Hawaii 2010!

Two years ago Mike and I vacationed for two weeks in Kauai adventuring with his friend Johnny, exploring the volcanos of the Big Island, flying over breathtaking  beaches and waterfalls, freezing on top of  Mauna Kea, and worrying about Mike's dad back in the nursing home. This year we are back again but with my sister Debbie and husband Mark for week one and Johnny for week two. We have had non-stop activity since stepping out of the plane including visiting the Kauai coffee plantation with plenty of caffiene filled samples, surfing lessons, zip lining experiences, golf overlooking the ocean, ATVing, hiking our legs off, swimming in pools and  ocean, helicopter rides, shopping galore, laughing until we cry, eating until we burst and taking a ton of photos. That is just for starters. We have left worries behind for these two weeks and concentrated on enjoying our family, friend and beauty of this incredible place. The picutres  tell it all!!

Driveway Astronomy

Mike has had his head in the "stars" for a long time but now has made it official with the purchase of a telescope and ALL the "necessary" gadgets. In our quest to spend quality time together I am "studying" star charts, reading telescope manuals, using new binoculars, memorizing constellations like the Big Dipper and Leo, viewing the rings of Saturn, counting the moons of Jupiter, and in general struggling to get up to speed with this new hobby taking place in our driveway each clear evening. FUN!!!

  I was worrying about what we will do when/if we retire. The telescope may be our answer. I can picture us packing up the dogs and gear, exploring remote areas, making sure the locations are pitch DARK and sky CLEAR, sitting back in my lawn chair with binoculars while Mike "syncs" the scope to the sky, eating snacks while we check out the "heavens" and I try to identify the 10 measly stars and constellations I have managed to memorize. As the picture shows, we have quite the hi-tech driveway setup. Computer, telescope, kitchen stool, saw horses, plywood board....we are living large!