The Iditarod

The ceremonial start of The Iditarod in Anchorage is carnival-like and all about fun, games, advertising and the Fur Rendezvous.

Most of the racing dogs do not resemble Alaskan Huskies.  They are rather small, lean and unidentifiable in terms of a particular breed.


























The official start of the race is in Willow the day after the ceremonial start in Anchorage.

Hawaii

Many Alaskans make an annual winter migration to Hawaii for sun and sand, and we think we should too!

Jan. 2013
Airlines, timeshare, cruise, rental cars, Island shuttles, flip-flops--planning is done.  Land of the pineapple and macadamia nut here we come!

First stop:  Honolulu
Standing on the water front of Pearl Harbor is an experience that no history book can adequately describe.  The USS Arizona Memorial recalls the sobering reality of the tragedies of war.

Waikiki Beach was full of TV cameras filming a Hawaii Five-O segment, a rare Monk Seal was snoozing on the beach and we were delighted to be twinkling our toes in the sand!

          

  

The Dole Pineapple Plantation

The north shore of Oahu has delicious locally grown shrimp and gigantic waves that would draw the most skilled surfers from around the world to compete later in the week.

On to the cruise ship for
a week of island hopping:

Maui:
We arose at an obscene hour to see the sunrise from Mt. Haleakala and then careen down the mountain on a bicycle!  What thrill-seekers we turned out to be in our old age. :)

I've said it before, but it bears repeating, "The sun looks the same going down as it does coming up."  Although, we were above the clouds, so it was cool to see.
                                               

   

Top speed flying down the mountain 

35 mph.  We removed our substantial helmets for a photo op.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     We were really high!                                                                                                                              

                                                               Back to sea level.

Nightingale appears to be sensing something.

A week on The Big Island:  Volcanoes Nat'l Park

 Erupting volcanoes have spewed lava 20 ft. deep across some of the Park roads.  The cauldrons constant steam is a reminder of the powerful force still simmering under the ground we are walking on.  Steam vents are all over the Park.  The cruise ship passed by the cliffs one night and we could see red hot lava flowing into the ocean causing it to boil.

Hiking on sun-baked black lava is hard on the feet.  

Walking through one of the many lava tubes.

                                           So many beautiful waterfalls!

 If I could live anywhere in the world, I think it would be within walking distance of tiny St. Benedict's, The Painted Church.  It sits on the very edge of Kona, overlooking the ocean, away from the bustling town.


What more could one possibly need or want--Mass in this beautiful setting, nearby macadamia orchards, delicious Kona coffee, fresh pineapple stands, local rum, wild-growing poinsettia and year-round sun and sand?

Oh, yes, I forgot beer!

A week on Kauai.

                                                 Secret Beach

 

                                                                       Waimea Canyon

Finally a peak at the stunning Na Pali Coast as the clouds lift.

The flowers are beautiful...

                              and the locals are friendly!

We did have time for zip lining before leaving.  OH,YES, WE DID IT--9 zips, a swinging bridge and a death defying climb to leap off King Kong!!!!

  

Given our fearlessness, it would be natural to assume we tied ourselves to kites and sped across the top of the water at 40 mph.  Um, no.

We're warm from all the sun and full of tropical fruits and vegetables.   

Our bags are heavy with macadamia nuts.

The flip-flops are packed away.  This airplane is getting ready to set us back down in Alaska for another few months of winter.  We're missing the kitties.