and doesn't notice me as I wander around taking pictures. The table has been set for breakfast and it looks very inviting. John and Charlotte, the owners, come in for a visit and give us some recommendations for the day. We mention that we are going to go to Mauna Kea later in the day and Charlotte quickly offers to loan us some jackets. This is why we stay at the types of places we do --- what hotel would do that?
After breakfast and armed with umbrellas we start our exploration of this corner on the Big Island. Just a short distance from our "hotel" is
Boiling Pots State Park and we run out between rain showers to check it out. As with so many things here, it is overflowing due to the rainfall and so the pots are not boiling but the area is still beautiful to see.
Just down the road is
Rainbow Falls and as it is raining again, umbrellas up and off we go. Since we don't have any sun, we are not expecting to see rainbows and we are correct.
Wandering slightly off the path, we discover a grotto of incredible trees. Apparently it was once a picnic area.
Passing through Hilo, we continue on to
Richardson Ocean Park where we have heard that there is incredible snorkeling and possibly turtles. The park is in a great setting and it provides an opportunity for another photography lesson for me. I still struggle with getting the right angles, but am learning more each time. As we walk back into the park, we see a roped off area and assume it is another turtle being watched. Oh my, are we ever wrong. It is a monk seal and they are incredibly rare and endangered. It is merely resting on the beach and so the area has been roped off. How lucky is this. He spots us and lifts his head to check us out then goes right back to sleep. Apparently we do not make him feel threatened.
Check out how green his face looks in the sunlight. I could have sat and watched him all day. What a treat.
This seaside park has little coves that look great for snorkeling but we just enjoy the views instead.
It is not often that we pose for pictures and so decide to grab one of each of us. Mister does well and the water behind cooperates.
When it is my turn to take the pictures, we have to wait and wait for a wave to break well and by then Mister no longer wants his picture taken. Can you tell?
We have one spot left to explore today and that is the
Kapoho Tidepools. Trouble is -- our directions are poor and it takes us awhile to locate them. These are truly a hidden gem! We originally thought that they would be small little tidepools that we could walk around and spot wonderful little life forms. Nope.
These are actually very deep pools containing a wonderful variety of fish and coral. Drat -- we did not come prepared for that today. We walk around on the lava, peeking into the pools and soon discover that we need to quickly move back to shore as the tide is coming in and doing so at a rapid rate. Wow. In the next picture --- the dark area in the center was above water only seconds before -- and I was walking on it. Gotta pay attention around here. We decide to locate some snorkeling equipment and return tomorrow morning to check these pools out from beneath the water.
Retracing our route, we stop at some of the sights missed on the way while attempting to locate the tidepools. The
Lava Tree State Park is just a turnout along the road so we stop in to walk around and check out the formations. They look so cool - a bit bizarre, but definitely interesting. Lava trees are formed when the lava flows through a heavily forested area and leaves the mold of the tree behind.
We also pass papaya orchards all along the way and I am fascinated by the way these trees grow. My question is: how do they harvest them? Do they have to climb them like coconut trees?
Taking a slightly different route back to Hilo, we stop in Pahoa. It is a small village with buildings that give the look of a "wild west" town. It is time for some food and we stop at
Pele's Kitchen for a very late brunch.
Mister enjoys some blintzes while I give eggs and Spam a shot. Spam is another food on the "must eat" list for Hawaii. It is not a new food to me, but I order it anyway to keep the tradition alive. While here, we ask about snorkeling equipment and discover
Jeff Hunt Surfboards is just down the road. We finish our meal, say good-bye to our wonderful server, and zip down the road to the shop. We are able to get snorkels and masks for 24 hours. Awesome - tomorrow morning will be fun. Now -- through Hilo and start up the mountain.
It is time to see if we can leave the rain behind and find the sun. As we start our ascent towards
Mauna Kea, the tallest volcano in Hawaii, we realize that we are going to go up in elevation quickly. Within moments our ears are popping like crazy. We arrive at the visitor center and since we do not have a 4-wheel drive, our trip comes to an end.
The observatories are at the top and I am kind of sad that we don't get to go up, but we are above the rain and in the sunshine. We have read that star gazing up here is incredible at night and the telescopes that we see sitting around testifies to that.
Our funny bones are tickled by a couple of things while up here. First, the pickups that are coming down from the top filled to the brim with snow. There are many of them and we laugh out loud when we see them.
The second item is a car parked outside the center. I am not kidding here --- there were SIX dogs in it. Who does that? I cannot even imagine traveling with one dog let alone six. Total insanity.
We stay for awhile watching videos and people. Sometimes the latter is the best. Now to start the trek back down to sea level. Look out ears. Oh - John and Charlotte were right -- it is dang cold up here.
Upon arriving back near Hilo, we stop at
Kaumana Caves. These are part of a 25-mile long lava tube and are not lit or maintained. At some point it becomes private property but we do not venture back that far. It has stopped raining outside, but inside the cave it continues to drip. We have one small flashlight with us and use it to guide the path as far as we can go finding unique formations all along the way. This is so cool and so off the beaten path.
This has been quite the day. We are beat and just want some dinner and bed. Mister has located a very local spot and is excited for some authentic Japanese food.
Nori's Saimin & Snacks fit the bill perfectly. Hidden on a back street, lower than the parking lot, this little place is truly wonderful.
When you are seated, you are given a menu. Upon ordering, sauces are delivered. An older lady comes around after that and gives you utensils depending on what you ordered - thus if she didn't think you needed a spoon, you weren't given one. The food is presented well and tastes excellent.
This is our last night in Hawaii and I still have an item on my "must eat" list. We ask about it as we leave the restaurant and are sent to the grocery store. Once there, we purchase a box of mochi ice cream. These little balls are ice cream covered with a pounded sticky rice. They don't move to the top of my oh my gosh these are incredible list, but they aren't horrid either. I bet you are just drooling over them with that rave review. They come in several flavors, perhaps we just didn't choose the best one.
When we had stopped at the house before dinner, we mentioned to John and Charlotte that we were going to get up early to go snorkeling so to skip breakfast for us. When we return we discover two little muffin/banana bags as a to go breakfast laid out on the bed. How thoughtful. Again -- what hotel would do this?
It has been a very long day and we are exhausted. That seems to be the theme on this trip. We have another long day ahead, so see ya tomorrow. I am going to let the frogs lull me to sleep.
We wake to rain and frogs. Yep, that is what Hilo in the winter is: rain and frogs. Haha.
Driving straight to the tidepools, we are the only people out and about and that is what we had hoped for. The only problem this morning is that I don't have good hips today and I am worried about the COLD water making things worse when I have to be on an airplane for many hours. I decide not to get in, but send Mister on his way.
The rain comes and goes and in between showers, I try and get a few pictures. Shortly, I am rewarded with a brilliant rainbow that lasts for quite awhile. It later becomes a double, but I cannot get another decent picture.
Here is a little bit of Mister's perspective:
"During the moments when the sun peeks out, the colors of the fish are absolutely brilliant. The corals are unique and unharmed. The pool that I am in is about 25 feet deep which keeps people from walking on the coral. This is the best location I have ever had the chance to snorkel at. I would love to be here when the water is slightly warmer and perfect sunshine."
It is soon time to go as we have to return the equipment and be back at the house to check out of our room. We also want to shower and need to pack -- haven't taken the time to do that.
Mister emerges from the water and I give the signal that time is up. The rain has stopped again and we try to get him into dry clothes while we have the chance. A quick stop near the entrance for a picture of a Plumeria tree that I have seen all over this island. These fascinate me and the flowers are a variety of colors.
As we enter Pahoa this morning, Mister remembers a church that he saw yesterday and wants to stop for a few minutes. It is under construction of some sort and so we are unable to enter, but isn't this what you think of when you picture a country church?
Soon we are back on the road, drop off the snorkels and masks at the surfboard shop and head for Hilo, nibbling on bananas and muffins all the way back.
As we get closer to Hilo, I remember that
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts is right along the highway and so we stop and drive in through a couple miles of orchards. There is a self-guided walking tour and we do that, watching the plant as it processes and packages these wonderful nuts. A quick stop at the gift shop gives us a few munchies for the plane and we are back on our way.
It is time to pack up and say goodbye and so that is our next task. We have stuff everywhere in the car as we have been living it in for the past week so it takes us awhile to unload, pack, and reload. Mister stops to take a few pictures of the place and we visit with John and Charlotte for a few minutes before departing. I would really like to come back to Hilo and stay again - perhaps during the fall. Since our flight is not until late this afternoon, our fun is not over yet. Let's go Mister.
One last coffee shop stop. Say that three times.
Hilo Sharks Coffee is the sister shop to the one we went to in Honomu. We stop in this tiny place and instantly feel at home. What a great little shop.
Mister visits about coffee and roasters while I sit back and read a local paper. Perfect relaxation.
We tried the day before to stop in at
Mehana Brewing, sometimes called Hawaii Nui Brewing, but it had been closed so we decide to give it another shot and peek in.
They have a tasting room and we visit for a few minutes while trying one sampler each. The beer is decent and we find out where it is served locally so that we can get some lunch and try a couple more at the same time. Within 15 minutes, we are on our way and my tummy is very happy about it.
The Hilo Burger Joint is our destination and as we are the only people there, we take seats at the bar where we can visit. After ordering lunch, we get the computer out to check flights and decide that we don't really want to leave yet, so opt for a later flight and I make all the changes. We have plenty of time before our flight to the mainland leaves at 11:30 this evening. Shortly, a younger gentleman comes in and we visit with him for the rest of our time here. When we leave, Mister quietly pays the other man's tab as well and surprises him and I. What a nice gesture. Yep -- this is my sweetie.
Since we have an extra hour, we go to the
Hilo Farmers Market. The market is very large on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but a smaller version occurs everyday except Friday. It seems like a perfect place to stop and wander.
We dodge rain showers to get there and are soon walking up and down the rows checking out all the wonderful items.
Mister spots a table of papayas and the price just floors him. Really? 6/$1.00 Oh my. On the way back to the car, I spot a quilt shop. Well, we certainly can't pass that by. Oh goodness, it is wonderful and I walked out with several patterns and one kit. Yay -- love the Hawaiian prints there as well and would have taken more home, but no room in the suitcase. Drat.
Ah dang, we have put this off as long as we can. It is time to go. Once at the airport, we turn in the car and check-in. We arrive early enough that Hawaiian Airlines puts us on the next flight out leaving soon. Within just a few minutes, we are saying good-bye to the Big Island and making the quick hop back to Honolulu. Once there -- we get dinner and catch our flight back to Phoenix and then on to Dallas. Love those red-eyes.
This was a most incredible trip. All I can say to Hawaii is: Mahalo and we WILL be back.
Dinner with our friend Jennie at 20 Feet Seafood Joint, Marc Cassel's new place in our neighborhood. It is a BYOB and Jennie brought Mister a bottle of wine which he lovingly wrapped with his napkin. Cute.
Marc Cassel stopped by and so a quick picture with a horrid background, oh well.
Two days later we went to spend the afternoon with Misters family for a birthday gathering. After a Chinese lunch at Little Hunan, we returned to Mom Hayter's home for dessert, visiting, and fun. 
While waiting for dinner, these two minds went to work cleaning the calendar off so that Cass could start a new one. Funny part is ---- is this as two-person job?
