Remembering Herb

Off to Salmon Arm to visit my good friend Anne-Marie.  Anne-Marie lost her husband Herb this last winter.  I so miss him.  

So young.  What a great guy.  Felt like a brother...when I visited I felt so at home.

The pier in Salmon Arm.  Anne-Marie and I enjoyed a lovely day walking and talking.

Beautiful.

And we managed to sit and enjoy a cold drink.

So relaxing.  There's a lot to be said about a small town.  Lots of love and support for Anne-Marie.

and then on to the Big Island...HAWAII!

I left Kauai and caught Hawaiian Airlines over to The Big Island, Hawaii.  My sister Sue was already there and met me at the airport.  It turns out that the tropical storm we experienced in Kauai had just moved over to Hawaii and when Sue arrived she was welcomed with thunder, lightening and torrential rain.  Luckily that is all behind us and we have clear skies and temperatures in the high 20's.  Beautiful.

Sunset at the Kona Coast Resort...perfect place..

Unwinding with a cool one...what a day...so glad to be here!

Sue and I drove up island to Waimea.  Lush ranching country.  Such a contrast to the stark lava fields.

Hapuna Beach State Park.  Gorgeous beaches and not crowded at all.

We also drove to the town of Hawi on the northern tip of the island.  Just past Hawi we came to the town where the statue of King Kamehameha is displayed.  They were having a hula class in the building behind the statue.  Tempted to join in but we gave it a pass.

We stopped at a market that was set up not far from our resort.  Good music.

Seeking out the shade where we enjoyed a frozen fruit stick.

Then on another day we headed south on the island and stopped at this bakery.  It's a must do here and the tour buses even stop here.  After sampling some of their goods we realize why.  It's just...sooooo..good!!

On to Black Sand Beach to see the turtles but no turtles this afternoon.  We missed the show as apparently they were around earlier in the day.  Just these two hot babes!

Pretty lagoon at Black Sand Beach.

Then on to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau State Park or "the Refuge" as it's known.

What babes we are!

No disrespect here!

And then on our way back to the resort we stop by the Painted Church.  The inside of this church is painted with biblical scenes.  Then it's to the market to pick up wine and fish.  We have had Ahi ahi and Ono.  So fresh and good.  Just throw it on the BBQ.

Then we drive to Mauna Lani to check out some beautiful hotels on the beach and also the shops.

Finally we stop at the Harbour House for dinner before catching our 'red eye' flight back home.  Until we meet again, aloha!

Kauai....with family

I head out of YVR on the 6 a.m. flight.  Yuck!  Way too early!  Touch down in Seattle then over to Kauai!  Got in around 1:30, picked up my rental car and went to Costco to load up with groceries.  Most of my purchase turned out to be booze.  Always a good buy at Costco.  Trader Vic's Mai Tai's....yummy!

Then off to Princeville to check in at Bali Hai Villas Resort.   Ahhhhhh...starting to unwind.

Gorgeous!  Then I have to drive back to the airport to pick up Mike, Teeny and Jamie.  They had a great flight and we all settled down to our week of relaxation (or as much relaxation you can achieve with a two year old!)

Hard at work with his dump truck!

The gangs all here!

Waiting for the big wave?

Dad and JJ

Beautiful flowers...

Farmer's Market!  Bought papaya and the best pasta sauce...sooooo....good!

On Ke'e Beach with the Na Pali Coast in the background.

Na Pali Coast

A little together time....

As long as I can dig I'm good!