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We enjoyed another Hawaiian sunrise and made a stop at Leonard’s Bakery again on our way to the airport. Mahalo Oahu!

Day 4 was our last full day on the island. As I said it went soo fast. We started the day with a hike up Manoa Falls Trail where we were greeted by some of the most amazing terrain and vegetation we had seen yet. The average rainfall per year in this area is 150 inches. The skies waited to rain on us until we reached the falls, and then it rained all the way back down. After the hike, we decided to drive around the west side of the island as far as the road would take us. One of our hostesses on the sunset cruise recommended we visit the “Electric beach”. A favorite of the locals near a power station on the west side. This was on our way so we stopped and tested it out. The water was the best we had experienced yet – calm and cool blue. You could walk almost a hundred yards out! After this beaching, we drove further north and found the US Space Force facility (assume one of many). I had no idea it was there! After all this beaching, driving and trying not to trespass on secret government property I really wanted to find a local eating establishment with the sort of food you would find at Hawaiian Bros. After much googling and driving about we found exactly that. A ‘mom and pop’ ‘hole in the wall’ place that served what seemed like hundreds of options of Poke bowls. The food was fantastic – better than Hawaiian Bros. After all this fun we had an appointment at the palace! Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu is the original palace of the Hawaiian royal family. We enjoyed a tour of this building which included an audio history lesson. The whole place was a museum. Very elegant. We ended the day at Waikiki again. Sad to say goodbye the next morning.

Day 3 started out with coffee at the same waterside coffee shop as the previous day. (My internal time zone was off most of the trip so I was often up at 3 or 4 am.) Coffee was followed by a strenuous hike up Koko Head. All the work was worth it though – considering the views at the top. So many steps! After this workout we went to our favorite Oahu beach (so far) on the south side of the island. We ended the day on a sunset cruise starting from the north side of Honolulu and cruising down to Diamondhead and back. The views were once in a lifetime. The Mai Tai, food and hosts were excellent as well. The captain’s wife was from Olathe!

Day 2 started with a local coffee shop on an inland lake (close to the beach). We intended to drive around the east side of the island, beach-sample and stop at the North Shore. We stopped at every viewing area and several beaches. Absolutely stunning views. We stopped and watched surfers at the infamous beaches on the North Shore. Some light shopping occurred. After leaving the North Shore we headed back south and stopped at the Dole Plantation. Sooooooo tasty!! More shopping (I left Danelle in the gift shop alone?!?). We spent some time in Waikiki to end the day. Watching the sunset on the beach can’t be beat.

The “jet-setting” we did in Colorado in the summer was overshadowed by a somewhat last minute trip to Oahu for our 5th wedding anniversary. Danelle said we need to go to a beach and I listened! I had been checking flights off and on during the summer and had kinda decided it wasn’t in the cards. However, a Friday night trip to the Mad Greek in Lawrence changed things. While waiting for our food I randomly decided to again check flights. $500 per person round trip! BOOKED. We were headed to Hawaii! (and didn’t have a place to stay). I found a beautiful Vrbo apartment in a hotel right next to the water and close to Diamondhead across from a park a couple weeks later. The location ended up being perfect as we could walk to Waikiki, into downtown Honolulu and around the park. And parking for our rental was free! We were only on the island for 4.5 days but we made the most of it! It always goes so fast.

Our first day (we flew in the evening before) included a trip to Leonard’s Bakery, hiking Diamondhead, visiting Pearl Harbor and doing some random driving and beaching. I got to tour a WWII submarine as well. I can’t believe how good these pictures turned out…

I’m combining two days together in this post because we have been busy! Day 6 included a strenuous hike south of Breckenridge. We went farther than we intended because we parked in the wrong location – whoops! But we made it and found another waterfall. The remainder of Day 6 and most of Day 7 included family time in Breckenridge. We discovered cinnamon rolls that were light and fluffy but still every bit cinnamon roll. Easy on the thighs but every bit the goodness. We rode the Breckenridge gondola up the mountain and visited downtown Frisco before driving back into Denver to attend my cousin Tyah’s backyard wedding. What a beautiful ceremony! Congratulations Tyah and Brandon! We headed back home the next morning, stopping for some Colorado peaches along the way. Goodbye colorful Colorado…until next time.

Day 6

Day 7

Day 5 included another run in with our moose friend ‘Stella’. So tame! After a slow morning, we headed out to Rocky Mountain National Park. We were stunned by the extent of the devastation of recent forest fires and awed by the grandeur of the mountains and valleys. We stopped several times for pictures or light hiking. I found a waterfall! After stopping at the visitors center we headed back south to meet up with my family in Breckenridge. We rented a cabin for a couple days. Great family time!

Jet-setting would be an accurate description of our Day 4. First thing in the morning we headed out to Glenwood Springs to enjoy the ‘world famous’ hot springs pool. Once we had all the hot water and sulphur stench we could handle we headed south and drove through beautiful Aspen. The drive included scenery straight out of a movie. We had a reservation back in Silverthorne at Sauce on the Blue for an early evening meal. The Italian food was some of the best we have ever enjoyed!

Day 3 started with a beautiful mountain sunrise (pic from our bed) up the hill from Silverthorne. I wanted to hike the trail to the Lily Pad Pond that was within walking distance of our condo and was recommended by our host. I was told it was a “5 minute hike” but what we discovered was that it was a 5 minute hike to the starting point! Almost 2 hours later we returned, still unprepared, but satisfied that we accomplished a significant hike. Later in the day we headed toward Idaho Springs, hiked to St. Mary’s glacier, enjoyed a mountain pie at Beau Joes and drove over the continental divide.

Day 2 involved a shot of coffee after the warm, sticky night at the Limon Super 8. Reminder – do not stay there! We left Limon for the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs and arrived early enough we could park in a parking spot in front of the building. After touring the visitor center we hiked the area to see what there is to see (sidebar: we were here last year as well). From there we trekked up Pikes Peak by Acura as far as they would let us drive and the remainder of the way by school bus. The bighorn sheep were beside the road to greet us. Much construction was still in process at the top but we were able to tour the new visitor center and see the tram landing.