The Gemini telescope on the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island.
Gemini Telescope
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Tag Archives: hawaiian outdoors
Family Fun at Manoa Falls
As one of our last activities before Jan and John left, we hiked to Manoa Falls and enjoyed the birds, flowers and waterfall. As someone who usually hikes this pretty fast to get to the endpoint, it was so good to hike with Jan and John. Since they had never hiked it before, they took the time and kept their eyes open for exotic flowers, plants, etc., which made me slow down as well!
Pretty purple flowers on the vines.
Love this photo.
Jan and John in the tree arch.
Makapu’u Lighthouse & Seaplane Sighting!
On Monday, while my uncle John headed out for a sea plane tour, my aunt Jan and I hiked the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. One of the highlights of our hike was that we were at the top of the lighthouse trail when John flew by on his seaplane! I loved getting to do this with Jan. It’s great to have family and friends come visit who are elated to be there and experiencing everything. We had a blast!
Jan enjoying the sights!
First view of the lighthouse. Love the red against the blue!
Such an amazing view…gets me every time.
John flying by!
Jan and I at the top of the trail!
Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a Lookout
Today, my aunt and I headed up Tantalus Drive toward the Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a Lookout (what Josh and I commonly refer to as “Tantalus”). It has amazing views of the city from Diamond Head all the way past Pearl Harbor. The views are absolutely stunning!
Sun Setting Behind Waiʻanae Mountains
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Spitting Caves
On Saturday, we drove around the West side of the island and stopped to enjoy the views. We spent awhile at Spitting Caves and saw a few turtles since it was so calm. There were also three people that jumped, so that was awesome! We also discovered that there are multiple peacocks that live in the house near the path to Spitting Caves. As many times as I have been there, I’ve never discovered that!
Huge turtle in the water!
Jan enjoying the views.
Someone jumping!
Splash!
Random peacocks.
Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline
On Friday, we headed up to Sunset Beach for a beautiful sunset. Added to the awesome evening were the HUGE pipeline waves and tons of surfers and bodyboarders. It was awesome! It was my first chance seeing the pipeline and I was amazed at the power of the waves and the surfers that successfully conquered them. We stayed until it was almost dark out and people were still surfing and bodyboarding. It was so awesome that we went back on Sunday to catch the waves during the daylight hours. They were just as amazing, if not bigger and there were even more people out. It’s hard to imagine that they get even bigger as we head into the winter months!
Beautiful sunset!
My mom and I enjoying the sunset.
Love the sky.
Love the clouds through the trees.
Giant waves!
Surfing!
Shark’s Cove Beach Time
This past week, we headed up to the North Shore of Oahu for some snorkeling at Shark’s Cove. Unfortunately, the waves were HUGE so we didn’t get too much snorkeling in. However, we had some great beach time and really enjoyed watching the amazing waves hit the rocks.
Big waves! Hard to imagine we were out there a few months ago.
My mom requested a selfie.
John watching the waves.
John and Jan walking up from snorkeling.
Jan putting her toes in the water!
Sisters admiring the ocean.
My mom. Love this shot!
Diamond Head Round Two
Last week, I hiked Diamond Head for the second time with my mom and Josh. It was great, because the last time I hiked it, it was super rainy and the views were not all that wonderful. This time it was a HOT and sunny day, so the views were great and it was a decent workout! Afterwards, we headed to Diamond Head Cove Health Bar for my favorite açai bowl and then to Diamond Head Beach Park to see what it was like.
Great view of Waikiki.
My mom and I with Waikiki in the background.
Josh and I at the top of Diamond Head.
A helicopter landing. Pretty cool.
So many boats!
Lots of stairs!
My favorite Acai Bowl!
Diamond Head Beach.
Gunstock Ranch
Today, we went on a field trip to Gunstock Ranch on the North Shore for fall break. We had a blast hiking, watching the kids swim and leading them around on the horses!
The pregnant goat that LOVED us!
Hiking on the ranch.
Horses!
Donkey..roaming around freely.
Fun time in the pool.
Sunshine the cat.
Jenn and Elise!
365 Days Of Hawaii 